ST. LOUIS – A Missouri man is suing the city of Northwoods claiming two police officers beat and pepper-sprayed him while he was handcuffed before leaving him injured in a field.
Plaintiff Charles Garmon filed the federal lawsuit November 3 against the city and officers Michael Hill and Samuel Davis claiming violations of his civil rights.
According to the complaint, Garmon says Davis and Hill handcuffed him July 4, 2023, at a Walgreens in St. Louis, turning off their body cameras in the process. The officers then allegedly transported him to a remote location and allegedly assaulted Garmon with a baton and pepper spray despite Garmon being restrained and compliant. The officers allegedly told Garmon not to return to Northwoods and left him in the field. The assault resulted in severe injuries, including a broken jaw. Garmons claims a passerby witnessed the event and that the police officers didn't file a report regarding the incident.
Garmon accuses Hill and Davis of violating his civil rights, civil conspiracy, excessive force, false arrest and kidnapping. The lawsuit contends the actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of misconduct within the Northwoods Police Department. Garmon cites Northwoods PD for liability and cites the police department's policies and practices, including the alleged failure to adequately train and discipline officers.
Garmon is seeking compensatory and punitive damages plus interest, attorney fees, court costs and other relief. He is being represented by Kevin M. Carnie Jr. and Patrick R. McPhail of The Simon Law Firm in St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri case number 4:23-cv-01403