SAN JOSE -- A couple are suing the Santa Clara Police Department for alleged assault during a traffic stop.
Gloria and Antonio Zamora filed a federal complaint on July 21 in the U.S District Court for the Northern District of California against the City of Santa Clara, Santa Clara Police Department, Chief of Police Patrick Nikolai, Scott Mean and Santa Clara Police Officers #227, #239, #276 for civil rights violations, false imprisonment, excessive force, battery, unlawful search and seizure and police misconduct.
According to the complaint, during a traffic stop the Santa Clara Police Department officers targeted the Zamoras, handcuffing and imprisoning Mr. Zamora in one of the police cars, while several of them serially and repeatedly sexually assaulted Ms. Zamora,, lewdly groping her under the guise of performing a pat down search, then handcuffed and imprisoned her as well while they destroyed the Zamoras’ car and property in it.
The Zamoras allege that after the assault, they were being “let off” with a warning for a “traffic violation.”
The Zamoras seek general, special and punitive damages, other damages, penalties, costs, interest, and attorney's fees in addition to injunctive relief to enjoin the police officers and Santa Clara Police Department from engaging in such conduct, including the unconstitutional customs, policies, practices, procedures, training and supervision as may be determined and/or adjudged by this case. The Zamoras are represented by Lucy Goodnough.
U.S District Court Northern District of California San Jose Division case number 5:21-cv-05610-VKD