PHILADELPHIA — A Leesport woman is suing state government officials, citing alleged assault and violation of civil rights.
Cynthia Lee Tucker filed a complaint on Jan. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Anthony B. Panzarella, Robert Speicher, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation Drug Control for alleged violation of plaintiff's rights under the Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth amendments.
According to the complaint, on Oct. 26, 2017, Tucker was arrested by law enforcement officers who placed her in custody in full view of her fellow tenants and neighbors in a quiet residential area.
Plaintiff claims the arresting officers acted on the same warrant prepared by defendants, which she claims was based on false information. She allegedly spent 38 days in custody due to allegations with respect to a prior charge of sales of narcotics paraphernalia that was dropped, after which she was free to go.
However, as a result of the false arrest, plaintiff claims she suffered embarrassment, shame, humiliation and emotional pain.
The plaintiff holds Panzarella, Speicher, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation Drug Control responsible because the defendants allegedly deprived plaintiff's right to be free from unlawful arrest, search, detention and malicious prosecution.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for compensatory and punitive damages, declaratory judgment, attorney's fees, and further relief as may be appropriate and in the interest of justice. She is represented by Richard G. Freeman of Philadelphia.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 5:19-cv-00351-EGS.