A Tennessee man is suing state troopers for $1 million after being wrongfully arrested for DUI in Monroe County, as they insisted he was "probably high" despite his sobriety and passing all tests.
On December 29, 2023, Thomas Manis was pulled over alongside a highway for allegedly having dark window tints.
During the stop, State Trooper Riley Shreiner and veteran DUI officer Trooper William Yates-Matoy thought Manis was under the influence. Further questioning about the matter took place, despite officer Shreiner initially noting he saw no evidence of intoxication.
It was reported that Yates-Matoy came to the presumption that he was high based on his familiarity with the Manis family, according to a federal lawsuit filed in a Tennessee court.
"Upon learning of the Plaintiff's identity, Officer Yates-Matoy stated that he knew the Plaintiff's brother and he 'guaranteed' Plaintiff had weed in his vehicle and that Plaintiff had probably smoked weed the morning of the incident in question," the complaint said.
"Probably got weed, probably high," Yates-Matoy said according to WILX10.
"Guarantee he smoked weed today"
The traffic stop escalated as Shreiner questioned Mathis about drug use, noting his "red eyes" as suspicious.
When Manis asked why the officers thought he was under the influence, Shreiner responded with: "You've got slightly red eyes and a highly red hue on around your eyes."
Shreiner then directed Manis to do several field sobriety tests. Despite bodycam footage showing Manis passing the tests, officers arrested him based on the unfounded belief that he had consumed marijuana.
Footage also revealed Shreiner turning off his audio several times during the stop, raising concerns around transparency and systemic issues within the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
As this was happening, Angela Manis, mother of the accused, drove by and pulled over to defend her son. She insisted Manis had not been drinking.
"I'm just saying, if you have falsely arrested him, you're going to be in trouble," Angela Manis said.
Blood tests later confirmed that Manis was completely sober, yet he remained in custody for several hours. His mugshot was also publicly released and officers impounded his vehicle. Additionally, the lawsuit states that Manis "incurred $3,500.00 in attorney's fees" and that he "was required to post bond, and incurred towing expenses."
Manis' lawsuit also claims his civil rights were violated after he was falsely imprisoned. The department did not drop the charges until months later in April 2024.
Furthermore, Manis' lawsuit highlights a troubling pattern, as another Tennessee man, Keith Von Soosten, was recently wrongfully arrested by Yates-Matoy under similar circumstances, according to an NBC affiliate.
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