An Urbandale motorist suing Des Moines police over a contentious 2018 traffic stop can proceed to trial, according to a federal judge who denied the officers’ motions for summary judgment.
Domeco Fugenschuh sued the police department and officers Ryan Steinkamp and Brian Minnehan in 2020. The city argued in court the officers were entitled to immunity under federal law. In an order filed Saturday, Chief Magistrate Judge Helen Adams found there are legitimate disputes about whether the officers had legal cause to pull Fugenschuh over, and whether they acted appropriately during the ensuing stop, that must be decided by a jury.
Fugenschuh, who is Black, initially accused the officers of racial bias in his 13-count complaint. After years of litigation, the lawsuit has been whittled down to four claims: unreasonable search and seizure, excessive force, assault and battery, and First Amendment retaliation. Adams denied the officers immunity on all four counts, clearing the way for trial.