The Carl Soto lawsuit is a federal civil rights case, Soto v. Chronister, filed April 4, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Deputy Alex Almaguer. Soto, a Tampa-area pastor and civil rights activist, seeks roughly $5.5 million in damages, alleging the deputy assaulted him during an August 2024 traffic stop that left him hospitalized for ten days with spinal injuries.1CourtListener. Soto v. Chronister – Parties2WTSP. Hillsborough County Deputy Use of Force Allegations The case is docketed as No. 8:25-cv-00839 and remains active as of mid-2026.
What Happened at the Traffic Stop
On August 29, 2024, Deputy Almaguer pulled Soto over, citing an image of a comic book character on Soto’s license plate where official DMV logos should have appeared. Soto says the deputy tailed him for about three miles before initiating the stop.3Fox 13 News. Bay Area Civil Rights Activist Claims Rough Arrest, HCSO Responds4Fight Back! News. Tampa Demands Justice for Pastor Carl Soto
Bodycam footage reviewed by local outlets showed a contentious exchange. Soto disputed the stop’s legality and asked to speak with a supervisor. The deputy asked for Soto’s driver’s license roughly 20 times. Soto refused, telling the deputy, “You will not take it.” Almaguer drew his Taser, ordered Soto out of the vehicle, and arrested him for resisting an officer without violence.3Fox 13 News. Bay Area Civil Rights Activist Claims Rough Arrest, HCSO Responds
Soto had recently undergone major back surgery and uses a medically prescribed walker. He alleges Almaguer pointed a weapon at his head, pulled him from the car, and pinned him to the ground while ignoring warnings about his spinal condition. According to Soto, hospital records indicated the encounter bent two of his artificial discs, leading to a ten-day hospitalization.4Fight Back! News. Tampa Demands Justice for Pastor Carl Soto Soto pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor resisting charge.3Fox 13 News. Bay Area Civil Rights Activist Claims Rough Arrest, HCSO Responds
The Claims and Damages Sought
The complaint invokes 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal civil rights statute, and also carries claims tied to the Americans with Disabilities Act.5CourtListener. Soto v. Chronister Reports place damages at approximately $5.5 million.2WTSP. Hillsborough County Deputy Use of Force Allegations Soto is represented by Mauricio Padilla of the Padilla Law Group, based in Miami.1CourtListener. Soto v. Chronister – Parties
Where the Case Stands
On November 3, 2025, Judge John L. Badalamenti dismissed several counts of Soto’s amended complaint without prejudice: Counts II, VI (against Sheriff Chronister), VII, VIII, and IX. The court denied Chronister’s motion to dismiss as moot and gave Soto 21 days to file a second amended complaint, barring any new claims. The order warned that failure to refile would make dismissal of those counts permanent.5CourtListener. Soto v. Chronister
In December 2025, Soto filed an unopposed motion for leave to amend, which was referred to Magistrate Judge Sean P. Flynn.6PACER Monitor. Soto v. Chronister et al, Motion for Leave to Amend Amended complaint filings appeared on the docket in mid-December 2025.5CourtListener. Soto v. Chronister As of June 15, 2026, the case remains active before Judge Mary Stenson Scriven, with Judge Flynn handling referred matters. No trial date, settlement discussions, or dispositive rulings have been publicly recorded.1CourtListener. Soto v. Chronister – Parties
The Sheriff’s Office Position
An internal review of the bodycam footage by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office concluded that Almaguer did not violate department policies. HCSO spokesperson Amanda Granit said the arrest resulted from Soto “not complying with lawful commands, not handing over his license,” adding, “It all could have been avoided… this didn’t have to end this way, but it did because of Mr. Soto’s actions.” The office said it had no plans to change the deputy’s employment status.3Fox 13 News. Bay Area Civil Rights Activist Claims Rough Arrest, HCSO Responds
A Second Use-of-Force Allegation Against the Same Deputy
Almaguer became the subject of a separate excessive-force allegation months after Soto sued. On July 25, 2025, Almaguer pulled over 24-year-old Saher Zikry for speeding. Zikry’s 28-year-old sister, Sandra Zikry, arrived at the scene, and the arrest affidavit states Almaguer told her to leave 11 times. When she refused, he handcuffed her and pointed his Taser at her husband and brother, though it was not discharged. Sandra Zikry, who told the deputy she was pregnant, alleged she suffered wrist injuries, bruising, and a head injury, saying she blacked out in the patrol car. She faces charges including felony child abuse, misdemeanor obstruction of a first responder, and misuse of the 911 system.7WFLA. Pregnant Woman Accuses Hillsborough County Sheriff Deputy of Excessive Force During Relative’s Traffic Stop The Sheriff’s Office said Almaguer acted “lawfully and professionally.”2WTSP. Hillsborough County Deputy Use of Force Allegations
At an August 16, 2025 press conference, Soto publicly called for Almaguer’s removal, saying: “If Deputy Almaguer is not immediately removed from the force we are concerned that we are going to have a next George Floyd on our hands.”7WFLA. Pregnant Woman Accuses Hillsborough County Sheriff Deputy of Excessive Force During Relative’s Traffic Stop