Lawsuit filed against Mercer County Sheriff by local woman for federal arrest

Shawndale Chilcoat of Celina has filed a lawsuit against Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey for around $25 million in relation to her arrest made in August of 2022.

Shawndale and her husband Donald were arrested due to their alleged involvement with the riot at the U.S. capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021. The charges consist of six charges, which include; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, entering and remaining in the gallery of congress, disorderly conduct on capitol grounds, parade, demonstrate, or picket in any of the capitol buildings, and obstruction or impeding any official proceeding.

The nature of the suit is stated to be an assault, libel and slander suit with Judge Jeffrey Helmick presiding over the case for U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. It was made on Jan. 4 of this year, with the suit being made. Chilcoat claimed that Sheriff Grey could have stopped her arrest, as well as stopping the FBI from searching her home.

A motion to dismiss the case has already been filed by Grey on Jan. 18, with the PDF made available online. Chilcoat reportedly said to Grey in a meeting held with him on Nov. 2, 2022 that she had been “trafficked,” as well as various other claims she stated involving the situation, something the defense states is false.

The motion made by Grey’s attorney states that Chilcoat has “failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.” Unless she can provide evidence supporting her claims, the defense will continue with their request of dismissal of the case.

More information about the case will be made available as it progresses.