In a dramatic lawsuit that highlights severe allegations of misconduct and civil rights violations, an Ohio resident has filed a complaint against multiple law enforcement entities. On January 21, 2026, Elhadj Alpha Mahmoud Souare lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, targeting the City of Akron, specific police officers, Portage County, and unnamed jail staff.
The plaintiff, Elhadj Alpha Mahmoud Souare, claims that on January 10, 2026, he was unlawfully arrested by Akron police officers without a warrant or judicial authorization. The officers allegedly failed to provide Miranda warnings and denied Souare’s request for legal counsel. After being detained for approximately thirty minutes at East Market Street in Akron, he was transferred to a Summit Racing location and handed over to a Portage County Sheriff without any probable cause determination. The sheriff further questioned him about being armed and again denied his request for counsel before transporting him to Portage County Jail.
Souare’s ordeal continued as he was held from January 10 until January 13 without seeing a judge—a detention period exceeding 48 hours without judicial review—an act he claims is presumptively unconstitutional under County of Riverside v. McLaughlin. During his detention at Portage County Jail, Souare alleges he was subjected to inhumane conditions: sprayed with an unknown chemical substance, forced to disrobe before officers, prevented from performing religious prayers despite being Muslim, confined in unsanitary conditions with barely edible food and unsafe drinking water sourced from a sink adjacent to a toilet. He also suffered sleep deprivation due to an unusable mattress and was denied necessary medical treatment for eczema and high blood pressure.
Souare accuses the defendants of violating several constitutional amendments through unlawful arrest and prolonged detention (Fourth & Fourteenth Amendments), custodial interrogation without Miranda warnings (Fifth & Sixth Amendments), interference with religious exercise (First Amendment), and unconstitutional conditions of confinement along with medical indifference (Fourteenth Amendment). He further argues that these violations were perpetuated by systemic policies and practices maintained by the City of Akron and Portage County under Monell liability.
Seeking justice through the court system, Souare demands compensatory damages for his suffering alongside punitive damages against individual defendants. He also requests declaratory relief recognizing the unconstitutionality of the defendants’ actions and injunctive relief mandating reforms such as prompt judicial reviews for detainees, improved jail conditions including sanitary housing and access to medical care as well as accommodation for religious practices.
The case is overseen by Judge Pearson with Magistrate Judge Knapp assisting. The docket number assigned is 5:26-cv-00154. Representing himself pro se in this matter is Elhadj Alpha Mahmoud Souare.
Source: 526cv00154_Souare_v_City_of_Akron_Complaint_Northern_District_Ohio.pdf
