A recent legal complaint has brought attention to alleged misconduct by police officers in Chicago, raising concerns about civil rights violations. On December 17, 2024, Miguel Llamas filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Michael Carrasco, Adan Pedroza Jr., and the City of Chicago. The complaint accuses the defendants of unlawful detention and search.
According to the complaint, on December 10, 2024, Miguel Llamas was at a gas station near Roosevelt Rd. and Kostner Ave. in Chicago when he was approached by Officers Michael Carrasco and Adan Pedroza Jr. Llamas was wearing a satchel that concealed a legally carried firearm. Despite having no legal justification, the officers allegedly informed him that he was not free to leave and proceeded to search his person and satchel without consent or cause. The officers then removed his firearm and placed him in handcuffs before eventually releasing him without charges.
Llamas claims that these actions were unjustified and violated his rights, resulting in significant emotional distress and humiliation. "The actions of the Defendant Officers were willful, wanton, malicious, oppressive," states the complaint, emphasizing their reckless disregard for Llamas' rights. As a result of this incident, Llamas seeks various forms of relief from the court including general damages for emotional distress, special damages, attorneys' fees, punitive damages against the officers personally, and other costs associated with the suit.
Represented by attorney Peter T. Sadelski from Ed Fox & Associates Ltd., Llamas is determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions under law sections such as 28 U.S.C Sections 1348 and 1367. The case underscores ongoing tensions between citizens and law enforcement regarding civil liberties and police conduct.
The case ID is: 1:24-cv-12947.