A Metro fare evasion charge has been dropped against a Howard University student.
The student, 21-year-old DeSean Smith, was arrested by Metro Transit Police for allegedly not paying his Metro fare at the Silver Spring station on June 10. His fare was less than $5, NBC4 reported in June.
Kevin Smith, DeSean’s father, said his son had never been in trouble before the arrest.
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
“They accosted him, slammed him to the ground, knee in the back,” Kevin Smith said.
His son's arrest and criminal charges led to a protest outside the Silver Spring Metro station later in June.
At the protest, Smith, his father and local activists claimed Metro Transit officers overreacted when he was accused of not paying to ride. The protesters said they believed fare evasion should be a civil matter.
Police said that during the incident, Smith refused to comply with officers and the situation escalated.
During the arrest, Smith yelled out his father's phone number and a bystander, Mary Glenshaw, called the phone number. Glenshaw later joined the protest, NBC4 reported.
"Next thing I knew, he was on the ground," Glenshaw said.
Smith is still charged with resisting arrest and disobeying police orders.
His trial was set to happen Monday, but Smith’s attorney says prosecutors were granted a delay. He will go on trial for the criminal charges in September.
