CHARLESTON —Three lawsuits have been filed against the West Virginia State Police alleging excessive force by one of its police officers.
The cases also name Cpl. A.B. Wilson, three unknown and unnamed troopers, Trooper Thompson, and Cpl. Jarvis.
Brian Reid, William Linville and Cody Bonds filed the lawsuits after incidents of excessive use of force during arrests, according to three complaints filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Reid claims on Aug. 7, 2020, Wilson and the Quincy Detachment of the WV State Police were performing a helicopter marijuana radiation in Montgomery and the helicopter notified Wilson of plants growing outdoors in a yard on Second Avenue that was surrounded by a wooden privacy fence.
Wilson entered the property and began removing the plants from the yard, according to the suit. He then was approached by Reid, who said it was his and that he believed it was legal for him to grow marijuana for personal use.
Wilson then was given permission to enter the home and discovered an indoor grow lab and marijuana plants.
Wilson had Reid detained while he obtained a search warrant and when he returned, he arrested Reid and punched him numerous times, according to the suit.
Wilson was involved in other excessive force incidents, including on Aug. 15, 2020, with Linville and on March 7, 2021, with Bonds.
On Aug. 15, 2020, Wilson ran Linville off the road in his vehicle and then hit him over the head while he was defenseless with a Mag Light Flashlight, which caused him injuries, the complaint states.
On March 7, 2021, Wilson punched Bonds in the face, unprovoked, while Bonds was in a non-threatening position with his hands to his sides.
"There have been numerous incidents in the past five years by West Virginia State Troopers in which the use of excessive force has been employed against multiple West Virginia citizens on multiple occasions," the complaint states.
The plaintiffs claim the excessive force is a violation of their state and federal constitutional rights.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are represented by Joseph H. Spano Jr. and Faun S. Cushman of Pritt & Spano in Charleston.
Circuit Judges Maryclair Akers, Tera Salango and Carrie Webster are presiding over the cases.
One of the cases, involving Reid, was removed to federal court.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 21-C-1028, 21-C-1029, 21-C-1030
