A Denver man filed a lawsuit against the Denver Police Department on Monday, alleging unlawful search and seizure — and a federal judge’s ruling backs his claim.
Court records show that on May 13, 2025, Denver Police Officers Emmett Hurd and Matthew Mullen pulled over Azhaunte Forrest for allegedly failing to stop at stop signs on Colfax Avenue, and for defective brake lights. During a search of the vehicle, officers uncovered an illegal weapon. Forrest, who is a felon, was charged.
On January 20, 2026, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado Judge Nina Wang found the officers did not have a lawful reason for the traffic stop or the search. Wang threw out all evidence and statements resulting from the traffic stop, forcing prosecutors to dismiss the case…