SHREVEPORT — A Greenwood man is suing the Greenwood Police Department and three officers for false arrest and excessive force.
Jerry Steele, George Shaul and Chris Faris are the officers named in the lawsuit.
Harry Jared Hermes claims on Sept. 22, 2022, his parents met with the defendant's chief of police, Shane Gibson to discuss a possible felony warrant for Hermes' arrest and to complain of harassment of their son by the officers, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court of the Western District of Louisiana.
On Oct. 12, 2022, Hermes claims he was at his home when Steele, Shaul and Faris arrived in three separate police vehicles.
Despite knowing there was no warrant for the plaintiff's arrest, the officers claimed they were there to investigate a neighbor's complaint, according to the suit. They searched the property without a warrant.
Hermes claims when confronted, he denied the allegations but was forcibly pulled out of his home by Faris, arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest. The charges were later dropped.
Hermes claims due to this incident, he suffered physical injuries, requiring medical treatment, and endured severe emotional distress and humiliation.
Hermes is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is represented by Allison A. Jones of Downer, Jones, Marino & Wilhite in Shreveport.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana case number: 5:23-cv-01441