FBI investigates student’s rough arrest by Seattle police

SEATTLE — The FBI has opened a criminal investigation into the rough arrest of a University of Washington student by Seattle police in 2012.

David Pontecorvo said he was pulled off his front porch by officers and beaten with fists, batons and a flashlight because he was videotaping as they arrested one of his friends during a party. His lawyer said he underwent surgery in June to repair his damaged sinuses, and the city of Seattle recently agreed to pay $100,000 to settle Pontecorvo’s lawsuit.

The Seattle Times reported that the FBI sent a letter this month advising the Seattle Police Department that the bureau had launched an investigation into the arrest, and that it was seeking incident reports, photographs, medical records, witness statements and other documentation of the officers’ actions.

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