Yorkville Police Sued For Excessive Force, False Arrest

PLAINFIELD, IL — The City of Yorkville and two of its police officers are facing a federal lawsuit after one of those officers taunted and arrested an elderly woman and her emotionally distressed son in September 2017.

According to the complaint, officer Jeffrey Johnson, Sgt. Sarah Klingel and one other officer who is not named in the suit were called to a house on Overlook Court for a report of littering. When they arrived, they found Charlene Johnson outside her home. Inside was her 44-year-old son, Tad Johnson, who was "suffering from a significant emotional condition."

Charlene Johnson told officers that her son was suffering from PTSD and that she wanted to take him to a doctor. But, according to the lawsuit, and corroborated by audio obtained by WSPY News last year, rather than getting the man help, the officer taunted Johnson.

In the audio, Tad Johnson swears and tells the officer to get away from the door to the home.

"Come on out and make me move... you still live with mom..." the officer tells him.

Tad Johnson then appears to threaten the officer, to which the officer responds: "Bring it."

At one point, the officer tells his sergeant that Johnson appears to be choking himself. "Please, finish yourself off," the officer tells Johnson.

Johnson's attorneys say he stayed inside his home and that police illegally entered and attempted to arrest him him without probable cause or a warrant. At no time, they say, did either Johnson or his mother invite officers inside the home.

At some point, both Johnson and his mother got into a car and attempted to flee, but were blocked by a police car.

During the alleged illegal arrest, the officer used a Taser on Johnson. Attorneys say Johnson presented no threat and there was no reason for police to use a Taser.

All the while, the suit alleges, Klingel failed to intervene to stop Officer Johnson's actions.

Tad Johnson was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Charlene Johnson was charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest. Both were later found not guilty of all charges after a judge ruled in their favor.

Officer Johnson was suspended pending investigation and Klingel was fired. Yorkville Police Chief Rich Hart called their behavior "completely unacceptable," according to the lawsuit. "It does not meet with the mission or the value of the Yorkville Police Department," he said.

The Johnsons' lawsuit alleges excessive force, false arrest and malicious prosecution, and says the incident caused physical and emotional injuries, loss of liberty and violated the Johnsons' Constitutional rights. The pair are seeking compensatory damages and court costs, plus any other relief the court deems just; they have demanded a jury trial.

Patch has reached out to the Yorkville Police Department for comment. This story will be updated when we hear back.

Read the lawsuit in full below:

Image via Shutterstock