Lane County deputies say a California man's attempt at freedom left him with two self-inflicted black eyes and a pair of convictions.

Aleksander R. Tomaszewski, complained he was beaten by detectives when he was in custody and insisted on pressing charges against them, said Sgt. Carrie Carver, a Lane County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman. But a video camera didn't capture the alleged assault. Instead, it recorded Tomaszewski punching himself in the face multiple times.

"When he learned that the incident was caught on camera, he admitted that he thought making the claim would get him released," Carver said in a written statement.

The incident unfolded Jan. 9, when Tomaszewski was being interviewed on suspicion of sexual abuse, according to sheriff's office records.

Carver said video cameras were rolling in the interview room and in a holding cell where Tomaszewski was later moved.

The second camera recorded him assaulting himself, Carver said. But she said when deputies asked about his injuries, Tomaszewski blamed the detectives who had interviewed him earlier. He repeatedly said he wanted to press charges and signed a statement spelling out the police brutality he claimed happened, according to Carver.

Video footage disproved his story, Carver said. She said she is trying to trim down the lengthy video file before releasing the recording to the public.

Tomaszewski pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and filing a false report and was convicted Feb. 10, according to court records. Both charges carried a 20-day prison sentence, but he was given credit for time served and released from jail the same day, Carver said. He also must pay $600 in fines and serve three years' probation.

Sheriff's office records show the sex-abuse charge that initially brought about his arrest was dismissed. The agency said Tomaszewski resides in Lucerne, California, but court records list him as living in nearby Clear Lake.

-- Molly Young

myoung@oregonian.com

503-412-7056

@mollykyoung