ALLEN PARK — A 33-year-old resident has employed a high-profile law firm in his suit against a west Michigan sheriff’s department for allegedly being beaten during an arrest.
According to published reports, Jesse Bowlson is accusing a deputy from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department of kicking, choking and beating him and using pepper spray while he was being held at the Kent County Jail following a May 20 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated at I-96 and Alden Nash Road in Grand Rapids.
Geoffrey Fieger’s law firm is handling the case of Bowlson, who at the time of incarceration suffered a collapsed lung, four broken ribs and multiple abrasions.
Bowlson posted bond and was released June 1. He later pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 15 days in jail and two years probation.
The suit alleges that the department, and Deputy Matthew Batchelder, used unreasonable force and conspired to keep Bowlson from receiving medical care.
Bowlson was transferred to a nearby hospital, where he remained until June 29. His hospital bills totaled more than $85,000.
The Sheriff’s Department refused to release video of the incident to lawyers, saying they had to be viewed at the jail for security purposes.
Bowlson is represented by Paul Broschay of Fieger’s firm. Broschay did not return phone calls seeking comment by press time.
— Andrea Poteet