LAFAYETTE - Dennis Lazard filed a federal lawsuit on Nov. 24 in the Western District of Louisiana against the Lafayette Police Department through the City of Lafayette, Officer Pablo Estrada and Chief of Police Thomas Glover St. for violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
According to the complaint, on Nov. 26, 2020, Lazard was at the Plantation Inn when Officer Estrada arrived at the location and told Lazard to put his hands behind his back and comply. Lazard alleges that Estrada then pinned him to the ground and dragged him to the police cruiser. Lazard was denied a loosening of the cuffs that he complained were too tight, was told to stop resisting, punched in the chest and had some of his dreads pulled out, the suit says. Lazard says he also had his leg twisted by the officer.
Upon arrival at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, Lazard was charged with battery of a pregnant partner and resisting an officer. Lazard's girlfriend claims she never told anyone she was pregnant, the suit says. While at the facility, Officer Estrada is seen on camera footage throwing Lazard into a wall, causing him to hit his head, and punching him, the suit says.
Lazard was caused to suffer past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, past and future mental pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, past and future mental anguish and emotional damages.
Lazard is represented by Gregory J. Miller of Miller, Hampton and Hilgendorf in Baton Rouge.
District Court of Western Louisiana case number 6:21-cv-04067-RRS-PJH