EDWARDSVILLE — The Wood River Police Department and two of its officers are accused of using excessive force and falsely imprisoning a 51-year old man.
Michael Schneringer filed a complaint Oct. 9 in the Madison County Circuit Court against The City of Wood River, The Wood River Police Department, Officers John Hoeffort and C. Thomas, alleging assault, battery, false imprisonment, excessive force and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
According to the complaint, Schneringer, 51, claims he was traveling to his employer WW Transport's facility around midnight to pick up a trailer load he was scheduled to deliver. He alleges he was followed by Hoeffort who was in his patrol car without any siren or lights being activated. Schneringer claims Hoeffort eventually told him his turn signal was not working. The plaintiff claims he turned to show Hoeffort that the signal was working, and the officer allegedly discharged his taser into the back of his head. He also claims he was thrown to the ground and tasered a second time while being pinned to the ground. Schneringer further alleges he was placed in the back of the patrol with a police canine who assaulted him and spent the night in jail where he was verbally assaulted by jail officers.
He claims his statutory and common-law rights were violated.
Schneringer seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by Phillip Baldwin of The Scroggins Law Office LTD in Granite City.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-001441