FL Officer Performs Controversial “Brachial Stun” On St. Augustine Suspect Left With Broken Jaw

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL. (THECOUNT) – St. Augustine man, Maxwell Elder, was arrested by St. Johns County deputies who were forced to deploy a brachial stun maneuver to gain control, authorities said.

Elder, 20, of St. Augustine, was arrested Tuesday after a neighbor requested a trespass warning against him claiming the theft of an extension ladder. The neighbor told police they were familiar with Elder and did not wish to press charges, however, police say he then became combative.

When asked by the responding deputy if Elder knew why he was there, Elder responded “Are you with me or against me?”

At that point, the deputy says he noticed Elder was in possession of drugs.

Here’s how the local news outlet described the chain of everts:

The report says the deputy immediately secured Elder in handcuffs and took away the suspected narcotics. When the deputy was searching him, Elder told the deputy he had a patch on his leg for bug bites, the report said. According to the report, the deputy suspected it was a fentanyl patch and called fire and rescue to respond to the scene. An additional deputy arrived and, according to the report, attempted to help the initial responder arrest Elder. When the deputies tried to place Elder on the rear of a patrol vehicle, Elder “became enraged for no apparent reason,” banging his head forcefully against the back window of the car, the report said. Deputies said Elder tried kicking one of them in the groin, so they took him to the ground to prevent him from injuring himself. That’s when Elder bit one of the deputies, the report said. The deputy stated, “Stop biting me.” source

The report said the deputy who was being bitten then attempted a brachial stun in a successful effort to get Elder to release.

Doctors later informed deputies Elder sustained a broken jaw from the incident, as well as a cut on the inside of his lip, stating it was likely a result from the attempted brachial stun, according to the report.

Elder is being charged with possession of narcotics, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, resisting with violence, and battery on a law enforcement officer.

If you’re curious about exactly what a brachial stun maneuver is, check out this Youtube video on the topic: