2 officers accused of violently assaulting couple during traffic stop fired, arrested

PHOENIX (AZFamily/Gray News) - Two Phoenix police officers who are under investigation for allegedly violently assaulting a couple during a traffic stop have been fired and arrested.

The two former officers identified as Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez Jr., both 31, were fired and arrested Saturday for what Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano called “egregious criminal conduct.”

“There is no excuse for the conduct that these two officers engaged in,” Giordano said.

During a press conference Saturday, Giordano said an investigation uncovered new information about the “violent traffic stop.”

“Detectives have confirmed that the two former officers physically assaulted both the man and woman during the traffic stop. The investigation also shows that a Taser was used on the victims during the stop,” Giordano said.

Felix and Vasquez are facing the following charges:

• Kidnapping
• Aggravated assault
• Felony assault involving bound or physically restrained individual
• Aggravated robbery
• Threatening and intimidating
• Criminal damage
• Hindering prosecution
• Tampering with evidence

At their initial court appearance Saturday night, a judge set a $100,000 secured appearance bond for each defendant, with electronic monitoring required if they are released.

What happened during the traffic stop

Felix and Vasquez conducted a traffic stop Aug. 5 around 11:30 p.m. Phoenix police officials say the officers forced a man and woman out of the car by breaking a window and opening the doors.

During the stop, the woman reported she was put in an arm bar, shocked with a stun gun, handcuffed and put on a sidewalk.

Vasquez allegedly punched the man who was driving, striking him multiple times in the head, face, eyes, nose and groin, while Felix deployed his Taser, according to prosecutors. Vasquez then threatened to shoot the driver, Phoenix police said.

Prosecutors said that after detaining and handcuffing the woman, one of the officers told her “he’s probably going to get shot” and “we know where you live now” before leaving her on the roadside at night without her cellphone, which was taken by the officers and was either lost or destroyed, according to the state.

The man eventually drove away from the scene. The woman, who was allegedly restrained in the back of the police car, was eventually let go and walked more than an hour home.

Officers accused of hindering the investigation

Tempe police found the couple’s car abandoned Aug. 6 around 12:50 a.m. and asked that Phoenix police get in touch with the registered owner of the car.

“Both former officers learned about the call and took it, reporting that no contact was made at the home of the registered owner,” Phoenix police officials said.

Phoenix police dispatchers saw that Felix and Vasquez checked the license plate and asked about it, but both officers denied making any stops or having any interaction with the people in the car.

Prosecutors said the officers had access to sensitive information, including DMV and address data, after running the victims’ plates, and as former officers with specialized knowledge of criminal investigations, they demonstrated an ability to conceal their conduct and hinder the case.

Tempe police eventually made contact with the registered owner, who was the mother of one of the victims. After taking a report about the incident, Tempe police initially believed the incident was a carjacking committed by men impersonating police officers.

After reporting the incident to Tempe police, both victims sought medical treatment, Phoenix police officials said. The victims also documented their injuries with photographs, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said neither officer activated his body-worn camera during the stop and that there was no radio traffic, no call for service, no use-of-force report and no supervisor notification — steps the state described as normally required under department policy.

Vasquez reportedly admitted he failed to report the incident out of fear of the consequences of the policy violations, prosecutors said.

Both officers were assigned to patrol at the South Mountain Precinct. Vasquez had served with the department for eight years, and Felix had served for nine years.

Police association ‘deeply troubled’ by officers’ alleged conduct

President of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) Darrell Kriplean said in a statement that the association is “deeply troubled” by the officers’ alleged conduct.

“The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is deeply troubled by the conduct alleged against two former Phoenix police officers who have been terminated from the Department and are now facing felony charges.

“The conduct described in these charges is serious and inconsistent with the standards expected of those entrusted to serve as Phoenix police officers. If proven, these actions represent a significant breach of the public trust and do not reflect the professionalism and integrity demonstrated every day by the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department.

“PLEA takes seriously its responsibility to defend the rights and due process of officers who serve our community. At the same time, that responsibility does not prevent us from recognizing when allegations of misconduct warrant thorough investigation and appropriate accountability. We support Chief Giordano and the Department’s decision to terminate the officers following its investigation.

“These charges are now before the courts, where the evidence will be considered and the judicial process should be allowed to proceed. Our thoughts remain with those impacted by this incident, as well as the dedicated Phoenix police officers who continue to serve our community honorably and professionally every day.”

Lawmakers demand answers

The arrests come as a letter from State Sen. Catherine Miranda, State Rep. Junelle Cavero and State Rep. Oscar De Los Santos demanded answers for the traffic stop.

“South Phoenix has a long and complicated history with law enforcement. Trust cannot be taken for granted. It must be earned through transparency, accountability and equal treatment under the law,” said a letter from the three South Phoenix lawmakers to Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher.

The lawmakers demanded answers to four questions:

1. Will there be an outside independent third-party investigation? As you know, the Arizona Department of Public Safety in 2022 established a Major Incident Division to investigate these types of use-of-force incidents at the request of law enforcement agencies (an idea originated by former LD 11 and House Democratic Leader Reginald Bolding).
2. Do these officers have a history of complaints, misconduct allegations or use-of-force incidents? And would you please provide any responsive public records relating to these incidents in your response to this inquiry?
3. Why were their body cameras not activated, if not, was this a violation of Phoenix PD policy? What consequences will follow?
4. Will Phoenix Police conduct a broader review of these officers’ previous conduct, including stops, complaints and use-of-force incidents?

“An investigation cannot become an excuse for silence,” the letter states. “Our constituents deserve to know what happened, whether these officers have previously been the subject of complaints and whether there are broader concerns that need to be addressed.”