St. George man who was pepper-sprayed by Utah police during mental health call sues for excessive force The man suffered injuries so severe he lost his eye. He says the past nearly two years have been like “living in hell.” (Screenshot via Zoom) Benjamin Joseph "Joey" Herold sits during a virtual news conference Monday. Dec. 21, 2020. Herold is suing St. George and three police officers after he was pepper sprayed in the face during an arrest and lost his right eye. | Updated: 11:41 p.m. Benjamin Joseph “Joey” Herold was having a bad day that Tuesday in March 2019 when his sister called police to get help for him during a mental health crisis.