A resident of Illinois has taken legal action against two police officers and a municipal corporation, alleging excessive force and false arrest. On October 3, 2024, Abraham Carmichael filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against P.O. Hoselton #158, P.O. Woodman #145, and the Village of Riverdale.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on February 5, 2024, when Carmichael was having work done on his car in an alley in Riverdale, Illinois. Officers Hoselton and Woodman arrived at the scene looking for another individual named Justin Sawyer. According to the complaint, Carmichael was not involved in any criminal activity at that time. Despite this, Officer Hoselton allegedly used excessive force by shoving Carmichael onto a vehicle's hood and physically assaulting him with an elbow to the face and head, a knee kick to the rib cage, and an uppercut punch to the face. The plaintiff asserts that this force was unprovoked and unreasonable.
Carmichael accuses Officer Woodman of failing to intervene during the alleged assault despite having both the opportunity and ability to do so. As a result of these actions, Carmichael claims he suffered emotional anxiety, fear, humiliation, monetary loss, pain and suffering, as well as future pain and suffering. The lawsuit cites violations of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. §1983.
In addition to accusations of excessive force and failure to intervene, Carmichael alleges false arrest after being taken into custody without probable cause or committing any crime. He contends that charges were placed against him as a cover-up for the unlawful actions of the defendants.
Carmichael seeks compensatory damages for his injuries along with punitive damages aimed at punishing the officers' conduct. He also requests attorneys’ fees and costs associated with pursuing this case through court proceedings.
Furthermore, Count IV of Carmichael’s complaint invokes indemnification under Illinois law which requires public entities like municipalities such as Riverdale Village Corporation—where both officers are employed—to pay tort judgments involving compensatory damages arising from employee misconduct committed within their scope-of-employment activities if found liable by courts upon trial conclusion(s).
Representing Abraham Carmichael is attorney Brian Orozco from Gregory E Kulis & Associates Ltd., located at 130 North LaSalle Street Suite 444 Chicago IL (312)580-1830). No judge has been assigned yet but case number identification stands as "1:24-cv-09444."