Area resident Charlotte Sears has filed a petition to take deposition before suit, claiming she was defamed when local media displayed images of her and reported she used a stolen credit card.
The petition was filed June 22 in Jefferson County District Court and seeks the deposition of Family Dollar and the Beaumont Police Department.
According to the petition, on March 21 the BPD secured a security videotape and/or photograph from Family Dollar for the purposes of investigating a stolen credit card case.
Local media outlets then showed images of Sears. She was identified as the person accused of using a stolen credit card at Family Dollar.
In her suit, Sears says the news reports were false and she has been defamed as a result.
She is seeking to depose the prospective defendants.
Houston attorney Chris Bell represents her.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. A192-608