A Turlock man has filed a government claim alleging that Stanislaus County Sheriff’s deputies used excessive force during an incident at the Stanislaus County Fair on July 20. The claim, submitted by attorneys Neil Gehlawat and Peter Reagan to the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, states that deputies tackled and repeatedly punched 22-year-old Ronaldo Hernandez, who had recently graduated from CSU Stanislaus and was set to begin work with the Turlock Unified School District.
At a press conference in Sacramento, Gehlawat showed video footage recorded by a bystander, which depicts two deputies striking and tackling Hernandez while other officers surround them. The video captures part of the confrontation and includes violent content and strong language.
“This is not acceptable conduct,” Gehlawat said. “We can’t expect our law enforcement officers to act this way. There have to be consequences when something like this happens.”
Hernandez said he attended the fair with his parents and suffered a shoulder injury and head trauma from the incident, leading to ongoing pain, memory problems, and an inability to work. “That night changed my life forever, not just physically but mentally and emotionally,” Hernandez said. “I wake up every day reminded of what happened.”
The claim states that Hernandez was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and resisting arrest before being booked into jail. According to his attorneys from Taylor & Ring in Los Angeles, Hernandez does not drink alcohol and was sober during the incident.
On August 27, 2025, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office decided not to file charges against Hernandez due to insufficient evidence, as stated in the claim.
The filing seeks damages exceeding $25,000 and cites battery, negligence, violations of the Bane Act and U.S. Constitution, as well as negligent supervision and training. It also requests preservation of all body-camera and surveillance footage from July 20 at the fairgrounds.
Gehlawat said a federal civil rights lawsuit will be filed in Sacramento if the county does not resolve the matter within its 45-day response period. “We hope they do right by this family,” he said, “but we’re ready to go the distance if we have to.”
Sheriff’s spokesperson Lt. Erich Layton confirmed awareness of the legal action but declined further comment due to ongoing litigation. “As a matter of practice, we do not address such allegations, as there is litigation,” Layton said to The Bee. “We do not comment on personnel-specific matters or provide video related to pending cases.”
In a statement, Hernandez’s parents described watching “in horror” as deputies confronted their son: “Ronaldo keeps asking us why this happened to him, and we have no answer,” they said. “We’re seeking justice not just for our son but to ensure this never happens to another family.”
Reagan commented: “Members of the Stanislaus community should not have to fear that their own sheriff’s deputies will attack and detain them without good cause.”
The county has 45 days from Tuesday’s filing date to respond or reject the claim before further legal action may proceed.
