* Note from the News Director: The allegations contained in this story come from a federal lawsuit that was filed in U.S. District Court. The claims presented in the lawsuit have not been proven true in a court of law and are just that, allegations.
A second federal lawsuit has been filed against a former Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy.
The lawsuit, filed on May 7 in U.S. District Court before Judge Greg N. Stivers, is against former deputy Kenny Perkins. The plaintiff is listed as Gary Shannon Robertson. Robertson is represented by Jamestown attorney Matthew DeHart.
DeHart also represents another plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed in March against Perkins and three other Russell County Sheriff’s deputies, along with Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston.
The lawsuit alleges that Robertson was walking on the side of the road on May 8, 2020 in the Webbs Crossroads community on Highway 76 when Perkins pulled up behind him, retrieved an item out of a black bag in his cruiser, and approached him.
Robertson alleges that Perkins did not provide any verbal commands or warnings, instead raising a taser-type electrical weapon and firing it at Robertson, striking him in the left arm, causing a full cycle electrocution. Robertson said that before he fully recovered from the first taser deployment, Perkins electrocuted him again.
Robertson alleges he staggered away from Perkins, who returned to his vehicle and drove closer. He alleges that once Perkins exited his vehicle again, he tackled Robertson to the ground and began striking him in the head with his fists and “a dangerous instrument.”
According to the lawsuit, the strikes caused “severe physical injury” to Robertson’s head in the form of blunt trauma and deep lacerations. The lawsuit states that Robertson was taken by Russell County EMS to the emergency room and then taken to the Russell County Detention Center, only to return to the hospital again later on.
Perkins suffered injuries to his hands, according to the lawsuit, but received treatment at Russell Springs Elementary School by “on-site medical staff.”
Robertson alleges he spent 20 days in the Russell County Detention Center without medical treatment.
Polston is also a defendant in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Polston “failed to take reasonable steps to end the unlawful conduct alleged in this complaint.”
Robertson is seeking damages in excess of $100,000, according to the lawsuit.
