By Emerson Drake
3/30/11
Officer Anthony Trock of the Modesto Police Department was recently arrested for suspicion of seizing illegal drugs and failing to submit the narcotics into evidence. The most interesting aspect of this case is it’s relation to the case of Craig Prescott, who died while in custody.It was Officer Trock who arrested Craig Prescott.
In response to the family’s concern for Craigs mental health he took precautions during the arrest by taking enough officers with him so that Craig would not try to resist.
Afterward he spoke to Craig’s wife Rachel and let her know that Craig had been arrested without incident. The day after the arrest, Officer Trock left on a family vacation.When he returned from vacation, he learned of Craig’s death. He was allowed to view the cell extraction video. This is the video that we were first told had been lost.
Then we were later told it never existed because an officer “forgot” to tape the extraction. State law requires that all cell extractions are video taped.This is what Officer Trock told the Prescott family he saw on this video:“Seven or eight deputies entered Craig’s cell at the same time. They were all pilled on top of Craig and kept rolling on the floor with him for 8 – 10 minutes.
They were taking off Craig’s jumpsuit while they were rolling around on the floor. After they stopped rolling on the floor, they pulled Craig out of the cell.”The Sheriff’s Office has claimed that Craig was uncooperative during the extraction and they were forced to use tasers and pepper balls.
They also claim that Craig used his cell mattress as a shield against these weapons. Officer Trock told the Prescott family that Craig did not use his mattress during the extraction and that he didn’t see any tasers being used.It’s interesting that Officer Trock is due to be deposed in this case in a couple of weeks.
Is it possible that the MPD and the Sheriff’s Office are trying to discredit his integrity prior to this case going to trial?In previous cases where a Modesto Police Officer has been arrested, Chief Michael Harden has always refrained from making a statement prior to the completion of an investigation.
However, in this case, Chief Harden has been quite outspoken about the disgrace Officer Trock has brought to the MPD and his fellow law enforcement officers.
