A recent federal complaint alleges that two city police officers violated an individual’s constitutional rights by conducting an unlawful traffic stop and detention without legal cause. The case was filed by Lashun Dantzler in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 25, 2026, naming Chicago Police Officers Aaron McClelland and Jacob Clas as defendants.
According to the filing, Dantzler claims that on or about December 28, 2025, he was lawfully operating his vehicle on Garfield Boulevard in Chicago when he was stopped by the defendants. The complaint states that both officers were acting under color of state law as employees of the Chicago Police Department at the time of the incident. A third officer involved in the stop is currently unnamed; Dantzler’s attorneys indicate they will seek to amend the complaint once this officer’s identity is confirmed.
The lawsuit outlines that after initiating the traffic stop, the officers informed Dantzler that he had been pulled over for allegedly using his cellphone while driving. However, Dantzler asserts this claim was false and maintains he was not holding a cellphone or committing any moving violations at the time. The complaint further states there was no basis for initiating a traffic stop: “Plaintiff had not committed any other moving violations and there was no basis for Defendants to initiate a traffic stop of Plaintiff.”
Dantzler reports that after stopping his vehicle as instructed, he was ordered to exit and then placed in handcuffs by McClelland and Clas. Despite being detained, Dantzler says he was not issued any citations nor charged with any offense following the encounter. The filing asserts: “There was no legal cause for Defendants to seize Plaintiff,” adding that neither a warrant nor information indicating illegal activity existed prior to or during the incident.
The core legal argument presented is that these actions constituted an unlawful search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The complaint alleges: “By reason of the conduct of Defendants, Plaintiff was deprived of rights, privileges and immunities secured to him by the Fourth Amendment.” It further contends that these acts were willful and done with reckless indifference or callous disregard for Dantzler’s rights.
As a result of these alleged actions, Dantzler claims to have suffered injuries including humiliation, indignities, mental anguish, and emotional pain. He seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress as well as special damages to be determined at trial. Additionally, punitive and exemplary damages are requested due to what is described as “willful” conduct by the defendants.
The suit also asks that defendants pay attorney’s fees pursuant to Section 1988 of Title 42 of United States Code or other applicable provisions such as the Equal Access to Justice Act. Costs incurred from bringing forth this action are also sought from McClelland and Clas.
Dantzler is represented by Ed Fox & Associates Ltd., with Garrett Browne listed as counsel on record. The case number is 26-cv-3300.
Source: 126cv03300_Lashun_Dantzler_v_Chicago_PoliceComplaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf