In August 2021, Taylor Rogers, a woman from Texas, accused police officers in Santa Fe of holding her face down in a pile of fire ants, leaving bite marks all over her head and chest. She alleged that the incident occurred while she was dropping her son off at school, and that the officers had used excessive force during her arrest. Rogers has mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder from a previous encounter with police, and the lawsuit seeks to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
The federal civil lawsuit filed by Rogers alleged that an officer initially yelled at her to stop, causing her to panic and drive the wrong way down a bus-only lane. Another officer arrived at the scene, slammed Rogers to the ground, and handcuffed her tightly, causing injuries. The lawsuit claimed that the officer then twisted her leg with excessive force, hog-tied her, and buried her face in a pile of fire ants, causing extreme pain. Body-camera footage released by an attorney for Rogers showed her screaming hysterically and pleading for the officers to help her with the ants.
Randall Kallinen, the attorney representing Rogers, organized a GoFundMe campaign on her behalf, stating that she was bitten over 300 times by fire ants and experienced immense pain. The police chief for the Santa Fe Independent School District, Ruben Espinoza, defended the officers’ actions and claimed that Rogers was being erratic and noncompliant during the arrest. He denied that there was a visible ant pile and insisted that Rogers was not abused, despite her claims of being in excruciating pain during the incident.
The lawsuit alleged that the officers lacked empathy and human compassion during the arrest, with one officer even reminding Rogers that her son was watching from the car, causing her to quiet down while in pain. Kallinen, the attorney, called for the officers involved to be disciplined for their actions. Espinoza maintained that the officers were respectful and professional during the arrest, and that their actions were necessary to prevent Rogers from potentially harming someone by driving erratically near the school. The lawsuit aims to hold the officers and the City of Santa Fe accountable for the alleged misconduct during Rogers’ arrest.
Rogers’ case highlights the ongoing issue of police brutality and excessive use of force, especially towards individuals with mental illness or past traumatic experiences. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice in the community, with many voicing support for Rogers and condemning the actions of the officers involved. The outcome of the federal civil lawsuit will determine whether the officers will face any disciplinary action or further consequences for their alleged misconduct during Rogers’ arrest. As the case progresses, it serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
