BELLEVILLE – A Cahokia Heights resident is suing the city, claiming one of its police officers used unnecessary and excessive force during an arrest.
Plaintiff Antwynette Golliday filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Cahokia Heights, citing the use of excessive force by officer Joseph Myers.
According to the lawsuit, Golliday claims she is disabled and has shoulder issues. The plaintiff claims that on July 1, 2021, she was attending her son's football game in Cahokia Heights when she was approached by Myers, who allegedly told her she was under arrest for violating an order of protection. The plaintiff claims she said she had a copy of the order in her vehicle and offered to show it to the officer. She alleges the officer refused and insisted that he was going to arrest her. Golliday claims she mentioned her disability and shoulder issues and asked to be handcuffed in the front. However, she claims she was handcuffed from behind, allegedly causing her pain. She also claims she was "shoved" into the police car.
Golliday claims that when they reached the police station, she was "roughly" placed against a wall. She claims she was threatened with a tazer as she protested. She alleges other officers restrained Myers, who she claims broke another officer's glasses during the incident.
The plaintiff claims that she has sustained injuries, which have caused her pain and suffering and will impact her ability to enjoy normal daily activities.
Golliday is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorney Jarrod P. Beasley of Kuehn, Beasly & Young, P.C. in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0563