DISCLAIMER: The content herein reflects the discrimination allegations made in the complaint filed against the defendants listed below. All items on ALL pages and posts on this website is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The legal proceedings will determine the validity of these claims.
Prince William County, VA – Mustafa N. Aljazairi, a PRE-TRIAL DETAINEE at the Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center (PWMR ADC), has initiated a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleging severe misconduct and systemic failures in PRE-TRIAL detainee care. The complaint targets numerous defendants, including high-ranking officials and staff members of the detention center, and details significant abuses and constitutional violations.
***CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COMPLAINT FILED***
Defendants Named in the Lawsuit
- Colonel Peter A. Meletis, Superintendent of PWMR ADC
- Prince William-Manassas Regional Adult Detention Center
- Prince William-Manassas Regional Jail Board
- Glendell Hill, Chairman
- Amy Ashworth, Member
- Steven Austin, Member
- Rev. Cozy Bailey, Member
- Lisa C. Climer, Member
- Elizabeth Guzman, Member
- Douglas W. Keen, Member
- Peter Newsham, Member
- Jacqueline Smith, Member
- Raul Torres, Member
- Major George W. Hurlock, Director of Inmate Services
- Captain Robert L. Powell, Director of Security
- Captain Joe N. Robinson, Director
- Sergeant Roosevelt Daniels, Jr.
- Sergeant Alex C. Waleisky
- First Sergeant Justin Feder
- Lieutenant Jeffrey T. Kepler
- Lieutenant David B. Suda
- First Sergeant Kanale R. Darling
- Sergeant Earl L. Gordon
- Sergeant James H. Foster
- Officer Zachary Paul Willi
- Officer Paris M. Booker
- Officer Jeffrey K. Nordike
- Master Jail Officer Anthony Noah Tipton
- Master Jail Officer Jessy Jonathan Canas
- Master Jail Officer Donald W. Hargrove
- Registered Nurse Jose A. Alvarado-Gomez
- Matthew J. Weaver, P.A.
- Robert A. Dryden, P.A.
- Aminata Sudan Koroma, L.P.N.
- Adina Gurbutwal
- Eleni A. Liagouris, Qualified Mental Health Professional
- Maria Candice Q. Musngi, R.N.
- Eleanore B. Agre, R.N.
- Douglas A. Sturm, Osteopathic Medicine
Alleged Crime Leading to Arrest
According to a criminal complaint filed on April 7, 2023, by Master Police Officer Robert Drumm, Mustafa was involved in a fatal car accident on April 5, 2023. The complaint alleges that Mustafa intentionally drove into oncoming traffic during a domestic dispute, resulting in the death of his partner. The complaint details a series of alleged actions and statements attributed to Mustafa, including a purported history of abuse and reckless driving.
However, Mustafa’s legal team contends that these allegations are based on falsified information. They assert that recorded conversations and evidence, including dashcam footage and crash reports, contradict Officer Drumm’s statements. The footage and police reports reportedly show discrepancies such as faulty brakes on Mustafa’s vehicle and inconsistencies with the nature of the collision.
Allegations of Abuse and Neglect at PWMR ADC
The lawsuit details a series of violent incidents and medical neglect experienced by Mustafa at PWMR ADC while being a PRE-TRIAL DETAINEE FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR:
- May 24, 2023: Mustafa was allegedly subjected to a brutal beating by multiple officers, including Sergeant Roosevelt Daniels, Sergeant Alex Waleisky, Lieutenant David Suda, First Sergeant Kanale Darling, and Officer Dick. The incident reportedly involved excessive force, resulting in severe injuries and allegations of sexual assault.
- April 17, 2024: Mustafa claims he was beaten by officers, including Officer Jessy Jonathan Canas, Officer Donald W. Hargrove, Sergeant James H. Foster, and First Sergeant Earl L. Gordon. Despite being restrained and compliant, Mustafa alleges he was subjected to extreme physical violence and denied medical care.
- April 19, 2024: Another beating occurred involving First Sergeant Kanale R. Darling, Officer Jeffrey K. Nordike, Officer Paris M. Booker, and Officer Zachary Paul Willi. The incident allegedly involved excessive force and further medical neglect.
Throughout these incidents, the lawsuit claims that Mustafa’s pleas for medical attention were ignored, and internal grievances and appeals to external authorities were met with retaliation. The complaint also accuses PWMR ADC staff of placing Mustafa in solitary confinement and disciplinary detention for minor infractions, exacerbating his suffering.
Legal and Human Rights Violations
Mustafa’s legal team alleges that the PWMR ADC staff, including both the leadership and line officers, engaged in a pattern of gross negligence and abuse, violating Mustafa’s constitutional rights under the Fourteenth Amendment. The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as compensatory and punitive damages.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
- Claim: Defendants’ deliberate indifference to Plaintiff’s serious medical needs violates the Fourteenth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, causing ongoing harm.
- Defendants: All Defendants (individual and/or official capacity).
- Basis: Defendants’ policies and actions have led to inadequate medical care, placing Plaintiff at severe risk of physical pain, emotional distress, and premature death.
- Impact: Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, immediate and irreparable injuries due to the deliberate indifference of the Defendants.
- Legal Standing: The claim is based on the Fourteenth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
- Relief Sought: Declaratory judgment, injunctive relief to prevent further injury, and monitoring to ensure compliance.
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Excessive Force (May 24, 2023)
- Claim: Defendants used excessive force against Plaintiff, violating his Fourteenth Amendment rights.
- Defendants: Sgt. Daniels, Sgt. Waleisky, Lt. Suda, First Sgt. Darling, Officer Tipton, and Officer Dick (Individual Capacity).
- Basis: The use of excessive force by these Defendants was unconstitutional, as Plaintiff was a pre-trial detainee and not resisting.
