Big Lake woman sues over strip searches at jail

Last update: April 15, 2008 - 9:45 AM

A 23-year-old woman from Big Lake, Minn., is suing Meeker County and Sheriff Mike Hirman, alleging that she was subjected to a series of strip searches while in custody for various traffic violations, misdemeanor theft and a child-support dispute.

The federal class-action lawsuit, filed March 31, also alleges that her pierced breasts were photographed during the last of the five searches.

Gail Lynn Simpson is suing for an amount in excess of $75,000 and is represented by Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi of Minneapolis.

The suit says it is the county's "custom and/or practice of strip searching all arrestees" brought to the jail, "without regard to the nature of the charge ... and in the absence of any probable cause, reasonable belief [or] reasonable suspicion" that the suspect possesses weapons or other contraband.

Jon Iverson, a Bloomington attorney representing the defendants, said he is "essentially denying" the plaintiff's contentions. Iverson said that strip searches are not conducted without a "concern for contraband" or without a "reasonable suspicion" and that he believes that is the case regarding Simpson.

In each case, according to the suit, Simpson was directed to remove all of her clothing. While naked in front of an officer, she "was made to stand with her feet wide apart and her hands over her head. She was also told to squat and then turn around."

The last search, the suit said, was on Nov. 28, when she came to the jail on her own to serve 48 days for failure to pay child support. It was during that last search, the suit said, that an officer asked whether she had any body piercings. When she said her breasts were pierced, "she was instructed to show her breasts to the booking officers, who photographed them."

The suit did not identify the gender of the officer in these instances. Iverson said it was a female, meeting the same-gender requirement.

PAUL WALSH

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