Riverside County Deputy Punches Unarmed Man During Arrest

Video footage shows deputy striking man during drug-related warrant arrest

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A Riverside County family is outraged after their loved one, Charles Beal, was punched and beaten with a baton by a Riverside County Sheriff's deputy during an arrest on a drug-related warrant. Video footage shows Beal backing away as the deputy approaches and then the deputy punching Beal in the face.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage in the community and raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement, particularly against individuals who appear to be unarmed and not posing an immediate threat. It also highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of individuals with mental health issues by police.

The details

The video footage shows Beal getting out of a truck and a deputy moving towards him. As Beal backs away, the deputy punches his face. The deputy then hits Beal in the leg with a baton several times. Beal was unarmed and does not appear to hit the deputy. The sheriff's department said Beal "failed to follow the deputy's commands", while Beal's brother said he was unarmed and the deputy didn't need to resort to violence.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday morning.

The players

Charles Beal

The Riverside County man who was arrested on a drug-related warrant and allegedly punched and beaten by a sheriff's deputy.

Frank Reed

The brother of Charles Beal, who is outraged over the incident and claims the deputy has harassed Beal in the past.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency that made the arrest and claims Beal "failed to follow the deputy's commands".

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What they’re saying

“I'm not against no police officers for doing their job. But if a person don't have a weapon on them, if a person don't rush you and hit you, there's no need to put violence to violence.”

— Frank Reed, Brother of Charles Beal

“Justify the stop. If you pulled him over for a traffic stop, why ask him 'where the drugs at?' That's all I'm saying. Cause when I came out and asked them 'why are y'all stopping him?' they said a routine traffic stop.”

— Frank Reed, Brother of Charles Beal

What’s next

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has stated the incident is under review.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and community members, particularly around the use of force and the treatment of individuals with mental health issues. It underscores the need for continued dialogue, training, and accountability measures to ensure policing practices align with community values and respect for civil liberties.