Rodney Davis, the Orlando man whose arrest sparked a police-brutality outcry after video of the takedown spread last November, is no longer facing a street-racing charge, his attorney said Wednesday. The case grew out of a downtown confrontation during Florida Classic weekend that drew scrutiny when officers were seen on video pulling Davis from a vehicle and forcing him face down on the pavement.
Davis and his lawyer, Rajan Joshi, told News 6 on Wednesday that prosecutors have dropped a count of "operating a vehicle during a street takeover," according to ClickOrlando. The station reported it was still waiting for responses from the Orlando Police Department and from State Attorney Monique Worrell's office.
Video shows officers yanking Davis from his car
Cellphone video that circulated last November appears to show officers pulling Davis from his vehicle near Central Street and Orange Avenue, then forcing him to the ground while a 17-year-old, later identified as his son, was detained, according to his legal team and witnesses. Davis told reporters the car was still in drive and that a 12-year-old child was inside when it started to roll. He described being "thrown down face first into the pavement, knees all in my back." His attorney likened the encounter to high-profile police-brutality cases and said they planned to pursue legal action. As detailed by ClickOrlando, police had initially charged Davis under Florida's street-racing statute.
What the law says
Florida tightened its street-takeover statute in 2024, banning participation in organized "street takeovers" and allowing fines, driver-license suspensions, and vehicle impoundments for offenders. The enrolled Florida Senate text spells out the penalties. First-time offenders face fines starting around $500 and a possible one-year license revocation, while repeat or aggravated violations carry steeper fines and potential felony exposure.
What comes next
With the criminal charge off the table, Davis's attorney may now turn fully to possible civil action, while community advocates continue to demand answers about the officers' conduct that night. It is still unclear whether Orlando police will make body-worn camera footage public or whether prosecutors will open a related review. News 6 reported that it has requested comment from both agencies.
