HOUSTON - Houston resident Shelton R. Modelist claims a group of Houston police officers wrongfully arrested him two years ago, recent court documents say.
A lawsuit filed Oct. 19 in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division explains that Modelist contacted Houston police about an illegally parked vehicle on the morning of June 13, 2010, only to be "unlawfully" apprehended after authorities arrived at the scene.
Modelist called for help after the vehicle's presumed owner, Aberlardo Velez Reyes, refused to make the roadway near his residence accessible.
An officer named A.M. Sanchez and other unnamed officers came to the area, and upon meeting Modelist, ordered him to turn around while knocking a breakfast sandwich he was eating out of his hand, the suit says.
According to the original petition, the officers twisted the plaintiff around by his right arm as well as applied excessive pressure when placing handcuffs on his wrists.
It adds police allegedly conducted an "unreasonable" search of Modelist's personal things, stating the arresting officers relied on purportedly false reports and statements made by Reyes.
Reyes is also a defendant in the case.
The suit further shows the complainant was subjected to what he calls "extortion" prior to his release.
He states authorities "refused to validate their concerted actions and unsubstantiated charges" that were dismissed on Oct. 21, 2010.
A jury trial is requested.
Modelist is representing himself.
Case No. 4:12-cv-3127
'Unlawful' arrest triggers lawsuit against Houston police officers
