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A routine traffic stop in Harlingen escalates into alleged police misconduct against Rene Trevino, resulting in a lawsuit with claims of excessive force, false arrest, and first amendment retaliation. The district attorney dismissed the case, and Mr. Trevino seeks accountability.

Harlingen Cops Accused of Excessive Force
On the night of September 27, 2022, a routine traffic stop turned into a harrowing ordeal for Rene Trevino, as detailed in a lawsuit initially filed in the 107th District Court in Cameron County and later moved to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on March 26, 2024.
According to the complaint, Mr. Trevino was pulled over by Harlingen officers Joel Avalos and Arnoldo Maldonado for failing to use his turn signal. After providing his driver’s license and proof of insurance, Mr. Trevino was questioned about his destination and his previous whereabouts.
The situation escalated when Mr. Trevino requested that the officers refrain from searching his car with a flashlight, only to have his request disregarded. Subsequently, Officer Maldonado allegedly gaslit Mr. Trevino, falsely claiming that he had requested the search.
Further interactions included Mr. Trevino providing personal information as requested, only to face inappropriate inquiries about his personal life. When Mr. Trevino refused to divulge certain details, the officers allegedly became confrontational, insisting on unnecessary information.
The encounter took a disturbing turn when, after challenging the officers’ line of questioning, Mr. Trevino found himself being unjustly placed under arrest for failure to use a turn signal. Mr. Trevino did not have any outstanding warrants or any other allegations against him for violations of state law above a fine. Despite his pleas and compliance, he was subjected to physical force, including a tasing, and ultimately charged with resisting arrest.
While Mr. Trevino is on the ground with multiple officers on top of him, Harlingen Police Officer Steven Benitez is heard uttering foul language and making threats to further harm Mr. Trevino, including threatening to break a body part. Mr. Trevino yells in pain and Officer Benitez spontaneously utters in gratification to Mr. Trevino’s pain.
I’ll break your sh**
Harlingen Police Officer Steven Benitez to Mr. Trevino
Harlingen Officer Benitez Previously Suspended
Benitez previously recieved a one day suspension on December 22, 2021, and a twenty-one day suspension on January 2, 2022. This most recent incident did not appear to result in any disciplinary actions for Benitez. However, his twenty-one day suspension seems to mirror the behavior expressing in the situation involving Mr. Trevino.
District Attorney Declines Harlingen Case
Upon the review of body camera footage, the district attorney’s office moved to dismiss the case, citing a lack of evidence for the arrest resistance charge, implying that Mr. Trevino had done nothing wrong.
Harlingen Police Gang Unit
While in the Harlingen municipal jail, one of the officers seems to insinuate the Harlingen Police Gang Unit is a special group of people that may be considered “untouchable,” in their enforcement practices. This leading one to believe the type of conduct Mr. Trevino has been subjected too, is a regular routine of said unit.
The lawsuit alleges that as a result of the officers’ actions, Mr. Trevino suffered injuries and damages, leading to claims of excessive force, false arrest, and first amendment retaliation. This legal action raises serious concerns about the conduct of law enforcement officers and seeks accountability for the alleged violations committed during the traffic stop.
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The content provided in this publication is for educational and informational purposes only. The Hawk’s Eye – Consulting & News strives to deliver accurate and impactful stories. However, readers are advised to seek professional legal counsel and guidance for their specific legal inquiries and concerns. The publication does not assume any responsibility for actions taken by individuals based on the information presented.
Additionally, while every effort is made to ensure the reliability of the information, the publication does not warrant the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the content. Readers are encouraged to verify any legal information with official sources and to use their discretion when interpreting and applying the information provided.
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