HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS — A Harris County deputy has been indicted after allegedly provoking a 61-year-old man into slapping him—then arresting the man for assault. Deputy Ellison Collins, who is Black, reportedly told the white man to “slap him in the face” during a confrontation outside an IHOP restaurant in 2024. When the man hesitated but eventually complied, Collins allegedly struck back, knocking him down and placing him in handcuffs.

Prosecutors called the incident a “deliberate provocation,” stating that Collins abused his authority to justify an arrest. Surveillance footage and witness videos captured the exchange, prompting the case’s dismissal against the civilian and a grand jury indictment against the deputy.

Collins now faces a misdemeanor assault charge and up to one year in jail. He has been reassigned to administrative duty pending both a criminal and internal investigation.

The case has fueled debate over power, race, and accountability in policing. Community leaders say it highlights how authority, when misused, erodes public trust. The 61-year-old man has since filed a civil lawsuit against Collins and Harris County for wrongful arrest and emotional distress.

tors ultimately brought the case before a grand jury, which indicted Collins himself on misdemeanor assault charges.

📰 A Black Police Officer Intentionally Incited a 61-Year-Old White Man to Slap Him, Then Arrested Him for Assaulting a Law Enforcement Officer

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