A Cleveland, Tn., man has sued Chattanooga fire and police officials after he was taken off a cruise ship at New Orleans, then later had criminal charges that were brought in Chattanooga dismissed.
Samuel Lamar Davis sued the city, the city police, the city fire department, Police Chief Fred Fletcher, Fire Chief Lamar Flint, Officer Edward Buckman, Fire Lt. Henry McElvain and Wesley Davis.
He said in the Federal Court lawsuit that on Jan. 11 he was boarding a Carnival cruise ship with his family in New Orleans when he was taken into custody on charges of aggravated domestic assault and arson.
Wesley Davis, also of Cleveland, had made the charges several months earlier. The suit says he gave several versions of an alleged incident, including saying he was dragged out of a vehicle by a white male near Erlanger Hospital. He said he was punched in the face numerous times and then stabbed. He said the man fled in his vehicle. The car was found engulfed in flames at 1295 Hooker Road in Chattanooga.
The suit says, "After being removed from the Carnival cruise ship based on the false and defamatory accusations, Samuel Lamar Davis was detained by the New Orleans Police Department and placed in jail against his will. He was allowed and made a phone call and made arrangements for being bonded out of jail. 16. Samuel Lamar Davis posted bail and was released. He was set to appear in a Louisiana court the following week. Samuel Lamar Davis was unlawfully imprisoned and was unable to go on the cruise with family and friends. He was unable to obtain a refund of the costs to reserve his place on the cruise. He also incurred additional expenses for changing flights, booking a hotel on the night of his release, telephone charges and other costs."
He also had expenses for fighting the charges back in Chattanooga.
The suit says Samuel Lamar Davis had no involvement in any attack on Wesley Davis.
It says on Feb. 6, "after hearing the actual truthful facts, a Hamilton County Tennessee General Sessions Judge correctly issued orders on each of the warrants as follows: “Recall warrant & dismiss case. This defendant is innocent & victim of false accusations. Expunge record.'"
The suit, filed by attorney Jimmy Bilbo of Cleveland, asks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.