A recent federal lawsuit claims that several local police officers used excessive force and made an unlawful arrest during an encounter with a resident outside an apartment complex. The suit alleges that the incident resulted in bodily injury, mental distress, and other harms to the plaintiff.
The complaint was filed by Denzel Vargas in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on March 2, 2026, naming as defendants the City of West Allis and police officers Morgan Youngquist, Olivia Court, Mark Burckel, Jesse Yiannackopoulos, and Levi Kossow.
According to the filing, on May 10, 2025, Vargas was watching NBA playoff games with his cousin Richard Vargas and their friend Emanuel Davis at Richard’s apartment. After the games ended, they stepped outside onto a concrete patio attached to the front door to smoke a cigarette. A resident at the complex called law enforcement to report individuals drinking and smoking on the sidewalk.
Officer Morgan Youngquist responded to the call. The complaint states that when Youngquist arrived at the scene, Richard Vargas and Emanuel Davis were each drinking a beer on the patio while Denzel Vargas did not have a beer or any evidence of smoking. Youngquist demanded identification from all three men. Denzel Vargas told Youngquist he did not have identification on him and declined to provide his name.
As described in court documents, additional officers—Olivia Court, Mark Burckel, Jesse Yiannackopoulos, and Levi Kossow—arrived soon after. Despite repeated requests from Youngquist for his name, Denzel Vargas continued to decline. The filing alleges that Youngquist then stated: “Well, I’m about to get it. We can do this one of two ways.” When Vargas again declined to provide his name and indicated he would go back inside, Youngquist told him he could not leave because they needed his name.
The complaint details that at this point Vargas was not free to leave. It further alleges that after stating “So we can either do it the nice way or we can do it the hard way,” Youngquist rushed at Vargas without warning. According to court documents: “Youngquist grabbed Denzel’s shoulders with two hands and forcefully shoved him into the glass entry door.” The other officers are accused of assisting in taking Vargas to the ground rather than intervening.
Once on the ground attempting to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back but unable due to being pinned down by multiple officers, Vargas allegedly continued experiencing physical force including being punched in the stomach by Youngquist. The filing also claims that Officer Yiannackopoulos deployed a taser against Vargas after Youngquist threatened its use.
Vargas was handcuffed following these events and searched before being booked and later released. He received citations for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct from Officer Youngquist.
The lawsuit brings four counts against the defendants under federal civil rights law (42 U.S.C. § 1983), including claims for unlawful seizure without reasonable suspicion; unlawful arrest without probable cause; excessive use of force; failure by other officers present to intervene; as well as an indemnification claim against the City of West Allis under Wisconsin state law (Wisconsin Statute § 895.46). According to court documents: “Plaintiff suffered…bodily injury, pain, suffering, mental distress, humiliation, loss of liberty, and loss of reputation.”
For each count related to constitutional violations under Section 1983—including unlawful seizure (Count I), unlawful arrest (Count II), excessive force (Count III)—the plaintiff seeks actual or compensatory damages against individual defendant officers as well as punitive damages where alleged actions were malicious or wanton. In addition to monetary damages for injuries suffered during this incident, attorney fees and costs are requested along with any further relief deemed just by the court.
The final count asks that if judgment is entered against any officer defendant for acts within their employment scope with West Allis Police Department during this incident—as alleged—the City be required by statute both to defend those employees in court proceedings and satisfy any resulting judgment.
Attorneys John H. Bradley (Wisconsin Bar No. 1053124), R. Rick Resch (Wisconsin Bar No. 1117722), and William E. Grau (Wisconsin Bar No. 1117724) from Strang Bradley LLC represent Denzel Vargas in this case (Case No: 2:26-cv-343).
Source: 226cv00343_Vargas_v_City_of_West_Allis_Complaint_Eastern_District_Wisconsin.pdf
