Teen tased: Did state trooper violate policy?

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A video camera captured the moment a state trooper stunned a teen in Lee County. (CREDIT: WINK News)

The mother of a teenager who was tased by an FHP trooper last week has hired an attorney to help fight the arrest she says happened because of racial profiling.

Sixteen-year-old Jack Rodeman was arrested by Trooper George Smyrnios on June 16 and is currently being held at the Juvenile Assessment Center for 21 days.

Jack was walking to his girlfriend’s home on Indian Laurel Way when he was followed by Smyrnios who, according to the arrest report, described Jack as a suspicious person.

Smyrnios followed Jack into his girlfriend’s backyard where he used a Taser on the teen as the teen texted his girlfriend to come outside.

The incident was caught on a surveillance camera. The whole encounter is now under an administrative review by the Florida Highway Patrol but a law enforcement expert who trains police across the state said after reviewing the video there was no reason for Smyrnios to fire his Taser.

*Warning: This video contains strong language.

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