County and Pusok Reach Agreement

County and Pusok Reach Agreement San Bernardino County and Francis Jared Pusok of Apple Valley reached a $650,000 settlement late last week in connection with Pusok's April 9 arrest in the High Desert. The settlement came less than two weeks after video was captured by an NBC News helicopter of San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies beating and kicking Pusok as he was apparently attempting to surrender. In the April 9 incident, Pusok was beaten and apparently Tased by County sheriff's deputies. The arrest came after a 3-hour pursuit in a vehicle, on foot and on horseback, through the High Desert communities of Apple Valley and into Hesperia. According to media reports, after deputies attempted to serve a search warrant at an Apple Valley home in connection with an identity theft investigation, the pursuit began. Allegedly Pusok, a convicted felon with several felony and misdemeanor convictions in the last decade, stole a horse from the Deep Creek Hot Springs area and fled through the desert terrain. An NBC helicopter overhead caught video of the chase, in which Pusok can be seen falling off the horse before attempting to flee. He is then apparently Tased by a deputy and, after putting his hands behind his back, is kicked and punched by deputies. The 10 deputies involved in Pusok's arrest were placed on administrative leave and the FBI was conducting an investigation into the incident. Another investigation was underway into the actions by Pusok, the San Bernardino County Sun reported. The names of the deputies involved in the arrest have not been released. Last week the settlement between the County and Pusok was finalized and unanimously approved April 21 by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in closed session. It was later approved by Pusok and his attorney Friday, April 24. According to the terms of the settlement, the County acknowledges no wrongdoing, a news release from the County states, and settles all potential claims from Pusok regarding the April 9 incident. San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman James Ramos said, "The sole purpose of this agreement for both parties is to avoid the costs involved in litigation. This agreement is a fair outcome for everyone involved, including the taxpayers."