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BUFFALO, N.Y. A Homeland Security inspector is charged with violating a Chinese tourist's civil rights at a border crossing in Buffalo after an altercation left the innocent woman's eyes nearly swollen shut. The incident occurred late Wednesday at the Rainbow Bridge on the U-S-Canadian border in Niagara Falls, after Customs and Border Protection officers confiscated marijuana from a male pedestrian. Witnesses say Officer Robert Rhodes, mistakenly believing the woman standing nearby was involved, sprayed her with pepper spray and threw her against a wall. They say he kneed her in the head as she knelt on the ground and struck her head on the ground while holding her hair. The woman had bumps and bruises on her face and head. Rhodes told investigators the woman ran from him as he tried to question her about the man with marijuana. Rhodes says he sprayed her with pepper spray when she swung her arms at him. He says she scratched his arm and they both fell to the ground. Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Homeland Security officer charged in tourist beating 
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