Woman Reaches $17 Million Settlement After Excessive Force Incident

UPDATE: A significant settlement has been reached in a high-profile case involving excessive force by law enforcement. Nakia Porter, a woman who was knocked unconscious by Solano County Sheriff’s deputies during a family trip in Dixon in August 2020, has secured a $17 million settlement with the county, her attorney confirmed today.

Porter filed a federal lawsuit alleging that deputies violated her civil rights through unlawful seizure, assault, and excessive force. Her attorney, Yasin M. Almadani, stated that this settlement marks an end to a traumatic chapter for Porter and her family.

On the night of August 6, 2020, Porter and her family stopped to change drivers when they were approached by deputies with flashing lights. Despite explaining the situation, body camera footage shows the deputies pulling guns on Porter, who was already outside the vehicle. The confrontation escalated quickly, leading to Porter being slammed to the ground and handcuffed while her father, Joe Powell, was also briefly detained.

Porter was jailed overnight on suspicion of resisting arrest but was never formally charged. The incident was captured on body cameras, revealing a disturbing exchange where Porter can be heard pleading, “For those that are listening, I am not resisting,” moments before the deputies resorted to physical force.

According to the lawsuit, Porter alleged that deputies punched her, kneed her in the back, and pulled her hair, after which she lost consciousness. “I think she’s out,” one deputy is heard saying on camera. Porter regained consciousness in the back of the squad car about five minutes later.

The settlement comes as Solano County officials stress their commitment to public safety while acknowledging the need to review training and policies to prevent future incidents. A spokesman for Sheriff Brad DeWall referred inquiries regarding the case to the county’s official statement, which emphasized the decision to settle was based on an evaluation of the risks and costs of prolonged litigation.

In a statement, Porter described the deputies’ actions as dehumanizing, stating, “These deputies treated us less than human and left a void we are still struggling to fill.” Almadani added that while the settlement provides some relief, significant healing is still needed for Porter, who has been unable to continue her career as a computer scientist and engineer since the incident.

“This is a good end to a very horrific chapter in a family’s life,” Almadani noted. He described Porter as a “very positive person” and a “rising star” in her field, but emphasized the lasting impact of the trauma she endured.

Porter and her family have since moved out of Solano County, seeking distance from the incident. Almadani remarked on Porter’s resilience, stating, “She’s trying to find purpose after what she suffered.”

As the community processes this case, it highlights ongoing concerns over police conduct and the treatment of individuals during law enforcement encounters. The settlement not only addresses Porter’s grievances but also raises critical questions about accountability and reform in policing practices.

For those following this story, more updates will be provided as they become available.