Case 1:15-cv-01041 Document 1 Filed 11/17/15 Page 1 of 22

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AUSTIN DIVISION
MATTHEW ALAN CLENDENNEN,
Plaintiff,
v.
BRENT STROMAN, MANUEL
CHAVEZ, ABELINO ABEL
REYNA and JOHN DOE
Defendants.

CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:15-CV-1041

PLAINTIFFS ORIGINAL COMPLAINT

AND JURY DEMAND
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
Plaintiff Matthew Alan Clendennen (hereinafter Plaintiff), files this his
Original Complaint and in support respectfully shows the Court as follows:
I. INTRODUCTION
1.

This is a civil rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983 arising

from the unlawful arrests that occurred in Waco, Texas on May 17, 2015. The mass
arrests were unprecedented in both their scope and the complete absence of individual,
particularized facts to establish probable cause. Plaintiff is seeking damages against
Defendants Police Chief Brent Stroman, Waco Police Department (hereinafter WPD)
officer Manuel Chavez, and Abelino Abel Reyna, in their individual capacities, for
committing acts under color of law, which deprived Plaintiff, as well as many other
persons, of rights secured under the Constitution and Laws of the United States.

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Plaintiff also seeks damages against an unnamed Texas Department of Public Safety
employee for similar violations.
II. PARTIES
2.

Plaintiff Matthew Alan Clendennen (Clendennen or Plaintiff) is a

resident of McLennan County, Texas.

3.

Chief Brent Stroman (the Chief or Stroman), is the Chief of Police of

the Waco Police Department and is sued in his individual capacity. He acted under the
color of law of the statutes, ordinances, regulations, policies, customs, and usages of the
State of Texas. Defendant Stroman may be served with process at his place of business
in the Waco Police Department, 3115 Pine Avenue, Waco, Texas, 76708.
4.

Det. Manuel Chavez (Chavez), is a police officer employed by the Waco

Police Department. Chavez is sued in his individual capacity. He acted under the color
of law of the statues, ordinances, regulations, policies, customs, and usages of the State
of Texas and/or the City of Waco, Texas. Defendant may be served with process at the
Waco Police Department, located at 3115 Pine Avenue, Waco, Texas, 76708.
5.

Abelino Abel Reyna (Reyna), is the elected District Attorney of

McLennan County, Texas and is sued in his individual capacity. He acted under the
color of law of the statues, ordinances, regulations, policies, customs, and usages of the
State of Texas. Defendant Reyna may be served with process at 219 N. 6th Street, Waco,
Texas 76701.
6.

John Doe is an employee of the Texas Department of Public Safety

(DPS) that as of this date is unnamed.

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II. JURISDICTION
7.

This action is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983. The Court has

jurisdiction over this lawsuit pursuant to 28 U.S.C 1331, as this lawsuit arises under
the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.
III. VENUE
8.

Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. 1391(b), as this is the

judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the
claims occurred.
IV. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
OVERVIEW
9.

On May 17, 2015, hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the state

gathered in Waco, Texas for a scheduled Texas Confederation of Clubs & Independents
(COC) meeting. As with any COC meeting, bikers expected to hear from speakers on
topics ranging from state legislative updates to national motorcycle safety initiatives.
The Waco COC meeting was also expected to be as much a social gathering as it was
informative.
10.

Tragically, violence erupted and nine lives were lost, with others

sustaining non-fatal injures. Because law enforcement had become aware of friction
between some members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club (Bandidos) and some
members of the Cossacks Motorcycle Club (Cossacks), undercover and uniformed
officers were located around the perimeters of the Twin Peaks restaurant where the
COC meeting was occurring. These law enforcement officers were armed with assault
rifles and responded to the violence with deadly force.
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11.

It is undisputed that members of law enforcement fired upon individuals

at the gathering, although it is yet unknown the extent of the injuries caused by law
enforcement. Regardless of the manner or cause of the deaths, the loss of life that
occurred that day is, without question, tragic. Unfortunately, the actions of law
enforcement, including members of the McLennan County District Attorneys Office,
compounded the tragedy by causing the wrongful arrest and incarceration of countless
innocent individuals.
12.

