Lawsuit claims Pasadena PD illegally seized man's weapon after 2010 arrest

HOUSTON - Humble resident Almond Mitchell is suing the Pasadena Police Department and one of its detectives on allegations they illegally seized a weapon from his residence more than two years ago, recent court documents say. 

According to a lawsuit filed March 21 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, PPD committed the act in question after it arrested Mitchell for an unspecified offense on June 18, 2010.

The plaintiff resided in Northwest Houston at the time the defendant took him into custody.

He states Pasadena detective Sylvia Trevino told him that he was restricted from returning to the residence and adds the place was left unlocked "without his consent" as he was being transported to the Pasadena City Jail.

Mitchell was at the jail for six days.

"While in custody, the defendants searched and removed the plaintiff's weapon," the original petition says.

"At the time and place of the removal of the plaintiff's personal property, its market value was $1,000."

It asserts the plaintiff demanded reimbursement to no avail, recalling that the defendants filed an "exaggerated and false" complaint against him to the Harris County District Attorney's Office which caused his bond to be revoked in October 2011.

"The plaintiff made no attempt to retrieve his weapon, but only inquired about the procedure of obtaining his weapon at the conclusion of his trial," the suit says.

Consequently, Mitchell seeks $1 million in damages and a jury trial.

He is representing himself.

Case No. 4:13-CV-802