Home invasionMinorDamage to propertyThreats/intimidationExcessive forceIllegal search/seizure
Plaintiff:
J.F.
Incident date:
08/12/2005
Location:
2032 N. Keeler Ave.
Allegations:
Fematt, 13 at the time, and his 4-year-old sister were in their apartment in the Hermosa neighborhood while their mother was at work. Fematt and his sister were in their pajamas watching television on the couch when officers broke down the front door and entered without a warrant. The officers pointed their guns, yelled at the children and searched the apartment. The officers handcuffed Fematt and forced him out of the apartment, while two officers questioned him about the upstairs neighbor. They left his sister inside the apartment, where she was unable to see him. Hopkins and other officers placed Fematt, barefoot and still in his pajamas, in a police car. He remained in the back of the police car for some time before Hopkins got in and started to drive. Hopkins drove Fematt around the neighborhood, insisting that he give information about the upstairs neighbor and about drugs in the building. After taking him back to the apartment, Hopkins warned Fematt not to tell anyone of what he saw that night or else she and the other officers “would come after him and put him in jail for a long time.” The officers had ransacked the apartment; the television set was smashed and many other family belongings lay broken on the floor. Fematt's mother came home that night to find him frightened in the middle of the living room. The family left their apartment that night.