ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The Rockford City Council has approved a $40,000 settlement to resolve a federal civil-rights lawsuit filed on behalf of three minors and their family after a 2023 police stop.
The suit, Moton et al. v. City of Rockford et al., was filed by Teshayla Moton, acting as next friend of a 12‑year‑old boy, and by Shenita Moton on behalf of her two children. The complaint alleged wrongful detention, unreasonable search, and false imprisonment following a February 12, 2023 encounter in an alley near Kishwaukee Street.
According to the court record, Officer Johnny Vazquez observed the three minors “crossing a state highway wearing face coverings” and stopped them in an alley that happened to be in front of the Moton family home. The officer questioned two of the minors about their names, ages, and masks, and conducted database checks to determine whether either boy was a runaway. The entire interaction lasted “just under seven minutes,” and no arrests were made…