EAST ST. LOUIS – Carl Edwards of Caseyville resolved charges against him without a fine and wishes to proceed with a lawsuit claiming village police gave him a concussion and regularly violated his rights.
He sued Caseyville, village president Gerald Scott, police chief Thomas Coppotelli, and seven officers in U.S. district court last December.
District Judge David Dugan stayed the action pending resolution of charges that Edwards resisted arrest, resisted an officer, and engaged in disorderly conduct.
On July 29, Edwards notified Dugan that he pleaded guilty of violating the village’s disorderly conduct ordinance in St. Clair County circuit court on July 20.
Edwards stated he conditioned his plea on the county dismissing the resisting charges.
Associate Judge Thomas Cannady ordered six months on supervision.
Edwards asked Dugan for counsel to make sure he’s prepared for procedures to come.
The narrative of his complaint began on Sept. 10, 2020, with a visit from officer Woodrow Hall to his home on Sharon Lane.
Edwards claims Hall said he shot a gun to intimidate his girlfriend Brandy.
“Brandy and I both denied these allegations and told officer Hall that neither one of us had a FOID card, that I was on parole and wasn’t allowed to even be around guns,” Edwards claims in his lawsuit.
He claims multiple officers approached, not wearing uniforms but brandishing the village police badge on their shirts.
Officer Cody Wiley allegedly handcuffed him and said, “You’re being detained for the duration of the call for being aggressive…We’re not going to bow down to you like some little bitch.”
Edwards claims he complained that the handcuffs hurt, and was told to stop moving.
He claims he stated he would report them, and they laughed.
“The officers responded with laughing and officer Hall asked, ‘Who are you going to tell, the chief?’” his suit states.
He claims he didn’t know at the time that Coppoletti was one of the individuals of the group accusing him of having a gun and being a liar.
He claims he received a report and noticed two names only, Hall and Gary Crowe.
He claims Hall fabricated a narrative and Crowe failed to supply one.
On Oct. 7, 2020, Wiley and animal control officer Michael Haluch allegedly knocked on his door.
Wiley allegedly told him to come out and Edwards claims he said he wouldn’t leave his home.
Wiley allegedly said he’d taze him and Edwards claims he said he wouldn’t leave his home.
“Before another word could leave my mouth, both officers crossed the threshold of the residence and stepped into my home, dragged me out of my home and held me down on my stomach on my porch,” Edwards claims.
He claims Wiley hollered, “Stop resisting,” and struck him in the back of his skull three times as Haluch held his wrists.
Haluch allegedly entered the home and picked up his 22 month old daughter.
Edwards claims he asked why they were in his home and they told him he’s an idiot.
He claims officer Donnie Allison said that assholes like him need to learn to do what they are told and that his bond depended on whether he stopped crying.
An unidentified individual allegedly accompanied the others with a firearm but not with identifying uniform or clothing.
Edwards claims the individual went into his home without permission and handled his personal property including his wallet.
He claims the individual wasn’t accounted for in the police report, but Coppotelli used security video and identified him as sergeant Michael Reel.
“What was this man doing in my home?” Edwards wrote in his lawsuit.
He claims that on June 7, 2021, he and Brandy stopped at their Nana’s house on their way home from making complaints to the FBI.
He claims officer Dylan Prather arrested him in his home with no explanation or warrant and Hall arrested Brandy.
He claims they placed them in holding cages.
He claims Hall stated, “If you got a problem with this I’ll take off my badge and you can meet me across the street when I get off at six.”
He claims he continues to suffer mental anguish and torture. He claims extreme paranoia and absolute distrust and fear of law enforcement invades his mind.
His suit seeks $3.1 million in compensation and $500,000 in punitive damages.
He asks for an order removing Coppoletti as chief and not allowing him to work for law enforcement for 25 years.
He asks for declaration that any officer present at any call or incident be required to submit a narrative.
He also asks for declaration that all officers wear body cameras and audio.