Pubdate: Thu, 10 Mar 2005
Source: Summit Daily News (CO)
Copyright: 2005 Summit Daily News
Contact:  http://www.summitdaily.com/home.php
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/587
Author: Jane Stebbins, Summit Daily News Staff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/raids.htm (Drug Raids)

BOTCHED DRUG RAID VICTIMS FILE SUIT

BRECKENRIDGE - Attorney Tim Meinert filed a lawsuit against the Summit 
County Sheriff's Office and the Frisco Police Department Thursday on behalf 
of Josh Brunvand and Kate Rhodes, the victims of a botched drug raid last 
summer.

"The kids were almost going to back out, but they talked about it and 
decided for themselves and everyone in the county that they want some 
answers," Meinert said. "The reason Kate and Josh are doing this is because 
they don't want this to ever happen again to anyone."

Meinert delivered a letter to the Sheriff's Office Nov. 20 asking for 
$300,000 to compensate the couple, which relocated to California after the 
incident. He said if they weren't compensated by Jan. 31, 2005, he would 
file suit.

The incident stemmed from reports the Frisco Police Department received 
early last year claiming Brunvand and Rhodes were manufacturing crystal 
methamphetamine in their Meadow Creek Villas condominium unit.

The manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine is a dangerous process that 
can cause deadly explosions.

Police responded to the couple's condominium, where an officer conducted a 
quick search and left. But further complaints led officers to believe the 
couple might be making crystal meth, and in mid-July, police obtained a 
search warrant, waited until the couple left their condominium and 
apprehended them en route to a local restaurant.

There, Meinert wrote, they were handcuffed and escorted back to their 
condominium where officers "engaged in threatening, intimidating and 
harassing conduct" trying to get a confession from them.

In the meantime, the drug task force team members searched the condominium 
destroying two doors, a mirror, household items and strewing personal items 
throughout the unit.

They found nothing in the raid.

Sheriff John Minor, Capt. Derek Woodman and Frisco Police Chief Tom Wickman 
later apologized to the couple and their parents.

Minor could not be reached for comment Thursday, but has declined comment 
regarding the lawsuit in the past.

Meinert's letter says police violated their civil rights and committed 
conspiracy, false arrest, kidnapping, assault and battery, false 
imprisonment, trespassing, slander, outrageous conduct and intentional and 
negligent infliction of emotional distress as their basis for the demand.

They cite economic losses since they both had to quit their jobs and move 
from the area while incurring moving expenses. They also underwent 
psychiatric and psychological treatments.

Rhodes and Brunvand could not be reached for comment.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom