Burlington pays $150,000 after its chief cleared officers who had a disabled teen sedated
In May 2021 Burlington police responded after a mother reported her 14-year-old son, who has documented behavioral and intellectual disabilities, had stolen vape pens. Officers Kelsey Johnson and Sergio Caldieri restrained him and called paramedics, who put a mesh bag over his head and injected him with ketamine. The Burlington Police Commission unanimously found the officers committed at least ten violations of six department policies, likely influenced by implicit racial bias, but then-Chief Jon Murad rejected the findings and cleared them. The ACLU of Vermont sued in 2024; Judge Helen Toor refused to dismiss excessive-force and discrimination claims. The city agreed to pay $150,000 in a settlement reached May 14, 2026, without a trial. The mayor's office declined to comment. Commissioner Stephanie Seguino said nothing in the outcome prevents a repeat.
The Burlington Police Commission later found the officers committed at least ten violations of six department policies and that their actions were likely motivated by implicit racial bias. Then-Acting Chief John Murad rejected those findings and cleared the officers.
The commission presented its recommendations to then-Police Chief Jon Murad, who, according to court documents, rejected them, concluding that the officers’ handling constituted an appropriate use of force and did not violate department rules.
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