Orlando Police Officers Lieutenant Nick Collins and Officer Sebastian Shields Face Zero Accountability After False Arrest of Juan Vasquez
A shocking case of police misconduct has emerged from Orlando, Florida, where Juan Vasquez, an innocent resident with no criminal history, was wrongfully arrested, injured, and jailed for over 30 hours based on a false firearm report. Despite body-worn camera footage proving his innocence and all charges being dropped by the State Attorney, the involved officers—Lieutenant Nick Collins (Badge #16439) and Officer Sebastian Shields (Badge #37574)—have faced no consequences for their actions.
False 911 Report Triggers Aggressive Police Response at Conway Forrest Apartments
On March 28, 2025, Juan Vasquez became the target of a false accusation when Kevin Carmona, a maintenance worker at the Conway Forrest Apartment Complex in Orlando, called 911 claiming he saw Vasquez with a firearm after hearing yelling near Apartment 214. This fabricated report would set in motion a chain of events that would cause significant physical and psychological trauma to an innocent man.
When Orlando Police Department officers arrived at the scene, Lieutenant Nick Collins and Officer Sebastian Shields immediately confronted Vasquez with aggressive commands, escalating the situation without conducting any proper investigation. Despite Vasquez being cooperative and completely unarmed, the officers forcibly detained him.
Body Camera Footage Contradicts Police Reports of Resistance
The body-worn camera footage from both Lieutenant Collins and Officer Shields tells a dramatically different story than what appears in their official reports. The video evidence clearly shows Juan Vasquez complying with all police instructions throughout the encounter. No firearm was ever found because none existed.
Despite this compliance captured on camera, Lieutenant Collins used unjustified physical force during the arrest, causing injury to Vasquez’s left elbow and aggravating his pre-existing back and neck injuries. Officer Shields, following Collins’ lead, arrested Vasquez on two counts of resisting an officer without violence—charges that the body camera footage would later prove to be completely fabricated.
Over 30 Hours of Wrongful Imprisonment and Medical Neglect
Juan Vasquez was jailed for more than 30 hours, during which he was denied his prescribed medication and subjected to medical neglect that worsened his injuries. The psychological trauma of being wrongfully arrested and imprisoned for crimes he didn’t commit has had lasting effects on his life.
In a July 2025 interview about his first-time experience with arrest and incarceration, Vasquez shared deeply disturbing details about his ordeal with the Orlando Police Department.
State Attorney Dismisses All Charges Due to Insufficient Evidence
On April 10, 2025, Assistant State Attorney Kristen W. Holodick reviewed the evidence, including the body-worn camera footage that contradicted the officers’ claims. She dismissed all charges against Juan Vasquez, filing a “No Information Notice” that cited “insufficient evidence” and determined the case was “not suitable for prosecution.”
This official dismissal by the State Attorney’s office effectively confirmed what the body camera footage already showed—that Juan Vasquez was innocent and the charges against him were baseless.
Internal Affairs Investigation Clears Officers Despite Clear Evidence
Despite the overwhelming evidence of misconduct, Juan Vasquez’s formal complaint with the Internal Affairs Section of the Orlando Police Department resulted in no accountability for Lieutenant Collins or Officer Shields. Internal Affairs Investigator Amanda Solis Dowson classified the complaint as a “General Complaint” and incredibly cleared all officers of wrongdoing.
The Internal Affairs report concluded that “no policy violations occurred,” completely ignoring the clear body camera evidence, the State Attorney’s dismissal of charges, and Vasquez’s documented injuries. No disciplinary action was taken against either officer.
Victim Seeks Justice Through Civil Rights Lawsuit
From May through July 2025, Juan Vasquez began actively seeking to file a civil rights lawsuit related to his wrongful arrest, alleging excessive force, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution. However, he currently needs legal representation to pursue justice against the Orlando Police Department.
Systemic Failure Protects Officers at Innocent Civilian’s Expense
The case of Juan Vasquez represents a disturbing pattern of how false accusations, police abuse, and systemic failures can destroy innocent lives while those in power face zero consequences. Despite irrefutable body camera evidence proving Vasquez’s cooperation and the State Attorney dismissing all charges due to lack of evidence, the Orlando Police Department has steadfastly refused to hold Lieutenant Nick Collins and Officer Sebastian Shields accountable.
Juan Vasquez, a man with no prior criminal history, continues to suffer from both physical injuries and psychological trauma—all because officers escalated a situation without cause and fabricated charges to justify their misconduct. The knowledge that the system meant to protect citizens has completely failed him adds to his ongoing suffering.
The Broader Implications of Unchecked Police Misconduct
This case extends far beyond one wrongful arrest—it exposes a broken system that protects officers at all costs while innocent civilians pay the price. The Orlando Police Department’s Internal Affairs division ignored glaring contradictions between official reports and body camera footage, effectively sending the message that officer misconduct will be tolerated and covered up.
Lieutenant Nick Collins and Officer Sebastian Shields continue their duties without facing any consequences for their actions on March 28, 2025. Their case serves as a stark reminder that without genuine transparency and real accountability measures, police misconduct will continue unchecked, leaving more innocent people like Juan Vasquez to suffer the consequences of a system that has lost its way.
If you are a qualified civil rights attorney willing to help Juan Vasquez pursue justice, please reach out through the contact information provided below.
- Instagram: Jcvasquez69
- Email: [email protected]
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