The opinion
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
EASTERN DIVISION
CARLOS SUBER, )
)
Plaintiff, )
)
v. ) No. 4:22-CV-186 RWS
)
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, et al., )
)
Defendants. )
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the Court on plaintiff’s motion to lift the stay and reopen this case.
After review of Missouri Case.Net, the Court will grant plaintiff’s motion to the lift the stay and
reopen to reopen this matter. However, upon initial review of plaintiff’s complaint pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1915, the Court will dismiss this action pursuant to Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477,
486-87 (1994) and 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
Legal Standard on Initial Review
Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2), the Court is required to dismiss a complaint filed without
payment of the filing fee if it is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which relief can
be granted. To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must demonstrate a plausible claim
for relief, which is more than a “mere possibility of misconduct.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662,
679 (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.”
Id. at 678. Determining whether a complaint states a plausible claim for relief is a context-specific
task that requires the reviewing court to draw upon judicial experience and common sense. Id. at
679. The court must “accept as true the facts alleged, but not legal conclusions or threadbare
recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements.” Barton v.
371, 372-73 (8th Cir. 2016) (stating that court must accept factual allegations in complaint as true,
but is not required to “accept as true any legal conclusion couched as a factual allegation”).
When reviewing a pro se complaint under § 1915(e)(2), the Court must give it the benefit
of a liberal construction. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520 (1972). A “liberal construction”
means that if the essence of an allegation is discernible, the district court should construe the
plaintiff’s complaint in a way that permits his or her claim to be considered within the proper legal
framework. Solomon v. Petray, 795 F.3d 777, 787 (8th Cir. 2015).
Background
On February 14, 2022, plaintiff filed this civil rights action arising out of events that
occurred in Florissant, Missouri on or about February 17, 2021, and February 24, 2021. [ECF No.
1]. Plaintiff’s arrest in St. Louis County, Missouri, resulted in a criminal action filed against
plaintiff in Missouri State Court: State v. Suber, No 21SL-CR04613 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis
County). At the time plaintiff filed the present action, he was incarcerated in St. Louis County
Justice Center and proceeding in forma pauperis, and his complaint was subject to review pursuant
to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. The Court completed that review on July 13, 2022. [ECF No. 9].
On initial review of the complaint, the Court dismissed several of the defendants named in
the complaint and most of plaintiff’s claims. The Court also denied and dismissed plaintiff’s
motion for discovery and motion for preliminary injunction. However, the Court stayed and
administratively closed plaintiff’s claims for false arrest and false imprisonment against the
following defendants in their individual capacities: Timothy Lowery, Joseph Brockmeier; Dustin
Chandler; Tyler Italiano; Steve Beekman; and Anthony Mocca. The stay was instituted pursuant
to the Supreme Court case of Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384 (2007), pending the outcome of
plaintiff’s underlying state court case. See ECF Nos. 9 and 10.
his underlying criminal case had been resolved. [ECF No. 14]. After review of Missouri.Case.Net,
the Court will grant plaintiff’s motion to lift the stay and reopen this matter. However, plaintiff’s
action will be dismissed pursuant to Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 486-87 (1994) and because
of 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
The Complaint
Plaintiff filed this civil rights action on February 14, 2022, seeking damages against
defendant police officers at the Florissant Police Department: Timothy Lowery, Joseph
Brockmeier; Dustin Chandler; Tyler Italiano; Steve Beekman; and Anthony Mocca. Plaintiff’s
claims relate to his purported false arrest and false imprisonment from one year earlier, on February
24, 2021. Plaintiff had been involved in a car chase with defendants when he purportedly failed to
stop for a lawful traffic stop on February 17, 2021. Rather than stop, plaintiff purportedly resisted
the stop and allegedly fled the stop in his vehicle. In the course of fleeing, he purportedly attempted
to hit defendant Italiano with his vehicle.
Plaintiff states that on or about February 24, 2021, he was brought to Florissant Jail by
defendant Beekman on a warrant, which he refers to as Warrant W53293158, from St. Louis
County Jail where he was incarcerated on other charges. Plaintiff fails to indicate exactly how long
he was kept at Florissant Jail by defendants during this time, and he fails to mention the charges
he was being held on at St. Louis County Jail.
Based on an incident on October 21, 2021, plaintiff had a new warrant out for his arrest
that was issued by St. Louis County for domestic assault in the first degree, two counts of armed
criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon based on shooting at/from a motor vehicle and unlawful
possession of a firearm. It was alleged that plaintiff fired multiple shots at a vehicle driven by his
ex-girlfriend as it traveled on Central Parkway. However, plaintiff fled the scene prior to officers
Louis County Justice Center.
