A federal agent has accused San Diego police of attempting to cover up an incident involving an off-duty officer at a Costco, which reportedly involved racial slurs and physical assault.
In a lawsuit filed last week, Immigration officer Chu Ding alleges that city officials fabricated details about the confrontation that took place in 2024.
Surveillance footage appears to show Officer Jonathan Ferraro preventing Ding from leaving a parking lot. When Ding approached his vehicle to inquire about the situation, Ferraro, dressed in civilian clothes, allegedly shouted racial insults and violently tackled him to the ground.
After the altercation, Ferraro identified himself as a police officer and displayed his badge. Despite multiple witnesses calling 911 to report Ferraro as the aggressor, the lawsuit claims that six operators falsely suggested Ding was the one at fault.
The lawsuit also contends that the 911 operator offered emotional support to Ferraro’s spouse during the incident, while dismissing other callers who expressed concerns about Ferraro’s actions.
The call was reportedly escalated to a priority 0, prompting an overwhelming police response that included a lieutenant and several other officers.
The complaint insinuates that department officials were aware of the potential media fallout and aimed to manage the narrative effectively. The lawsuit claims that the potential for public relations issues made it essential to control how the situation was presented.
According to the suit, officers allegedly discussed charging Ding with a felony to suppress his voice, knowing such charges would likely not hold up. There was significant evidence supporting Ding’s claims, including witness testimonies, 911 recordings, and surveillance images.
At the scene, bystanders expressed frustration, noting Ferraro’s actions and how they contribute to negative perceptions of law enforcement.
Emergency services were initially called for Ding, but they were told to stand down after he inquired about Ferraro’s identity. Local law enforcement contemplated charging Ding with misdemeanor assault but reconsidered upon discovering his role as an immigration judge.
In an unusual move, officers transported Ding to a substation while he had broken ribs, denying him basic care and attempting to coerce him into apologizing to Ferraro.
Reportedly, it took hours before Ding received pain relief. He was held without bail for nearly a day before being released. Ultimately, the district attorney declined to pursue charges against him, and the Department of Homeland Security found no wrongdoing on his part.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for several allegations, including excessive force and false imprisonment, emphasizing the detrimental impact his arrest has had on Ding’s reputation among colleagues.
The California Post has attempted to contact DHS and SDPD for responses.
