A decorated combat veteran has filed a lawsuit alleging a decade-long campaign of harassment and civil rights violations by local law enforcement and a neighbor. The complaint, filed by Stephen Lucas in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on August 5, 2024, names Bryan P. Zeringue, Chief of the Thibodaux Police Department, along with several other officials and entities as defendants.
Stephen Lucas claims that his troubles began shortly after he moved to Lafourche Parish in 2013. After purchasing a home at 231 Sugarfield Drive in Thibodaux, Louisiana, Lucas discovered significant drainage issues in his neighborhood. His efforts to address these problems led him to uncover that plans for necessary infrastructure improvements had been shelved due to political concerns. Despite securing approval for a drainage project from the parish council, Lucas alleges that Jeremy Landry, a contractor whose company was involved in the original flawed drainage system installation, began a campaign of harassment against him.
According to the complaint, Landry's actions included reckless driving near Lucas' property, physical assaults, filing false police reports, and using his influence within local law enforcement to avoid accountability. On May 7, 2016, an altercation occurred where Landry allegedly attacked Lucas with a pistol after nearly hitting him with his vehicle. Despite suffering severe injuries including four broken bones, Lucas contends that Landry faced minimal legal consequences due to his connections within the community.
Lucas' lawsuit details numerous incidents over the years where he was harassed or falsely accused by Landry and others acting under color of law. These include repeated instances of vandalism to his property and vehicles, threats of violence, and attempts to provoke confrontations. The complaint also highlights failures by local law enforcement to protect Lucas or investigate his claims impartially. For example, despite video evidence supporting Lucas' accounts of harassment and threats from Landry, officers often dismissed his complaints or issued retaliatory charges against him.
The plaintiff is seeking relief for violations of his civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and state laws covering defamation, abuse of process, intentional infliction of emotional distress among others. He requests compensatory damages for physical and emotional harm suffered as well as punitive damages against those responsible for perpetuating this alleged misconduct.
The Case ID is: 2:24-cv-01943.