A federal lawsuit claims that police officers repeatedly tased and ordered a police dog to attack an unarmed man during a response to an alleged shoplifting incident, raising questions about the use of force by law enforcement and protections for individuals with mental health disabilities. The complaint was filed by Zachary Vaughan, through power of attorney Melissa Clark, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on April 6, 2026, naming the City of Logan, Chief of Police Jerry Mellinger, Officer Devin Alford, and Officer Kyle Arnett as defendants.
According to the filing, on April 7, 2024, Officers Alford and Arnett responded to a call at a Speedway gas station in Logan regarding suspected shoplifting. The officers identified Vaughan as the suspect in the parking lot. The complaint states that there was no physical confrontation occurring when officers arrived and that Vaughan complied with instructions to face the wall with his arms outstretched. The document alleges that both officers knew or had reason to believe Vaughan had mental-health disabilities.
The complaint describes how Officer Alford grabbed Vaughan’s right wrist while he placed his left hand against the building. Despite being controlled by Alford and not resisting, body camera footage cited in the lawsuit allegedly shows both officers threatening to use their tasers before deploying them on Vaughan. The document states: “Over the next approximately eight seconds, Zach stood still, facing the wall…while holding Zach’s right arm, drive stunned Zach’s bare skin just above his right hip.” It further alleges that after falling to the ground from being tased by both officers, Vaughan remained prone with one hand behind his back but was threatened with further force if he did not move his other hand.
The filing asserts that Officer Alford retrieved his police dog from his vehicle while Vaughan lay motionless on the ground. Despite multiple commands from Alford for the dog to bite Vaughan—commands which were initially ignored because “Zach was not moving”—the complaint claims Arnett tased Vaughan again at Alford’s direction. As a result of involuntary movement caused by being tased again, Alford commanded the dog once more to attack; this time it did so. According to the suit: “For approximately the next minute, Zach remained prone on the ground as the Officers watched the police dog maul him.”
Vaughan reportedly suffered multiple fractures and lacerations from these actions—including wounds so deep they exposed tendon and muscle—and required emergency medical attention including surgery at Grant Medical Center in Columbus following initial treatment at Hocking Valley Medical Center.
The lawsuit also contends that after-the-fact reports completed by Officers Arnett and Alford contained false allegations contradicted by body camera footage. Additionally, it accuses the Logan Police Department of having a pattern or practice of excessive force—particularly involving taser usage—and failing to discipline or train its officers adequately regarding de-escalation techniques or interactions with people who have mental-health disabilities.
Statistical comparisons included in the complaint allege that from 2021 through April 7, 2024, Logan police used tasers at rates much higher than larger cities such as Columbus. It is claimed that Officer Alford alone accounted for around one-third of all taser deployments within this period.
Vaughan brings several legal claims: violation of Fourth Amendment rights due to excessive force under federal law; assault; battery; discrimination under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act; and violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act based on alleged failure to accommodate known disabilities during law enforcement interactions.
The plaintiff seeks economic damages for medical costs and lost earnings; compensatory damages for physical injury and emotional distress; punitive damages against individual defendants; injunctive relief barring future unconstitutional uses of force by Logan police; declaratory judgment finding rights violations occurred; attorneys’ fees; costs; and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Attorneys Cathleen M. Bolek, Matthew D. Besser, and Kelly A. Rochotte of Bolek Besser Glesius LLC represent Zachary Vaughan in this matter (Case No.: 2:26-cv-00410-MHW-KAJ).
Source: 226cv00410_Vaughan_v_City_of_Logan_Complaint_Southern_District_Ohio.pdf
