News Summary
Damion Hartsfield has filed a lawsuit against San Diego sheriff’s deputies for unlawfully sharing his mugshot after a New Year’s Eve arrest, claiming it led to humiliation and damaged his reputation. He also alleges wrongful arrest and injuries during the arrest process, including a fractured shoulder. The lawsuit highlights issues of inadequate law enforcement training and policies regarding the confidentiality of mugshots. Hartsfield seeks accountability and raises concerns about how sensitive information is managed within law enforcement.
San Diego – Damion Hartsfield, a 45-year-old man from San Diego, has filed a lawsuit in federal court claiming that sheriff’s deputies unlawfully shared his mugshot, which he alleges caused humiliation and damaged his reputation following a New Year’s Eve arrest. The lawsuit also alleges wrongful arrest on a public intoxication charge and claims that Hartsfield suffered injuries during the arrest process.
According to the lawsuit, deputies from the downtown Central Jail sent Hartsfield’s booking photo to a coworker via text after he was arrested on December 31. Hartsfield contends that this action led to office gossip and the creation of viral memes, which further exacerbated his embarrassment. Additionally, he claims he was wrongfully detained and not inebriated at the time of his arrest, asserting that he had been conversing with a police officer when officers accused him of not following commands.
The lawsuit details events surrounding Hartsfield’s arrest, where he claims that he was improperly restrained while being transported in a police van without a seatbelt. This lack of proper restraint allegedly resulted in a fractured shoulder when the van stopped abruptly. Hartsfield asserts that while he was handcuffed, he was not secured adequately during transport, which contributed to his injury.
In his legal filing, Hartsfield has brought forth several allegations, including wrongful detention, false arrest, battery, and excessive force against the arresting officers. The suit also claims negligence against unnamed sheriff’s employees who shared his mugshot in violation of office policies designed to protect confidential information. Currently, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department is conducting an investigation into the allegations pertaining to the sharing of the mugshot, while the San Diego Police Department has chosen not to comment due to the ongoing litigation.
As per California law, law enforcement agencies are prohibited from sharing mugshots of individuals arrested on non-violent charges. Hartsfield was celebrating New Year’s Eve at a hotel near the Gaslamp Quarter when he was apprehended. The lawsuit does not clarify whether he faced prosecution for the public intoxication charge, and it remains undisclosed what industry Hartsfield works in or how the deputies identified the coworker to whom they sent the mugshot.
The lawsuit raises concerns about inadequate training and supervision of law enforcement officers under the leadership of Police Chief Scott Wahl and others, further emphasizing that deputies’ actions have brought about significant distress for Hartsfield. Reports indicate that his booking photograph was taken while he was smiling, as he aimed to project a non-threatening image.
The allegations against the deputies and the failure to maintain confidentiality surrounding mugshots highlight critical issues within the law enforcement system in San Diego. As investigations continue, Hartsfield seeks both accountability for the alleged actions and redress for the impact on his personal and professional life. A resolution to this case could have implications on how law enforcement agencies manage sensitive information in the future.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Jail Deputies Lawsuit
- Fox 5 San Diego: LA Man Charged
- NBC San Diego: Suspected Burglar Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law Enforcement
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Bankers Hill Standoff
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
