A man is seeking justice after an allegedly unlawful traffic stop led to his detention and the impounding of his vehicle. Jamar E. Harris filed a complaint on November 22, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Joseph Torres, Petros Visvardis, and the City of Chicago Heights.
The case revolves around an incident that occurred on April 6, 2024, when Harris was driving his Ford F-150 truck. According to the complaint, police officers Joseph Torres and Petros Visvardis conducted a traffic stop without any legal justification. The officers ordered Harris out of his vehicle, searched him without cause, handcuffed him, and subsequently impounded his truck. The situation escalated as Harris was taken to the police station where he was held for approximately eight hours before being released without any charges.
Harris's lawsuit accuses the officers of acting "under color of law" and within their employment scope but without legal grounds for their actions. He claims these actions resulted in significant personal injuries including loss of liberty, invasion of privacy, humiliation, indignities, and severe mental distress. The complaint states that these acts were willful and malicious with reckless disregard for Harris's rights.
In response to these grievances, Harris seeks several forms of relief from the court. He demands general damages for emotional distress and special damages along with attorneys' fees. Furthermore, he requests punitive damages against the individual officers to account for their alleged willful misconduct. The lawsuit also asks that all costs associated with bringing this suit be covered by the defendants.
Representing Jamar E. Harris is attorney Peter T. Sadelski from Ed Fox & Associates Ltd., based in Chicago. The case has been assigned Case No. 1:24-cv-12079 in front of a jury trial as demanded by the plaintiff.