$31K Withheld From Horse Pursuit Suspect's Settlement For Back Child Support

SAN BERNARDINO (CBSLA.com) — The county withheld nearly $31,000 for back child support from a six-figure settlement paid to a man beaten by deputies after leading them on a horse pursuit, officials said Tuesday.

Francis Pusok, 30, last week reached a $650,000 settlement with San Bernardino County in connection with his April 9 arrest in Apple Valley. Pusok had been beaten by several sheriff's deputies after leading a chase first by car, then by horse in the desert, and the arrest was filmed by a TV news helicopter.

San Bernardino County is ready to deliver the check to Pusok's attorneys, but not for the full amount – it is for $619,122.86, San Bernardino County spokesman David Wert told the Victorville Daily Press. The withheld $30,877.14 will go toward a child support claim, he said.

Pusok has 10 days to contest the claim.

Since Pusok's arrest, the FBI has launched a civil rights investigation and 10 deputies were put on leave pending an internal probe.