A Belfast man filed a lawsuit against a local police chief and sheriff's deputy alleging his civil rights were violated because he was falsely arrested.
The lawsuit, filed April 21 by Bradley P. Williams in United States District Court, names Belfast Police Chief Mike McFadden and Deputy Merl Reed as defendants, as well as the city of Belfast and Waldo County.
In court documents, Williams alleges his First, Fourth, Sixth, Ninth and Fourteenth amendment rights were violated when he was arrested for mailing a court motion to Phish drummer Jon Fishman.
Williams alleges Fishman contacted police after receiving a $40 cash contribution from Williams for Mimi Fish Foundation. In the lawsuit, William claims Fishman "reacted very badly" to the contribution and had Williams served with a restraining order. After the restraining order was served, Williams appeared in court to refute the allegations before he mailed a motion to Fishman, as he says he was instructed by a court clerk. Despite being told he would not be arrested for mailing the motion, Williams was later arrested on charges of tampering, terrorizing, stalking and harassing, his lawsuit states.
“The plaintiff was falsely arrested and kidnapped at night in chains, and charged with six criminal violations for intimidating the 'witnesses' and a variety of unsubstantiated charges,” Williams states in his lawsuit. “The malicious prosecution lasted for over a year before it was dropped for no merit.”
Before Williams filed his lawsuit, he circulated documents around the Belfast area accusing Fishman of committing sex-related crimes. Earlier this month, Fishman obtained a temporary protection order against Williams related to the mailings.
In his lawsuit and in a letter sent to city officials, Williams also accuses McFadden and Deputy Merl Reed of covering up what he describes as the murder of Jeremy Alex. Alex disappeared in April 2004 and has not been seen since.
No one has been charged in connection with Alex's disappearance.
Williams asserts police refuse to provide him with services, including investigating a drive-by shooting at his residence and a robbery, according to court documents.
As a result of his arrest, Williams said he suffered a visible scar on his right wrist from being placed in handcuffs, and also suffered emotional and psychological trauma from having his name in the newspaper. His business reputation and his community standing have been destroyed, he states.
“The plaintiff is afraid to drive past police cars, afraid that one of their co-conspirators might take a shot at him, as in their refusal to investigate a drive-by shooting. The punitive damages should deter this kind of official behavior,” his lawsuit states.
Williams is seeking $5 million in damages from each defendant named in his lawsuit.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
