Amanda J. Quillen is suing the town of Oxford, its police chief, and two officers, alleging they violated her constitutional rights in an incident that began when she tried to report threats made against her by the chief's family.
According to the lawsuit, Quillen went to the Oxford Police Department in April 2023 to report threatening Facebook messages sent by Chief Rickie Jack's stepdaughter. Rather than take her complaint, the lawsuit says Jack became defensive and ordered her to leave the station, telling her that Officer Michael Rioux would "take her to jail" if she didn't. Within seconds — before Quillen had a chance to respond — the suit alleges Jack grabbed her, threw her to the ground, and held her there with the help of Officer Rioux and Sgt. Joseph Correia, kneeling on her head while she was restrained. The entire incident was captured on video.
Quillen was arrested and charged with criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and refusing arrest — all of which were dismissed roughly a year later. The suit alleges excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, and First Amendment retaliation, along with a broader pattern of harassment, including police contacting Quillen's employer (resulting in a job suspension) and having her removed from the Oxford Fair months after the incident. The suit also names the town manager, alleging he failed to properly investigate Quillen's original complaint and instead tipped off the chief.
"Amanda went to her local police station to report a concern and seek police assistance," said her attorney, Braden A. Beard. "Instead of receiving her complaint and trying to help, the police unreasonably and unnecessarily escalated the situation, threw Amanda to the ground, and dragged her away in handcuffs. We brought this case to vindicate Amanda's legal rights and, we hope, to prevent similar violence and abuses of authority in the future."
Quillen is seeking a jury trial and compensatory, economic, and punitive damages.
Read the full Sun Journal article here.