Viral Video Showing Clayton County Officer Kicking a Suspect

A video has surfaced and gained a lot of views on Facebook of a Clayton County officer allegedly kicking a suspect in a parking lot.
According to reports, the suspect, Guillermo Mansero, has been arrested for battery in Georgiaand criminal damage to property in Georgia following the incident. The officers were called to the parking lot after Mansero allegedly used a cable to whip people and property inside of a local deli. He was also reportedly high on methamphetamines.

Mansero is also accused of resisting arrest which led to the kicking. As a Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer, I will outline the offense of obstruction in today's post.

Obstruction in Georgia

Obstruction in Georgia is defined by Georgia Law as:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, a person who knowingly and willfully obstructs or hinders any law enforcement officer in the lawful discharge of his official duties is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) Whoever knowingly and willfully resists, obstructs, or opposes any law enforcement officer, prison guard, correctional officer, probation supervisor, parole supervisor, or conservation ranger in the lawful discharge of his official duties by offering or doing violence to the person of such officer or legally authorized person is guilty of a felony and shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years. O.C.G.A. §16-10-24.

Some examples of obstruction of a police officer in Georgia include:

• Resisting arrest
• Hindering a police investigation
• Lying to an officer
• Giving false information to an officer
• Running from an officer
• Threatening an officer
• Hitting an officer

Practice Note

Obstruction is frequently charged alongside DUI in Georgia. What can start as a routine traffic stop quickly escalates if an individual disobeys or threatens the officer.

The stop becomes further escalated if the officer believes that the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This could lead to any of the drug offenses in Georgia as well.

If you or a loved one has been arrested for committing a crime in Georgia, contact a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney.