The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Las Vegas. The lawsuit claims unconstitutional enforcement actions by the Las Vegas City Marshals.
The case involves Lance Downes-Covington, who was reportedly stopped, arrested, and assaulted by a marshal during a traffic incident in April 2023. According to the complaint, during this encounter, the marshal drew a handgun, threatened Downes-Covington with a stun gun, and forcibly took him to the ground despite his compliance with orders.
Following his arrest, Downes-Covington was taken to jail and then hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the encounter. Charges of resisting and obstructing were later dropped. The ACLU argues that general traffic enforcement is outside the marshals’ jurisdiction and that their actions violated Downes-Covington’s Fourth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution as well as Article 1 of the Nevada Constitution.
The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, attorney fees, and a court order declaring that the Las Vegas City Marshals misinterpreted their authority. It also alleges violations for excessive force, prolonged detention, false arrest, and imprisonment.
Athar Haseebullah, executive director of ACLU Nevada stated: “This case goes beyond an unlawful stop and arrest. It’s about ensuring law enforcement agencies in Nevada operate within the legal limits of their authority and do not exercise powers they simply do not have. No one should have to fear being violently assaulted by law enforcement but especially by officers who have no authority to stop anyone in the first place.”
Haseebullah emphasized that they would continue pursuing justice for their client and others affected by what they describe as misconduct by Las Vegas marshals.
