MIAMI – A Broward County man is suing the county's sheriff and a deputy alleging false arrest and imprisonment.
Martese Smith filed a complaint on March 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Ronald Thurston and Scott J. Israel, as sheriff of Broward County, alleging that they violated his rights under the Fourth and 14th Amendments.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that he suffered loss of his liberty and freedom, bodily injuries, pain and suffering, humiliation and mental anguish after an incident in 2012. The plaintiff holds Thurston and Israel responsible because Thurston allegedly subjected the plaintiff to temporary detention by blocking his motor vehicle, pointed a gun at him, hit him at the back with a blunt object, subjected him to a pat-down search and seized his wallet and cellphone without a warrant. He alleges he was targeted by Thurston because he was driving his fiance's Impala, which fit the description of a vehicle for a suspect in an unrelated matter. The suit states that no charges were filed.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensation for damages of more than $15,000, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees and costs and any further relief that the court may deem just and appropriate. He is represented by Hugh L. Koerner of Hugh L. Koerner PA in Hollywood.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 0:16-cv-60603