Home invasionPetsIllegal search/seizureFalse arrest or reportOther charges filed
Plaintiff:
Darnez Perkins
Incident date:
12/21/2008
Location:
4340 W. Gladys Ave.
Allegations:
Darnez and Mickin Perkins, both long-time Cook County Sheriff's deputies, were at home around 5:30 p.m. when they let their two dogs into their backyard to relieve themselves. The dogs were in the yard for about half an hour when Officer Castaneda and another officer arrived and insisted the dogs be brought inside the house. Darnez Perkins cooperated with the officers, identified himself as a sheriff and showed them his badge. Soon after, a Chicago Police sergeant arrived at the Perkins' home. Again, Darnez Perkins identified himself as a sheriff and explained that the dogs had only been outside a short time. About an hour later, two female officers arrived and Perkins again cooperated with them. A week and a half later, Officer O'Shaughnessy requested and was granted a warrant to search the Perkins' home for someone named Lennell Jones and to seize any dogs at the residence in violation of an Illinois law that prevents felons from owning certain dogs. Darnez and Mickin had never heard of Jones and he was never at their home when officers had earlier repeatedly visited it. Regardless, based on the warrant, their home was searched, their dogs and other possessions were seized, and Darnez and Mickin were arrested. A judge later ruled that the officers used false information to get their warrant and the charges against Darnez and Mickin were dismissed.