Belvidere man sues city police officer, alleges false arrest, excessive force
By Ken DeCoster
Staff writer
Posted May 9, 2019 at 5:34 PMUpdated May 9, 2019 at 9:02 PM
BELVIDERE — A Belvidere man has filed a federal lawsuit alleging a city police officer arrested him under false pretenses and used excessive force in doing so.
The lawsuit stems from a Father’s Day 2018 incident at the home of Paul Ainley and involves a custody dispute between Ainley’s daughter and the father of Ainley’s 5-year-old grandson.
According to the complaint, Belvidere police officer Matthew Korn demanded that Ainley hand over his grandson to the boy’s father, despite the fact the father’s custody rights were revoked the previous month. Ainley asked police to get a search warrant and went back inside his house.
The complaint states Korn dragged Ainley out of his house by his shirt, shoved Ainley to the ground, jumped on his back and repeatedly struck him in the face.
Ainley, who was hospitalized for his injuries, was charged with battery and resisting arrest.
“Despite convincing evidence of false arrest and excessive force, Boone County law enforcement is prosecuting Mr. Ainley instead of investigating Officer Korn,” Chicago Attorney Christopher R. Smith said in a news release. “I invite the Boone County prosecutor to do the right thing, investigate Matthew Korn, and make sure that police officers know how to conduct a proper arrest.”
The lawsuit states that Ainley suffered injuries including pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish as a result of Korn’s actions.
“Instead of protecting child welfare, defendant Korn put a whole family in danger,” Smith said. “If the Boone County State’s Attorney cannot address the issue themselves, they should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate.”
Boone County State’s Attorney Tricia Smith said she would not comment because the criminal charges against Ainley are still pending in court.
Belvidere city attorney Mike Drella and Police Chief Shane Woody were unavailable for comment Thursday.
Ken DeCoster: 815-987-1391; kdecoster@rrstar.com; @DeCosterKen
