WESTOVER, W.Va. — A lawsuit filed earlier this month in federal court alleges a Westover Police Department officer maliciously attacked a Black male while the officer’s partner backed his colleague.
According to the lawsuit, Officer Zachary Fecsko pulled Andre Howton, a Black man in his 50s, out of his home in the early morning hours of Jan. 1, 2019. Fecsko, described as a “Caucasian male in his twenties,” allegedly struck Howton multiple times in the face and torso, causing fractured bones, broken teeth and other injuries.
Officer Aaron Dalton was with Fecsko on the night of the alleged incident, and his body camera captured most of the incident. The lawsuit alleges Dalton encouraged Fecsko’s actions.
The officers charged Howton with four crimes and took him to the North Central Regional Jail, an hour away from Howton’s home. Howton was turned away because of his injuries, and Feckso drove Howton back to his home. Charges against Howton were later dropped.
The lawsuit also alleges the Westover Police Department knew of allegations against Flescko involving an altercation with his former girlfriend, in which he “grabbed her by the throat, threw her against a wall, showed and slapped her — leaving scratches, bruises, and scrapes in various locations on her body.” The lawsuit also states Dalton, as a member of the Fairmont Police Department, was sued for an “unprovoked attack” on two individuals.
The lawsuit also names Westover Police Chief Richard Panico for publicly stating Flescko and Dalton’s actions were within department policies.
The lawsuit is before the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of West Virginia. Judge Tom Kleeh is handling the related proceedings.