A Russellville man has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Russellville alleging excessive force was used against him as well as alleging negligence and/or wantonness stemming from an August 3, 2022, incident at Ridgecrest Plaza Apartments in Russellville.
Jagger Williams filed the three-count civil complaint through his attorney, Terrinell Lyons of Florence.
The lawsuit also names fictitious party defendants A,B and C, representing City of Russellville agents or employees, whose names he plans to obtain through discovery.
According to Williams' complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on August 1, 2024, Russellville Police Department officers, along with the Franklin County Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at a Ridgecrest Plaza apartment on August 3, 2022.
Williams alleges that he and his wife, who did not reside at the apartment in question, were notified a 'raid' was happening and they should come to pick up Williams' minor step children who were inside the apartment visiting with their natural parent.
The complaint alleges Williams and his wife arrived and told officers they were there to pick up the children. Williams maintains he was not allowed to get the children and he continued to request officers allow him to do so, and one officer shouted 'one more word out of him, put him in jail for disorderly.' (Williams' complaint Pg. 3 of 9).
Moments later, after Williams told the officer 'you can't do that,' he alleges three officers wrestled him to the ground, handcuffed him and 'used force behind Williams' neck to bend him forward and place him on the ground.' (Williams' complaint Pg. 3 of 9).
The lawsuit alleges officers tased Williams multiple times while he was handcuffed on the ground. Williams alleges as a result of the officers' actions, he suffered physical injury.
Russellville Police Department records show Williams was arrested on August 3, 2022, and charged with three offenses: Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing Governmental Operations and Resisting Arrest. Those cases remain pending in Russellville Municipal Court according to a RPD spokesman.
Additionally, a source familiar with the case said police video of Williams' arrest will show he was not tased while handcuffed on the ground.
Williams is seeking monetary damages for his injuries, lost wages and benefits and future earning capacity incurred as result of the defendants' 'excessive force' and violation of his civil rights.
His negligence/wantonness count alleges the officers violated the standard of care applicable to police officers, as well as Alabama state law and RPD policy by 'negligently and/or wantonly accosting, cuffing and tasing' him.
The Franklin Free Press contacted Russellville Police Department Chief Chris Hargett, who said he was aware of Williams' lawsuit but could not comment due to department policy regarding matters of pending litigation.
The city is represented by the Huntsville law firm of Lanier, Ford, Shaver & Payne, P.C., and has denied the allegations of Williams' complaint.
Interestingly, the City of Russellville was served with the lawsuit on August 20, 2024, and failed to file a response in Court within the allowable response time. That led to an entry of default being entered against the City of Russellville by the Deputy United States District Court Clerk on October 8, 2024.
Attorneys for the city have since filed a motion to set aside the entry of default with an explanation for why the city's answer wasn't filed in a timely manner. District Judge Liles C. Burke will ultimately decide whether that motion is granted.
Franklin County Circuit Court records show Williams was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of Suboxone and Fentanyl, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, 2nd Degree, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia one week prior to the August 3, 2022, search warrant executed at Ridgecrest Plaza.
Those cases were settled in March 2024 with Williams' guilty plea to one misdemeanor count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and dismissal of the remaining charges, after Franklin County District Attorney Jeff Barksdale agreed to dismiss the remaining charges.
The United States District Court entered a scheduling order that outlines deadlines for discovery and motions as well as setting a trial date next year.
