31 Jan 2022
Civil suit against Archuleta County officials seeks over $320 million for rights violations
A civil suit against Archuleta County Sheriff Rich Valdez, former Undersheriff Derek Woodman and other Archuleta County officials seeks financial compensation for their alleged involvement in violating the rights of two men.
Jimmy Jones, left, and Nicholoas (Koli) Kazarinoff, right, filed a civil suit against several Archuleta County officials.
Plaintiffs Nicholas (Koli) Kazarinoff and Jimmy Jones filed the 42 USC § 1983 lawsuit in U.S. District Court on January 21, 2022 following an incident that occurred on February 7, 2021.
Specifically, the plaintiffs claim that defendants pulled them over in Jones’s vehicle. The law enforcement defendants pulled Koli from the vehicle, thereby injuring his shoulder and then jailed him without having a warrant for his arrest, the complaint said.
Also, the defendant law enforcement officials did not have reasonable articulable suspicion that plaintiff Jones had committed a felony before entering his vehicle, the complaint said.
Then, the defendants held Koli in a cold cell of the the Archuleta County Detention Facility in only his underwear until his legs turned blue. This, without allowing Koli to appear before a judge, the suit said.
Civil suit against law enforcement and Board of County Commissioners of Archuleta County
Ultimately, Koli was forced to pay $3,000 dollars to Defendant Valdez in order to restore his liberty, the complaint said.
Broadly, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants violated their 4th, 5th and 8th Amendment Rights to the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants engaged in civil conspiracy and malicious prosecution against them.
Both plaintiffs are requesting over $320 million dollars from the Board of County Commissioners of Archuleta County for the mental, physical and emotional distress caused by “Defendants’ wanton and outrageous disregard for plaintiffs secured and guaranteed rights.”
Additionally, plaintiffs are both requesting $320.03 dollars per minute from several of the law enforcement defendants for alleged time seized during the violation of their rights, according to the complaint.
Together, Jones and Koli plan to carry out the entire case pro se without an attorney.
Learn how to file your own federal lawsuit online at http://www.howtowinincourt.com.
Sheriff Rich Valdez is getting sued for allegedly violating the constitutional rights of two men. Photo courtesy of Dale Schmidt.
Adam Howell is a writer who believes in free press and the importance of the constitution. He can be reached by clicking on this link to the contact page.
May I use this story on my website. Under News, thank you Wayne
Wayne Bryant
February 5th, 2022 at 6:15 pmpermalink
Yes, with proper attribution given to the author, me (Adam Howell).
Adam Howell
February 5th, 2022 at 6:17 pmpermalink