Two Michigan men whose criminal charges were dismissed last month have now filed separate federal civil rights lawsuits stemming from their 2024 arrests in downtown Mt. Carmel.
Steven Jones and Matthew Wrosch filed their lawsuits Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Benton Division. Both suits name former Mt. Carmel Police Sergeant Jared Price and former Officer Ashton Walker individually, Former Police Chief Michael McWilliams in his official capacity, and the City of Mt. Carmel as defendants.
Jones’ complaint says the case arises from his detention and arrest while he and Wrosch were recording from public sidewalks in downtown Mt. Carmel on September 25th, 2024. Jones alleges violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights and brings claims involving unreasonable detention and false arrest, First Amendment retaliation, failure to intervene and municipal liability.
According to Jones’ lawsuit, officers had reviewed information before the encounter concerning people who record public officials, but had determined Jones and Wrosch were not the people depicted in a safety-email video. Jones alleges officers nevertheless detained and arrested him without individualized reasonable suspicion or probable cause.
Jones also alleges his recording from public sidewalks was constitutionally protected activity and that his detention, handcuffing and arrest were retaliation for that activity. His lawsuit further claims the City of Mt. Carmel failed to provide adequate training and supervision concerning public recording and First Amendment activity.
Wrosch’s separate lawsuit makes similar allegations involving his detention and arrest during the same incident and also claims violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights.
Both men are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, costs and other relief. They are also asking for eligible records associated with their arrests to be expunged, destroyed or sealed and for the city to review and update police department First Amendment policies and training. Both have demanded jury trials.
The allegations are contained in civil complaints and have not been proven in court.
The lawsuits come about a month after the criminal cases against Jones and Wrosch were dismissed in Wabash County Circuit Court.
Both men had faced a Class 4 felony charge of making a false alarm or complaint to 911, along with misdemeanor charges of filing a false report to a public safety agency and disorderly conduct. They had pleaded not guilty and were scheduled for jury trials in September.
In August, prosecutors filed motions to nolle prosequi the cases, and Judge Denton Aud granted those motions, ending the prosecutions before trial.
Jones and Wrosch operate YouTube channels with thousands of followers and describe themselves as First Amendment or constitutional auditors.