Portage County sheriff and deputies sued by men jailed on false drug charges

During an August 2023 traffic stop, Portage County Sheriff’s Office deputies mistook carpet cleaner in the back of a Buick for cocaine and arrested two men in the vehicle. Photo by the Portage County Sheriff’s Office

Portage County sheriff and deputies sued by men jailed on false drug charges

- Wendy DiAlesandro

Two men falsely accused of drug possession and trafficking are suing Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski and three of his deputies in federal court, asking for a jury to determine unspecified damages.

At issue is an Aug. 29, 2023, traffic stop conducted by Portage County sheriff’s deputies. Zephaniah Robinson and his passenger, Jack Metcalf, were charged with trafficking in cocaine and with possession of cocaine, both first-degree felonies.

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