In a shocking case that raises serious questions about police conduct, an Ohio resident has filed a lawsuit alleging excessive force and civil rights violations by a local law enforcement officer. Anthony Williamson, through his attorney Douglas D. Brannon, lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on November 26, 2025, naming Mitchell D. Schwab as the defendant.
The case stems from an incident on December 6, 2024, when Dayton Police Officers Ashtin Stanaford and Elizabeth Free responded to a domestic disturbance call at Williamson’s residence. According to the complaint, after speaking with Williamson and his girlfriend Cortney Caulley, the officers arrested Williamson and handcuffed him. The situation escalated when Officer Schwab arrived at the scene following a request for additional support due to Williamson’s alleged non-cooperation. The plaintiff claims that while he was already restrained and lying face down on the floor, Schwab used excessive force by smashing him into a door frame and delivering three closed-fist strikes to his face. This action was reportedly captured on body cameras worn by the officers.
Williamson’s lawsuit accuses Schwab of using brutal and excessive force that violated his Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. The complaint alleges that Schwab’s actions were not only unnecessary but also amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. It states: “Defendant Schwab deliberately smashed Plaintiff Williamson’s person into the door frame causing him pain,” further claiming that Schwab admitted in his report that these actions “had the desired effect.”
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for permanent injuries he sustained as well as punitive damages aimed at deterring future misconduct by law enforcement officers. He asserts that this use of force resulted in severe emotional distress, loss of income due to medical expenses, and ongoing physical pain.
Represented by Douglas D. Brannon from Brannon Law Firm LLC based in Dayton, Ohio, Williamson is calling for a jury trial to address these grievances against Schwab and any other unknown parties involved in this incident. The case is identified under Case No.: 3:25-CV-413.
Source: 325cv00413_Williamson_v_Schwab_Complaint_Southern_District_Ohio.pdf
