A Chicago resident has filed a lawsuit against two police officers and the City of Chicago, alleging violations of his civil rights during a traffic stop. On December 9, 2024, Daiquan R. Bennett filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against P.O. Clark, P.O. Roberson, and the City of Chicago.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on December 11, 2022, when Bennett was stopped by Officers Clark and Roberson while traveling with his girlfriend and daughter. The officers were in uniform but driving an unmarked vehicle. During the stop at 418 E. 107th St., they requested Bennett's driver's license and proof of insurance. Despite complying with their requests, Bennett alleges that the officers conducted an unwarranted search of his person and vehicle without probable cause or reasonable suspicion.
Bennett claims that Officer Clark performed a pat-down search without justification and discovered what was allegedly improperly stored cannabis. This led to further searches by Officer Roberson, who found a firearm in the vehicle. The officers arrested Bennett without reading him his Miranda rights and charged him with several serious offenses including being an Armed Habitual Criminal and possessing a machine gun.
On April 1, 2024, Bennett was acquitted of most charges while others were dropped (nolle prosequi), leading to the termination of all criminal proceedings against him. He now seeks justice through this civil lawsuit.
Bennett's complaint accuses the officers of illegal search and seizure, false arrest, malicious prosecution under both federal and state law, unlawful pretrial detention as per Manuel v. Joliet (2017), respondeat superior liability for the City of Chicago, and indemnification for any judgments awarded against the officers.
Bennett is seeking compensatory and punitive damages along with attorney’s fees from both the defendant officers individually and the City of Chicago as their employer. His legal representation includes attorneys Vincenzo B. Caporale and Cierra N. Norris from C. Norris Law Group LLC.
The case is assigned Case ID: 1:24-cv-12658 in front of judges yet to be disclosed.