San Diego police officers got the wrong Fred Washington

On June 13 city councilmembers were asked to approve a six-figure settlement in a lawsuit filed by Fredrick Lee Washington who spent two weeks in jail in 2015 on two felony counts that he had nothing to do with. The actual perpetrator, of no relation, was also named Fred Washington, however, he was eight years older, had a DMV record, and a different social security number.

THE INCIDENT

On March 13, 2015 Fred Washington Jr., who was 51 at the time, got into a fight with his two daughters. Washington wanted to drive but they refused to give him the keys because he was too intoxicated. Washington pulled a hammer out from his bag and began to hit the car. His daughters, with Washington's girlfriend's 18-year-old daughter in the back seat, tried to drive away. Washington hurled the hammer at the car. It struck the backseat window, knocking the teenager unconscious.

The woman was taken to a hospital and later released with minor injuries. Later that day San Diego police officer Matthew Botkin provided a declaration for an arrest warrant. Botkin described the incident but at the end of the report identified the assailant as Frederick Lee Washington, also a black male, but eight years younger and different build. The warrant included one count of serious assault with a deadly weapon, and a felony child abuse count.

THE ARREST

On June 3, 2015 U.S. Marshals arrived at a sober living home in Chula Vista where Frederick Lee Washington had been staying at the time. At 8:30 pm Washington arrived at the facility and took a seat at a computer. Marshals approached him and told him he was placed under arrest on two felony charges. Washington, according to the incident report, responded, "what's going on? Why am I being arrested?" A marshal showed him the warrant and he told them they had the wrong guy. But when his date of birth, and social security number matched they proceeded with the arrest. On the way Washington told the marshals, according to the report, that he "didn't assault anyone, or, hurt anyone's child."

Washington spent the following two weeks in jail until a court ordered public defender helped prove Washington was not the right man.

On July 21, 2015 Washington submitted a claim to the city's Risk Management Department. The city rejected the claim. In July the following year, Washington sued the city for negligence, and false imprisonment.

According to Washington's attorney, Pajman Jassim, the city eventually did the right thing. Jassim was unable to state the exact amount of the settlement but confirmed it was in the six-figure range.