Soto was charged with resisting arrest without violence but alleges the deputy’s actions were excessive and racially motivated.
Pastor Carl Soto, a prominent community activist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Restoration Inc., filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) on Friday.
The lawsuit stems from an August 2024 traffic stop that Soto claims escalated into police brutality, violating his constitutional rights.
The incident, captured on police body camera footage, began when Deputy Alex Almaguer pulled Soto over for a purportedly illegal license plate decal featuring the Joker.
The video shows the situation quickly intensifying as Almaguer opened Soto’s car door, grabbed his arm, unholstered a taser, and ultimately handcuffed him on the ground. Soto was charged with resisting arrest without violence but alleges the deputy’s actions were excessive and racially motivated.
“This deputy had no regard. Because of his actions, this is a blatant direct violation to my civil rights,” Soto stated during a press conference.
Soto’s attorney, Mauricio Padilla, announced the lawsuit seeks $5.5 million in damages, including compensation for medical expenses and punitive damages.
Soto claims the incident worsened his back injuries from recent surgery and accuses HCSO of failing to provide care under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Despite filing the lawsuit, Soto previously submitted an apology to HCSO in October 2024, acknowledging that his own actions contributed to the arrest. However, he maintains that the traffic stop was unjustified and believes he was targeted due to his race.
HCSO spokesperson Amanda Granit defended Deputy Almaguer’s conduct when the body cam footage was released last year.
“This deputy was trying to have this resolved…time and time again,” Granit said. “This didn’t have to end this way, but it did because of Mr. Soto’s actions.”
Soto confirmed that criminal charges against him have been dropped.
His lawsuit also names a sergeant present during the incident and asserts systemic failures within HCSO.
As the legal battle unfolds, Soto continues to demand accountability for what he describes as racial profiling and excessive force.
Can you say “opportunist”? I knew you could.