Newspaper Carrier Files Suit Over Sheriff Confrontation: Reports

TACOMA, WA — A Tacoma newspaper carrier has filed a lawsuit against Pierce County, alleging that Sheriff Ed Troyer violated his constitutional rights during their confrontation the morning of Jan. 27.

As The Seattle Times first reported, carrier Sedrick Altheimer's suit claims that Troyer's actions that night qualified as “false reporting, unreasonable search and seizure, false arrest and malicious prosecution.” The suit also claims that Troyer acted due to “racial animus” against Altheimer, who is Black.

Troyer has denied allegations of racism and has said he did not know Altheimer's race when he first initiated contact.

What exactly happened the night of Jan. 27 is likely to remain under scrutiny for some time to come. Just last week, Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed two criminal charges against Troyer for his conduct that night, alleging that he lied to intentionally trigger an outsized response.

Timeline: Troyer's Exchange With Newspaper Driver

Troyer's problems began when a Seattle Times investigation found that Troyer called 911 on Altheimer as the delivery driver worked his route. Recordings of the call have Troyer telling dispatchers that Altheimer threatened to kill him, but Troyer later recanted that statement when interviewed by Tacoma police.

Altheimer was not arrested, but was searched and questioned by police, and the suit alleges he feared for his life during the incident, The News Tribune reported.

“Mr. Altheimer has had to make life-changing alterations to both his work and his personal life because of the trauma he faced as a result of the stalking and the police detention caused by Sheriff Troyer’s false accusations,” the lawsuit reads “Mr. Altheimer feared for his life during the police stop and interrogation.”

The suit was filed last month in King County Superior Court, but last week was transferred to the U.S. District Court at Pierce County's request, the Times reported. It seeks damages for emotional distress, trauma, and attorney's fees.

Troyer has consistently denied allegations of racism or misconduct. Following the announcement of the Attorney General's criminal investigation, he told The News Tribune that he welcomed "any and all" investigations into his actions that night. Troyer also published an op-ed in The News Tribune calling the incident a "learning experience" and saying he would be working with the Black community in an effort to do better.

Following Ferguson's charging announcement, Troyer issued a statement claiming that the charges were political theater, accusing Ferguson of being "an anti-law and order, an anti-cop politician trying to score points for his political gain."

Both the Times and News Tribune report being unable to reach Troyer for comment on the newest lawsuit.