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PHOENIX -- An Arizona State University student has sued the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, claiming two deputies used racial profiling when they arrested him and held him for 15 hours before he was released.

Blake Smalley, who is black, claims the deputies approached him in September at a gas station in Cave Creek and took him into custody for resisting arrest and having an open container of alcohol in his vehicle, charges that were later dropped.

The Arizona Republic reports the 21-year-old's car had run out of gas a few blocks away. Smalley's attorney, Robert Trop, says his client did nothing wrong, and was only arrested because he is black.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Phoenix last month.

The sheriff's office declined to comment.

Associated Press,

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  • Abuse
    Patriot wrote...
    Because he was black
    December 25, 2012 9:41 am
    Go straight for the race card.
    **ICE Tip-line 1-866-DHS-2ICE**
  • Abuse
    TheFinalWord wrote...
    Dear patriot
    December 25, 2012 10:10 am
    Tis easy to be bold, provocative and stupid-racist hiding behind your grand anonymity. My name is Scott. You are nobody.
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Smalley has a sound basis to pursue his claim.
    December 25, 2012 10:39 am
    The discriminatory actions and words of the deputies, particularly since they lacked probable cause, will end up costing us taxpayers a bundle once again. This is part of the culture of profiling Arpaio has bred.
  • Abuse
    frank11 wrote...
    We stiil
    December 25, 2012 10:50 am
    have many racists in this country that are living and thinking like it if was the 60's unwilling to change with the times . Most of these folks are old white tea partiers , they treat blacks and hispanics alike, I just a message for them "Wake up and smell the pot of menudo"
  • Abuse
    Patriot wrote...
    The three race baiters
    December 25, 2012 2:53 pm
    I'll leave you to stew in your own racist juices.
    **ICE Tip-line 1-866-DHS-2ICE**
  • Abuse
    Michoacan wrote...
    Patriot, unfamiliar with the facts of the matter,
    December 25, 2012 3:46 pm
    dismisses a fellow citizen's grievance against over reaching government. Patriot does this because this particular citizen is a black youth. If Patriot were unbiased, he'd wait to learn more on the matter.
  • Abuse
    1redcav wrote...
    There was
    December 25, 2012 7:20 pm
    NO profiling here...the guy had an open container (which the judge thinks is ok, evidently), and, resisted arrest, that alone, will get you arrested, so, no profiling was done.
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    Hey, I'm lilly white
    December 26, 2012 4:55 am
    had a similar thing happen to me several years back. Officers were black, will anyone pay attention to me if I say it was racism? Or would I still be branded a racist because I'm white? I was guilty, did my time, payed my fine and moved along.
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    Now suppose they reported
    December 26, 2012 5:01 am
    seeing this person, but did not make contact. Later their was a murder or other violent crime in the area with a suspect fitting the description of this person, than what? Cops have such a hard job as it is on top of needing to make judgement calls in the field. As Micho says we don't know all the facts. It won't be long before being a minority will be much the same as a get out of jail free card. Oh, can't pull him over, he's not white, don't want to risk a lawsuit.
  • Abuse
    yrreta wrote...
    Frank11
    December 26, 2012 6:37 am
    "...I just a message for them "Wake up and smell the pot of menudo" Speak english much?

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