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Homeland Security Agent Sues SDPD Officer and City Over Alleged Costco Parking Lot Assault

The complaint alleges Officer Jonathan Ferraro used racial slurs, excessive force, then detained Chu Ding without justification, calling for damages plus an independent probe.

The incident happened at the Carmel Mountain Road Costco on July 2, 2024, and was caught on security cameras.
A federal lawsuit filed by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent Chu Ding accuses a San Diego police officer of assaulting him in the parking lot of a Costco on July 2, 2024.

Overview

  • In early July 2025, Homeland Security agent Chu Ding filed a federal lawsuit against off-duty SDPD Officer Jonathan Ferraro, Officer Patrick Richards, Detective Emilee Emanjomen, Sgt James Ealson and the City of San Diego alleging excessive force, false arrest and wrongful detention.
  • The suit claims that on July 2, 2024, Ferraro blocked Ding’s vehicle and physically assaulted him in a Carmel Mountain Costco parking lot, rendering him unconscious and causing a concussion, fractured rib and dislocated shoulder.
  • Ding was handcuffed tightly, denied food, water and medical care, coerced into signing an apology and charged with felony obstruction before the San Diego County District Attorney and the Homeland Security Office of Professional Responsibility dropped all charges.
  • Costco security footage forms the core evidence of the incident and the lawsuit notes that body-worn camera recordings are not yet available to the plaintiff.
  • The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and demands an independent investigation into SDPD practices; the department has declined to comment on pending litigation.