Despite a total lack of particularized evidence relating to specific

individuals, Defendants Stroman, Chavez, and Reyna determined that individuals

would be arrested and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity based
entirely on their presence at Twin Peaks, the motorcycle club that Defendants presumed
an individual was associated with, and/or the clothing they were wearing at the time of
the incident. Rather than investigating the incident and relying on actual facts to
establish probable cause, Defendants theorized that a conspiracy of epic proportion
between dozens of people had taken place, and willfully ignored the total absence of
facts to support their theory.
SPECIFIC FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
13.

The COC is a non-profit organization of motorcyclists with a mission to

lobby for motorcyclist rights and safety legislation in the State of Texas.
14.

COC meetings are not held in any one specific city and are open to all

motorcyclists.

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15.

The May 17, 2015 COC meeting in Waco had been scheduled several

weeks in advance, and was posted publicly on the COC website prior to the date of the
event. Bikers from numerous motorcycle clubs from all over the state were expected to
attend.
16.

Numerous motorcycle clubs were represented at the May 17 COC

gathering. No law of the State of Texas or the United States prohibits an individuals
right to associate with a motorcycle club. In fact, an individuals right to associate is
guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
17.

Prior to the May COC meeting, tension existed between certain members

of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club and certain members of the Cossacks Motorcycle
Club. This tension was known to law enforcement and as a result, law enforcement had
officers present for the purpose of security and to monitor the gathering.
THE INCIDENT
18.

At approximately noon on May 17, 2015, an altercation occurred between

several individuals. Within moments, the situation escalated and shots were fired. At its
conclusion, nine individuals were killed and at least twenty were injured. To date, the
extent to which the fatalities and injuries were caused by gunfire from law enforcement
officers is unknown.
19.

As the gunfire erupted, video evidence conclusively proves that the vast

majority of the individuals present at the location did not participate in any violent
activity, but instead ran away from the gunfire or ducked for cover.
20.

Once the shooting ceased, law enforcement officers immediately took

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control of the premises. The individuals present were compliant and did not resist
commands of law enforcement.
INVESTIGATION
21.

Defendant Chavez is a detective in the Special Crimes Unit of the WPD.

On May 17, 2015, he was the on-call investigator and as a result, was called to the scene
as the lead investigator of the Twin Peaks incident.
22.

Defendant Reyna, the elected McLennan County District Attorney, and

First Assistant District Attorney Michael Jarrett were on scene after the incident
investigating the shooting, along with law enforcement officials from numerous local
agencies.
23.

After several hours, all individuals in attendance at the COC meeting

were transported to the Waco Convention Center for interviews. For the remainder of
the day, WPD detectives, Texas Rangers, and DPS special agents conducted interviews
of those in attendance.
24.

Initially Defendant Chavez advised detectives and investigators to

Mirandize each individual prior to questioning. However, at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Defendant Chavez reversed course and instructed detectives and investigators to stop
reading the Miranda1 warnings, as the bikers were not under arrest.
25.

Throughout the interviews, a common theme became evident the

detained individuals were merely present for a meeting, to visit with friends, eat food,
and enjoy socializing with other motorcycle enthusiasts. During the interviews, it was
1

Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 478-79, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).

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learned that most were nowhere near the shooting; many had just arrived at the
restaurant; and none were aware of a prearranged plan of violence. It was also learned
that the vast majority of the individuals immediately took cover at the outset of the
gunfire, and did not in any way participate in or encourage the violence.
26.

Investigators were providing the information learned during interviews

directly to Defendant Stroman, Defendant Reyna, and unknown DPS official(s).

27.

Documents related to this incident clearly establish that a very specific

plan for the release of most individuals was in the works just prior to the decision to
arrest everyone and charge each person with the first degree felony of Engaging in
Organized Criminal Activity with the Intent to Commit or Conspire to Commit Murder,
Capital Murder, or Aggravated Assault.
DEFENDANTS DECISION TO ARREST
28.

Defendant Chavez ordered all of the investigators to stop their interviews

at approximately 8:30 p.m. because Defendant Reyna had called a meeting. From
approximately 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Defendants Stroman, Chavez, Reyna, and others
met regarding the incident. Soon thereafter, investigators were informed that
Defendants had decided to arrest all motorcyclists that met certain criteria, and to
charge each with the offense of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity.
29.

