A Haitian-American and retired U.S. veteran is pursuing criminal and civil charges against a law enforcement officer in the Dominican Republic after he was the alleged victim of police brutality by a military officer in an immigration parking lot in 2024. In addition to criminal charges, Guy Ralph Theus and his team are suing for $40 million pesos in damages amounting to $2.3 million USD.
In the two years since the alleged incident, Theus and his team say legal proceedings have dragged on without much progress, with questions around a lack of due process, judicial delay, and potential discriminatory conduct. Theus, 65, said he was struck in the head by the officer, sustaining visible injuries, while trying to cross the Haitian-Dominican Republic border, where he and his wife, Dr. Marie Dupiton, do humanitarian work in Haiti and beyond through the nonprofit they formed, Quisqueya Concerned Citizens Inc. Their organization provides resources such as food, health, and education to impoverished communities, often in Haiti.
Since the accused officer operated as a migration agent, the Army of the Dominican Republic and the General Directorate of Migration are considered civilly liable. According to court documents, Theus has said there have been up to eight postponements and other excuses for the delay.
“They know if they keep postponing it, you’ll get tired and leave it,” Theus said of his case. “All of these things are to make sure you get tired, and then you drop the case, and then this guy goes scot-free.”
Theus said that he and his wife have regularly observed hostility and harassment toward Haitian travelers by the Dominican Republic military officers, but he had never encountered the level of what he dealt with that day in 2024. They would usually travel directly to Haiti before the assassination of Haitian president Jovenel Moïse. He said he would often get harassed by the officers at the security gate, and they would attempt to extort money to let him through.
“The color of your skin is the first thing they see. They don’t care,” Theus said.
His team is seeking the maximum penalty for the officer and to send a message that the harassment of Haitians must “stop at the border,” said Nakim Bey, certified Human Rights Consultant from the U.S Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights. Bey told the AmNews he serves as the United Nation counsel to Theus and was given power of attorney by him. Because Theus is a private citizen, he must go through all the administrative remedies in the Dominican Republic, including litigation and the appeal process, before getting the UN involved.
To date, Theus said he and his wife have spent approximately $35,000 for travel to the country for court dates, in addition to other expenses.
The incident
On August 6, 2024, Theus was in the parking lot of the General Directorate of Migration in Dajabon, Dominican Republic, about four hours from the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo. He was en route to travel to Haiti to join his wife, who had already arrived. He was also with two U.S. nationals, Felina Backer and Raymond Leo Graham, who witnessed the incident and have corroborated his claims.
According to Theus, a migration officer identified as Francisco Antonio Recio Ferreras approached him and demanded to see his passport. He told the officer that his passport was in the car and asked to grab it, to which the officer replied, “Do you know where you are? You are in the Dominican Republic.” Shortly after, Theus says he felt something strike him in his head and realized it was the officer, causing visible injury.
“I felt something hit me … I didn’t expect this guy to hit me because we were not having an altercation, then I realized it was him,” Theus said. “My glasses fell on the floor, and then I was bleeding on the side of my right temple in my eyes.” Ferreras then allegedly also slapped Theus in the face before walking away.
Theus went into the immigration office and attempted to report the situation, but he said Ferreras forcibly removed him by his belt and threw him outside. It was only upon discovering on his passport that Theus was not only a U.S. citizen but a veteran that the officials reportedly readjusted their conduct.
After medical evaluations, Theus was diagnosed with lacerations on the right side of his face. He was referred to an international lawyer, Felix Humerto Portes, through the U.S. Embassy. The Dominican Republic-Haiti border has been the flashpoint of conflict over the past few years. In 2023, the Dominican government moved to close the border largely over immigration concerns. The result was a number of controversial deportations of Haitians. There also has been a dispute over water rights at the Dajabon River, which also affected the border closure.
Delayed justice
Almost immediately, Theus faced hurdles in getting his case heard. The deposition was scheduled for May 13, 2024, but Theus was told there was no record of his filing a complaint. He was able to proceed only after showing evidence of having seen a legal doctor with a screenshot on his phone, but then had to refile a complaint and return on May 21, 2024.
Although not formally arrested, Ferreras still had to face the charges. He was suspended from duty in September 2024. The arraignment was scheduled for November 22, but was later postponed to December 9, because the defendant’s team claimed he was medically unwell. On that date, Ferreras pleaded not guilty. After the arraignment, Theus’s lawyer, Portes, stepped away from the case, and he has since been working with junior attorney Sam Castillo. Through a friend, Theus appointed Bey, who also helps him communicate with the lawyer.
Theus did not hear back for several months. Then, a preliminary hearing took place on July 14, 2025, with a trial date scheduled for July 28. It was postponed to October 3, because Ferraras’s defense claimed they needed to be properly presented with the charges. Theus requested a postponement for the October date because he had an engagement where he was to receive an award. The new date was set for November 17, but it was postponed just days leading up to it because the court allegedly could not find a legal translator. Theus said he made sure to attend the rescheduling to avoid any improprieties that might be weaponized against him.
“They always have a trap,” Theus said. “If you’re not there, then they’ll cry foul.” The trial was again postponed to January 23, 2026.
On four separate court appearances this year, in January, March, April, and most recently May, proceedings were again postponed for reasons including one of the defense lawyers not appearing and Ferreras allegedly being under the weather and unable to appear. There was almost another postponement because Judge María Magdalena Peña had attempted to recuse herself from the case.
Theus and his team would need to appeal within 15 days if the officer is acquitted. After that process, Bey said they can look into potential measures with the UN Human Rights Commission.
The officer has been placed on leave during the process.
How Theus manages
Born in Haiti, Theus has lived in New York City since 1977, when he was 16, first in Brooklyn. He joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1986 and retired from service in 2020 after reaching the rank of sergeant major. Theus also worked for New York City Transit before retiring from that position in 2023. He has been married since 1987 and has two daughters with his wife.
He said there have been lasting psychological impacts on both him and his wife during travel.
“Every time my wife and I go to the Dominican Republic for the trial, we are really scared … What could happen? Could they send somebody after us?” Theus asked. “It left a psychological effect on me, just to go through the trial. When you think about it, you say, ‘Oh, my God, what did I do to deserve this?’”
Theus is skeptical about whether he can receive justice through the court system, and said he feels he is throwing money into a hole with no bottom. “I feel like the defendant is in a better place than me as the victim. I’m spending money, and he’s not.”
Theus noted that he pays for his witnesses to travel as well. “It’s me pushing for justice. It’s not the defendant defending himself.” However, Theus insists he will fight to get justice.
“I’m staying the course just to prove a point,” Theus said. “You know how many times I feel like I want to give up? But that’s exactly what they want me to do.”