Duffy
A statement issued by the U.S. Marshal's office last night:
"We are aware of the recorded incident and the inappropriate language used by a
deputy U.S. Marshal during the arrest of Zaire Duffy last Friday. The deputy
marshal has been placed on administrative leave, and district management has
referred the matter to USMS internal affairs for investigation. We have zero
tolerance for this type of behavior, which does not represent our agency’s core
values of justice, integrity and service. We are disgusted by the use of such
repugnant language, because we strive to treat everyone professionally,
regardless of alleged crimes. The agency takes seriously any allegation of
misconduct by its personnel. As a matter of policy, USMS does not reveal the
identity of employees in reference to specific personnel matters."
***
(Original story 5/21/18): An unidentified police officer was caught on tape using a racial slur in regards to a suspect after an arrest last week, according to a press release from the Lorain police department.
Officers from Lorain, other departments, and members of the Northern Ohio Violence Fugitive Task Force gave chase to and arrested 25-year-old Ziaire Duffy on Friday. Duffy had outstanding warrants, including one for aggravated robbery. The pursuit began after he was spotted in a car at a McDonald's on Middle Ridge Road.
Duffy has a long and extensive criminal history and his penchant for fleeing police is widely known, dating back to at least 2014. Lorain cops initially tried to block him in but, true to form, he led them on a chase that was eventually joined by the other units. It ended after damage to his vehicle sustained while ramming a cop cruiser brought his car to a halt on Route 2.
Duffy's passenger, 27-year-old Mariah Robinson, began Facebook living the event before cops apprehended the pair. The recording continued after they were removed from the car and, according to a release from the Lorain police department, captured an unidentified officer referring to Duffy with a racial slur as he searched the vehicle. Viewers who watched the broadcast brought it to the department's attention, though it now appears the officer wasn't a member of the Lorain police force.
“We believe that we know which officer made that comment, and have let that officer’s department know about the incident so they can begin an investigation into that officer’s conduct,” the release said. “I do want to commend the officers who took part in this pursuit on their restraint. This arrest was an excellent piece of police work, which will unfortunately be marred by an insensitive, offensive remark made by an officer when he thought he was by himself.”
Duffy will face new charges after cops found 20 grams of heroin in the vehicle. The passenger told police Duffy asked her to hide 18 grams of crack cocaine and about $4,800 in cash. She does not currently face any charges.
