Loudon County man suing for excessive force after DUI arrest

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Loudon County man arrested for second offense DUI says deputies physically and verbally abused him during his three-day incarceration, including tasing him in the privates and keeping handcuffs so tight that he still has scars.

Kenneth Varner claims in a federal lawsuit that law enforcement arrested him for second offense DUI on May 14, 2013 and he stayed in custody until May 16. During that time, he says several officers, including Corrections Officer Ellen Wilburn, not only accosted him verbally, but beat and restrained him without a cause or provocation.

The suit goes on to say that other officers would not give him a drink of water, tased him in the privates and put his handcuffs on so tight that he required medical attention after his release, and still has scarring on his wrists.

As a result, Varner says he still suffers both physically and mentally from his treatment.

Varner is suing for violation of his Fourth Amendment rights, hoping to win both compensatory and punitive damages.