Court Documents: Fired Phoenix Officers Admit to Violent, Unreported Traffic Stop

New Court Documents Reveal Disturbing Details

PHOENIX — Newly released court documents reveal that two former Phoenix police officers admitted to their involvement in a violent, unreported traffic stop in which they allegedly beat, tased, and threatened to shoot a man and a woman in South Phoenix.

The paperwork, obtained by AZFamily, adds significant detail to a case that has shaken the Phoenix Police Department and raised broader questions about accountability within the agency.

The Alleged Stop

According to probable cause documents, the incident began just after 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, when Luis Vasquez Jr., 31, and Antonio Felix, 31, driving an unmarked Phoenix police Tahoe, began following a Dodge Charger in south Phoenix.

The officers made "intermittent overhead light and siren activations," which investigators described as "inconsistent with standard police traffic stop practices."

When the Charger stopped near 15th Avenue and Broadway Road, the patrol vehicle struck the rear bumper of the car. Detectives later found damage on the Charger's bumper matching the push bars on a Phoenix police Tahoe.

A Violent Encounter

Court documents allege the following sequence of events:

• Vasquez and Felix approached the vehicle — Vasquez on the driver's side, Felix on the passenger's side — and threatened to break a window if the two occupants didn't get out.
• When the driver rolled his window down only slightly, Vasquez allegedly grabbed and bent it until it broke, then reached in and unlocked the doors.
• Felix grabbed the woman in the passenger seat, threatened to break her arm if she didn't get out, and then allegedly used a Taser on her multiple times.
• Vasquez punched the driver repeatedly in the head, face, eyes, nose, and groin, while Felix pressed a Taser against the driver's arm and ribs.
• Vasquez allegedly told Felix to keep tasing the driver "until he does what he says."
• Vasquez then drew his handgun, threatened to shoot the driver in three seconds, and began counting down, while Felix allegedly told him to shoot if the driver "does anything stupid."

The driver briefly got out of the car before getting back in and driving away. The passenger was released a short time later. The officers allegedly told her: "He's probably going to get shot, and we know where you live now."

What the Officers Told Investigators

Vasquez's account: Vasquez told detectives he believed he was stopping a drunk driver. He said the car's window broke as he tried to pull the door open while the driver was closing it. When the driver wouldn't get out of the car and appeared to be reaching for something, Vasquez admitted to punching him and pulling his hair. He also acknowledged drawing his gun and threatening to shoot the driver.

Vasquez said he later returned to the scene to retrieve items left behind from the stop. He found the passenger's cellphone but failed to secure it and ultimately lost it. He told investigators he didn't turn on his body camera or file a report "out of fear of the consequence of the multitude of policy violations."

Felix's account: Felix said he also believed he was stopping a drunk driver. He said the situation "escalated quickly" when the car's occupants refused to get out, which made him fear for his safety. When investigators asked why he walked away and returned to the patrol car if he was afraid — or why neither officer called for backup or notified a supervisor — Felix allegedly did not respond.

"When asked if they had anything that could corroborate their accounts stated by them, no response was given," court documents state.

Charges and Custody Status

The two former officers were booked Saturday night on multiple felony charges, including:

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

According to a spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Vasquez had been released from custody by Sunday while Felix remained incarcerated at the Lower Buckeye Jail in Phoenix.

No Record of the Stop

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.

Chief Giordano: "There Is No Excuse"

Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano announced the arrest and termination of both officers Saturday evening at a hastily assembled press conference.

"There was significantly more information uncovered demonstrating the egregious criminal conduct committed by these officers," Giordano told reporters. "Their actions severely undermine trust in law enforcement and violate the standards we expect from those who serve."

Giordano added:

"Many people want to understand how this could happen. There is no excuse for the conduct that these two officers engaged in."

The officers had served eight and nine years with Phoenix police, respectively, and were both assigned to the South Mountain Precinct. They were placed on paid administrative leave on Aug. 13.

Investigation Continues

Giordano said the Professional Standards Bureau will continue investigating to determine whether other individuals are involved and whether broader, systemic concerns exist within the department.

"This will not stop here tonight," Giordano said.

The case first came to light when a Tempe police officer responded to an abandoned vehicle in Tempe and contacted the car's registered owner, the mother of the male driver, who connected the officer with the female passenger. The officer initially believed the victims had been the targets of an attempted carjacking by people impersonating police.

The Phoenix department's investigation and audit are ongoing. The former officers have a scheduled court date Friday.

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This is a developing story. Arizona State News will provide updates as more information becomes available.