Prosecutor: Allentown police justified arrest captured on video – NBC10 Philadelphia

Allentown police officers were justified in using force in an arrest caught on camera, using a Taser on a man and striking him with a baton as they responded to a report of domestic violence, officials said.

On June 22, 2024, at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers responded to a domestic violence complaint at a residence in the 200 block of North 16^th Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The caller told police his sister was the victim of a domestic dispute with her husband, later identified as Michael Iucolino, 29, investigators said.

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Body camera footage shows officers entering the apartment as a woman screams, “Mike! Get away from me!” Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said officers were legally allowed to enter the apartment because they believed something had happened to the woman inside the house.

“In Pennsylvania, officers are required to respond to a suspected domestic dispute,” Holihan said.

The bodycam video shows a man – identified by investigators as Iucolino – holding a child as officers approach him. Investigators said Iucolino immediately became combative, hitting the officers and attempting to punch them. A confrontation ensued between the officers and Iucolino. The bodycam footage shows Iucolino struggling with the officers for nearly seven minutes while a woman screams and repeatedly tells Iucolino to stop.

The footage ends with officers striking Iucolino with a baton and stunning him with a taser. Officers said the use of force was in response to Iucolino grabbing one of the officers’ leg in a leg hold, tripping the officer and throwing him to the ground.

Iucolino was eventually handcuffed, arrested and charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest. The woman who was in Iucolino’s apartment has not filed a complaint in connection with the incident.

Iucolino is currently being held in the Lehigh County Jail after failing to post bail.

After Iucolino’s arrest, a cell phone video showing part of the incident was sent to local media.

“The video previously released to some media outlets by a witness shows only a small portion of what happened. We are here today to show body camera footage that provides a more complete picture of what happened,” Holihan said Friday.

The Allentown Police Department’s Use of Force Review Board investigated the incident and concluded that the officers’ use of force was justified.

“As district attorney, I conducted an independent investigation and agree with its findings,” Holihan said. “I have concluded that there is no evidence to justify criminal charges against the Allentown Police officers involved in this incident.”

NBC10 has reached out to Iucolino’s attorney for comment. We will provide a statement when we receive a response.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visit www.thehotline.org, or text LOVEIS to 22522.