A recent court filing has brought to light serious allegations against a member of the Chicago Police Department. Samuel M. Herrera filed a complaint on August 5, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, accusing Officer Cesar Astorga of unlawful conduct during a traffic stop.
According to the complaint filed by Herrera, represented by Ed Fox & Associates, Ltd., the incident occurred on May 24, 2024. Herrera was driving his vehicle without violating any traffic laws when Officer Astorga activated his emergency lights and conducted an unwarranted traffic stop. The complaint alleges that there was no legal cause for this action and that Astorga proceeded to search both Herrera and his vehicle without just cause.
The plaintiff asserts that these actions were conducted under the color of law and constitute violations of his civil rights. "There was no legal cause to conduct a traffic stop," states the complaint explicitly, emphasizing that the subsequent search was equally unjustified. These actions have led Herrera to seek redress through the judicial system.
Herrera is seeking multiple forms of relief from the court. He demands general damages for emotional distress caused by the incident, special damages, attorneys' fees, punitive and exemplary damages, as well as covering all costs incurred during the suit. Additionally, he seeks any other relief deemed just and proper by the court.
The case is being handled by attorney Peter T. Sadelski from Ed Fox & Associates, Ltd., while it will be presided over by judges from the Northern District of Illinois. The case ID is 1:24-cv-06854.