Defendant Stroman and/or Reyna provided an arrest criteria list for all

detectives to follow in compiling the list of individuals to be arrested. Documents

related to the mass arrests prove that Defendants made the determination to arrest
based on motorcycle club association and/or clothing, patches, key chains, etc. that

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Defendants arbitrarily decided reflected support for either the Bandidos or the
Cossacks.
30.

Defendant Stroman has publicly acknowledged his responsibility in the

decision to arrest the 177, including Plaintiff. Documents related to the incident clearly
establish Defendant Reynas responsibility for the ill fated decision as well.
31.

Despite possessing video from numerous angles showing the complete

lack of involvement of most of those arrested and hours and hours of interviews with
the arrested individuals in which no evidence of a conspiracy was uncovered to support
their theory of pre-planned violence, Defendants willfully, intentionally, and
recklessly charged 177 individuals with the identical first degree felony of Engaging in
Organized Criminal Activity with the Intent to Commit or Conspire to Commit Murder,
Capital Murder, or Aggravated Assault.
THE AFFIDAVIT TO OBTAIN AN ARREST WARRANT
32.

On May 18, 2015, the day following the incident at Twin Peaks,

Defendants caused a general warrant, as that term has been defined by the United
States Supreme Court, to be used for the purpose of obtaining arrest warrants for each
of the 177 individuals, including Plaintiff.
33.

Despite the United States Constitution requiring a particularized showing

of facts against an individual before a warrant can issue, an identical fill-in-the-name

affidavit (hereinafter affidavit or probable cause affidavit, attached hereto as
Exhibit 1) was used as the basis for establishing probable cause for each of the arrested
individuals.

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34.

It is indisputable that the affidavit in question does not set forth

particularized facts against Plaintiff that would in any way establish probable cause.
35.

Defendant Chavez has acknowledged that he read the template affidavit

and inserted names of individuals based on a list he was provided.

36.

Defendant Chavez did not question the template affidavit or the basis of

the criminal charge despite the fact that he had already begun the process of overseeing
arrangements to release all of the detainees.
37.

Defendant Chavez swore to 177 template affidavits en masse that is, he

swore under oath that the stack before him was true and correct and is the sole affiant
for all affidavits. Chavez swore under oath he had personal knowledge of the
information contained therein, even though he did not. Having read the affidavit,
Defendant Chavez knew he did not have personal knowledge as to the particular facts
of any one person, including Plaintiff. Chavez knew that the affidavit was open-ended,
false, and misleading in a material manner, yet he presented it to Magistrate Peterson
for the purpose of obtaining arrest warrants, including Plaintiffs.
38.

The template affidavit, sworn to by Defendant Chavez, is wholly lacking

in probable cause, and instead is filled with conclusory, inaccurate statements and/or
background facts.
39.

The affidavit falsely states that Plaintiff is a member of a criminal street

gang. That statement is categorically false. It is an indisputable fact that Defendants did
not possess any reliable particularized information to indicate that Plaintiff himself was
a member of a criminal street gang on or before the date such fact was sworn to by

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Defendant Chavez. Plaintiff was not, and never has been, a member of a criminal street
gang.
40.

In the aftermath of the incident at Twin Peaks, Defendants apparently

concluded that the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution ceased to apply, and could be
ignored given what they perceived as an immediate need to announce the reestablishment of law and order in their town.
41.

Compounding Defendants gross violations of civil rights, an identical one

million dollar ($1,000,000.00) bail was set for each of the 177 detained individuals,
including Plaintiff, despite the Eighth Amendment to the U. S. Constitutions clear
mandate that excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed... As a
result of all of the above, Plaintiff was wrongfully incarcerated for 17 days following his
arrest.
MISSTATEMENTS AND EXAGGERATIONS TO THE MEDIA
42.

Within hours of the Twin Peaks incident, information was provided to the

media that was inaccurate, exaggerated, and highly misleading. Defendant Stroman
allowed WPD representatives to set forth a narrative that was inaccurate in many
respects. The shootout between outlaw motorcycle gangs theme that continues to be
trumpeted is patently false. Perpetuating the narrative has caused irreparable harm to
the reputations of the many individuals, including Plaintiff, who had nothing to do
with the fatalities and injuries.
43.

