Woman files lawsuit against city and officers over arrests

The lawsuit asks for an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- A Warren woman has filed a lawsuit in federal court here against the city of Warren and several police officers for her arrest and the arrest of two of her children last October.
Terra Brown, 35, of Atlantic Street, and two of her children filed the lawsuit. Named as defendants are the city, Patrolman Doug Hipple, Patrolman Nick Carney and John Doe police officers.
According to the lawsuit, Brown's son, Regis, 15, was walking on Mercer Street in Warren on Oct. 19 at about 4:30 p.m. when officers arrested him for reportedly using profanity.
Arrived at the scene
Terra Brown proceeded to the scene with her daughter, Canchata Allgood, 16, and another son, Donald, 17. Upon her arrival, Terra Brown saw her son, Regis, on his knees before police officers Doug Hipple and Nick Carney, "who had weapons drawn and aimed at the head of her son," the suit said.
After asking officers, "What was the reason for the mistreatment of her son ... the officer lifted Terra Brown off her feet and slammed her to the ground ... into a muddy puddle of water with a foot or knee restraining her and placing her head in the water," the lawsuit states.
Juvenile Court dismissed all charges against Regis Brown on March 31, 2005, the suit says. Canchata Allgood was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, the lawsuit says, adding that Juvenile Court dropped charges against her on Sept. 20, 2005.
Warren Law Director Gregory Hicks said he had not seen the lawsuit yet and, therefore, would not comment.
Terra Brown asked the city for an internal affairs investigation into the matter in November, saying she and her children were wrongly arrested. In December, the internal affairs department exonerated the officers.
Police reports
According to police reports, the officers were on bike patrol when a juvenile yelled profanities at officers. The officers asked the juvenile his name, but he refused to reply and continued to use vulgar language, the report states.
Police then arrested the juvenile, identified as Regis, and charged him with disorderly conduct and obstructing official business, reports say.
According to the lawsuit, the officers used excessive force, conducted unlawful arrests and violated the First Amendment rights of Regis Brown while he was using constitutionally protected free speech.
The suit also says the defendants failed to properly train officers, committed assault and battery, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The lawsuit asks for attorney fees and compensatory and punitive damages from Hipple, Carney and the city of an undetermined amount.
The suit has been assigned to Judge Peter Economus and Magistrate Judge George Limbert. Brown's lawyer is Gilbert W.R. Rucker III of Warren.