The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has cleared a San Bernardino police officer of criminal wrongdoing after he struck a man 16 times with his baton during the videotaped arrest of a Crestline man in 2024. Officer Javier Chavez’s “use of force was objectively reasonable and no t excessive. It was therefore lawful,” said the DA’s 19-page report, which was released Tuesday, Dec. 2. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that “Reasonableness is an objective analysis and must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. It is also highly deferential to the police officer’s need to protect himself and others.” Investigators reached their conclusion by reviewing audio and video recordings and written police reports. Investigators did not interview the officers, the suspect or witnesses, the DA’s report said. That investigation was separate from the internal probe by the Police Department, which determined that Chavez violated department policy. Chavez was suspended and returned to patrol duty after additional training, Chief Darren Goodman said. Chavez was not disciplined for using excessive force, but for something else related to the investigation that Goodman said he could not disclose because it is a personnel matter, Goodman said. The suspect, Billy Lee Hill, 39, has filed a lawsuit against the city and the three officers he encountered the night of June 6, 2024. Hill alleged excessive force and other civil rights violations. The city, in its response filed with the court, denied the allegations. A mediation session has been scheduled for Dec. 8. Chavez could not be reached for comment. Messages were left for him through the Police Department and the San Bernardino Police Officers Association. Warning: video contains violence, harsh language On June 6, 2024, officers investigating a report of someone crashing a stolen motorcycle encountered Hill in the parking lot of his workplace, the Kwik Stop Dairy at 133 E. 40th St. Police later said — and Hill agreed — that he matched the description of the rider. Hill, recorded on a police body-worn camera video, denied stealing the bike and said his bike was at home. The DA’s report, however, appears to contradict that assertion. The report said that Hill told paramedics and later hospital nurses that he had leg injuries he suffered while crashing his motorcycle. The report further stated that Hill appeared to be under the influence of illegal drugs because he was sweating profusely, appeared agitated and was speaking rapidly. Billy Lee Hill of Crestline has a lawsuit pending against the city of San Bernardino and three police officers, including Javier Sanchez, who struck Hill 16 times with a baton during an arrest in 2024. Mediation was scheduled for Dec. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Billy Hill) Chavez and officers Gabriel Wilson and Abraham Jun attempted to detain Hill. But Chavez’s body-worn camera video showed Hill struggling with Jun and Wilson, kicking Jun and moving his arms in a way that made it difficult for them to handcuff Hill. He also grabbed Chavez’s stun gun. Chavez struck Hill in the left leg five times with the baton, the DA’s report said. Hill kicked his leg at Chavez, and Chavez delivered five more blows. Chavez, seeing that the other officers were unable to control Hill, hit him four more times. Chavez struck Hill twice more after he fell. Hill was charged with two felonies — resisting arrest and attempting to take a peace officer’s weapon — that were dismissed after Hill pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor, on Oct. 27, 2025. The DA’s Office determined that “there wasn’t enough” evidence to prosecute Hill on those felonies, spokeswoman Jacquelyn Rodriguez said Tuesday. Related Articles Woman found guilty of murder in 2018 Rolling Hills Estates mall stabbing El Monte man accused of killing passenger, Alhambra officer pleads not guilty Surgeon testifies he didn’t know of Tyler Skaggs’ opioid issues when he performed surgery on the Angels pitcher Buena Park man accused of using SUV to snap pregnant dog’s neck in Anaheim K-9 Spike honored as hero in Burbank memorial service after dog fatally shot by suspect ...read more read less