William Anthony McNeil Jr., a 22-year-old Black man, was seen in police bodycam footage being struck in his face several times by Jacksonville law enforcement officers
According to ABC News, the violent video shows sheriff’s deputies repeatedly “beating and punching” McNeil during a traffic stop that took place on Feb. 19, 2025. He is heard questioning the officers why he was being pulled over. McNeil then refused to leave his car.
T.K. Waters, Sheriff of Jacksonville, said that “the State Attorney’s Office has determined that none of the involved officers violated criminal law,” but noted that the deputies’ actions are under “administrative review” to determine if they violated “JSO policy.”
He also identified the deputy who broke the car window and punched McNeil as Officer D. Bowers.
“These administrative reviews are ongoing, but the State Attorney’s Office has determined that none of the involved officers violated criminal law, even though the administrative review has yet to be completed,” Waters said during a news conference.
“Pending the outcome of this administrative review, Officer Bowers has been stripped of his law enforcement authority,” Waters continued.
Waters did not disclose if the deputies had been placed on suspension or placed on administrative leave.
According to court records, McNeil was arrested and charged with “resisting arrest without violence to his or her person, possessing not more than 20 grams of marijuana with intent to use drug paraphernalia, driving while driver’s license is suspended, not wearing a seatbelt, and no headlights in rain/fog/or smoke.”
Eventually, McNeil was sentenced to and served two days in jail for “resisting arrest without violence and driving with a suspended license.”
Harry Daniels, McNeil’s lawyer, said that his client plans to take legal action.
“This officer broke his window and just punched him in his face. Mr. McNeil suffered very significant injury,” Daniels said.”We are planning to do everything we can do to secure justice.”