Police Sued Over Public Indecency Arrest

By Andrew Gorosko

A local man has filed a lawsuit against eight town police officers seeking money damages exceeding $15,000 stemming from the man’s arrest in connection with a March 2001 public indecency incident at Booth Library on Main Street.

In a lawsuit filed June 30 in Danbury Superior Court, plaintiff Michael Seri of 197 Huntingtown Road sues the police chief, five sergeants, a detective, and a patrol officer. Named as defendants are Police Chief Michael Kehoe, sergeants Darlene Froehlich, Henry Stormer, John Cole, Robert Tvardzik, and Christopher Vanghele; Detective Robert Koetsch, and Patrol Officer Robert Haas.

In his 67-page lawsuit, Seri seeks money damages, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, indemnification as allowed by state law, and other relief. The lawsuit has an August 19 court return date.

The lawsuit lists 19 counts against the defendants, making various allegations. Generally, the legal papers charge that the defendants acted with negligence, recklessness, and malice, and acted indifferently, willfully, and unlawfully in handling Seri’s arrest.

According to police records, on July 6, 2001, Seri, who was then 43 years old, came to the police station after learning that police had a warrant for his arrest stemming from an incident the preceding March 13 at Booth Library. Police then charged Seri with public indecency, risk of injury to a minor, and breach of peace. In their initial report on the library incident, police had said that a male, described as approximately 40 years old, had exposed himself to a young female inside the library.

In the lawsuit, Seri denies the allegations that police made against him. Seri alleges that another man was the perpetrator of the crimes, based on fingerprint evidence.

According to the lawsuit, on December 19, 2001, a jury convicted Seri of public indecency and risk of injury to a minor, with his sentencing occurring  on January 30, 2002.

The legal papers state that Seri was imprisoned for six months; was subjected to fear, humiliation, and emotional injury; was categorized as a sex offender; lost his previously good reputation in the community; was unable to find lodging after his release from prison; incurred financial obligations for his legal defense; and suffered damage to his social and family relationships, among other complaints.

Following his imprisonment, Seri filed a motion for a new trial, based on fingerprint evidence, which was granted by the court and then all criminal charges against him were dismissed, according to the lawsuit.