Micah Washington Lawsuit: Tasing, Dropped Charges, and Officer Fallout

The Micah Washington lawsuit is a $20 million federal civil rights case filed in January 2025 against Reform Police Officer Dana Elmore, Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Elmore, and the City of Reform, Alabama, after Officer Elmore tased Washington in the back while he stood handcuffed on the hood of a patrol car during a December 2023 roadside stop. The suit alleges excessive force, malicious prosecution built on charges the plaintiffs say were fabricated, wrongful detainment, and deliberate indifference by the city. In March 2026, a federal judge dismissed some claims but let key federal claims move forward.

What Happened on County Road 27

On December 2, 2023, Washington, then 24, his 17-year-old brother Shikeem, and a friend, Jacorien Henry, were changing a flat tire on County Road 27 in Pickens County when Officer Dana Elmore approached and demanded Washington’s identification. Washington’s attorneys say the men had committed no crime and were not causing a disturbance.¹

Washington questioned the request and began recording on his phone. His brother also began filming. Elmore handcuffed Washington, ordered him face down on the hood of a patrol vehicle, and searched his pockets. During the search, Washington told Elmore he had a legally carried firearm, saying, “I ain’t doing shit, bro. I got a gun right there.” Elmore retrieved the weapon, laughed, and then deployed a stun gun into Washington’s back while he remained handcuffed. On the recording, Elmore can be heard telling Washington to “shut the fuck up,” asking “Do you want it again?” and calling him a “bitch.”²

Officer Elmore’s husband, Deputy Jody Elmore, arrived at the scene and arrested Shikeem Washington and Henry.²

The Criminal Charges and How They Collapsed

Washington was booked on five charges: trafficking fentanyl, obstructing governmental operations, resisting arrest, marijuana possession, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bond was set above $500,000.³

The two most serious charges did not hold. The fentanyl trafficking count rested on a field test that came back positive; later laboratory testing did not confirm the presence of fentanyl, and Pickens County District Attorney Andrew Hamlin requested a nolle prosequi.⁴ The felon-in-possession charge was also dismissed; Washington’s attorney Leroy Maxwell Jr. said Washington has never been convicted of a felony.²

All charges against Henry were dropped.⁵ When the civil suit was filed in January 2025, Washington still faced obstruction, resisting arrest, and marijuana possession counts, with a grand jury decision pending.⁶ His lawyers allege in the complaint that any drugs found in his vehicle were “maliciously, intentionally, and purposely planted by Defendant Officers to justify his wrongful arrest.”³

What the Lawsuit Claims

Washington, his brother, and Henry filed suit on January 27, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Western Division. The case, Washington et al. v. City of Reform et al., No. 7:25-cv-00138-ACA, was assigned to Judge Annemarie Carney Axon. The plaintiffs are represented by Leroy Maxwell Jr., Kristen E. Gochett, and Richard A. Rice.⁷⁸

The complaint is brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and seeks $20 million in damages. It names three defendants and asserts four principal claims:

Excessive force: Officer Dana Elmore tased Washington while he was handcuffed, compliant, and posed no threat.
Malicious prosecution: the officers conspired to file false charges, including the trafficking and felon-in-possession counts that were unsupported by facts.
Wrongful detainment: the plaintiffs were detained without lawful justification while changing a tire.
Deliberate indifference: the City of Reform failed to act to prevent the officers’ conduct.

The suit alleges Washington suffered “irreparable physical, mental, and emotional injuries” from the encounter.³

Where the Case Stands

The defendants filed motions to dismiss during 2025, invoking qualified immunity and Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity, among other defenses.⁷

On March 25, 2026, Judge Axon issued three separate memorandum opinions. In the ruling on Deputy Jody Elmore’s motion, the court reached a mixed result:

All official-capacity claims against Deputy Elmore were dismissed on Eleventh Amendment sovereign immunity grounds.
All state law claims against Deputy Elmore in his individual capacity were dismissed with prejudice.
The federal claim alleging unlawful seizure of Jacorien Henry was dismissed, with the court finding Deputy Elmore had “arguable probable cause” to arrest Henry for fleeing the scene.
The federal claim alleging unlawful seizure of Shikeem Washington was dismissed, with the court finding the detention reasonable for officer safety.
The court denied the motion to dismiss the claim alleging an unreasonable search of Shikeem, and denied the motion in all other respects.

Key federal claims against Deputy Elmore therefore survive, and the case continues.⁹

What Happened to the Officers

Dana Elmore was placed on administrative leave after the incident. Early reporting described the leave as paid; later accounts described it as unpaid.⁴⁶ Reform Mayor Melody Davis said the city was awaiting the results of a state investigation before making a formal determination. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency undertook a review of Elmore’s conduct; as of mid-2025, no criminal charges had been filed against her.¹⁰

Jody Elmore was terminated from his position as a Pickens County Sheriff’s deputy.⁵ No attorney for either Elmore was publicly identified when the lawsuit was filed.

Injuries and Lasting Harm

Washington suffered swelling and bruising from the tasing and required emergency medical care.² In interviews, he described continuing psychological harm. “I try to act okay, but I am really traumatized. I don’t know how to feel about police now,” he told ABC 3340.¹¹ He said he has been unable to watch the video because the audio is too difficult to hear, and he has avoided social media. Encounters with police, he said, now produce immediate fear: “I don’t want to be scared or anything like that, but that’s just the first thing that comes to mind now.”⁶

1
WBRC. $20M Lawsuit Filed After Police Tasing Incident
2
AL.com. Tasing of Handcuffed Black Man by Police Just Another Normal Day in Reform, Alabama, Lawyer Says
3
Reason. Alabama Cops Cooked Up Bogus Charges After Arresting Man They Tased While Handcuffed, Lawsuit Says
4
ABC 3340. Officer Identified in Viral Tasing Video, City Awaits State Investigation
5
WSFA. Charges Dropped Against One of Two Men in Viral Reform Tasing Incident
6
WVTM 13. Alabama Police Taser Reform Lawsuit
7
CourtListener. Washington v. City of Reform
8
Reason. Washington et al. v. City of Reform et al. Press Release
9
Justia. Washington v. City of Reform, Document 59
10
Alabama Political Reporter. This Isn’t Backing the Blue
11
ABC 3340. Man Seen in Viral Police Tasering Video Tells ABC 3340 News His Story