MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Mississippi civil rights attorney says his firm has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Senatobia Police Department on behalf of a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by an officer during a traffic stop. It's a claim Senatobia Police call "blatantly false."
The Carlos Moore Law Group filed the lawsuit May 21, 2024, asking for $10 million in compensatory damages and for the Senatobia Police Department to be held accountable for civil rights violations. The lawsuit names the City of Senatobia, the Senatobia Police Chief, and the accused officer.
The lawsuit says the woman was a passenger in a vehicle that was pulled over by a Sardis Police officer on Aug. 25, 2023. The suit claims the officer forced the driver and the woman out of the car at gunpoint without a valid reason for the traffic stop.
At that point, the suit claims a Senatobia Police Officer arrived and took the woman into custody and handcuffed her without probable cause. The lawsuit claims the officer then drove the woman to a wooded area, turned off his body camera, and sexually assaulted her.
The suit says the woman suffers from mental, emotional, and physical trauma from the incident.
The lawsuit alleges several counts, including excessive force, negligence, civil assault and battery, and false arrest and imprisonment against the officer, and failure to train and supervise officers against the City and Police Chief. The suit accuses all of the defendants of violating the woman's 14th Amendment Rights.
Carlos E. Moore issued the following statement: “We are resolute in our pursuit of justice… and in holding the Senatobia Police Department accountable for their egregious actions. The conduct of [the officer] represents a gross abuse of power and a flagrant violation of [the woman’s] civil rights. No individual should suffer such a traumatic experience at the hands of those entrusted to uphold the law. We demand accountability and transparency in this matter to prevent future injustices.”
ABC24 has reached out to Senatobia Police, who sent the following statement:
"Attorney Carlos Moore has filed a civil complaint that includes the City of Senatobia and Police Chief as defendants. In the complaint, Attorney Moore makes allegations against Defendant [the officer] and says that [the officer] was on duty for the Senatobia Police Department. Attorney Moore’s allegation is blatantly false. The City and Chief look forward to responding to Attorney Moore’s allegations in more detail through the proper legal channels. There will be no further statements from the City or [the] Chief on the pending litigation."