WPDs intent to create a false picture of the event is most evident in the

manner that guns and knives were displayed to the media following the incident. The

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majority of the knives confiscated would not be considered illegal under 46.02 of the
Texas Penal Code, and were voluntarily relinquished upon requests from law
enforcement soon after the shootings. Notwithstanding an individuals right to carry a
legal knife, the knives were displayed to the media with blades extended in an effort to
appear as menacing as possible.
44.

A similar storyline emerged regarding the number of guns seized after the

incident, which was grossly overstated in initial reports. Police representatives failed to
mention that many were found following the incident, stored safely on motorcycles or
in other vehicles.
45.

Perhaps the most misleading characterization of the events was made

days after the incident by Defendant Reyna when he implied that those arrested were
guilty because if theyre victims, then they shouldnt have any problem coming to law
enforcement and cooperating... and, at least in the first round of interviews, we aint
getting that. This is blatantly false. A review of investigators records documenting the
interviews that were conducted with the detained bikers clearly establishes that the vast
majority, including Plaintiff, were completely cooperative during interviews, and
voluntarily submitted to questioning and requests for forensics from law enforcement.
Defendant Reyna knew of these facts at the time he made the above described public
statement.
46.

Since the outset, law enforcements narrative of the event as told to the

public bears little resemblance to the actual facts.

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THE INDICTMENT
47.

On November 10, 2015, despite only convening for the first time earlier in

the day to hear facts related to the Twin Peaks incident, a McLennan County Grand
Jury indicted Plaintiff along with 105 other individuals for the exact same crime of
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity with the Intent to Commit or Conspire to
Commit Murder, Capital Murder, or Aggravated Assault. The indictment, like the
probable cause affidavit, is identical for every single individual. To date, there has been
no attempt to state with any particularity the facts on which the first degree felony
against Plaintiff is based. From a fill-in-the-name template probable cause affidavit, to a
fill-in-the-name template Indictment, violations of Plaintiffs constitutional rights
continue.
V. FACTS PERTAINING TO PLAINTIFF
48.

Matthew Alan Clendennen is a resident of McLennan County, Texas.

Plaintiff is married and has four children A graduate of Baylor University, former
firefighter, and local business owner, Mr. Clendennens family, children, and employees
depend on him for their livelihood.
49.

Plaintiff is a motorcycle enthusiast and is a member of the Scimitars

Motorcycle Club.
50.

Mr. Clendennen rode to the Twin Peaks in Waco with some of his fellow

members for the purpose of attending the COC meeting and to socialize.
51.

Plaintiff was engaged in completely lawful conduct at all times relevant

to the Twin Peaks incident.

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52.

Plaintiffs membership in a motorcycle club was lawful and did not

violate any laws of Texas or the United States.

53.

Plaintiffs attendance at the COC meeting on May 17, 2015, was lawful

and did not violate any laws of Texas or the United States.
54.

All clothing worn by Plaintiff on May 17, 2015, including jackets, vests, t-

shirts, and patches, was completely lawful and did not violate any laws of Texas or the
United States.
55.

All stickers on Plaintiffs motorcycle were completely lawful and did not

violate any laws of Texas or the United States.

56.

Plaintiff did not shoot, strike, or threaten any person on May 17, 2015.

57.

Plaintiff did not encourage anyone to shoot, strike, or threaten any person

on May 17, 2015.

58.

Plaintiffs actions upon hearing gun shots were consistent with what 99%

of the population would do he immediately took cover to avoid being struck.

59.

In summary, Plaintiff had absolutely nothing to do with the tragic deaths

and injuries that occurred on May 17, 2015, at Twin Peaks.

60.

The entire basis of Defendants belief that probable cause existed to arrest

and charge Plaintiff comes down to his presence at the Twin Peaks restaurant on May
17, 2015, his lawful affiliation with a motorcycle club, and the clothing that he was
wearing.
61.

