finding the manner of a strip search of an arrestee unreasonable where it was conducted in a police station lobby area with “ten to twelve people . . . milling about”
How later courts described this case
- finding the manner of a strip search of an arrestee unreasonable where it was conducted in a police station lobby area with “ten to twelve people . . . milling about”
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
TEXARKANA DIVISION
JERMAIN D. LEWIS PLAINTIFF
v. Civil No.4:17-cv-04051
BRANDON KENNEMORE, Ashdown
Police Officer; JULIE SMITH;
CARL FARMER, Ashdown Police
Officer; KIMBERLY GEISER STRUBE,
Ashdown Police Officer; JOESPH
GOINGS, Little River Deputy; and
TATUM, Little River Deputy DEFENDANTS
ORDER
Before the Court is a Motion to Dismiss filed by Defendant Joseph Goings. (ECF No. 52).
Plaintiff has filed a response. (ECF No. 61). The Court finds this matter ripe for consideration.
I. BACKGROUND
Plaintiff filed his Complaint on July 6, 2017. (ECF No. 1). He filed a Supplement to the
Complaint on August 11, 2017. (ECF No. 7). Plaintiff alleges that on October 5, 2014, he was
transported to the Little River County Jail where he was “strip searched and violated” for three
hours after being unlawfully arrested. 1 (ECF No. 7, p. 1). Plaintiff is asserting a claim against
Defendant Joseph Goings, a deputy with the Little River Sheriff’s Department, for conducting an
unlawful strip search. Plaintiff is suing Defendant Goings in both his individual and official
capacities. He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
On December 21, 2017, Defendant Goings filed a Motion to Dismiss. ECF No. 52.
Defendant Goings argues that Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted
1 Plaintiff also named Ashdown, Arkansas police officers Brandon Kennemore, Carl Farmer, and Kimberly Geiser
Strube as Defendants, but these Defendants have been dismissed from this lawsuit. (ECF No. 63). In addition,
Plaintiff named Julie Smith and Deputy Tatum as Defendants. Neither Smith nor Tatum has been formally served in
this action.
pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. Rule 12(b)(6). Defendant Goings further argues that he is entitled to
qualified immunity regarding any claim asserted by Plaintiff.2 (ECF No. 52). In response, Plaintiff
states that Defendant Goings forced him to sit nude for “several hours” in book-in, which is against
the policy of the Little River County Jail.3 (ECF No. 61, p. 1-2).
II. APPLICABLE LAW
Rule 8(a) contains the general pleading rules and requires a complaint to present “a short
and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
8(a)(2). “In order to meet this standard, and survive a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), ‘a
complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is
plausible on its face.’” Braden v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 588 F.3d 585, 594 (8th Cir. 2009) (quoting
Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)). “A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff
pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is
liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft, 556 U.S. at 678. While the Court will liberally
construe a pro se plaintiff’s complaint, the plaintiff must allege sufficient facts to support his
claims. See Stone v. Harry, 364 F.3d 912, 914 (8th Cir. 2004).
III. DISCUSSION
A. Strip Search
Plaintiff alleges he was subjected to a strip search by Defendant Goings for almost three
hours. The Fourth Amendment prohibits unreasonable searches. Goff v. Nix, 803 F.2d 358, 363
(8th Cir. 1986). To determine whether a search is unreasonable the Court must balance the “need
for the particular search against the invasion of personal rights that the search entails.” Bell v.
2 Defendant Goings does not address the official capacity claim against him in the Motion to Dismiss.
3 Plaintiff also states that it took “3 hours” to search him. (ECF No. 61, p. 1).
Wolfish, 441 U.S. 520, 559 (1979). In the context of a strip search conducted in a detention center,
the Court must consider (1) the scope of the particular intrusion; (2) the manner in which the search
is conducted; (3) the justification for initiating the search; and (4) the place where the search is
conducted. Id.
In Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders of County of Burlington, 566 U.S. 318 (2012),
the Supreme Court ruled that correctional officers must be allowed to conduct an effective search
of detainees, even those held for minor offenses, because correctional institutions have a strong
interest in preventing and deterring the smuggling of money, drugs, weapons, and other contraband
into the facility. Therefore, conducting strip searches of newly arrested inmates such as Plaintiff
is constitutional on its face. However, this kind of invasive search must be conducted in a
“reasonable manner.” Bell at 559-60.
Here, Plaintiff alleges he was forced to sit and stand naked for almost three hours in the
“book-in” area of the Little River County Jail. Although the strip search itself could be justified,
the alleged length of time it took Defendant Goings to conduct the search combined with the
location of the search could be considered to be unreasonable. Id. at 560 (stating that it is
unreasonable to conduct a strip search “in an abusive fashion”); see also Hill v. Bogans, 735 F.2d
391, 393-94 (10th Cir. 1984) (finding the manner of a strip search of an arrestee unreasonable
where it was conducted in a police station lobby area with “ten to twelve people . . . milling about”).
Accepting Plaintiff’s allegations as true, the Court finds that Plaintiff has alleged sufficient facts
to support a claim against Defendant Goings.
B. Qualified Immunity
Defendant Goings argues that he is not liable for his actions in connection with the strip
search of Plaintiff because he is entitled to qualified immunity. The case is before the Court on
Defendant Goings’ Motion to Dismiss for failure to state a claim. There is no other evidence
before the Court to determine whether or not Defendant Goings is entitled to qualified immunity.
Therefore, at this time, the Court cannot rule on the issue of qualified immunity.
IV. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated above, the Court finds that Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (ECF No.
52) should be and hereby is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED, this 26th day of February, 2018.
/s/ Susan O. Hickey
Susan O. Hickey
United States District Judge