A mother has filed a lawsuit against the City of DeKalb and two of its police officers, alleging excessive force and constitutional violations. Veronica Almanza, on behalf of herself and her children A.D. and J.D., filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, on June 3, 2024.
The incident in question occurred on December 16, 2022. Almanza was driving with her children when she was stopped by Officer Diego Casas for failing to yield at a stop sign. Upon learning that her driver's license was suspended, Officer Casas called for backup from Officer Betsy Cooper. Both officers forcibly detained Almanza, injuring her wrist in the process. Despite being informed of her past physical and sexual abuse, the officers did not adjust their use of force. Additionally, they made Almanza's children walk home alone in freezing temperatures without proper clothing or supervision after they expressed concern about their mother's treatment.
Almanza claims that Officers Casas and Cooper violated her children's First Amendment rights by retaliating against them for their comments during the arrest. She also alleges that both officers used excessive force in violation of her Fourth Amendment rights. The lawsuit seeks over $50,000 in damages for each count against the officers and requests attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
The case is being handled by C. Nicholas Cronauer of Cronauer Law LLP.