JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Five people who say they were wrongly arrested or detained are now taking the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to court.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court just this week and the youngest plaintiff is just 13 years old. The suit claims five people were taken into custody when they shouldn’t have been, the result of sloppy police work
Attorney Andrew Bonderud told Action News he’s been working on the case for almost a year. Five clients, all claiming they were wrongfully arrested or detained by JSO.
“I don't want to believe this kind of stuff happens with the frequency that I'm seeing it does happen,” said Bonderud.
According to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court, Tilly Wilburn and Brian Garrett were arrested for stealing from a Walmart when the merchandise never left the store.
"These plaintiffs aren't alone by stretch of the imagination," said Bonderud.
Yemanh Gebremedhin said he was arrested for a burglary he didn't commit. Joshua Angel claims he was incorrectly identified as an armed robbery suspect and so does a 13-year-old boy, who the lawsuit claims was stopped on the street by an officer pointing a gun at him.
“He was taken Downtown and interrogated. Treated like an animal,” Bonderud said.
Bonderud said each of his clients have since been cleared of the charges against them. But he believes none of them would have been arrested in the first place had JSO been more thorough in its initial investigations.
"It's really disappointing and the problem is not only that this stuff is happening, but that it doesn't seem like there are any consequences or ramifications for this kind of misconduct," Bonderud said. "I don't know how the JSO can operate effectively if they don't have the trust of the community."
JSO said it cannot comment on pending litigation. We obtained copies of each plaintiff's arrest report and in each case, JSO claims the plaintiff fit the description of a suspect it was looking for or was acting suspiciously. The lawsuit asks that a jury judge which side was right.
Because JSO is a city agency, Action News also reached out the Office of General Counsel for its response to the lawsuit. As of Friday afternoon, we have not heard back.