Reform, Alabama – A local resident, Micah Washington, has initiated a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force and wrongful arrest, resulting in a $20 million claim against a city police officer, a sheriff’s deputy, and the city itself. The lawsuit stems from an incident where Washington states he was handcuffed, forced to lie on a police car, and repeatedly tased despite his compliance during a traffic stop incident in December.
According to legal filings, the confrontation began when Washington and a companion, who were fixing a flat tire near Washington’s aunt’s house in Reform, were approached by Officer Dana Elmore. Washington’s legal team asserts that both men were not causing any disturbance nor had they engaged in any illegal activities when the officer demanded their identification aggressively.
The situation escalated, the lawsuit claims, when Washington began recording the encounter on his phone, a move that purportedly angered Officer Elmore. Further exacerbating the tension, Washington’s minor cousin started filming the encounter, capturing footage that has since become widely viewed online.
Video from the scene shows Washington on the ground and then being walked to the patrol car while handcuffed, where verbal exchanges and further tasing occurred. The lawsuit alleges that during this incident, Officer Elmore summoned her husband, Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Elmore, as backup, resulting in the additional arrest of Washington’s friend, Jacorien Henry, and his minor cousin.
At the local jail, Washington was charged with multiple felonies, including resisting arrest and drug trafficking, though many of these charges were later dismissed. Notably, Washington was acquitted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and the drug trafficking charges due to substantial evidence proving these charges unfounded.
The defendants, including the Elmore couple, have not yet publicly responded to the allegations. Following the incident, both officers were placed on paid administrative leave. Deputy Elmore has also reportedly left his position at the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office.
Attorneys representing Washington have stated that this case highlights serious concerns about police conduct, racial bias, and systemic racism. They argue that their client was targeted unjustly, suffering significant physical, mental, and emotional distress as a result.
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