Timothy Vander Plaats (2012)
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Overview
On January 21, 2012, Vander Plaats spoke to Lafayette Indiana Police Department Officer Michael Barthelemy's fiancee - whom he knew professionally - at a restaurant and texted her.[1][2][1]
Barthelemy and officers Charles Williams, Nathan LaMar, and Ronald Dombkowski harassed or made death threats against Vander Plaats. Williams left a voicemail for Vander Plaats, telling him, "I'm going to f------ kill you" and that it would be a "little body parts in a fireplace kind of death".[2]
Vander Plaats reported the incident to the department.[1]
About a week later, Vander Plaats claimed that he was assaulted by three men.[1]
The department opened both internal and criminal investigations.[1]
In February 2012, Barthelemy was written up for engaging in conduct unbecoming an officer. LaMar was suspended for one day and had privileges removed for unbecoming conduct and failure to conform to the laws. Williams was suspended for five days for unbecoming conduct, failure to conform to the laws, and improper use of alcohol while off duty.[3] No criminal charges were filed.[1]
In January 2013, Vander Plaats sued the city, the department, and Barthelemy.[2]
In January 2014, Williams was added to Vander Plaats' lawsuit.[2]
The court ruled against Vander Plaats as the officers were not acting under the color of state law.[1]
On May 4, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals rejected Vander Plaats' appeal.[1]
In August 2016, the city paid $20,000 to settle the lawsuit.[4]
On December 31, 2017, Williams resigned before the scheduled meeting of the merit commission.[5] Williams switched careers after his resignation.[6]
Officers Involved
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Timothy Vander Plaats v. Michael Barthelemy, U.S. Court of Appeals, 2016-05-04
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mikel Livingston, Lawsuit: Indiana cops threatened to kill civilian, Lafayette Journal & Courier, 2015-04-17
- ↑ Kyle Bloyd, New request in case against Lafayette, 2 LPD officers, WISH, 2015-04-16
- ↑ Joseph Paul, $20K paid in suit against Lafayette officers, Journal & Courier, 2016-08-29
- ↑ Ron Wilkins, LPD officers resign to avoid facing merit commission, Journal & Courier, 2018-01-23
- ↑ Charles Williams, LinkedIn
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