ST. LOUIS - Tranell Stewart and Lisa Jones filed a federal complaint on October 25 in the Eastern District of Missouri against Officer Alexander Waldroup, Officer Ryan Devouton, Officer Kevin Devine, Officer Shane Monning, Officer Cliff House and the City of Maryland Heights for unlawful seizure, excessive force, unlawful search and Monell Municipal Liability.
According to the complaint, Tranell Stewart, a 38-year-old African American male, pulled into the parking lot of his apartment complex in Maryland Heights on Oct. 26, 2016, when Officer Devouton pulled up behind Stewart in an MHPD vehicle.
Stewart alleges that Devouton turned his emergency lights on, and blocked Stewart’s vehicle into its parking spot. Stewart opened his car door due to his window being broken and unable to be rolled down and he was informed by the officer that he had failed to signal, the suit says.
Stewart believed that the officer was trying to intimidate him. Stewart alleges that his son, who was in the backseat, began fussing, so Stewart turned to check on him, and began to call Jones to inform her of the situation. When Jones did not pick up, Stewart went to call a neighbor to witness the situation for his own protection, he says.
Devouton demanded that Stewart hang up his phone and Stewart asked Devouton if he was under arrest, the suit says. Devouton paused, then said that yes he was under arrest and not allowed to exit the vehicle, the suit says.
Devouton then immediately escalated the situation, grabbing Stewart’s hair in an attempt to bring him to the ground, the suit says. As he did this, Devouton allegedly taunted and said “You’re going to die today.”
Officer Alexander Waldroup arrived on the scene and allegedly punched Stewart on the right side of his face, causing Stewart to fall to the ground.
Stewart seeks compensatory damages, attorney's fees, expenses, costs. Stewart is represented by John M. Waldron of ArchCity Defenders, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division case number 4:21-cv-01282