A Minneapolis woman who says she was sexually assaulted during an arrest earlier this year has filed a $50,000 lawsuit against a police officer.
According to the lawsuit, the Minneapolis officer, Donnell Crayton, was called to the area of Park Avenue S. between 18th and 19th Street for a disturbance involving the woman's boyfriend and two security guards. The incident happened on the afternoon of May 3.
The woman says in her lawsuit, filed Oct. 2, that after she began arguing loudly with Crayton, he ordered her to get up against the car so he could search her. She alleges that he groped her breast during the pat-down, despite her insistence on being searched by a female officer.
The woman says she was ignored when she tried to complain to Crayton's supervisor.
"Sexual assault by police officers, who we're taught to trust, is abhorrent," said attorney Tim Phillips. "We are optimistic that a jury will hold officer Crayton accountable."
Police spokesman John Elder had not seen the lawsuit Monday and declined to comment.
Libor Jany • 612-673-4064 Twitter:@StribJany
