Former Angelina County reserve deputies are suing after allegedly being terminated in violation of the First Amendment.
Daphne Noble and Terry Free filed a lawsuit March 24 in the Lufkin Division of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Sheriff Greg Sanches, individually and in his official capacity as Angelina County Sheriff, and Captain Alton Lenderman, individually and in his official capacity as Angelina County Captain, citing violation of the First Amendment.
The complaint states in December 2008 the plaintiffs began working as reserve deputies for the Angelina County sheriffs department. The plaintiffs say in 2012, they started speaking out about the way Angelina County sheriffs deputies transported individuals from the Burke Center, which they allege is in violation of state law.
As a result of speaking out, the plaintiffs were terminated in June, according to the complaint. The plaintiffs allege the defendants caused their unlawful termination.
Daphne Noble and Terry Free are seeking a declaratory judgment against the defendants, compensatory damages, reinstatement, costs and fees.
The plaintiffs are being represented in the case by Alex A. Castetter of Stuckey, Garrigan & Castetter.
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Case No. 9:14-cv-00035-RC
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.