Resident files federal civil rights lawsuit against Princess Anne PD

September 8, 2022

Anissa Lopez,

PRINCESS ANNE, Md.-A press conference was held outside of Town Hall on Thursday afternoon. An announcement was made that there was a federal civil rights lawsuit filed against the Town of Princess Anne Police Department and two of their officers.

“This man was brutally and physically attacked by law enforcement, which wears on the side of their vehicle that they are here to protect and serve, you can not protect me or serve me when you put me on my face on concrete,” Rev. James Jones, Convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, said.

The lawsuit stemmed from a disagreement that took place back in June of 2020 at resident Don Hanna’s home. We’re told local police were called to deescalate the situation, but that night ended up with Hanna in cuffs.

“For the better part of the time that they were there, that was what was happening; but at the moment that the police were completely frustrated with the situation they decided to take justice into their own hands,” Malcolm Ruff, Hanna’s Attorney said.

Ruff claims Hanna was slammed to the ground causing injuries that still cause problems to this day.

“Misalignment of his teeth, nerve damage to his brain, nerve damage to his lower right lip that caused swelling and bruising, abrasions to his face,” Malcolm Ruff, Hanna’s Attorney said. “These officers treated Don like an animal in the street instead of deescalating the situation and without probable cause, despite injuring him to the point where Don had to be sent to shock trauma in Baltimore.”

“I’m hurt, physically hurt, mentally hurt, don’t even want to hardly walk the streets at night, scared that the police is going to come and attack me,” Hanna said.

Following the incident, we’re told Hanna was charged with second degree assault and resisting arrest, and the criminal case was taken to the Somerset County District Court where Hanna was found not guilty.

“The court specifically stated that there was no reason for Officer Savage to have taken Mr. Hanna to the ground,” Ruff said. “The supervisors of the Princess Anne Police Department ratified the actions of Officer Savage and Officer Smith by finding that they had used reasonable force in their use of force review in this incident.”

Now, Hanna is looking to hold the Town of Princess Anne and the Police Department accountable.

“Enough is enough, in 2022 police brutality anywhere will not go unaddressed, we will bring legal action as we have done today and we will hold the Town of Princess Anne accountable for what happened to this gentleman,” Ruff said. “Black lives matter, this black life’s matter and we are going to make it very clear to the Town of Princess Anne that that life needs to be honored respected.”

“The Caucus of African American leaders here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore will stand with this gentleman and with the Murphy Law Firm until the very end,” Rev. Jones said.

47abc spoke with the Princess Anne Town Manger who told us they haven’t seen the complaint so they are not going to comment. We also reached out to the police department and they’re not commenting due to pending litigation.

Attorney Ruff said they’re charging the officers with excessive force, false arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution. We’re also told Ruff informed the Town that they were going to file this lawsuit but got no response.