EDWARDSVILLE — A trucker claims he suffered seven hours of unlawful restraint as his truck's electronic goods cargo was unloaded and searched without probable cause and was then charged for the items' unloading and reloading.
Zhenning Yang filed a complaint March 5 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Illinois State Police, Kenneth Patterson and ADR Incorporated, alleging false imprisonment and unlawful restraint and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to his complaint, Yang is a fully licensed driver who holds a Class A commercial driver's license. Yang was born in China and is a U.S. resident and citizen, the suit states.
Yang alleges that on June 10, 2020, he was driving his tractor-trailer containing electronic goods on Interstate 70 in Madison County when he was pulled over by Patterson. Yang claims Patterson ordered him out of the truck and into a police cruiser, had his trailer unloaded and searched all without probable cause or a warrant. Yang claims he was then ordered to pay ADR $3,875 for the cost of unloading and reloading his cargo, which resulted in an Illinois Attorney General's Office investigation and a refund after six months.
Yang claims his constitutional rights were violated with an unlawful detention and seizure of his tractor trailer.
Yang seeks monetary and all other just relief. He is represented by Daniel Zdrodowski of The Shenandoah Law Firm LLC in Clayton, Mo.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2021L00283