Case 1:18-cv-00767-LY Document 1 Filed 09/07/18 Page 1 of 8

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AUSTIN DIVISION

CODY PERRY
Plaintiff,

v. Civil Action No. 1:18-CV-767

THE CITY OF LLANO,

MATTHEW GRANT HARDEN, and
MELISSA SLOAN
Defendants.

PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL COMPLAINT

TO THE HONORABLE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE:

CODY PERRY (hereinafter referred to as "Mr. Perry" or "Plaintiff") files this Original

Complaint of and against the City of Llano and MATTHEW GRANT HARDEN (hereinafter

referred to as “Officer HARDEN” or “Defendant”) individually and in his official capacity, and

for cause of action would show the Court as follows:

A. Parties

1. Plaintiff, CODY PERRY, is an individual who resides in Llano, Llano County, Texas and

all times relevant to the allegations of this complaint was a citizen of the United States.

2. Defendant, CITY OF LLANO, TEXAS, is a unit of local government in the State of Texas.

The City of Llano may be served with process by serving the Llano City Manager, Scott Edmonson

at 301 W. Main St., 2nd Floor, Llano, Texas 78643

3. Defendant MATTHEW GRANT HARDEN, is a United States and Texas citizen and a

former officer with the Llano Police Department, he may be served with process at 125 Garden

Avenue, Tow, Texas 78672, or wherever he may be found. At all relevant times to this action,

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defendant, MATTHEW GRANT HARDEN, was a police officer employed by the Llano Police

Department to perform duties in the City of Llano. At all times relevant to this action, MATTHEW

GRANT HARDEN acted under the color of law.

4. Defendant MELISSA SLOAN, is a United States and Texas citizen and a former officer

with the Llano Police Department, she may be served with process at 670 E. FM 501, Apt 501,

Cerokee, Texas 76832. At all relevant times to this action, defendant, MELISSA SLOAN, was a

police officer employed by the Llano Police Department to perform duties in the City of Llano.

At all times relevant to this action, MELISSA SLOAN acted under the color of law.

B. Jurisdiction and Venue

5. This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 1988 and the First, Fourth, Fifth,

Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

6. Jurisdiction is conferred upon this Court by 28 U.S.C. § 1343(a)(3), (4) relating to actions

arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and by 28 U.S.C. § 1331 (federal question).

7. Venue is proper in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin

Division, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391. Plaintiff's claims arose in whole or in part in the Western

District of Texas.

C. Background Facts

8. On or about Sunday, November 6, 2016 at approximately 5:30 pm, Cody Perry was at the

Sonic in Llano, Texas.

9. Plaintiff then left the Sonic, and as he traveled home was followed closely by Defendant

Matthew Grant Harden, who was traveling in his personal vehicle.

10. When Mr. Perry arrived at his home, Defendant Harden pulled in just after Plaintiff.

11. Defendant Harden came face-to-face with Plaintiff, and a brief verbal exchange occurred.

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12. All-of-a-sudden, and without warning, Defendant Harden punched Plaintiff in the face,

which caused Plaintiff to fall to his knees.

13. Plaintiff, still stunned from the violent assault, attempted to stand again.

14. Defendant Harden continued the assault on Plaintiff by hitting Plaintiff repeatedly with a

closed fist in the face and body.

15. Thereafter, Plaintiff, rendered nearly unconscious by the numerous blows to the head and

body, fell nearly limp to the ground.

16. Defendant Harden then got on top of Plaintiff and placed Plaintiff in handcuffs.

17. After Defendant Harden handcuffed Plaintiff, and while Plaintiff was still face down on

the ground, Defendant Sloan tased Plaintiff.

18. Defendant Sloan charged Plaintiff with Assault of a Peace Officer.

19. The criminal charge of Assault of a Peace Officer was dismissed by the Llano County

District Attorney’s Office.

D. Count 1 - Violation of 42 U.S.C. §1983

20. Plaintiff brings claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §1983. Plaintiff has a valid claim under this

statute because Plaintiff has cognizable liberty interests to due process of law and to be free from

the use of excessive force by a police officer pursuant the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth

Amendments of the United States Constitution. In support of Count 1, Plaintiff incorporates the

allegations contained in Paragraphs 8-18, Supra. At all times, Matthew Grant Harden and Melissa

Sloan acted under color of their office and employment as officers for the Llano Police

Department.

21. Plaintiff has cognizable liberty interests to be free from excessive force by police officers

pursuant the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. Plaintiff was

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deprived of his liberty interest when he was physically assaulted, falsely arrested, and jailed due

to the actions of Defendants Harden and Sloan.

22. Defendants Harden’s and Sloan’s excessive force, false arrest, and subsequent

imprisonment of Plaintiff took place under color of law. At all times, Defendants Harden and Sloan

acted within the course and scope of their employment with the Llano Police Department.

