A Benton County Sheriff's Deputy is under investigation after a man secretly videotaped him while he was being arrested.
John Lewis said his rights were violated and he was wrongfully imprisoned by Deputy Dana Winn. "Oh I'm very disappointed, never been arrested in my life," said Lewis.
Winn came to Lewis' Benton County home on Scenic Drive outside Rogers on November 22. Winn was attempting to serve felony and misdemeanor warrants on a man who used to live at Lewis' address. Winn asked to speak with the owner of the house, which is Lewis. The entire conversation between the men was recorded through a hidden camera located in Lewis' sunglasses.
"He says 'do you know where he's at,' and everything to that affect and I said 'no I have no idea where he's at,'" said Lewis. "If I know someone has a felony warrant they're not going to live here."
Winn said he didn't believe Lewis was telling him everything he knew, so he continued to push him for answers.
"I have nothing else to say, you got the information on who owns this property and you got my name sir," said Lewis.
Winn responded, "I've been nothing but cordial with you and you're being a jackass." Winn went on to say, "I will come back here every day until I find out, I'll bang on your door until something happens."
Deputy Winn also got frustrated with Lewis because he wouldn't address him with the proper title. Lewis kept calling Winn "Mr." and "Officer."
"It's not officer it's deputy I don't work for the city I work for the county, you have a problem with that we'll discuss it down at the jail," said Winn.
Winn asked to search the home but was denied because he didn't have a search warrant. Lewis was arrested a short time later for obstructing government operations.
"You hesitated on your answers, which leads me to believe you know more than you're telling me," said Winn.
In a later interview Lewis said, "to me an officer is no different than anyone else that comes up on your property. If you don't want to answer questions you should not have to answer questions," said Lewis.
Lewis said he wants the arrest to be cleared from his record or he will sue the Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Keith Ferguson said he cannot comment on the situation until the investigation is concluded.
Lewis said he doesn't trust law enforcement, which is one of the reasons why he keeps several hidden camera devices. "If I didn't have recorded who would believe me," said Lewis.
This is actually the second altercation between Deputy Winn and John Lewis. Lewis' home was raided by the Sheriff's Office a few years ago during a narcotics investigation in which a small amount of marijuana was seized. Lewis said it belonged to his son.
OFFICER Winn is a tool and is a power hungry scumbag! He is the posterboy that gives cops a bad name . As a officer you protect and serve and he did neither . He violated Lewis rights and should be locked up . If he has a wife or kids i feel bad for them. The abuse of power is disgusting . Do what i say or else ! Officer scumbag has no right to wear a badge . He is a no good thug . He is one of those jerks who had no friends growing up he was a loser and now he is power hungry looking to make his tiny little mind feel better. I hope you get sued and fired you jerk. I am glad that chump could not lie because he was taped .The man makes the badge not the other way around tooool !!
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