Peach Tree Times

A man who was kicked and assaulted by Gwinnett County police officers in 2017 has filed a lawsuit against the county, Gwinnett Police Chief Butch Ayers and the officers who were involved, according to a CBS 46 report.

Demetrius Hollins said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder four years after being punched and kicked by former Gwinnett County Police Sgt. Michael Bongiovanni and Officer Robert McDonald, according to a Fox 5 Atlanta report.

’’I would like to thank those that stood up and fought for me, right beside me through this tough time," Hollins told reporters during a Sept 22 news conference at his attorney's office, according to Fox 5. "I believe that the more we come together as a nation, great things will happen.’’

A cell phone video showed McDonald arriving at a traffic stop conducted by Bongiovanni, who initially reported that he had been involved in a fight with Hollins and arrested him on several charges, CBS 46 reported.

However, witnesses told police that Bongiovanni used excessive force and hit Hollins as his hands were raised, and that McDonald approached with his firearm pulled and aimed at Hollins' head; prosecutors later stated that McDonald can be seen stomping on Hollins with his foot in the cell phone video, CBS 46 said.

On Sept. 10, Hollins filed a complaint seeking compensatory damages for the injuries sustained in the assault, as well as punitive damages and legal expenses, Fox 5 reported.

Bongiovanni and McDonald were both fired and faced multiple charges as a result of the incident, Fox 5 said. Both were sentenced to 10 years of probation.