In a post on social media, Watonga resident John Sexton announced his lawsuit against the city had been settled.
The Watonga Republican obtained verification from the law firm handling the suit.
The post indicates the amount sought was $150,000.
Sexton’s suit charged that he was walking in Watonga in the early morning hours of July 4, 2024 with his young son when he was stopped by two Watonga police officers.
The suit alleges that the officers did not have reasonable suspicion that Sexton had, was or intended to commit a crime and because no reasonable suspicion existed, he was not obligated to provide identification. This led to the infringement on Sexton’s Fourth Amendment rights, which guarantees freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.
The suit further charges that the city should have known that Goodwin had complaints against him when he was employed as a sheriff’s deputy and officer training was inadequate.
The suit asked for $75,000 plus interest and costs and a reasonable attorney’s fee.
City manager Leroy Alsup verified the claim had been paid through the city’s insurance provider, and that the city would only be liable for the deductible which could be as much as $1,000.
Alsup also stated that there had already been additional officer training and there would be more in the department soon.
He noted that the city was looking to move the entire department to the next level of service to the residents.