Justice inquiry: Arrest did not violate civil rights
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 16, 2004
TARPON SPRINGS - A Tarpon Springs police officer's arrest of a drug suspect who later died did not violate federal criminal civil rights statutes, U.S. Justice Department prosecutors have determined.
Nearly a month after the FBI had said it sent its findings about the arrest and death of William Keith Anderson, 39, to the Justice Department, federal officials said they did not find enough evidence to pursue the case.
In a letter sent to Tarpon Springs police Chief Mark LeCouris last week, a federal official wrote that the Justice Department has closed its investigation.
Anderson, of New Port Richey, sustained a fatal head injury when now-retired Tarpon Springs police Officer Romando Black arrested him in connection with an attempt to purchase crack cocaine June 8, 2000. In February, Anderson's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Black, 34, and LeCouris in U.S. District Court in Tampa.
