HOUSTON — A Harris County man alleges an off-duty Houston police officer working as a security guard at a Sam's Club, falsely accused him of stealing, then detained the plaintiff and caused injuries to the nerves in his wrists by improperly handcuffing him.
Morgan Goins filed a complaint Oct. 24 in Harris County District Court against Sam's Club LLC, the city of Houston, Officer Laroux and Jane Doe alleging false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.
According to the complaint, Goins was at the tire center of a Houston area Sam's Club on Aug. 14, 2018. The suit alleges Goins was abruptly confronted by Officer Laroux, falsely accused of stealing "stuff off of cars," improperly handcuffed and detained in a police car in front of the store.
The plaintiff says he eventually was released and needed to seek treatment at an emergency room for injuries to his wrists that he alleges were caused by Laroux's excessive force.
"Instead of going back and providing the proper information to confirm Mr. Goins' story, the security guard and Officer Laroux just continued to interrogate Mr. Goins," the suit states.
Goins seeks monetary relief between $200,000 and $1 million, trial by jury, interests and all other just relief. He is represented by attorney Andre Evans of The Andre Evans & Associates Law Firm PLLC in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2019-77863