In a significant legal move, Kiyan Patrick has filed a civil rights complaint against several Chicago police officers and the City of Chicago. The complaint, lodged by Patrick through his attorney Brandon Brown on May 28, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, alleges multiple violations of constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
The case centers around an incident that occurred on May 29, 2023. According to the filing, Patrick was sitting in a parked vehicle when he was approached by police officers Ernest Spradley (#444), Jake Schmeisser (#18556), Ravyn Morgan (#18291), Timothy Lammert (#17995), Daniel Condreva (#7276), and Lolita Starling (#309). Despite not engaging in any suspicious activity or criminal behavior, Patrick was seized, searched, and subsequently arrested without probable cause. The officers allegedly escalated what began as a routine traffic stop into an unlawful search and arrest after discovering that Patrick possessed a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card.
Patrick asserts that one of the officers initially informed him he was free to go following the traffic stop. However, other officers intervened and detained him further upon learning about his FOID card status. This led to an unwarranted search of both Patrick and his vehicle without consent. Subsequently, Patrick was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon—a charge that was later dismissed in court in a manner indicative of his innocence.
The complaint outlines various accusations against the defendant officers and the City of Chicago. These include false arrest, illegal search and seizure, failure to intervene during the illegal acts committed by fellow officers, unlawful pretrial detention, conspiracy to deprive constitutional rights, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution, and false imprisonment. The filing highlights that these actions were carried out willfully and wantonly by the officers involved.
Patrick is seeking compensatory damages for physical injuries, pain and suffering, humiliation, emotional trauma, mental anguish, deprivation of constitutional rights and dignity interference with normal life activities as well as lost time. Additionally, he demands punitive damages against the individual officers for their egregious conduct.
Moreover, Patrick’s lawsuit includes claims under state law for intentional infliction of emotional distress and malicious prosecution. He also seeks indemnification from the City of Chicago under Illinois law should any judgment be awarded against the individual defendants.
In support of his claims against the City itself (under Monell liability), Patrick argues that there exists within the Chicago Police Department a "Code of Silence"—a widespread policy where officer misconduct is routinely covered up or ignored by supervisors and city officials. This systemic issue allegedly allows officers to act with impunity knowing they will not face consequences for their actions.
Representing Kiyan Patrick is attorney Brandon Brown from The Brown Law Ltd., based in Chicago. The case has been assigned Case ID No: 1:24-cv-04377.