BIRMINGHAM, Mich. – An 18-year-old man who was acquitted of a crime for carrying a loaded M-1 rifle as he walked through the downtown of an affluent Detroit suburb is suing over his arrest.
According to the federal lawsuit, which was obtained by Local 4, Sean Combs says three Birmingham police officers were in the wrong when they arrested him April 13 while exercising his right to bear arms.
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Combs says he was walking down old South Woodward with his girlfriend while carrying a vintage rifle on his back when he was stopped by two officers. When a third officer arrived on the scene, Combs said he was asked for his identification and was threatened with arrest. He was eventually taken to the Birmingham Police Department and jailed for several hours until he posted bond. Combs claims the officers were rude and falsely testified against him during a jury trial.
A judge in July threw out a charge of resisting and obstructing police. A jury then found Combs not guilty of brandishing a firearm and disturbing the peace.
Combs is asking for compensatory and punitive damages, but no dollar amount is specified in the suit.