There is a formal record of his arrest by defendants on a warrant in State v. Suber, No.
21SL-CR03349 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis County), on November 3, 2021, for resisting arrest and
fleeing (felony), and subsequent guilty plea and conviction for resisting arrest (misdemeanor) on
May 26, 2023. Additionally, plaintiff acknowledges that he was arrested at St. Louis County Jail
by defendant Beekman on February 24, 2021, on a valid warrant. Nevertheless, plaintiff seeks
damages from defendants for false arrest and false imprisonment relating to the February 24, 2021,
events at Florissant Jail.
Criminal Background
To understand the allegations of plaintiff’s complaint, some background on plaintiff’s
criminal history with the Missouri State Courts is necessary.
Independent review on Missouri Case.net, the State of Missouri’s online docketing
system, shows that plaintiff was charged with resisting arrest by fleeing – creating a substantial
risk of serious injury/death to a person on July 28, 2021. State v. Suber, No. 21SL-CR03349 (21st
Jud. Cir., St. Louis County).1 In an Information filed in the case on March 16, 2022, the State of
Missouri, charged plaintiff with a Class E felony. The Information alleged:
on or about February 17, 2021, in the County of St. Louis, State of Missouri,
Detectives Joe Brockmeier and Tyler Italiano along with other Florissant officers,
were conducting a lawful stop of Carlos Suber, and the defendant knew or
reasonably should have known that the officers were attempting to, make a lawful
stop, and, for the purpose of preventing the officers from effecting the lawful stop,
resisted the lawful stop of defendant by fleeing from the officers and defendant
fled in such a manner that created a substantial risk of serious physical injury or
death to Detective Italiano in that defendant drove his fleeing vehicle directly at
Det. Italiano who had to leap to safety to avoid the collision.
1The criminal Complaint and warrant were filed in the Missouri State Court action on July 28, 2021. State
v. Suber, No. 21SL-CR03349 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis County). According to Case.Net, plaintiff was
formally arrested on the charge on November 3, 2021.
on bond on July 15, 2022, according to Missouri.Case.Net.
An Amended Information was filed on May 11, 2023, charging plaintiff with
misdemeanor resisting/interfering with an arrest, detention or stop. The Amended Information
alleged that plaintiff:
In violation of Section 575.150, RSMo, committed the class A misdemeanor of
resisting a lawful stop, punishable upon conviction under Sections 558.002 and
558.011, RSMo, in that on or about February 17, 2021, in the County of St. Louis,
Missouri, Detectives Joe Brockmeier and Tyler Italiano, along with other
Florissant officers, were conducting a lawful stop of Carlos Suber, and the
defendant knew or reasonable should have known that the officers were
attempting to make a lawful stop, and for the purpose of preventing the officers
from effecting the lawful stop, resisted the lawful stop of defendant by fleeing
from the officers and defendant fled in such a manner that created a substantial
risk of serious physical injury or death to Detective Italiano that defendant drove
his fleeing vehicle direct at Det. Italiano who had to leap to safety to avoid the
collision.
On May 26, 2023, plaintiff pled guilty to misdemeanor resisting arrest and was sentenced
to thirty (30) days in jail. Id.
On October 22, 2021, a criminal Complaint was filed against plaintiff charging him with
domestic assault in the first degree, two counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a
weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. State v. Suber, No 21SL-CR03349 (21st Jud. Cir.,
St. Louis County). A grand jury Indictment was filed on November 17, 2021, charging plaintiff
with the same five charges. The Indictment alleged:
On or about October 21, 2021…[plaintiff] shot at C.B., and such conduct was a
substantial step toward the commission of the crime of attempting to kill or cause
serious physical injury to C.B. and was done for the purpose of committing such
assault, and C.B. and the defendant were family or household members in that
C.B. and the defendant were adults who had been in a continuing social
relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.
…
[plaintiff]committed the foregoing felony of Domestic Assault in the fist degree
by, with and through, the knowing use, assistance and aid of a deadly weapon.
…
Mercedes G25
…
[plaintiff] committed the foregoing felony of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by, with
and through, the knowing use, assistance, and aid of a deadly weapon.
…
on or about October 21, 2021…the [plaintiff] knowingly possessed a 9-millimeter
handgun, a firearm, and on January 14, 2010, the [plaintiff] was convicted of the
felony of Assault in the first degree in the Circuit Court of St. Louis County,
Missouri.
