#United States #Salt Lake City #American Fork #Civil Rights #Reckless Ben

Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Against American Fork Police Department

On October 14, 2026, four residents of Utah filed a comprehensive civil rights lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, targeting the City of American Fork and 13 law enforcement officers. The plaintiffs—Sheldon Norcross, Tyler Shaw, Sierra Lauts, and Steven Allen—are accusing the police department of a series of unlawful stops, searches, and arrests that unfolded over a brief period in March 2026. Notably, none of the individuals involved have faced charges for any alleged crimes during these encounters.

The lawsuit centers on the plaintiffs' involvement with Benjamin Schneider, known in the online community as Reckless Ben, who was documenting a civil dispute related to a $200,000 Lego Star Wars collection. This case, intertwined with the personal interests of an Oregon family, emerged after the group attempted to serve legal documents on a Utah resident connected to that dispute.

The documented incidents cited in the lawsuit showcase a disturbing pattern of police behavior. On March 8, Tyler Shaw was stopped by Officer Richardson for what Chief Paul later acknowledged was a non-existent stop-sign violation. This encounter escalated the following evening when Shaw faced another police stop that resulted in a prolonged detention of approximately two hours. According to the lawsuit, Officer Hawkins' in-car camera captured his assurance to “scare him a little bit” before administering sobriety tests, despite Shaw registering a .000 BAC on a breathalyzer—indicating no alcohol consumption. However, officers proceeded to deploy a drug-detection dog, allegedly asserting that it indicated a possibility of drugs, thus leading to a vehicle search where nothing was discovered.

On March 10, Sierra Lauts faced her own harrowing experience. While lawfully attempting to deliver court documents, she was informed by officers that she was trespassed from a property she had never stepped foot upon, despite officers confirming the legitimacy and necessity of the court papers.

The culmination of these encounters occurred on March 11, when Sheldon Norcross's phone was seized after he invoked his right to remain silent during an encounter. This led to officers executing a search warrant at the Airbnb rental occupied by the group. Chief Paul later admitted, in a recorded session, that the affidavit supporting this warrant was one of “the biggest places where we screwed up,” highlighting failures in their internal review processes—as the warrant was not examined by a supervisor, as required by departmental policy. The group was subsequently handcuffed at gunpoint, transported to the police station, and released without any criminal charges being filed against them.

The lawsuit’s lead counsel, Solomon M. Radner from Radner Law Group, emphasized that the suit outlines significant constitutional violations that the evidence substantiates. Radner stated, “Our clients had their constitutional rights violated repeatedly over four days, and this lawsuit lays out more than a dozen specific violations we believe the evidence supports.” Importantly, he addressed the ongoing narrative surrounding law enforcement, stating, “We are not anti-police, but we are anti-police corruption, and pro-accountability.”

Local attorney Scott Young of Spencer Fane also chimed in, highlighting the absurdity surrounding these events, noting that “these are Utah residents who were doing nothing wrong—serving court papers, hanging a sign, driving a car.” He pointed out how the evidence indicates intentional targeting by American Fork officers without proper legal justification, further validated by the police chief's own admissions.

In light of these alarming police practices, a press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM MDT, to discuss the lawsuit further. The event will be held at the Newhouse Building, located at 10 Exchange Place in Salt Lake City, where all plaintiffs and their legal representatives will be present for inquiries following the initial discussion.

About Radner Law Group

Radner Law Group, PLLC, is a national civil rights firm based out of Southfield, Michigan. They focus on representing individuals whose constitutional rights have been infringed upon by government entities and law enforcement officials. Solomon M. Radner plans to file for pro hac vice status in this case to represent the plaintiffs effectively.

About Spencer Fane LLP

Spencer Fane LLP is a law firm with offices situated at 10 Exchange Place in Salt Lake City, Utah. Scott Young serves as a trial attorney and is collaborating as local counsel in this civil rights matter.

This lawsuit represents a critical moment for civil rights discourse in Utah and seeks to uphold the importance of constitutional protections for all individuals.