A lawsuit has been filed alleging misconduct by state police officers that led to false DUI charges against a man who was ultimately found innocent. Connor Crouse, the plaintiff, filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 14, 2025, accusing Illinois State Police Officers A. Ortiz and K. Kelliher, along with unknown law enforcement personnel, of violating his constitutional rights.
The incident occurred on June 22, 2024, when Crouse was driving home from Six Flags Amusement Park with his girlfriend amid severe weather warnings. Officer A. Ortiz stopped Crouse on Interstate 94 East and conducted a breathalyzer test after Crouse admitted to having sipped a small amount of alcohol earlier in the day. Despite registering well below the legal limit at .013, Ortiz handcuffed Crouse and took him to the police station where further tests showed a blood alcohol concentration of .000. Nonetheless, Ortiz proceeded with DUI charges based on allegedly fabricated evidence such as claims of bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
Crouse's complaint highlights several instances of alleged misconduct by Officer Ortiz and his colleague Officer Kelliher. The plaintiff asserts that both officers acted maliciously by approving DUI charges without probable cause even after tests proved his sobriety. Furthermore, it is claimed that they failed to facilitate the release of Crouse’s vehicle from impoundment and improperly confiscated his driver's license under false pretenses.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of illegal seizure and false arrest under the Fourth Amendment (42 U.S.C § 1983), malicious prosecution under federal law (42 U.S.C § 1983) as well as state law, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The complaint seeks compensatory damages for emotional and monetary harm suffered by Crouse due to these actions. Additionally, punitive damages are sought against the individual officers for their alleged malicious conduct.
Connor Crouse is represented by attorney Christopher Smith from Christopher Smith Trial Group LLC based in Chicago. The case ID is 1:25-cv-01602 and it will be presided over by an appointed judge in the Northern District of Illinois.