Full Breakdown
Pinal County’s $800,000 Claim Over a High-School Student’s Arrest
By Drooid · · How we work
The March 26 Traffic Stop and Alleged Brutality
On March 26, 18-year-old Rayvion Johnson was stopped by Richard “Hank” Mueller, chief investigator for Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller. Mueller, driving an unmarked vehicle, ordered Johnson to halt for allegedly running a stop sign while the student rode an electric bike home from school. Video captured Mueller body-slamming Johnson, driving a knee into his back, and forcing the teen to the ground. Johnson, who had no prior arrests, was booked on two misdemeanor counts and one felony count of resisting arrest, then released on his own recognizance after a night in jail.
Legal Claim and Potential County Liability
Attorneys for Johnson filed a notice of claim in September demanding an $800,000 settlement to avoid further litigation. The claim argues that Mueller’s actions were unjustified and that the Pinal County Attorney’s Office, which declined to prosecute Johnson days after the arrest, bears responsibility for the alleged false arrest and excessive force.
Background on Investigator Richard Mueller and County Attorney Brad Miller
Mueller, 44, was removed from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office after a drunken bar fight and placed on the county’s Brady List of discredited officers. Miller hired Mueller as chief investigator, assigning him to lead an eight-to-ten-person unit with a starting salary of $93,000 per year. Miller’s office has previously pursued controversial initiatives, such as an aborted agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the use of encrypted messaging to evade Arizona’s public-records law.
County Board Reaction and Policy Changes
Supervisors on the all-GOP Pinal County Board expressed alarm over the video and the potential financial impact. Supervisor Stephen Miller warned that the $800,000 claim could be paid entirely from the county’s general fund, while Chairman Jeffrey McClure called the incident “a bad situation” and likened Mueller’s actions to the “full George Floyd” scenario. In response, the board tightened job descriptions for county-attorney investigators in late August, adding a requirement that investigators not appear on a Brady list and clarifying that their role is limited to preparing evidence for court proceedings.
Data & Statistics
- Settlement demand: $800,000 (attorneys for Johnson)
- Mueller’s salary: $93,000 per year (starting)
- Johnson’s physical description in video: 5 ft 4 in, 150 lb
Official Statements & Responses
Brad Miller described the visual of Mueller’s knee on Johnson’s back as “not a good visual” and indicated that the board’s proposed settlement figure was lower than what he would have sought. Chairman Jeffrey McClure criticized Mueller’s police report language, calling the description of “assisting” Johnson to the ground “laughable.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “When [Mueller] is on top of that guy and he’s got his knee in his back, this is not a good visual,” — Brad Miller, Pinal County attorney
- “I’d have asked for a lot more,” — Brad Miller, Pinal County attorney
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Mueller’s police report claims he sustained “multiple abrasions” to both hands and his right wrist, a detail that appears inconsistent with the video showing a significant size disparity between Mueller and Johnson. Johnson presented visible wounds to his arms, legs, and head. No independent medical examination results have been released, leaving the extent of injuries on both parties unverified.
Ongoing Investigations
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has opened an investigation into the county attorney’s use of encrypted messaging, a matter referenced in the broader controversy surrounding Miller’s office. No further updates on the settlement negotiation or potential criminal charges against Mueller have been disclosed.