Oregon Police Illegally Enter, Search, Issue Bogus Citation
by Edward B. Lyon
At 2:30 a.m. on November 26, 2002, Eugene, Oregon policemen Roger Maganana and Melvin Thompson attempted to enter Phillip Piper's apartment by subterfuge. Not allowed in/ they obtained police sergeant William Harris' permission to enter the residence for a welfare check. They obtained a key from the apartment complex maintenance man by threatening to arrest him if he refused to give them the key.
Once inside, they rounded up Piper and his two sleeping house guests, forcing all to sit on a sofa. They spent over an hour in a fruitless search of the apartment. Finding nothing/
they cited Piper for noise and left. Piper was later acquitted of the alleged noise violations.
Lawyers Marianne Dugan and Lauren C. Regan of Eugene, Oregon filed a 42 USC § 1983 action citing federal and pendant state claims on Piper and Julie Dickenson's behalf in United States District Court.
Sources: Marianne Dugan, attorney-at-law, 485 E. 13th Ave, Eugene, Oregon 97401; Lauren C. Regan, attorney at law, 259 E. 5th Ave, Eugene Oregon 97401
As a digital subscriber to Criminal Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.
Already a subscriber? Login
