Michael Jennings, a Black pastor who was arrested in May while watering his out-of-town neighbor’s plants, per their request, filed a federal lawsuit against three Alabama police officers and the city of Childersburg Friday.
The lawsuit alleges that the arrest resulted in a loss of constitutional rights, emotional distress and PTSD for Jennings.
“What they did that day was impunity, thinking there’d be no action taken against them,” Jennings said of the officers who arrested him, in a press conference Saturday. “I felt dehumanized. I felt little. I felt helpless. And it hurt me.”
In the lawsuit, Jennings’ attorney claims that Childersburg police officers Christopher Smith and Justin Gable, along with Sgt. Jeremy Brooks, violated his Fourth Amendment rights and engaged in conduct that was “willfully, maliciously, in bad faith, and in reckless disregard of Pastor Jennings'” rights.
Jennings identified himself to authorities as “Pastor Jennings,” but refused to provide proof of identification, the lawsuit states. The officers then arrested him on charges of obstructing government operations, the suit says.
The charge was dismissed a few days after the incident at the request of the then-police chief, according to the AP. The arrest was captured on body camera footage, and obtained and released by Jennings’ attorneys last month.
Jennings is seeking a trial by jury, and an unspecified amount of money. “I’m here for accountability, and I’m here for justice,” Jennings told the news conference.
The suit alleged the actions of Officers Christopher Smith and Justin Gable, Sgt. Jeremy Brooks and the city violated rights protecting against unlawful arrest and guaranteeing free speech. He cited multiple continuing problems including post traumatic stress disorder and humiliation.
Childersburg city attorney Reagan Rumsey didn’t return an email seeking comment.
Jennings, 56, was arrested in May after a white neighbor called 911 and said a “younger Black male” and gold SUV were at a house while the owners — who are friends of Jennings and had asked him to watch their home — were away.
Jennings identified himself as “Pastor Jennings” but refused to provide identification to the officers, who arrested him on a charge of obstructing government operations after a 20-minute confrontation that included raised voices on both sides.
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