A Chicago resident has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful arrest and prosecution for crimes he did not commit, sparking questions about police conduct and accountability. Martez Cristler filed the complaint on January 9, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Detective Steele, several unnamed officers referred to as Officer John Doe 1-3, and the City of Chicago.
According to the complaint, Martez Cristler was wrongfully arrested on July 23, 2024, accused of murder and arson related to an incident that occurred on April 4, 2023. The case involved a firefighter named Jermaine Pelt who died while responding to an alleged arson at a residence in Chicago. Cristler asserts that he was not involved in the crime and had no connection to it. Despite this, he claims that Detective Steele and other officers ignored exculpatory evidence and proceeded with his arrest without probable cause. "There was no forensic evidence tying Martez Cristler to this murder/arson," states the complaint. It further alleges that the defendants were aware of his innocence but chose to pursue charges regardless.
Cristler's ordeal included being held without bond at Cook County Jail for over two months until October 3, 2024. On October 10, 2024, all charges against him were dismissed with prejudice—a legal term indicating that they cannot be refiled—pointing towards his innocence. Throughout this period, Cristler suffered significant emotional distress and financial loss due to what he describes as intentional misconduct by law enforcement officials.
The lawsuit accuses Detective Steele and Officer John Doe 1-3 of violating Cristler's constitutional rights under the Fourth Amendment as enforced by the Fourteenth Amendment and detailed in federal statutes such as 42 U.S.C. §1983. It also cites precedent from Manuel v. City of Joliet regarding illegal detention claims under similar circumstances.
Cristler seeks compensatory damages for emotional suffering and monetary losses incurred during his wrongful detention. He is also pursuing punitive damages against the individual officers involved in his case to hold them accountable for their actions. Additionally, he requests coverage of attorneys' fees and costs associated with pursuing justice through this lawsuit.
The legal representation for Martez Cristler is provided by Gregory E. Kulis & Associates Ltd., with attorney Brian M. Orozco leading the charge in court proceedings. The Case ID is: 1:25-cv-00244, it raises critical issues about police practices within Chicago's law enforcement community while seeking redress for an alleged miscarriage of justice.