The probable cause affidavit signed by Manuel Chavez on May 18, 2015

fails to identify even one single fact specific to Plaintiff to support probable cause for

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his arrest and incarceration.

62.

Plaintiffs cell phone has been examined by law enforcement and contains

no evidence of any illegal plan or desire to engage in illegal conduct before, during, or
after May 17, 2015.
63.

Despite the lack of any indicia to establish probable cause, Plaintiff was

arrested for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and his bond was initially set at
one million dollars ($1,000,000). Plaintiff spent 17 days in jail. He was able to post bail
after his bond was lowered.
V. CAUSES OF ACTION
42 U.S.C. 1983 4th Amendment Violation
pursuant to Malley v. Briggs
64.

Paragraphs 1-63 are incorporated herein by reference.

65.

Plaintiff had a clearly established Constitutional right to be free from

unlawful arrest. As a direct result of Defendants conduct, Plaintiff was falsely arrested
and charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, despite the absence of
probable cause to establish that he had committed a crime. Defendants conduct, as
described above, deprived Plaintiff of his right to be secure in his person against
unreasonable seizure, in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the
United States and 42 U.S.C. 1983.
66.

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states,

[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no
warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized. (Emphasis added.)
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As the Supreme Court of the United States has plainly stated, [w]here the standard is
probable cause, a... seizure of a person must be supported by probable cause
particularized with respect to that person. Ybarra v. Illinois, 444 U.S. 85, 91 (1979).2
67.

Plaintiff pleads that Defendants Stroman and Reyna knowingly and

intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, caused a facially deficient, fill-inthe-name template affidavit, completely lacking in particularized facts against Plaintiff
to be presented to the Magistrate Judge for the purpose of obtaining an arrest warrant.
68.

Further, Defendant Chavez is liable to Plaintiff because he knowingly and

intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, presented a facially deficient, fillin-the-name template affidavit, completely lacking in particularized facts against
Plaintiff to be presented to the Magistrate Judge for the purpose of obtaining an arrest
warrant. A police officer is not entitled to qualified immunity when he submits a
warrant application that is so lacking in indicia of probable cause as to render official
belief in its existence unreasonable. Malley v. Briggs, 475 U. S. 335, 345, 106 S. Ct. 1092,
1098, 89 L.Ed.2d 271 (1986).
69.

Because the template affidavit regarding Plaintiff lacks assertions of fact

that, even if true, would establish probable cause, Defendants have each, individually
2

See also Maryland v. Pringle, 540 U.S. 366, 371 (2003) (...the belief of guilt must be particularized with
respect to the person to be searched or seized.); Trapper v. North Carolina, 451 U.S. 997, 1000 (1981);
Michigan v. Summers, 452 U.S. 692, 695, n. 4 (1981); U.S. v. Hearn, 563 F.3d 95, 103 (5th Cir. 2009) (quoting
Ybarra, 444 U.S. at 91); U.S. v. Zavala, 541 F.3d 562, 575 (5th Cir. 2008); Williams v. Kaufman Co., 352 F.3d
994, 1003 (5th Cir. 2003) (quoting Ybarra, 444 U.S. at 91); Merchant v. Bauer, 677 F.3d 656, 666 (4th Cir. 2012)
(The Supreme Court has emphasized that [w]here the standard is probable cause, a search or seizure
of a person must be supported by probable cause particularized with respect to that person.);
Hawkins v. Mitchell, et al, 983, 994 (7th Cir. 2014); U.S. v. Ojeda-Ramos, 455 F.3d 1178, 1181 (10th Cir. 2006)
(quoting Ybarra, 444 U.S. at 91); U.S. v. Guzman, SA-13-CR-89-DAE (W.D. Tex. 2013); Dinler v. City of New
York, 2012 WL 4513352 *6 (S.D.N.Y 2012) (The Fourth Amendment does not recognize guilty by
association.).
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and as a group, violated Plaintiffs Fourth Amendment rights.

70.

The Fourth Amendment directs that no Warrants shall issue, but upon

probable cause... and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized. Thus, open-ended or general warrants are constitutionally
prohibited. Ybarra v. Illinois, 444 U.S. 85, 92 n. 4 (1979). It was well settled law in this
country prior to May 17, 2015 that use of a general warrant application was prohibited.
Defendants actions effectively constitute the use of a general warrant prohibited by the
Constitution and decades of United States Supreme Court case law.
71.

