HOUSTON - A Harris County woman says a Harris County deputy constable sexually assaulted her during a traffic stop last year, recent court documents say.
In a federal lawsuit filed March 20 against Harris County, doing business as Harris County Precinct 3, in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, the woman alleges Deputy Constable Christopher Kerr made unwanted advances toward her on Aug. 19, 2011.
The plaintiff was driving on Beltway 8 near John Ralston Road when Kerr pulled her over.
According to the suit, the law enforcement official handcuffed her and proceeded to fondle her.
Kerr then told the complainant that she needed to "adjust" his private part lest she go to jail, the original petition says.
The plaintiff claims the ordeal lasted approximately half an hour, however, no video footage of it exists because it was erased from the camera of Kerr's patrol car, she alleges.
She argues that the respondent terminated Kerr for misconduct only to bring him back to the force in January 2011.
"Defendant Harris County, Tex., was aware of the propensities of Kerr to disregard the department's policies and procedures, but rehired and retained him in spite of such knowledge," the suit says.
It adds the apparent attack caused the complainant to have nightmares as well as fear police officers and other authority figures.
Consequently, the plaintiff seeks $150,000 in damages.
She is represented by Bryant Gonzalez.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Nancy F. Atlas.
Case No. 4:12-cv-851