LOS ANGELES – A woman who was knocked unconscious and arrested by sheriff’s deputies in Northern California during a 2020 traffic stop has reached a $17 million settlement with Solano County, her attorney confirmed Monday.
The agreement closes a federal lawsuit filed by Nakia Porter, who accused the Solano County Sheriff’s Office of excessive force, unlawful seizure, and civil rights violations under state and federal law.
The 2020 Arrest Incident
On the night of August 6, 2020, Porter, her father, and her three young children pulled off a rural road near Dixon, California, to switch drivers. Porter, who is Black, was outside the vehicle when two deputies arrived with flashing lights.
According to her lawsuit, Porter explained the situation, but deputies drew their weapons before forcing her to the ground and handcuffing her. Her father, Joe Powell, was also briefly detained.
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Body Camera Footage Raises Concerns
Body camera recordings showed Porter telling deputies, “For those that are listening, I am not resisting. You are not reading me my rights.” Moments later, deputies pushed her against a patrol car and onto the pavement.
At 5-foot-2 and weighing 125 pounds, Porter alleged she was punched, kneed, and dragged while unconscious. On the video, one deputy is heard saying, “I think she’s out.” She regained consciousness in the back of a squad car about five minutes later.
Lawsuit Allegations
Porter spent a night in jail on suspicion of resisting arrest but was never charged. Her lawsuit claimed deputies falsified reports by stating she fought back and misrepresenting how long she was unconscious.
“These deputies treated us less than human and left a void we are still struggling to fill,” Porter said in a statement. “I cannot describe what this type of experience does to a person, but I wish it on no one.”
Attorney Yasin Almadani added, “What happened to Ms. Porter and her family should never happen in our society.”
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Response From Authorities
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department and county officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment following Monday’s announcement.
Broader Context
The $17M Nakia Porter settlement ranks among the largest civil rights payouts in California in recent years. It highlights growing scrutiny over the use of force by law enforcement, particularly in cases involving racial bias and accountability.
