LAS VEGAS — A 25-year-old Black man spent six days in jail after he was misidentified as a white felon nearly twice his age.
Shane Brown is now suing Henderson City Police and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, seeking at least $50,000 in damages.
The wanted man was Shane Neal Brown, whom police sought on a warrant as a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the lawsuit.
Henderson police arrested the younger Shane Lee Brown in January of 2020. He remained in jail in Henderson and Las Vegas until he appeared before a judge, who ordered him freed.
In a statement to 13 Action News, Henderson city officials said Brown's arrest was lawful and proper, and his lawsuit doesn't tell the full story.
According to the city, Brown did have warrants for his arrest when he was picked up by Henderson police. The city's full statement follows:
"During a routine traffic stop for driving an unregistered vehicle, Shane Brown was correctly arrested by Henderson Police for driving with a suspended license and for a contempt of court, failure to pay warrant issued by Henderson Municipal Court. Mr. Brown admitted to the arresting officers that he knew his driver license was suspended and that he had traffic warrants in Henderson. The plaintiff in this lawsuit has not presented all the facts and circumstances behind his lawful and proper arrest by Henderson Police, which will be further addressed in the City Attorney’s response to the court."
