The civil rights lawsuit Reyes v. Cagle ended in a settlement approved on May 11, 2023, when photographer Rolando Reyes and the City of Lake Jackson, Texas, accepted a mediator’s proposal that resolved all claims tied to his 2021 arrest for recording at a public accident scene. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown entered a conditional dismissal that day, and all claims were dismissed with prejudice. The dollar figure was not disclosed. The city’s self-insurance fund paid.1The Facts. Photographer Settles Lawsuit Against Lake Jackson Officers2CourtListener. Reyes v. Cagle, 3:22-cv-00114
What Reyes Was Arrested For
On March 4, 2021, Reyes was photographing an accident scene in Lake Jackson when Officer Johnny Cagle confronted him and told him, on body camera, that taking pictures of vehicles and license plates was “against the law.” Reyes kept recording. Cagle tackled him, and Reyes was left with a bloody head wound before being arrested.3KHOU. Houston Area Wandering Officers
Five days later, the Lake Jackson Police Department issued a news release conceding that its officers had an “erroneous understanding of the law” and that Reyes had been within his rights to take photographs in public.1The Facts. Photographer Settles Lawsuit Against Lake Jackson Officers Reyes sued the following year under 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983, naming Cagle, Officer O. Mendoza, and the city, and later adding officers Randal Ryan and Justin Nesrsta.2CourtListener. Reyes v. Cagle, 3:22-cv-00114
What Happened to the Officers
An internal affairs investigation found that Cagle violated department policies on use of force and unsatisfactory performance. Police Chief Paul Kibodeaux wrote in March 2022 that Cagle had taken “extreme action based on the erroneous belief that taking images of a license plate in public was against the law.” Cagle, a 21-year licensed peace officer, resigned before the department could fire him. Six months later he was hired by the nearby Oyster Creek Police Department; Oyster Creek Chief Richard Foreman declined to comment on that decision.3KHOU. Houston Area Wandering Officers
Officer Mendoza received a three-day unpaid suspension and was ordered to complete remedial training.1The Facts. Photographer Settles Lawsuit Against Lake Jackson Officers
How the Settlement Was Reached
Magistrate Judge Sam S. Sheldon held a settlement conference on April 26, 2023, and issued a mediator’s proposal, giving the parties until May 10 to accept. They accepted on May 11. The material terms were put on the record at a hearing that day, and Judge Brown’s conditional dismissal terminated all pending motions along with the case.2CourtListener. Reyes v. Cagle, 3:22-cv-00114
Attorney Ramon Viada, who represented Cagle and Mendoza, confirmed that “the City’s self-insurance fund did agree to fund a settlement of the case on behalf of the City and my two officer clients.” No dollar figure has been made public, and nothing further has been filed on the docket since termination.1The Facts. Photographer Settles Lawsuit Against Lake Jackson Officers2CourtListener. Reyes v. Cagle, 3:22-cv-00114
What Each Side Said
Lake Jackson City Manager Modesto Mundo said, “We’re glad we were able to reach an agreement. We’re glad we were able to put this behind us without a long, draw-out process and will work to improve.”1The Facts. Photographer Settles Lawsuit Against Lake Jackson Officers
Reyes wrote that he had been “simply trying to highlight a hot spot for accidents” when the officer told him photography was illegal. “I stood my ground. Too many people fought hard for the rights we have. So I don’t let just anyone trample those rights. The First Amendment means the world to me.”1The Facts. Photographer Settles Lawsuit Against Lake Jackson Officers