Knoxville Man Sues Deputies Over Alleged False Arrest

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Justin Anthony Clark has filed a federal lawsuit against Knox County, the sheriff's office, and individual deputies, alleging they arrested and jailed the wrong man on an out-of-jurisdiction warrant, which he claims cost him his job and put his health on the line. Clark is seeking damages, attorney fees, and changes to how deputies verify warrants before making arrests.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about law enforcement practices, particularly around verifying identities and executing out-of-jurisdiction warrants. It also comes as Knox County has faced previous civil rights battles over its detention policies, raising questions about systemic issues in the county's criminal justice system.

The details

According to the complaint, deputies stopped Clark after running his vehicle plates, arrested him on March 17 on a warrant alleging financial abuse of the elderly, and kept him in Knox County custody until his March 19 release. Clark claims deputies never checked his Social Security number, date of birth, or middle name before the arrest. He alleges he was placed in a cell for six hours on March 17, then held for three days, during which time he lost his job and developed medical issues from missing kidney medication.

• On March 17, 2026, deputies arrested Clark on an out-of-jurisdiction warrant.
• Clark was held in Knox County custody until his release on March 19, 2026.

What’s next

The case will move forward in U.S. District Court in Knoxville as both sides work through the pretrial process. The court will weigh the claims against whether officers had probable cause to make the arrest, and whether Clark can show the deputies relied on false information to secure the arrest.