A California man, Thomas Perez Jr., has won a lawsuit against the city of Fontana after enduring a 17-hour police interrogation where officers falsely accused him of murdering his father, who was later found to be alive. The city, located about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, was ordered to pay Perez $898,000 in damages for what a judge described as “psychological torture.”
The incident began on August 7, 2018, when Perez called the police after his 71-year-old father, Thomas Perez Sr., failed to return from a walk with the family dog. The dog came back without Perez Sr., prompting concern. However, during the investigation, detectives grew suspicious of Perez Jr. because he appeared “distracted and unconcerned” about his father’s disappearance.
Surveillance footage of the interrogation, shared with The Independent, shows Perez in extreme emotional distress. At various points, he can be seen screaming, attempting to pull out his hair, and tearing off his shirt. In a particularly cruel move, officers brought his pet Labrador, Margosha, into the room and threatened to euthanize the dog, claiming it was depressed from witnessing the murder that had not occurred. They told Perez to “say goodbye” to Margosha, further intensifying his anguish.
Despite Perez Jr.’s repeated assertions that he did not remember killing anyone, detectives pressured him to confess, suggesting that his mind was suppressing the memory of the crime. They falsely informed him that they had found his father’s body and had evidence against him.
During the ordeal, Perez was denied his prescription medications for depression, stress, asthma, and high blood pressure, exacerbating his distress. While he was being interrogated, officers searched his home, reportedly finding bloodstains and a K-9 unit allegedly indicating the presence of human remains. However, Perez’s lawyers later argued that these findings were fabricated.
The situation took a turn when Perez’s sister contacted the police, revealing that their father had not been harmed. Instead, he had gone to visit a female friend in El Monte and then traveled to Los Angeles International Airport to catch a flight to Northern California.
United States District Judge Dolly Gee ruled in favor of Perez on June 15, 2023, stating that “a reasonable juror could conclude that the Detectives inflicted unconstitutional psychological torture on Perez.” She noted that there was no legitimate government interest in treating Perez so harshly, especially while he was in medical distress.
Perez’s lawyer, Jerry Steering, reported that his client was severely traumatized by the incident, even attempting to take his own life during the interrogation. The Independent reached out to the city of Fontana for comment on the incident and the settlement but has yet to receive a response.
This case highlights severe misconduct within the Fontana Police Department and underscores the importance of ethical treatment and due process in law enforcement practices.
