YouTuber Sean Paul Reyes is suing Officer Ken Utter of the Danbury Police Department for alleged violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights during an incident at the Danbury Public Library in June 2023. Reyes claims Utter and other officers illegally detained him, demanded identification, used excessive force, and failed to address his complaint about a threatening statement.
| Complete Date | Case | Citation | Court | Short Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2023 | Sean Paul Reyes v. Officer Ken Utter | (To be determined) | U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut | Reyes films at Danbury Public Library. Officer Utter and others detain him, demand ID, and allegedly make threatening remarks. |
| July 2023 | Lawsuit filed | N/A | N/A | Reyes files lawsuit alleging violation of First and Fourth Amendment rights. |
| August 2023 | Danbury Police Department response | N/A | N/A | Police Department defends Utter’s actions as lawful but acknowledges his statement was “offensive” and initiates an investigation. |
| September 2023 | Officer Utter suspended | N/A | N/A | Utter suspended for eight days without pay and ordered to undergo remedial training. |
| Present | Lawsuit ongoing | N/A | N/A | Outcome of lawsuit uncertain, but could set precedent for filming rights. |
Additional Details:
- Reyes alleges Utter said he would have been “dead” 20 years ago for filming in the library.
- Excessive force and improper investigation of complaint are also claimed by Reyes.
- While defending Utter’s actions, the Police Department acknowledges the statement was inappropriate.
- Suspension and training for Utter highlight departmental action despite legal defense.
- Potential nationwide implications for police-filming rights add significance to the case.
Note: Information in the table is based on the provided excerpt and publicly available information. Specific details like citation may be unavailable until the case progresses.