State v. Suber, No. 21SL-CR03349-01 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis County). Plaintiff waived his
right to counsel in his criminal proceeding, however on or about May 26, 2022, new counsel for
plaintiff entered her appearance.
As there is no longer a record of this action on Missouri.Case.Net, it appears that it has
been dismissed by the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office.
Discussion
As noted supra, plaintiff filed a civil rights action against defendants for a plethora of
claims on February 14, 2022. At the time plaintiff filed the present action, he was incarcerated in
St. Louis County Justice Center and proceeding in forma pauperis, and his complaint was subject
to review pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. The Court completed that review on July 13, 2022, ECF
No. 9, and upon the initial review, dismissed several of the claims and defendants in this action for
failure to state a claim. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Because plaintiff’s criminal action in State
v. Suber, No. 21SL-CR03349 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis County), was still pending, the Court stayed
and administratively closed the case as to plaintiff’s claims for false arrest and false imprisonment
against defendants Lowery, Brockmeier, Italiano, Beekman, and Mocca pursuant to the Supreme
Court case of Wallace v. Kato, 549 U.S. 384 (2007). Plaintiff was advised that he could move to
reopen the present matter after the culmination of all appellate and post-conviction proceedings in
his criminal action. Plaintiff filed a motion to reopen the present matter on July 31, 2023, asserting
that his Missouri State Court criminal action had culminated on his date of sentencing, May 26,
appeal of his sentence nor yet a motion to vacate his sentence.2
Plaintiff seeks monetary relief in this action. An offender may not recover damages in a §
1983 suit where the judgment would necessarily imply the invalidity of his conviction, continued
imprisonment, or sentence unless the conviction or sentence is reversed, expunged or called into
question by issuance of a writ of habeas corpus. See Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 486-87
(1994); Schafer v. Moore, 46 F.3d 43, 45 (8th Cir. 1995).
Plaintiff's § 1983 unreasonable seizure claim premised on false arrest and false
imprisonment must be dismissed pursuant to Heck, 512 U.S. at 486-87. Under Heck and its
progeny, “in order to recover damages for harm caused by actions whose unlawfulness would
render a conviction or sentence invalid, a § 1983 plaintiff must prove that the conviction or
sentence has been reversed on direct appeal.” Schaffer v. Beringer, 842 F.3d 585, 594 (8th Cir.
2016) (citation and quotations omitted). Plaintiff's allegations of false arrest and false
imprisonment arise out of his insistence that he was brought from St. Louis County Jail to
Florissant Jail on February 24, 2021, unlawfully. However, he admits that defendant Beekman was
in possession of a lawful warrant, Warrant W53293158, when he came to get him at St. Louis
County Jail. Moreover, there is no indication that defendants were acting without probable cause
to arrest plaintiff on or about February 24, 2021, for felony resisting arrest. Thus, even if plaintiff’s
claims were not Heck-barred, they would still be subject to dismissal because defendants had
probable cause to detain plaintiff and subsequently arrest him. See Anderson v. Franklin County,
2When this Court implemented the Wallace stay, plaintiff was specifically told that the matter was stayed
pending “final disposition of the criminal proceedings, including appellate and post-conviction
proceedings, against plaintiff in his case of State v. Suber, No. 21SL-CR03349 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis
County).” Plaintiff’s time for filing an appeal of his conviction and sentence has run, but he still has time
to file a post-conviction motion to vacate his sentence if he wishes to do so.
probable cause to make arrest).
In Missouri, the government is required to prove the following elements to support a
conviction for resisting a lawful stop under section 575.150.1(1): “(1) defendant knew or
reasonably should have known that a law enforcement officer was making a lawful stop; (2)
defendant resisted that stop by fleeing from the officer, or by threatening to use violence or
physical force; and (3) defendant did so for the purpose of preventing the officer from completing
the stop.” State v. Nelson, 505 S.W.3d 437, 445 (Mo. App. W.D. 2016) (citing State v. Jones, 479
S.W.3d 100, 109 (Mo. banc 2016)).3
A probable cause statement was filed by defendant Brockmeier, in State v. Suber, No.
21SL-CR03349 (21st Jud. Cir., St. Louis County), on July 30, 2021. The statement is dated
February 25, 2021, and it states, in pertinent part:
I have probable cause to believe that on February 17, 2021, at [ ] near the
intersection of Hume Lane and Patterson Rd, in Florissant, MO, Carlos Suber,
Black, Male, DOB…, 5’11’’, 170 lbs, committed one or more criminal offense(s).
Count: 01 Resisting Arrest/Detention/Stop by Fleeing- Creating a Substantial Risk
of Serious Injury/Death to any Person
The facts supporting this belief are as follows:
On Wednesday, February 17, 2021, during the daylight hours, myself and multiple
other law enforcement officers from the Florissant Police Department were
following up on a report from the U.S. Postal Service regarding suspicious
packages arriving at the address: 2420 Mullanphy in Florissant, MO. Law
enforcement observed the suspect package be delivered to the address and
thereafter retrieved into the home. Shortly thereafter, suspect later to be identified
as Carlos Suber, left the resident and entered a dark colored Volkswagen Jetta. It
was at this time, officers initiated the lights on their unmarked vehicles, exited their
vehicles while dressed in tactical gear with “POLICE” readily marked in large
white lettering across their chests. Officers approached the vehicle and ordered the
driver, Carlos Suber, to stop and show his hands. Suspect Suber put the car in gear
3Missouri Revised Statute § 575.150.1(1), “applies to ... stops, or detentions, with or without warrants.”
Clearly, then, the statute applies to the type of stops or detentions contemplated by Terry v. Ohio, 392
U.S. 1, 30 (1968).
Italiano was on a traffic island ready to deploy spike strips. It was at this time,
suspect Suber drove his vehicle directly at Detective Italiano, suspect Suber’s
vehicle left the roadway and traveled over the island as Detective Italiano had to
jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the vehicle.
(a) I believe that the defendant will not appear in court in response to a criminal
summons because the defendant is currently a resident of the State of
Georgia. Defendant Suber is under the supervision of GA board of
probation and parole on an interstate compact with the State of Missouri.
The State of Georgia is currently pursuing a parole hold for the underlying
events that gave rise to the February 17th incident as well as Mr. Suber’s
ultimate arrest wherein he was found to be in a vehicle with multiple
firearms. Also, GA probation and parole confirmed Mr. Suber did not have
permission to leave the state and travel to Missouri.
(b) I believe that the defendant poses a threat to the community as he has
convictions for two A felons of Assault in the first degree and one B felony
Assault in the first degree under case number 09SL-CR04157-01. Suspect
Suber is known to be violent and has been a viable suspect in a double
homicide.
Though plaintiff alleges that he was unlawfully detained, officers had probable cause to
detain and arrest him pursuant to, not only an active warrant for a probation violation because he
unlawfully traveled out of Georgia, but also because he attempted to hit or run over defendant
Italiano who was in the island of the intersection of Humes Lane and Patterson Road in Florissant,
Missouri, waiting to deploy spike strips to stop plaintiff from fleeing. See Mo.Rev.Stat. §
575.150.1(1). Following his arrest for fleeing, plaintiff pled guilty to misdemeanor resisting arrest,
a reduced plea from the felony resisting arrest, in violation of § 575.150.1(1), and by doing so he
admitted that the events of February 17, 2021, were true. For these reasons, plaintiff is unable to
argue that defendants acted without probable cause in detaining him for questioning on February
24, 2021. See Awnings v. Fullerton, 912 F.3d 1089, 1099-1100 (8th Cir. 2019).
Plaintiff has admitted that defendant Beekman had a valid warrant when he came to take
him to Florissant Jail on February 24, 2021. Although he does not indicate that he was placed
under arrest at that time, nor does he indicate how long he was kept by defendants, he admits that
he was already under another valid warrant for custody in St. Louis County Jail at the same time.
Thus, the Court cannot say that plaintiff was unlawfully held by defendants during this time.
To succeed on his § 1983 false arrest and false imprisonment claims, plaintiff would have
to show that his state conviction for fleeing/resisting arrest was rendered invalid and/or that
defendants lacked probable cause to detain him. Anderson v. Franklin Cty., Mo., 192 F.3d 1125,
1131-32 (8th Cir. 1999) (affirming dismissal of § 1983 false arrest and false imprisonment claims
where state conviction and sentence had not been rendered invalid). Because he has made no such
showing, his claims are subject to dismissal.
Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff's motion to lift the stay and reopen this matter
[ECF No. 14] is GRANTED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this action is DISMISSED pursuant to the doctrine of
Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477, 486-87 (1994) and 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that an appeal of this dismissal would not be taken in good
faith.
An Order of Dismissal will accompany this Memorandum and Order.
Dated this 8" day of September, 2023.
Cia
RODNEY WW. SIPPEL
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
-10-