Police bust up backyard party, Taser young woman

Prince William County police are investigating whether officers used unnecessary force when they Tasered and arrested a 55-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman at a baptismal party in Manassas.

A little before 8 p.m. Sunday, Prince William County police said they arrived at the home of Edgar A. Rodriguez on the 9600 block of Lafayette Avenue to investigate a noise complaint.

Rodriguez was hosting a party in his backyard. Police said they found him "highly intoxicated" and he refused several requests from officers to turn down the loud music.

"Rodriguez began to act disorderly and refused to identify himself to officers," said police spokeswoman Officer Erika Hernandez.

When police told Rodriguez he was under arrest, family members attempted to interfere, Hernandez said.

One of them was Leticia Elias, who was Tasered along with Rodriguez so police could "successfully arrest" them, Hernandez said. She added that one of the officers spoke fluent Spanish and communication was not a problem.

Some news reports claimed Elias was pregnant, but according to police, that's not the case.

Hernandez said police were conducting an internal investigation. But one law enforcement source said the family has refused to meet with investigators and has not filed an official complaint with the department.

Another source said Elias' husband has been more concerned about the deportation proceedings now pending against Elias, who is being held on a warrant from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for being a suspected illegal immigrant.

Dorothy Johnson, who lives next door to Rodriguez, said the party wasn't loud.

"It was a nice family outing," Johnson said. "I don't know why the police made a big thing of it. ... I thought it was just wrong." She added that regardless of how loud a party is, police are often called to the block by a complaining neighbor.

Rodriguez was charged with resisting arrest and public drunkenness. He was released on $2,500 bail.

Elias was charged with assault and battery of a police officer, obstruction of justice and resisting arrest. Every use of force is investigated internally, Hernandez said.

"Officers can use the necessary tools to overcome resistance to make an arrest," she said.

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