By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two fired Phoenix police officers accused of assaulting a couple during an unreported traffic stop entered their plea in the high-profile case.
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Former officers Antonio Felix and Luis Vasquez entered not guilty pleas Tuesday morning.
State prosecutors allege that the two men held a man and a woman against their will during an off-the-books traffic stop on Aug. 5.
Vasquez reportedly held a man at gunpoint, causing damage to the car’s driver’s side window and hurting him when he was unable to fight back. Felix is accused of physically injuring the woman while she was unable to resist.
Prosecutors also alleged that the two destroyed or concealed a cellphone to keep it from being used as evidence in subsequent official proceedings.
Last week, the City of Phoenix released previous disciplinary records for the two men and announced that city and police officials were reviewing their police reports, body-worn camera footage, previous calls for service and community interactions. The department is also reviewing their squad and the South Mountain Precinct, where both men were assigned.
Arizona’s Family spoke with the victims’ lawyer and longtime friend, David Myers. He shared that the couple was driving home from a date when they were pulled over.
Myers said he believes the two officers were trying to steal the car, but the plan fell apart when the driver sped off and crossed into Tempe.
“They had it covered so there would be no record, no cameras, no nothing in Phoenix,” Myers explained.
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“They didn’t realize that it could go into another jurisdiction. In fact, it did. It went into Tempe, Tempe files, and then Phoenix says, ‘whoa, something’s wrong here,’” he added.
Detectives said Vasquez and Felix admitted to the crimes, and the two have since been fired.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing all open and closed cases against the two men, who were added to the Brady list, which is a database of law enforcement officers with credibility problems.
While a lawsuit is possible in the future, the couple’s lawyer says they are not currently seeking any money. Instead, Meyers says the victims are focused on getting back to “a normal life.”
Felix and Vasquez are facing numerous charges, including kidnapping and aggravated assault. Both are due back in court on Nov. 19.
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