LISBON - A judge this week dismissed a claim of false arrest filed against two Columbiana County Sheriff's Office deputies by a man they arrested in 2007.
Roger Huskins, and his wife Christine, both of 220 Heritage Drive, Beloit, named their son Joshua, of 14141 Smith Goshen Road, Beloit, and Deputies Kevin Shulas and Steven Boyd as defendants in the case filed last year in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court.
In his ruling, Judge C. Ashley Pike granted a motion for summary judgment filed on behalf of the deputies and dismissed the case against them, cancelling a trial set for Dec. 1 and noting the open case will be rescheduled only upon the request of Huskins, the plaintiff.
"The court is of the opinion that , as argued by counsel for Shulas and Boyd, that the deputies acted properly and in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code; that there existed probable cause for the arrest of the plaintiff based on their investigation; and they are otherwise immune from suit pursuant to Ohio law as cited by the defendants," Pike wrote.
In the decision, he cited the motion for summary judgment filed by the attorney for the deputies, which said their conduct was lawful and they are immune from the false arrest claims.
The lawsuit alleged that Joshua Huskins assaulted his father, Roger, on Nov. 6, 2007 at Roger's home on Heritage Drive during a discussion about money.
According to the complaint, Roger Huskins was wearing glasses at the time and seated at his kitchen table, with the blow causing the glasses to shatter and injure him. He claimed his son made an allegation against him for assault, causing the deputies to investigate the case and arrest him. The charge against him was later dismissed by the prosecution.
The Sheriff's Office report dated Nov. 6, 2007 by Shulas said he was investigating a domestic disturbance at 220 Heritage Drive, Beloit, went to Alliance City Hospital and got a written statement from Roger Huskins. The incident report said Boyd got a written statement from Joshua Huskins at the Sheriff's Office.
"After reviewing the statements, Roger was determined to be the aggressor and was arrested for domestic violence," the incident report said.
According to Columbiana County Municipal Court records, Roger Huskins appeared for arraignment via video on the domestic violence charge on Nov. 8, 2007 and was released from jail on a bond. On March 25, 2008, a motion by the state to dismiss the charge was granted. The lawsuit was filed on Oct. 23, 2008.
