HOUSTON - Arguing that he was falsely arrested and assaulted while in custody, Freeport resident Manning Nelson Rollerson has filed a lawsuit.
Rollerson is suing the city of Freeport, the Freeport Police Department and a number of unnamed police officers after he was apprehended on Oct. 16, 2010, at an apartment complex for alleged disorderly conduct, interference with the duties of a public servant and abusive language in a public place.
According to court papers filed June 14 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, the plaintiff did not resist authorities though officer Chris Bryant allegedly physically assaulted and Tasered him.
The suit adds Rollerson was not read his Miranda rights nor fully advised of the reason for his arrest prior to being transported to the Freeport Police Department headquarters.
The plaintiff says he sustained cuts to the back of his neck as well as a severe headache and chest pains "that radiated to his back" as a result of the incident in question.
He asserts his constitutional rights were violated.
The police department is faulted for failing to provide its officers with adequate training in release to use of proper procedure for warrantless arrests and constitutional searches and seizures while the city is blamed for not taking action in light of subject events.
Rollerson consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney Joseph R. Willie II with Willie & Associates in Houston is representing the plaintiff, and U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon is presiding over the case.
Case No. 4:12-cv-1790