- Impact: Plaintiff suffered physical, emotional, and psychological injuries due to the excessive force used by the Defendants.
- Legal Standing: The claim is based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Relief Sought: Compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney’s fees.
THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Excessive Force (April 17, 2024)
- Claim: Defendants used excessive force against Plaintiff, violating his Fourteenth Amendment rights.
- Defendants: Ofc. Canas, Ofc. Hargrove, Sgt. Foster, and First Sgt. Gordon (Individual Capacity).
- Basis: The use of excessive force by these Defendants was unconstitutional, as Plaintiff was a pre-trial detainee and not resisting.
- Impact: Plaintiff suffered physical, emotional, and psychological injuries due to the excessive force used by the Defendants.
- Legal Standing: The claim is based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Relief Sought: Compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney’s fees.
FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Excessive Force (April 19, 2024)
- Claim: Defendants used excessive force against Plaintiff, violating his Fourteenth Amendment rights.
- Defendants: Sgt. Nordike, First Sgt. Darling, Ofc. Booker, and Ofc. Paul Willi (Individual Capacity).
- Basis: The use of excessive force by these Defendants was unconstitutional, as Plaintiff was a pre-trial detainee and not resisting.
- Impact: Plaintiff suffered physical, emotional, and psychological injuries due to the excessive force used by the Defendants.
- Legal Standing: The claim is based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Relief Sought: Compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney’s fees.
FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Denial of Medical Treatment
- Claim: Defendants violated Mustafa’s Fourteenth Amendment rights by denying him medical treatment.
- Defendants: Includes various correctional officers, medical professionals, and supervisory figures.
- Basis: Defendants failed to provide necessary medical care after Mustafa was beaten, exhibiting deliberate indifference.
- Impact: Mustafa suffered physical, emotional, and psychological harm due to this denial.
- Legal Standing: The claim asserts a violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Relief Sought: Compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees.
SIXTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Unwritten Policy and Custom
- Claim: Superintendent Meletis and the Jail Board had an unwritten policy or custom that led to Mustafa's mistreatment.
- Defendants: Meletis, Jail Board, and its Members.
- Basis: The claim alleges that the policy or custom allowed excessive force and medical neglect, which Meletis failed to address.
- Impact: Mustafa suffered due to the indifference and failures in supervision and training.
- Legal Standing: The claim is based on 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Relief Sought: Compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney’s fees.
SEVENTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
- Claim: Defendants’ actions and policies have caused ongoing and severe harm to Mustafa, requiring court intervention.
- Defendants: All defendants mentioned.
- Basis: The claim seeks to address systemic issues leading to Mustafa’s physical and psychological suffering.
- Impact: Mustafa faces continued risk of injury and death due to the Defendants’ practices.
- Legal Standing: The claim is based on the Fourteenth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
- Relief Sought: Declaratory judgment, injunctive relief including transfer to a safer facility, and monitoring.
EIGHTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF: Unjust Solitary Confinement and Retaliation
- Claim: Correctional officers and related defendants subjected Mustafa to unjust solitary confinement and punitive measures.
- Defendants: Includes various correctional officers and the Jail Board.
- Basis: Defendants imposed severe and discriminatory punishment for minor infractions and retaliated against Mustafa for filing grievances.
- Impact: Mustafa endured physical, emotional, and psychological harm due to these actions.
- Legal Standing: The claim asserts violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Relief Sought: Compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorney’s fees.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
The Plaintiff respectfully prays that this Court:
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Declare Defendants’ Actions Unlawful: Issue a judgment declaring that Defendants’ policies, practices, acts, and/or omissions violate Plaintiff’s constitutional rights as alleged in Counts 1, 7, and 8.
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Injunctive Relief:
- Preliminary and Permanent Injunction: Enjoin Defendants and their associates from subjecting Plaintiff to unconstitutional treatment, with necessary and appropriate injunctive orders to prevent such conduct ongoing.
- Ongoing Supervision: Maintain jurisdiction to monitor and enforce compliance with the injunctive relief.
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Damages for Excessive Force:
- May 24, 2023 Incident (Count 2): Award compensatory damages of $10,000,000 for physical, psychological, and emotional harm, plus punitive damages up to the maximum allowed by law.
- April 17, 2024 Incident (Count 3): Award compensatory damages of $5,000,000 for physical, psychological, and emotional harm, plus punitive damages up to the maximum allowed by law.
- April 19, 2024 Incident (Count 4): Award compensatory damages of $2,000,000 for physical, psychological, and emotional harm, plus punitive damages up to the maximum allowed by law.
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Damages for Denial of Medical Treatment (Count 5): Award compensatory damages of $10,000,000 for physical, psychological, and emotional harm, plus punitive damages up to the maximum allowed by law.
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Unwritten Policies and Customs (Count 6):
- General Findings: Find that Superintendent Meletis violated Plaintiff’s rights by ratifying violent and unconstitutional treatment and failing to correct or train employees.
- Specific Findings: Find that Meletis instituted unwritten policies causing Plaintiff permanent physical damage and psychological and emotional harm. Award compensatory damages of $5,000,000.
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Attorney’s Fees: Award reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation costs pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988 and other applicable laws for each count.
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Denial of Liberty and Due Process (Count 8): Find that Defendants violated Plaintiff’s rights through unjust solitary confinement and other actions. Award compensatory damages of $500,000 for physical, psychological, and emotional harm, plus punitive damages up to the maximum allowed by law.
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Immediate Equitable Relief:
- Transfer Plaintiff to house arrest or a safe facility.
- Implement constant video monitoring of Plaintiff.
- Ensure access to visitors and family, with reasonable restrictions.
- End any physical punishment by Defendants or their agents.
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Additional Relief: Grant any other relief deemed necessary and appropriate in the interests of justice.