Woman Sues City Alleging She Was Raped By Police Officer Who Had Raped Before

  • Tuesday, May 14, 2019

A woman is suing the city of Chattanooga for unspecified damages, alleging that she was raped by a Chattanooga Police officer who had raped before.

The woman, who is identified only by initials, said the incident happened last June 11 and involved Officer Desmond Logan.

She said she was out with friends about 9 p.m. and they stopped at a gas station at Bailey Avenue and Dodds Avenue for her to go to the bathroom. She said a police car stopped at the same time and Officer Logan was waiting for her when she exited the bathroom.

She said he handcuffed her and placed her in his patrol car.

The woman said he threatened to bring felony charges against her and said she "would have the chance o talk her way out of it." She said she was confused, not knowing what he wanted.

She said Logan pulled over in a parking lot, took her out of the car, and said now she had the chance to talk.

The woman said he removed his penis from his pants, pushed her against the car and raped her.

Afterward, she said he dropped her off at jail. She said she told several people at the jail what had happened, but no one believed her. She said she refused to take a shower and was finally taken for a rape kit.

She also made a report to city police Internal Affairs while at the Silverdale jail facility.

The Federal Court lawsuit says Police Chief David Roddy made a statement about the woman's allegations on June 16, saying, “The Chattanooga Police Department and me personally does not condone any type of sexual misconduct by our officers.”

The suit states, "Chief Roddy further stated that 'CPD was notified of the alleged incident the night of June 13 after the victim reported it to the sheriff's office.'

"Chief Roddy did not mention that she was assaulted on June 11, and had been screaming, crying, and protesting that she been raped since that time."

The suit said Chief Roddy also said that “the alleged incident is the first report of sexual misconduct against (Logan)."

However, the complaint says there was a very similar earlier incident documented as well as an incident in which Logan allegedly accosted a woman near McKenzie Arena. In the latter incident, he allegedly brought out a set of handcuffs and then a taser while in the car with the woman. He finally left her vehicle, it was stated. 

The lawsuit claims, "The City thus tacitly approved of Logan’s unconstitutional conduct, and its failure to act in light of the known circumstances amounts to an official policy of inaction."

Logan resigned from the police force in late January just prior to facing a disciplinary hearing.

No criminal charges have been brought against him.

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