Put-in-Bay police sued, again

SANDUSKY — A man who recorded video of his encounter with the Put-in-Bay police prior to his arrest filed a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force and violations of his constitutional rights during an incident at an island hotel two years ago. The complaint alleges police used excessive force and violated his Constitutional Rights. Dionte Wade was employed as a security guard at The Bayshore Resort when police were called there after a disturbance on July 24, 2022. He said he witnessed what he believed to be excessive force being used by officers against guests at the hotel and he used his cell phone to record the incidents, according to a news release from Wade's attorney, Leslie Murray, of Sandusky. This screenshot shows the hand of a police officer on a door window in an apparent attempt to block the view of witnesses who were recording video of police making arrests of hotel guests after a disturbance on July 24, 2022. Provided screenshot "Mr. Wade himself became a target of aggressive police actions, including being forcefully shoved against a wall, having his phone confiscated while recording and being arrested without probable cause," the release states. "Subsequently, the charges against Mr. Wade were dismissed after video evidence of the incident was reviewed by the court." Wade narrated the video as he was recording it. "I've never seen police officers like this," he can be heard saying. "Slamming people up against the wall." The officer can be seen walking in an empty hallway at the resort with his Taser weapon drawn. Wade urges officers to "de-escalate the situation," as one officer repeatedly yells at hotel guests to "go away. Go away. Or you're going to get tased." The complaint alleges violations of Wade's First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights, including retaliation for protected speech, excessive force, false arrest, unlawful search and seizure, failure to intervene and failure to train and supervise officers. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for Northern Ohio, names the Put-in-Bay police department and five of its employees — Joshua Durda, Kyle Martin, Ashley McMicheaux, David Fenstermake and Yuri Linetsky — as defendants. It alleges police used excessive force and violated Wade's constitutional rights. Specifically, the complaint contends police violated Wade;s First, Fourth, and Fourteenth amendment rights, including retaliation for protected speech, excessive force, false arrest, unlawful search and seizure, failure to intervene and failure to train and supervise officers. Murray said the actions of the officers not only violated Wade's rights but also highlight broader issues of accountability and training within law enforcement agencies. Put-in-Bay police have a long history of violence against civilians and other improper behavior. In the incident at the hotel, at least two people were assaulted with Taser weapons and the police chief failed to release reports about the use of force or the videos from the body camera officers were wearing when they used their Tasers. It's not known if reports were ever filed for those incidents, if the body camera was ever viewed for training purposes, or if any disciplinary action was warranted or taken. The police department has a history of ignoring wrongdoing committed by officers, or not following through to address problematic behavior. Watch the video here