PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. (WSVN) — An Opa-locka Police officer was arrested after he was accused of striking a teen believed to be in a relationship with his juvenile daughter.
Lowrie Simon, 37, was arrested Sunday evening in Pembroke Park by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. According to the arrest report, Simon had confronted 17-year-old Kristian Stanley in the parking lot of a Pembroke Park church and accused the teen of having sex with his daughter.
Speaking to 7News, Stanley denied the accusation. “So I told him, I was like, ‘Your daughter tried to kiss me. I pushed her away. She felt some type of way, and she went to the next person,'” he said.
Simon then punched Stanley in the chest and jaw, according to the victim. “He just got mad. He was like, ‘You’re lying! You’re lying!'” said Stanley. “And he swung and hit me in the chest the first time.”
Officials said the officer also tried to swing at Stanley’s teenage brother but missed.
Stanley was taken to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital where he was treated for injuries that included a fractured jaw and a lower set of displaced teeth that had to be re-wired into place. The teen said he may lose a few of his bottom teeth.
“He’s a cop. You should have handled it better,” said Stanley.
Simon has been charged with one count of felony battery and was released Monday from the Broward County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.
Simon has been an officer with the Opa-locka Police Department since October 2014. The department’s police chief said Simon was off duty and not in uniform at the time of the attack.
BSO is investigating, and the Opa-locka Police Department has launched its own internal affairs investigation into the incident.
Simon will remain on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
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