PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania resident is suing the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police Officer Scott Schweizer, and Philadelphia Police Officers Jane/John Does 1-10, law enforcement officials, citing alleged assault, battery, malicious prosecution, false arrest, false imprisonment, failure to intervene, and excessive force.
Jose Velez filed a complaint on Jan. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the defendants, alleging they violated plaintiff's rights to be free from illegal searches and arrest.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Feb. 7, 2018, he suffered injuries, including bruises, cuts and abrasions to several parts of his body, physical discomfort, loss of quality of life, loss of employment, loss of reputation, and was deprived of freedom for over 245 days of pre-trial incarceration as a result of the excessive force and malicious conduct of the defendants during the apprehension, arrest and imprisonment of plaintiff for alleged possession of a controlled substance.
The plaintiff holds the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Police Officer Scott Schweizer, and Philadelphia Police Officers Jane/John Does 1-10 responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide materially honest evidence and statements against plaintiff, fabricated evidence to initiate a criminal case against plaintiff, and failed to intervene to prevent the civil rights violation.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendants for exemplary and punitive damages plus attorney's fees and costs in an amount in excess of $150,000. He is represented by David Wesley Cornish of Philadelphia.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 19-cv-162.