Nevada Man Sues Reno After AI Camera Wrongly Flags Him for Arrest

Jason Killinger alleges the city failed to properly train police on the legal use of facial recognition technology.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:58pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of a facial recognition camera module, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the intricate cybernetic hardware, conceptually representing the risks of AI-powered surveillance technology.An AI-powered facial recognition system's flawed identification leads to a wrongful arrest, exposing the risks of over-relying on surveillance technology without proper oversight.Reno Today

A Nevada man named Jason Killinger has filed a lawsuit against the city of Reno after a police officer arrested him for 12 hours based on an AI facial recognition camera wrongly identifying him as a trespasser at a local casino. Killinger's lawsuit alleges the city failed to properly train its police force on the legal use of facial recognition tools, leading to 'thousands of unlawful arrests' using the technology.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns over the use of AI-powered surveillance and facial recognition by law enforcement, which can lead to wrongful arrests and civil liberties violations if not implemented with proper oversight and training. It also raises questions about municipal liability for the actions of police relying on flawed technology.

The details

While placing bets at a Reno casino, Killinger was flagged as a '100 percent match' for another man who had been banned from the gaming floor. After being detained by casino security, Killinger was arrested by Officer Richard Jager, who accused him of using a fake ID. Killinger's lawsuit alleges Jager made several errors, including refusing to check Killinger's wallet for alternative forms of ID. The updated lawsuit now names the city of Reno as a defendant, claiming the municipality failed to properly train police on the legal use of facial recognition, leading to 'thousands of unlawful arrests' over the years.

  • In April 2026, Jason Killinger filed a lawsuit against the city of Reno.
  • In the months prior, Killinger had already filed a lawsuit against Officer Richard Jager for the wrongful arrest.

The players

Jason Killinger

A Nevada man who was wrongfully arrested for 12 hours after an AI facial recognition camera at a Reno casino incorrectly identified him as a trespasser.

Officer Richard Jager

The Reno police officer who arrested Killinger based on the AI camera's identification, despite Killinger having multiple forms of valid ID in his possession.

City of Reno

The defendant in Killinger's latest lawsuit, which alleges the city failed to properly train its police force on the legal use of facial recognition technology, leading to thousands of unlawful arrests.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The lawsuit against the city of Reno is the latest escalation in Killinger's quest for justice, coming after a federal judge agreed the city could be named as a defendant. Killinger's attorneys have not specified the amount of damages they are seeking, but the city could be on the hook for punitive damages, attorney fees, and compensation for Killinger's injuries if he prevails.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing risks of over-reliance on AI-powered surveillance and facial recognition technology by law enforcement, which can lead to wrongful arrests and civil liberties violations if not implemented with proper oversight and training. It also raises questions about municipal liability for the actions of police using flawed technology.