JACKSONVILLE — A Putnam County woman is suing local law enforcement officers, alleging use of excessive force.
Janice M. Kalogiros filed a lawsuit Nov. 4 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Jacksonville Division against Sheriff Jeff Hardy and Lt. Scott Surrency, alleging they caused life-threatening injuries, pain and suffering.
According to the complaint, on April 24, 2015, Kalogiros was driving in an area where Surrency was leading a SWAT team in its execution of a search warrant. The suit says Kalogiros stopped her vehicle in alarm but an officer aimed his rifle at the plaintiff and ordered her out of her vehicle.
The lawsuit states the plaintiff is only 5 feet 3 inches and disabled under the Social Security Act. The suit says when Kalogiros was on her knees and arms extended, Surrency kicked her in the torso and detained her for five hours. The lawsuit says she was not found in possession of any contraband or charged with any criminal offense but ultimately suffered discomfort, psychological damages, mental anguish, emotional distress, medical expenses and monetary damages.
The plaintiff alleges Hardy failed to adequately discipline his officers for their unreasonable use of excessive force and failed to train and supervise his agents despite the apparent need for such training.
Kalogiros seeks trial by jury compensatory damages of more than $75,000, attorney fees and court costs, plus all relief the court deems just. She is represented by attorney F. Emory Springfield of Springfield Law in Gainesville.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Case Jacksonville Division number 16-cv-01397