Parent Sues City of Madison and Police Officer Over Alleged Unlawful Detention of Minor

A teenager’s rights were allegedly violated in a troubling encounter with law enforcement, according to a recent court filing. On December 23, 2025, Omar Marcelo Jacques filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin against the City of Madison and Officer Anthony Vogel. The complaint alleges that Officer Vogel unlawfully detained and searched Jacques’ minor child, L.J., following an assault incident.

The case stems from an incident on November 25, 2025, when L.J., while out with a friend near Lucky Apartments on University Avenue in Madison, Wisconsin, was reportedly assaulted during an attempted robbery. A bystander called 911, leading to Officer Vogel’s dispatch to the scene. Upon arrival, Vogel found L.J. disoriented and bleeding but proceeded to handcuff him and conduct a search without reasonable suspicion or probable cause of criminal activity. Despite L.J.’s protests against going to the hospital, Vogel forcibly placed him in his squad car and transported him there.

Plaintiff Omar Marcelo Jacques contends that Officer Vogel’s actions constituted an unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The lawsuit argues that L.J., as a crime victim rather than a suspect, should not have been subjected to such treatment. “At no point did Defendant Vogel have reasonable suspicion or probable cause that L.J. was involved in criminal activity,” states the complaint.

The lawsuit seeks actual or compensatory damages against Officer Vogel for his alleged reckless disregard for L.J.’s rights. Additionally, it requests punitive damages and coverage of legal costs under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 & 1988. Furthermore, Jacques demands that the City of Madison be held liable for indemnification under Wisconsin law WIS. STAT. § 895.46 since Vogel was acting within his employment scope during the incident.

Representing Jacques are attorneys from Strang Bradley LLC: John H. Bradley, Jacob M. Stroup, and William E. Grau—all licensed in Wisconsin—with their office located at Williamson Street in Madison. The case is identified as Case No: 3:25-cv-1049.