Dupo police chief and officer sued by man claiming he was wrongfully arrested

 

A man claims his Constitutional rights were violated when Dupo’s police chief arrested him without probable cause.

Joel Strauss filed a lawsuit Dec. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dupo Police Chief Douglas Keys, Dupo police officer Jeremy Zimmer and the Village of Dupo.

In his complaint, Strauss claims he was sitting in a parked car at Dupo High School on April 3 when Keys pulled him out of the vehicle, beat him, handcuffed him and arrested him.

“Defendant Keys then had plaintiff charged with failure to reduce speed and improper lane usage by another police officer for the Village of Dupo, co-defendant, Jeremy Zimmer,” the suit states. “Plaintiff had not committed the above-mentioned crimes or traffic offenses.”

Because of Keys’s actions, Strauss claims he sustained severe bodily injuries, experienced pain and suffering and incurred medical costs. He also lost wages, endured emotional damages and mental anguish and incurred property damages, according to the complaint.

In his complaint, Strauss seeks a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs, attorney’s fees and interest.

Thomas O. Falb of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-655.