23. Defendants Harden and Sloan were aware that their conduct was unlawful and violated

Plaintiff's civil rights by falsely arresting him without probable cause, but in an effort to cover-up

Defendants’ violent assault of Plaintiff.

24. Defendants Harden’s and Sloan’s use of force was unreasonable under the circumstances

and thus excessive.

25. Defendant Sloan arrested Plaintiff for and charged him with the crime of Assault of a Peace

Officer without probable cause to arrest Plaintiff.

26. Plaintiff has suffered a violation of his civil rights as protected by the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth,

and Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in violation of 42 U.S.C. §1983.

27. The Chief of Police of the Llano Police Department and the persons employed within the

chain of command with the Llano Police Department were involved directly or indirectly in the

violation of Plaintiff’s civil rights.

E. Failure to Establish Appropriate Policy

28. The City of Llano, The Chief of Police of the Llano Police Department, and persons

employed within the respective chains of command are responsible for establishing the

Departmental policies, rules, regulations, ordinances, and procedures under which the Chief and

each and every one of the employees must act.

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29. Upon information and belief, at all times relevant to this Complaint, there was no adequate

policy, rule, regulation, ordinance or procedure providing for safe treatment of individuals detained

by the police.

30. The lack of established policies, rules, regulations, and procedures caused the Civil Rights

violations under the United States and Texas Constitutions and State tort violations and as a

consequence the damages suffered by Ms. Piper.

31. On information and belief, the policy makers with City of Llano/ Llano Police

Department knew or should have known that the lack of policy, rule, regulation or procedure

would cause this type of civil rights violation.

F. Failure to Train/Failure to Supervise

32. Alternatively, the Chief of Police of the Llano Police Department and persons within the

respective chains of command who are unknown at this time failed to properly train regarding and

supervise the enforcement of established rules, regulations and procedures.

33. In addition, these persons failed to discipline, reprimand, or correct Defendants Harden and

Sloan whose conduct resulted in the violations of CODY PERRY’s civil rights.

34. The City of Llano is liable for violations of Mr. Perry’s Civil Rights in that it willfully,

wantonly, or recklessly failed to properly train and supervise Defendants Harden and Sloan whose

conduct resulted in the violation of those civil rights.

35. Said inept training and supervision was a direct and proximate cause of the Civil Rights

Violations under the United States Constitution and the personal physical injuries and damages

suffered by CODY PERRY.

36. The City of Llano/Llano Police Department knew or should have known that the

failure to train and/or failure to supervise officers about citizens' civil rights would cause this

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type civil rights violation.

37. The Defendants willfully and wantonly deprived CODY PERRY of his

constitutionally protected civil rights afforded to him by the Constitution of the United States

of America and the Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment, by conspiring to and/or

engaging in conduct which caused, encouraged, and continued violations of Ms. CODY

PERRY’s civil rights. Defendants are liable for these civil rights violations pursuant to 42

U.S.C. 1983.

38. All of these Constitutional protections were taken from Plaintiff by and as a result of

Defendants’ gross disregard for the law and gross disregard for the United States Constitution

while Defendants were acting under color of authority and law.

G. Attorney's Fees

39. As a result of Defendants’ conduct and their deliberate indifference to Plaintiff's rights,

Plaintiff was forced to retain counsel. Plaintiff seeks reasonable and necessary attorney's fees, costs

and expenses as allowed by law

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H. Jury Trial Requested

40. Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff requests a trial by

jury and tenders the jury fee.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiff CODY PERRY prays that

Defendants be cited to appear and answer herein and that upon a final jury trial, Plaintiff be

awarded as follows:

a. Judgment against Defendants for violations of Plaintiff's civil rights, under 42 U.S.C.

§1983;

b. Judgment jointly and severally against Defendants for the following damages:

1) Damages for medical expenses in the past and future;

2) Damages for pain and suffering in the past and future;

3) Damages for mental anguish in the past and future;

4) Actual damages for attorney fees for the defense;

5) Exemplary damages against Defendants Harden and Sloan;

6) Reasonable attorney's fees and costs of court;

7) Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest as allowed by law; and

8) Such other and further relief at law or in equity, special, or general, to which

Plaintiff may show himself to be justly entitled.

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Respectfully submitted,

LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT F. WHITE, P.C.

909 NE Loop 410, Suite 300
Llano, Texas 78209
Telephone: (210) 771-5766
Facsimile: (210) 428-6410

By: /S/Robert F. White

ROBERT F. WHITE
State Bar No. 24067934
rwhite1743@gmail.com
Attorneys for Plaintiff
CODY PERRY

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JS 44 (Rev. 06/17) CIVIL COVER SHEET
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as
provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the
purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)

I. (a) PLAINTIFFS DEFENDANTS

Cody Perry City of Llano, Matthew Grant Harden, Melissa Sloan

(b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff Llano County, Texas County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Llano County, Texas
(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF
THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.

