2 federal investigations into Mesa police use of force closed in 2021. Here's what to know

As Phoenix officials await the findings from a sweeping federal probe of its Police Department, Mesa has quietly resolved two narrower U.S. Justice Department investigations into excessive use of force.

Another high-profile case, involving the death of a man at the hands of Mesa police, remains under review.

The FBI took the unusual step of sending Mesa letters to declare the cases closed, which came to light now after a formal Arizona Republic public records request.

The federal investigations and lawsuits into Mesa police officer use-of-force cases marked a tumultuous time for the department.

Several cases involving Mesa police officers from 2016 to 2018 prompted national scrutiny, including the beating of a man and a hotel shooting that led to the death of a Texas man.

Those cases prompted the FBI to open at least three civil-rights investigations in 2018.

Mesa Chief Ken Cost received two joint letters from the Justice Department and FBI on April 30, 2021, informing him two criminal civil rights investigations into three separate officers had been closed.

“This letter is to inform the Mesa Police Department of the conclusion of our criminal civil rights investigation involving a Mesa Police Department officer,” the letter states.

The two letters name Officer Johnte Jones and Officers Daniel Glover and John Santiago, separately.

Conclusion letters delivered to local police departments from the FBI or DOJ are not a common practice, Mesa police spokesperson Brandi Myers said.

Former police Chief Ramon Batista requested the department receive some follow-up from the two federal agencies. Three years later, the departments obliged.

Batista’s tenure with Mesa was marked by numerous use-of-force cases. He resigned in 2019.

Mesa police did not receive any additional guidance, recommendation or a formal report to the conclusion of those civil rights investigations, Myers confirmed.

The investigations were closed when Attorney General Bill Barr ran the DOJ.

Barr was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate in 2019. He cut back on the department's ability to oversee local police departments.

Myers said the only pending investigation the department is aware of is the DOJ’s investigation into former Mesa police officer Philip Brailsford’s shooting of an unarmed man begging for his life at a Mesa hotel in 2016.

Mesa isn’t the only Arizona law enforcement agency investigated by the DOJ.

The Justice Department continues to investigate the Phoenix Police Department into claims of excessive force, discriminatory practices, retaliation against protesters, unlawful seizure of belongings, and mistreatment of people with mental health issues. That probe was launched in August 2021.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office also has pending court orders that mandate changes to the agency to resolve a backlog of internal investigations into employee misconduct. The American Civil Liberties Union filed the racial profiling class-action lawsuit more than 15 years ago. That legal case has cost the county more than $250 million. The Sheriff's Office remains under review by court monitors.

The FBI did not respond to requests for comment about the Mesa Police Department.

Robert Johnson case

Jones was one of multiple Mesa police officers who punched and kneed 35-year-old Robert Johnson as he stood in the hallway of an apartment complex.

On May 23, 2018, police responded to reports that Johnson and a friend were trying to force their way into the apartment of Johnson's ex-girlfriend. A surveillance video shows five officers punch or knee Johnson after he didn't immediately follow orders to sit down. He was unarmed at the time.

Jones said in a police report that he kneed Johnson twice in the stomach and punched him six times in the face because Johnson leaned against a wall and extended his feet, instead of sitting on the floor as police had ordered.

Jones was one of four officers who were disciplined for the excessive use-of-force in 2019 and was placed on administrative duties following the outcome of an appeal to the recommended discipline.

He remains employed by the department, Myers confirmed.

Johnson filed a civil-rights lawsuit against the city in the U.S. District Court of Arizona in 2019 demanding a jury trial and compensation for economic loss, medical expenses and attorney fees.

Jones, along with Officers Ernesto Calderon and Rudy Monarrez, were named in the lawsuit.

The city settled with Johnson in June 2022 for $350,000.

The letter from the FBI to Chief Cost did not name any other officers involved in the civil rights investigation.

Gabriel Ramirez case

On May 16, 2018, a video showed Officers Glover and Santiago appearing to rough up armed robbery suspect Gabriel Ramirez, then 15, after he was handcuffed.

The video also showed Ramirez repeatedly calling officers a derogatory term and arguing with them. The bodycam footage showed Santiago placing his foot on top of Ramirez as Ramirez lies face-first on the ground. Santiago put pressure on or near Ramirez's neck after the teen was handcuffed.

Glover also put pressure on the boy's neck, the video shows.

Santiago and Glover were put on leave during the investigation into their actions and later moved to administrative duties.

The two have retired from the Mesa Police Department, Myers said.

Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What to know about federal probes into Mesa's police use-of-force