TURLOCK — Attorneys representing a 22-year-old Turlock man have filed a government claim against the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, alleging excessive force during an encounter at the Stanislaus County Fair on July 20.
The claim, filed by attorneys Neil Gehlawat and Peter Reagan of the Los Angeles-based law firm Taylor & Ring, accuses sheriff’s deputies of assaulting Ronaldo Hernandez without provocation. Hernandez, a recent graduate of California State University, Stanislaus, was attending the fair with his parents when the incident occurred.
According to the claim, video footage shows deputies tackling Hernandez from behind, pinning him to the ground and punching him repeatedly while surrounded by additional deputies. His family and friends reportedly witnessed the encounter.
“Ronaldo Hernandez was minding his own business and enjoying his time at the fair with family and friends, when he was suddenly attacked by sheriff’s deputies for no reason,” Gehlawat said in a statement. “There must be consequences when deputies use excessive force and violate someone’s constitutional rights.”
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation and personnel matters.
Following the incident, Hernandez was detained overnight and charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest. His attorneys contend he was sober and does not consume alcohol. The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office dismissed the charges on Aug. 27 due to lack of evidence.
Hernandez’s family also issued a statement expressing shock and concern over the incident.
“We went to the fair that night to enjoy time together, but instead, we watched in horror as deputies attacked him for no reason,” the statement read.
Gehlawat said Hernandez was later taken to a hospital, where only basic vitals were checked. Since then, he has reportedly been treated for symptoms consistent with a long-term concussion. The attorneys claim the injuries prevented Hernandez from securing a job with the Turlock Unified School District due to physical requirements.
The claim also disputes a reported justification that Hernandez had been warned to leave the fair and escalated the situation by grabbing a deputy’s vest.
“That is far from the truth,” Gehlawat said. “If he grabbed anyone’s vest, it was because he was trying to avoid being hit in the face.”
Hernandez reportedly has no recollection of interacting with law enforcement prior to the incident. His attorneys say the encounter was captured on video by someone he knew, but they have not received any body camera footage or communication from the sheriff’s department.
The county has 45 days to respond to the claim. If denied or unanswered, the attorneys say a lawsuit will likely follow.