(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known)
Robert F. White, Law Office of Robert F. White, P.C., 909 NE Loop 410,
Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78209, (210) 771-5766

II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an “X” in One Box Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff
(For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant)
u 1 U.S. Government u 3 Federal Question PTF DEF PTF DEF
Plaintiff (U.S. Government Not a Party) Citizen of This State u 1 u 1 Incorporated or Principal Place u 4 u 4
of Business In This State

u 2 U.S. Government u 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State u 2 u 2 Incorporated and Principal Place u 5 u 5
Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State

Citizen or Subject of a u 3 u 3 Foreign Nation u 6 u 6

Foreign Country
IV. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an “X” in One Box Only) Click here for: Nature of Suit Code Descriptions.
CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHER STATUTES
u 110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY u 625 Drug Related Seizure u 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 u 375 False Claims Act
u 120 Marine u 310 Airplane u 365 Personal Injury - of Property 21 USC 881 u 423 Withdrawal u 376 Qui Tam (31 USC
u 130 Miller Act u 315 Airplane Product Product Liability u 690 Other 28 USC 157 3729(a))
u 140 Negotiable Instrument Liability u 367 Health Care/ u 400 State Reapportionment
u 150 Recovery of Overpayment u 320 Assault, Libel & Pharmaceutical PROPERTY RIGHTS u 410 Antitrust
& Enforcement of Judgment Slander Personal Injury u 820 Copyrights u 430 Banks and Banking
u 151 Medicare Act u 330 Federal Employers’ Product Liability u 830 Patent u 450 Commerce
u 152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability u 368 Asbestos Personal u 835 Patent - Abbreviated u 460 Deportation
Student Loans u 340 Marine Injury Product New Drug Application u 470 Racketeer Influenced and
(Excludes Veterans) u 345 Marine Product Liability u 840 Trademark Corrupt Organizations
u 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY u 480 Consumer Credit
of Veteran’s Benefits u 350 Motor Vehicle u 370 Other Fraud u 710 Fair Labor Standards u 861 HIA (1395ff) u 490 Cable/Sat TV
u 160 Stockholders’ Suits u 355 Motor Vehicle u 371 Truth in Lending Act u 862 Black Lung (923) u 850 Securities/Commodities/
u 190 Other Contract Product Liability u 380 Other Personal u 720 Labor/Management u 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) Exchange
u 195 Contract Product Liability u 360 Other Personal Property Damage Relations u 864 SSID Title XVI u 890 Other Statutory Actions
u 196 Franchise Injury u 385 Property Damage u 740 Railway Labor Act u 865 RSI (405(g)) u 891 Agricultural Acts
u 362 Personal Injury - Product Liability u 751 Family and Medical u 893 Environmental Matters
Medical Malpractice Leave Act u 895 Freedom of Information
REAL PROPERTY CIVIL RIGHTS PRISONER PETITIONS u 790 Other Labor Litigation FEDERAL TAX SUITS Act
u 210 Land Condemnation u 440 Other Civil Rights Habeas Corpus: u 791 Employee Retirement u 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff u 896 Arbitration
u 220 Foreclosure u 441 Voting u 463 Alien Detainee Income Security Act or Defendant) u 899 Administrative Procedure
u 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment u 442 Employment u 510 Motions to Vacate u 871 IRS—Third Party Act/Review or Appeal of
u 240 Torts to Land u 443 Housing/ Sentence 26 USC 7609 Agency Decision
u 245 Tort Product Liability Accommodations u 530 General u 950 Constitutionality of
u 290 All Other Real Property u 445 Amer. w/Disabilities - u 535 Death Penalty IMMIGRATION State Statutes
Employment Other: u 462 Naturalization Application
u 446 Amer. w/Disabilities - u 540 Mandamus & Other u 465 Other Immigration
Other u 550 Civil Rights Actions
u 448 Education u 555 Prison Condition
u 560 Civil Detainee -
Conditions of
Confinement
V. ORIGIN (Place an “X” in One Box Only)
u 1 Original u 2 Removed from u 3 Remanded from u 4 Reinstated or u 5 Transferred from u 6 Multidistrict u 8 Multidistrict
Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation - Litigation -
(specify) Transfer Direct File
Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):
42 USC 1983
VI. CAUSE OF ACTION Brief description of cause:
Excessive Force and Wrongful Arrest
VII. REQUESTED IN u CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint:
COMPLAINT: UNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P. JURY DEMAND: u Yes u No
VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
(See instructions):
IF ANY JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER
DATE SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD
09/07/2018 /S/Robert F. White
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG. JUDGE