George Taylor has filed a federal lawsuit against several members of the DuPage County Sheriff's Department, alleging misconduct and violations of his civil rights. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 21, 2025, targeting deputies Anthony Egan and Peter Coolidge, Commander Ritter, Sergeant Keenan, Sheriff James Mendrick, and the County of DuPage.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on March 15, 2023, when Taylor visited the DuPage County Courthouse to meet with his attorney. According to Taylor's account, deputies Egan and Coolidge confronted him about having three cell phones in his possession as he passed through security. Despite complying with instructions to remove the phones from the building, a confrontation ensued after Egan allegedly made a derogatory remark. This led to a heated exchange where Taylor called Egan an "asshole," prompting Egan to respond with profanity and allegedly commit battery by forcibly seizing and damaging Taylor's legal paperwork.
Taylor claims that Coolidge witnessed this alleged battery but did nothing to intervene or arrest Egan. Instead, Coolidge arrested Taylor after he struck Egan in self-defense with a mini-backpack during what he perceived as an imminent threat. The plaintiff was subsequently charged with aggravated battery against a peace officer—a charge carrying severe penalties—and detained for nearly six months.
Throughout his incarceration, Taylor asserts that his complaints about improper charges and mistreatment were ignored by law enforcement officials including Commander Ritter and Sergeant Keenan. He further alleges that these officials failed to conduct a thorough investigation into his claims of misconduct by their colleagues. Video evidence purportedly supports Taylor’s narrative but was reportedly disregarded by authorities who instead offered him a plea deal under duress due to withheld epilepsy medication causing seizures.
Taylor is seeking relief from the court in the form of compensatory and punitive damages for false arrest and wrongful imprisonment under both federal and state laws. He also requests indemnification from DuPage County should any defendants be found liable.
The case is presided over by Judge Franklin U. Valderrama with Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim assisting. George Taylor represents himself pro se in this matter under Case ID 1:25-cv-00720.