Breaking News:

CRIME, POLICE + COURTS

Woman sues West Jordan Police officers, alleging she was wrongfully arrested while naked in hotel room

Dec 29, 2023, 3:00 PM

west jordan police truck, officers are being sued over alleged naked wrongful arrest...

FILE: A West Jordan police vehicle is pictured in West Jordan on Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Steve Griffin/ Deseret News)

(Steve Griffin/ Deseret News)

WEST JORDAN, Utah — Attorneys representing a Utah woman have filed a lawsuit against several West Jordan Police officers, accusing them of wrongfully arresting her and violating her Fourth Amendment rights, all while she was naked from the waist down.

According to the lawsuit, filed in Utah’s Third Judicial District Court, police were called to the MyPlace Hotel in West Jordan around 3:50 a.m. on Sept. 26, 2022. The suit said police were responding to a noise complaint. A caller reported that people in the room next to them had been screaming at each other for hours and that a child may have been involved.

Four West Jordan Police officers arrived at Sheri Meyer’s room at 4 a.m., her attorneys wrote.

The suit continued and said police knocked on the door until Meyer opened the door wearing only a shirt. Meyer asked several times if she could close the door to put pants on, but officers would not let her and two officers put their foot in the door, according to the lawsuit.

Arrest documents obtained by KSL describe the officers as responding to a “domestic in-progress.” The arrest documents said Meyer attempted to close the door before an officer, “placed [their] foot in the doorway to prevent it from closing.”

After several times asking the officers to close the door so she could put on pants, Meyer’s attorneys wrote that police demanded she step out of the room. She refused and said they didn’t have a warrant.

Accusations of violence

Eventually, the conversation escalated to the point Meyer was using expletives and demanding the officers close the door. The lawsuit said she pointed her finger at an officer, but arrest documents from police said she threw a punch at an officer.

The lawsuit said body camera footage from the incident “clearly” disproved this claim of violence. That footage has not yet been made available. KSL has submitted a GRAMA request to review the body camera footage from the night of the arrest.

The lawsuit continued and said officers entered the room and handcuffed Meyer before forcing her onto the bed while she was still naked from the waist down. Arrest documents claimed she resisted arrest and kicked an officer.

According to the suit, police had Meyer’s dog, Riley, who was in the room with her, taken to an animal shelter despite her saying her husband would come to pick the dog up.

Her lawyers said eventually, police took Meyer outside the hotel and put her in a WRAP body suit— a heavy-duty device used to restrain people.

On the way to jail, the lawsuit said Meyer complained the restraints were hurting her and that she had trouble breathing. Her attorneys wrote that she passed out twice on the way to jail, once requiring emergency personnel to respond.

The aftermath

Arresting officers submitted six recommended charges against Meyer to the district attorney. Recommended charges included three counts of assault by a prisoner, which is a third-degree felony, and assault of a peace officer, failure to provide or false information and interfering with an arresting officer, which are all misdemeanors.

Her attorneys said she was in jail for a few hours before getting out on bail. Months later, the state of Utah dropped all charges against her.

West Jordan Police Detective Dirk Petersen told KSL NewsRadio they cannot comment about the case since it is ongoing litigation. He also said they are formally reviewing the case and that they believe their officers acted within procedure and protocol.

Related: 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Crime, Police + Courts

FILE – Weber County Sheriff's Office vehicle....

Michael Houck

Weber County deputy on administrative leave after arrest for domestic incident

A deputy with Weber County Sheriff's Office is on administrative leave after being arrested for allegedly hitting his wife while intoxicated in January.

3 days ago

DANIEL WOODRUFF

Some DUI convicts in Utah may have ‘no alcohol sale’ stamped on ID under new bill

SALT LAKE CITY – A proposal in the Legislature would require certain Utahns convicted of DUI to carry a special driver’s license stating they are not allowed to buy alcohol. HB437, sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, advanced unanimously Wednesday out of the House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee. It moves to the full […]

4 days ago

FILE - The company logo shines off the hood of a 2021 K5 sedan on display in the Kia exhibit at the...

SHELBY LOFTON

Kias in North Salt Lake now the target of vehicle break-ins, thefts

Another Utah neighborhood is being targeted for kia vehicle thefts. This time, police said the cars are often leaving them in driveways damaged.

4 days ago

Taylorsville shooting...

Mary Culbertson

2 seriously injured in Taylorsville shooting, prompting ‘hold’ protocol at 10 schools

Multiple schools in the Granite School District were put on "hold" status after two injured in a Taylorsville shooting.

4 days ago

judge retention bill...

Adam Small

Utah bill proposes 67% vote requirement for judicial retention

Under current Utah law, a simple majority is needed in the general election for judicial retention.

5 days ago

A Uintah County woman is accused of putting Borax in her children's water, allegedly to help their ...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Utah woman accused of putting Borax in her children’s water

Prosecutors say since the beginning of the school year in August, the suspect, Barbara Susan Williford, 47, "had been putting a pinch of Borax in her minor child's water."

6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

Woman sues West Jordan Police officers, alleging she was wrongfully arrested while naked in hotel room