Woman alleges she was stripped naked and "hosed off" by police
July 7, 2006
By ADAM LONGO
6 News Reporter
TAZEWELL (WATE) -- A Claiborne County woman claims she was stripped naked and sprayed with a hose by police. Now she's asking for $10 million from Claiborne County to settle her dispute.
An attorney for 34-year-old Flora Minton filed the 21 page lawsuit Wednesday in Claiborne County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit paints the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department as "untrained," "unsupervised" and "neglectful."
This stems from an incident on July 5, 2005, when Minton was arrested near New Tazewell in an alleged meth lab.
Minton was charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession of a meth ingredient.
She was then allegedly taken to be "decontaminated."
"... while cuffed and begging for a female officer, (Minton) was ordered by defendants to close her eyes and forced to stand naked while being forcibly 'hosed off' with cold water," the lawsuit alleges.
The suit names 12 people including Sheriff Harry Shultz and members of the Southeastern Meth Task Force.
Claiborne County Attorney Jimmy Estep tells 6 News the lawsuit has not been served to those people named.
"As a result of the pending litigation and only learning of this matter a few hours ago, I am not prepared at this time to make a statement concerning the allegations," Estep said late Friday afternoon.
6 News has learned from the Southeast Meth Task Force that the "hosing off" is conducted in a decontamination situation, but it is supposed to be done "appropriately."
We've also learned from an agent with the DEA that this is not how they handle decontamination.
But the agent adds that various agencies have their own procedures.
6 News has also obtained copies of Minton's arrest records. They reveal additional charges were filed against her in December that include initiating and promoting the manufacturing of meth.
Those charges are still pending in criminal court.
July 7, 2006
By ADAM LONGO
6 News Reporter
TAZEWELL (WATE) -- A Claiborne County woman claims she was stripped naked and sprayed with a hose by police. Now she's asking for $10 million from Claiborne County to settle her dispute.
An attorney for 34-year-old Flora Minton filed the 21 page lawsuit Wednesday in Claiborne County Circuit Court.
The lawsuit paints the Claiborne County Sheriff's Department as "untrained," "unsupervised" and "neglectful."
This stems from an incident on July 5, 2005, when Minton was arrested near New Tazewell in an alleged meth lab.
Minton was charged with felony possession of drug paraphernalia and felony possession of a meth ingredient.
She was then allegedly taken to be "decontaminated."
"... while cuffed and begging for a female officer, (Minton) was ordered by defendants to close her eyes and forced to stand naked while being forcibly 'hosed off' with cold water," the lawsuit alleges.
The suit names 12 people including Sheriff Harry Shultz and members of the Southeastern Meth Task Force.
Claiborne County Attorney Jimmy Estep tells 6 News the lawsuit has not been served to those people named.
"As a result of the pending litigation and only learning of this matter a few hours ago, I am not prepared at this time to make a statement concerning the allegations," Estep said late Friday afternoon.
6 News has learned from the Southeast Meth Task Force that the "hosing off" is conducted in a decontamination situation, but it is supposed to be done "appropriately."
We've also learned from an agent with the DEA that this is not how they handle decontamination.
But the agent adds that various agencies have their own procedures.
6 News has also obtained copies of Minton's arrest records. They reveal additional charges were filed against her in December that include initiating and promoting the manufacturing of meth.
Those charges are still pending in criminal court.
