DA drops interfering charge against man in controversial Baytown arrest

Thursday, June 4, 2020

Controversial arrest in Baytown caught on camera

Video shows two Baytown officers arrest two men that were questioning them about the arrest of a Black man.

BAYTOWN, Texas (KTRK) -- An internal affairs investigation has been launched against two Baytown police officers seen on video arresting two men who were questioning why the officers were arresting a black man.

The controversial arrest was all caught on cell phone video.

The incident happened at the Baytown Market store Tuesday in the 2900 block of Market Street.

Officers pulled over 23-year-old Jostin Moore for a traffic violation. When officers handcuffed Moore, two people in front of the store began to make comments about what was happening.

In the video, an officer can be seen crossing the parking lot to the store's front and throwing one of the men on the ground, then kicking him in the head.

A second officer confronts another man who was also in front of the store and eventually arrests him.

In the video above, ABC13's Jessica Willey spoke with the former head of the Texas Rangers to share his thoughts. Watch to hear his thoughts on the incident caught on camera.

Skylar Gilmore, 24, and Isaiah Phillips, 23, were arrested for disorderly conduct-language, for their public use of profanities. A Baytown officer is also heard on video using profanities.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office initially filed charges against Gilmore for interfering with public duties. Thursday afternoon, ABC13 learned that the DA's office dropped the interfering charge against Gilmore.

The City of Baytown is still pursuing the municipal charges against all three men arrested.

Baytown P.D. issued the following statement on Wednesday:

"On June 2nd our officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle in the parking lot of the Baytown Market Convenience Store located in the 2900 block of Market Street. During that stop the driver of the vehicle, 23-year-old Jostin Moore of Baytown, was arrested for traffic violations and an outstanding warrant out of Deer Park. During the course of the stop, a small crowd made up of several of Mr. Moore's associates began to gather outside the store. Two members of that group, 24-year-old Skylar Gilmore and 23-year-old Isaiah Phillips both of Baytown, were subsequently arrested as well for Disorderly Conduct-Language for their public use of profanities during the incident. Mr. Gilmore was also charged with Interfering with Public Duties through the Harris County District Attorney's Office for his actions during his arrest. Baytown Police Chief Dougherty has referred the incident to our Internal Affairs Division to conduct a complete and thorough review of the incident."