BOARDMAN Woman sues former cop in 2002 case

The woman is seeking more than $275,000.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Former township police lieutenant John M. Rosensteel has retired, but civil court action centered on his actions with a Youngstown woman in early June 2002 continue.
Carrie Eckert of North Belle Vista Avenue is suing Rosensteel in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, alleging false imprisonment, intentional emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy. She is seeking more than $275,000 in damages.
Eckert has accused Rosensteel of forcing her into his truck in the lot of the Ground Round restaurant in the early morning of June 2, 2002. Eckert, a 24-year-old waitress at the restaurant, said she and a friend had drinks with some Boardman officers at the end of her shift.
The suit says Eckert ended up alone in the lot with Rosensteel, who "grabbed" and "manhandled" her into his truck, drove her to the Fireplace restaurant on Western Reserve Road and forced her inside. She said she escaped to a bathroom and called for help before being forced back into the truck.
Police located the truck as Rosensteel drove north on South Avenue. He stopped in the Ground Round lot, where Eckert ran from the truck to waiting township police officers.
Eckert alleges in the suit that Rosensteel intimidated her by making it clear that she should remain quiet about his actions to other officers.
Not indicted
Rosensteel was later charged with abduction and the case was presented to a grand jury, which decided not to indict the lieutenant. An internal investigation by township police, however, found Rosensteel to be responsible for three acts of misconduct.
Rosensteel, a 34-year veteran of the department, retired last October.
jgoodwin@vindy.com