Aiken County residents: Cops performed illegal cavity search
AIKEN, S.C. (AP) – Two South Carolina residents are suing the City of Aiken and its department of public safety over what they say was an illegal cavity search in broad daylight.
The Aiken Standard reported Elijah Pontoon and Lakey Hicks filed the lawsuit last September. It was moved to federal court in November.
According to the lawsuit, Pontoon and Hicks said they were illegally stopped by officers for a paper car tag and searched without consent. In addition to the cavity search, the complaint said a female officer exposed Hicks’ breasts on the side of the road, with a search performed in the presence of three male officers.
Capt. David Turno said in a statement that the city denies the allegations. Turno wasn’t available Saturday for further comment.