As set forth in Malley v. Briggs, and its progeny, the Plaintiffs Fourth

Amendment rights were violated when a probable cause affidavit was presented for the
purpose of obtaining an arrest warrant that was so lacking in indicia of probable cause
as to render official belief in existence of probable cause unreasonable.
72.

The affidavit, attached as Exhibit 1 to this Complaint, is incorporated

herein by reference. The plain language of the affidavit indicates that it does not contain
a single particularized assertion of fact against Plaintiff that would establish a
reasonable belief that Plaintiff has committed a criminal offense.
73.

As a direct result of Defendants conduct and actions, Plaintiff was

deprived of his constitutional rights all to his damage.

42 U.S.C. 1983 4th Amendment Violation
pursuant to Franks v. Delaware
74.

Paragraphs 1-73 are incorporated herein by reference.

75.

In the alternative, Plaintiff pleads civil liability against Defendants based

on a Franks violation. See Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 57 L. Ed. 2d
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667 (1978). See also Hale v. Fish, 899 F.2d 390, 400 n.3 (5th Cir. 1990). Defendants Stroman
and Reyna knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, caused
an affidavit against Plaintiff to be presented to the Magistrate Judge that each knew to
be materially false and misleading. Further, Defendant Chavez is liable to Plaintiff
because he knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, swore
to a probable cause affidavit against Plaintiff that he knew to be materially false and
misleading, and presented it to the Magistrate Judge.
76.

Defendant Chavez swore under oath that he had personal knowledge of

the information set forth in the probable cause affidavit. He did not.
77.

The affidavit falsely states that Plaintiff is a member of a criminal street

gang. That statement is categorically false. It is an indisputable fact that Defendants did
not possess any reliable particularized information to indicate that Plaintiff himself was
a member of a criminal street gang on or before the date such fact was sworn to by
Defendant Chavez. Plaintiff was not, and never has been, a member of a criminal street
gang.
78.

Further, the probable cause affidavit states, [a]fter the altercation, the

subject was apprehended at the scene, while wearing common identifying distinctive
signs or symbols or had an identifiable leadership or continuously or regularly
associate in the commission of criminal activities. These statements are false and
misleading and were known to be false and misleading by Defendant Chavez at the
time he swore to such.

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79.

Information omitted from the affidavit by Defendant Chavez would have

negated probable cause. Despite a duty to include information that weighs against
probable cause, Defendant Chavez knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless
disregard for the truth, failed to reference the complete lack of any particularized
evidence connecting Plaintiff to the deaths or injuries that occurred at Twin Peaks.
80.

As a direct result of Defendants conduct and actions, Plaintiff was

wrongfully arrested even though probable cause did not exist.

42 U.S.C. 1983 14th Amendment Violation
81.

Paragraphs 1-80 are incorporated herein by reference.

82.

If it is determined that a Fourth Amendment violation is not sustainable,

Plaintiff alternatively asserts a violation of his Due Process rights under the Fourteenth
Amendment to be free from unlawful arrest as a result of false and misleading
statements that were knowingly, or with reckless disregard included in the probable
cause affidavit. The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment was intended to
prevent government from abusing its power, or employing it as an instrument of
oppression.
83.

Specifically, Plaintiff has rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment

not to have law enforcement deliberately fabricate evidence, including the insertion of
facts in affidavits and arrest documents that Defendants know to be false.
84.

Here, Defendants knew there was no basis for the claim that Plaintiff was

a member of a criminal street gang who committed or conspired to commit murder,

capital murder, or aggravated assault. By inserting such claims in the probable cause

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affidavit and other official documents related to Plaintiffs arrest, Defendants violated
Plaintiffs Fourteenth Amendment rights. This is conduct sufficient to shock the
conscience for substantive due process purposes.
42 U.S.C. 1983 Conspiracy
85.

Paragraphs 1-84 are incorporated herein by reference.

86.

