SUMMERSVILLE – A Richwood man is suing the city over allegations he was unlawfully battered and arrested by the police chief.
Jonathan H. Johnson filed a complaint in Nicholas Circuit Court against the city of Richwood and Allen Cogar alleging excessive force, unlawful arrest and battery.
The suit states that the plaintiff's property was unlawfully entered on Feb. 24, 2018, by Cogar, the chief of police for Richwood Police Department.
The plaintiff alleges he was then assaulted by Cogar, who unlawfully arrested him and "dragged" him through the yard and driveway before placing him in a cruiser for transport.
The plaintiff alleges Cogar continued to verbally and physically assault him at the police headquarters and then transported the plaintiff to the Central Regional Jail in Flatwoods. The plaintiff alleges he was held overnight before posting bond the next day.
The plaintiff alleges he was unlawfully arrested without warrant for the offenses of obstructing, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and trespassing when asked to leave.
The plaintiff is seeking all reasonable sums due, attorney fees and court costs and trial by jury. The plaintiff is represented by James R. Milam II in Summersville.
The case has been assigned to Judge Stephen O. Callaghan.
Nicholas Circuit Court case number 19-C-23