BUTTS COUNTY, Ga. — A federal lawsuit claims that a routine request for help turned into a violent encounter for a local man, alleging that his constitutional rights were violated by law enforcement officials. The case centers on Jeremiah Roberson, who found himself in a troubling situation after his car broke down while traveling on Interstate 75.
According to the lawsuit filed Thursday, Roberson, a resident of Henry County, stopped at a gas station in Jackson to seek assistance. After calling 911, he was confronted by deputies from the Butts County Sheriff’s Office, who allegedly responded with excessive force. The documents state that deputies tackled Roberson to the ground, deployed a Taser on him for two minutes, and even slammed a door onto his head.
The lawsuit explains that during this encounter, Roberson instinctively reached for a breathalyzer device as deputies attempted to conduct a sobriety test, referencing an open beer can they observed nearby. Roberson attributed the can to a previous passenger, but the deputies viewed his movements as threatening. One deputy, Dennis Tippens, reportedly warned Roberson that any further attempts to reach for the breathalyzer would result in severe consequences.
As tensions escalated, Roberson’s reflexive actions were deemed “acts of aggression” by Tippens, leading to the deputy putting him in a chokehold and subsequently using the Taser. According to Roberson’s attorney, the body camera footage contradicts the deputies’ assessments, showing that his movements posed no threat. Roberson’s attorneys noted that he stands at 5 feet 7 inches and weighs only 110 pounds, which they argue underscores the disproportionate response from law enforcement.
After the physical confrontation, the lawsuit claims Roberson was disoriented and unlawfully arrested. The filing accuses the deputies of violently throwing him into a police vehicle and slamming the door on him prior to his booking at the Butts County jail, where he was reportedly placed in solitary confinement. His legal representation argues that the entire episode amounts to excessive force that is both unauthorized and unconstitutional.
In a significant twist, one of the deputies involved in the incident resigned under pressure after an internal review concluded that there was no probable cause for Roberson’s arrest. The report also determined that the use of a Taser against him was “not objectively reasonable.” Tippens, the officer who initiated the arrest, has faced criminal charges and subsequently pled guilty to simple battery in connection with the incident.
The lawsuit names Tippens and two other deputies as defendants, while the Butts County Sheriff’s Office is not included as a party. The individual deputies are being sued in their personal capacities. As of now, the deputies’ attorneys have yet to comment on the lawsuit, which asserts that all charges against Roberson were dismissed by prosecutors following the traffic stop.
This lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing discussions surrounding police conduct and the treatment of individuals during interactions with law enforcement.
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