Press release from Asheville Police Department:
On February 11, 2020, Senior Police Officer Anthony Sorangelo and several other officers from the Asheville Police Department responded to a call for service regarding an intoxicated man lying on Hendersonville Road. During the arrest the man became agitated and combative while SPO Sorangelo assisted him into the patrol vehicle. Force was used during the arrest.
The use of force was reported according to the Asheville Police Department’s Use of Force policy. After reviewing the incident, Chief David Zack determined that a criminal investigation was necessary and the District Attorney was notified. The Office of the District Attorney requested the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to conduct an independent investigation into the use of force incident. The completed SBI investigation was submitted to the District Attorney last week. After review of the investigation materials, the District Attorney requested the SBI to charge SPO Sorgangelo with misdemeanor simple assault. On June 29 SPO Sorangelo was charged and placed on investigative suspension pending the completion of an internal review.
For any questions regarding the criminal investigation, please contact the District Attorney’s Office.
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