In a gripping case that underscores the ongoing debate over civil rights and police conduct, a man has filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful detention and arrest by local law enforcement officers. The complaint was lodged by Napoleon Jones in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on December 1, 2025, against several defendants including two deputies from the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on May 4, 2025, when Jones claims he was unlawfully stopped and arrested after recording a traffic stop conducted by Deputy Brandon Shayhorn. According to the complaint, after Jones lawfully recorded the traffic stop without interfering, Shayhorn retaliated by following him into a private parking lot and fabricating reasons for another stop. Alongside Deputy Brett Kromrey, Shayhorn allegedly escalated the situation without justification, forcibly removing Jones from his vehicle, handcuffing him, and transporting him to jail without probable cause or informing him of his rights.
Jones asserts that this encounter violated his constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments, as well as his First Amendment right to free speech. He is seeking redress under 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983 for these alleged violations. The complaint further accuses Waukesha County and the Village of Lisbon of negligent hiring, training, and supervision of their deputies. It also names two insurance companies as defendants due to their policies covering potential liabilities.
In support of his claims, Jones cites memoranda from senior staff at the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office acknowledging that there was no legal basis for Shayhorn’s actions during the traffic stop. One memorandum noted that no lawful reason existed to compel Jones to identify himself since it wasn’t a legitimate traffic stop.
Jones seeks various forms of relief from the court including compensatory damages for physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by what he describes as an unlawful arrest. He also requests punitive damages to deter similar future conduct by law enforcement officers.
Representing Jones are attorneys Nathaniel Cade Jr. and Annalisa Pusick from Cade Law Group LLC. The case has been assigned Case No.: 2:25-cv-01886 in front of an unnamed judge at this stage.
Source: 225cv01886_Jones_v_Shayhorn_Complaint_Eastern_District_Wisconsin.pdf
