Attorney Matt Orendorff, representing Lavern O’Grady, said Sallisaw police officers falsely arrested her son, Hollis O’Grady, on Aug. 30. He said Sallisaw police officers confronted three juveniles who allegedly had cigarettes in their possession. Two juveniles admitted the cigarettes were theirs and not Hollis O’Grady’s.
Orendorff said the city is liable for the negligent actions of its employees. The lawsuit is asking for $50,000 in damages, which were a result of the wrongful actions taken by police officers.
Orendorff said his client was arrested with no probable cause.
“My client never should have been arrested,” Orendorff said. “A minor in possession of tobacco is not an arrestable offense.”
The Sallisaw City Clerk was served with a plaintiff’s notice of claim against the City of Sallisaw and the Sallisaw Police Department Oct. 19.
“Pursuant to the statute, a formal letter of objection was not received within the 90-day period after the tort claim was filed, so we filed the lawsuit against the city,” Orendorff said.
John Robert Montgomery, city attorney, said the lawsuit petition will be turned over to the Oklahoma Municipal Insurance Group who in turn will more then likely hire an attorney.
Police Chief Shaloa Edwards said he couldn’t commit on the lawsuit.
