Area man's defamation lawsuit says pair falsely accused him of making threats

GALVESTON - Claiming that defamation resulted in him getting into trouble with the law, local resident Curtis Wheeler seeks damages.

Wheeler filed a lawsuit against Johnathan Fleener and Amanda Clark on June 13 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 1 on allegations the pair falsely reported him to the Galveston County Sheriff's Department earlier this year.

Court papers assert that the defendants told authorities last Jan. 3 that Wheeler had threatened Fleener with imminent bodily injury.

They purported that the complainant produced a deadly weapon, believed to be a pistol, and brandished it at Fleener, the suit says.

Wheeler adds the respondents also accused him of impersonating a police officer during the time of the subject incident.

Based upon the defendant's apparent information, the sheriff's department arrested the plaintiff and charged him with two felonies.

"The statements were unambiguous, false and imputed criminal acts alleged to have been committed by the plaintiff," the original petition says.

Neither the county nor the sheriff's department is a defendant in the case.

Consequently, Wheeler seeks unspecified monetary damages.

He is represented by attorney Daniel Krieger of the Law Office of Dan Krieger in League City.

Galveston County Court at Law No. 1 Judge John Grady is presiding over the case.

Cause No. 70,119