In the hours and days immediately following the incident, Defendants

Stroman, Chavez, Reyna, and Doe entered into a conspiracy to deprive Plaintiff of his
right to be free from unlawful seizure and incarceration in violation of his Fourth
Amendment rights. Defendants acted in concert either to orchestrate or to carry out the
illegal seizure and cause the illegal arrest and incarceration described in this Complaint
when they knew there was no probable cause to arrest him or to charge him with the
offense of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Defendants are liable to Plaintiff
for their violations of the Fourth Amendment under 42 U.S.C. 1983.
87.

As described above, Defendants Stroman, Chavez, Reyna, and Doe caused

a warrant to be issued against Plaintiff based on a false or deficient probable cause

affidavit that Defendants knew to be false or deficient.
88.

The conspiracy involved state action, as Defendants Stroman, Chavez,

Reyna, and Doe acted under color of the statutes, customs, ordinances, and usage of the
State of Texas.
89.

As a direct result of Defendants illegal conduct, Plaintiff was deprived of

his constitutional rights, all to his damage.

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Defendant Reyna is not entitled to immunity.

90.

Defendant Reyna investigated the scene within hours of the incident, took

photographs of the scene, reviewed information as it became known, and in all respects
inserted himself in the role of an investigator/detective. Defendant Reyna was not
acting as an advocate in assisting with the mere preparation of the affidavit for an arrest
warrant, but rather involved himself in the investigative phase of the case prior to a
determination of probable cause, and thus, is not entitled to absolute immunity. Legal
advice by Reyna to police and other law enforcement officials was provided during the
investigative phase. Defendant Reyna involved himself in the decision to arrest when
he called the meeting described above and changed the course of earlier decisions to
release most of those detained, including Plaintiff. In fact, it was Chief Stroman and
Reyna who ultimately decided to charge each individual who met certain established
criteria related to club affiliation and/or clothing, patches, bumper stickers, etc. that in
their minds suggested support for either the Bandidos or the Cossacks.
VI. DAMAGES
91.

As a direct and proximate result of the acts and omissions outlined above,

Plaintiff has been severely damaged. Each Defendant, acting individually, or in concert
with the other Defendants, has caused Plaintiff to suffer the damages described below.
92.

Plaintiff seeks compensatory damages in an amount deemed sufficient by

the trier of fact to compensate him for his damages, which includes past and future
mental anguish, past and future pain and suffering, past and future damage to his
reputation, and past and future lost wages and lost earning capacity.
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93.

Plaintiff also seeks damages as a result of Defendants actions and conduct

that have impinged on rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, such as Plaintiffs
right to free speech, and to association. Conditions placed on Plaintiffs bond have
deprived Plaintiff of rights guaranteed by the Constitution. It was entirely foreseeable
to Defendants that falsely arresting and charging Plaintiff with a criminal offense for
which probable cause was lacking would lead to these constitutional deprivations and
damages.
94.

Plaintiff also seeks damages for the costs he incurred in having to post bail

and defend against the false criminal charges filed against him. Those costs include the
money he paid for legal representation.
95.

Plaintiff also seeks exemplary damages against each Defendant.

96.

Plaintiff has retained the services of the undersigned counsel, and claims

entitlement to an award of reasonable and necessary attorney's fees under 42 U.S.C.

1983 and 1988.
VII. JURY DEMAND
97.

Plaintiff respectfully requests a trial by jury.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

For these reasons, Plaintiff seeks a judgment against Defendants for:

a.

compensatory and actual damages in an amount deemed sufficient

by the trier of fact;

b.

exemplary damages;

c.

attorneys fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1983 and 1988;

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d.

costs of court; and

e.

interest allowed by law for prejudgment or post-judgment interest.

Respectfully submitted,
By: /s/ Don Tittle
Don Tittle
State Bar No. 20080200
[email protected]
LAW OFFICES OF DON TITTLE, PLLC
6301 Gaston Avenue, Suite 440
Dallas, Texas 75214
(214) 522-8400
(214) 389-1002 Fax
Lead Counsel for Plaintiff
F. Clinton Broden
State Bar No. 24001495
BRODEN, MICKELSEN, HELMS & SNIPES, LLP
2600 State Street
Dallas, Texas 75204
214-720-9552
214-720-9594 Fax
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF

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