Micah Washington Lawsuit Update 2026, $20M Federal Civil Rights Case Against Reform, Alabama Officers Moves Forward

Micah Washington, a 25-year-old Black man from Alabama, filed a $20 million federal civil rights lawsuit in January 2025 against the City of Reform, Officer Dana Elmore, and former Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Elmore over a December 2, 2023 incident in which he was tased repeatedly while handcuffed and compliant. 

The case remains active in federal court. Both legal teams are preparing for what could be a significant trial, and the outcome of Washington v. City of Reform could establish important precedents for police accountability cases in Alabama and beyond. No criminal charges have been filed against either officer. Dana Elmore’s employment status with the Reform Police Department remains unconfirmed as of March 2026.

Quick Facts

• Case type: Federal civil rights lawsuit — individual, not a class action
• Plaintiff: Micah Washington, Jacorien Henry, and minor S.W. (Washington’s brother)
• Defendants: City of Reform, Officer Dana Elmore, former Deputy Jody Elmore
• Damages sought: $20,000,000
• Claims: Excessive force, deliberate indifference, malicious prosecution, wrongful detainment and arrest
• Incident date: December 2, 2023 — Pickens County, Alabama
• Lawsuit filed: January 28, 2025
• Status: Active federal litigation — no settlement, no trial date announced
• Criminal charges vs. officers: None filed as of March 2026
• Jury trial: Demanded by plaintiffs

What Happened — December 2, 2023

Washington and his friend Jacorien Henry were driving to Washington’s aunt’s house in Reform, Alabama when they got a flat tire. Washington’s younger brother walked over from the house to help change it. While they were working on the tire, Officer Dana Elmore pulled up and demanded identification. Washington began questioning why his ID was necessary, since he had not committed a crime, and started recording the interaction on his phone.

The lawsuit states Elmore became “irate and more aggressive” when Washington began filming. She deployed her taser on him — the first time before he was even handcuffed. He dropped to the ground and was then cuffed.

What followed was recorded on video by Washington’s younger brother and viewed millions of times. Elmore marched the handcuffed Washington to the hood of her patrol car, forced him face-down, then placed her taser against his back and shocked him again while he screamed in pain — taunting him and asking “you want it again?” as he sobbed.

After the tasing, Elmore called her husband, Pickens County Sheriff’s Deputy Jody Elmore, to the scene from a separate jurisdiction. The two then arrested Washington’s friend Henry and detained Washington’s teenage brother. At the local jail, the lawsuit alleges the Elmores conspired to determine charges to file against Washington.

The Charges — and How They Collapsed

Washington was charged with obstructing governmental operations, resisting arrest, marijuana possession, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and drug trafficking fentanyl. His bond was set at over $500,000.

Police said a 7-gram bag field-tested positive for fentanyl. Lab results later confirmed it was not an illegal substance. That charge was dismissed.

All charges against Henry were eventually dropped. Washington’s charges of ex-felon in possession of a firearm and drug trafficking were also dismissed. Washington’s lawyers maintain he has never been a convicted felon.

Eventually, all charges against all three men were dismissed. The three had been held in jail for three days.

The lawsuit alleges the marijuana found in Washington’s vehicle was planted by the officers to justify his arrest. The defendants have not publicly responded to that specific allegation.

Current Status of the Officers

Dana Elmore: Reform Police placed Dana Elmore on administrative leave and under investigation following the incident. Attempts to determine her current employment status have been unsuccessful, with the Reform Police Department declining to answer questions. As of mid-2024, she was still employed by the City of Reform as a police officer. Her status in March 2026 has not been publicly confirmed.

Jody Elmore: Deputy Jody Elmore was terminated from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office. No criminal charges have been filed against him.

Criminal investigations: The FBI reportedly looked into the case. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation also launched an inquiry. As of the time of publication, no criminal charges have been filed against either Elmore.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The lawsuit alleges the constitutional rights of Washington, Henry, and S.W. were violated through excessive force, deliberate indifference, malicious prosecution, and wrongful detainment and arrest.

Washington’s attorneys stated: “My clients are clear victims of police misconduct, racial bias, and systemic racism. They were targeted for simply existing as African American men.”

Attorney Kristen Gochett noted the incident has affected Washington’s ability to find employment and move forward with his life. Washington’s legal team also confirmed they had not seen body camera footage from the incident at the time of filing and intended to subpoena it.

The Alabama “Back the Blue” Complication

One of the most significant legal developments affecting this case came in May 2025. Alabama’s Legislature passed and Governor Ivey signed a “back the blue” bill that greatly expanded police immunity and made it significantly harder to successfully sue or hold accountable a police officer through the civil court system.

Critics argued the bill was signed as if there were a rash of instances where good officers were being unfairly targeted by litigation — while Washington’s case, featuring clear video evidence of a handcuffed man being tased, was actively proceeding through federal court without any criminal accountability for the officer involved.

Washington’s attorneys have not publicly commented on how the immunity legislation may affect the federal civil rights claims, which are governed by federal law rather than state statute.

Broader Pattern in Pickens County

Washington’s civil rights attorney Richard Rice noted that Washington’s case was not isolated. There have been at least three fatal encounters with law enforcement in Pickens County in recent years, including the case of New Orleans Saints defensive end Glenn Foster Jr., who was found dead in the back of a law enforcement vehicle in December 2021.

Rice said the incidents reflect “a troubling pattern of misconduct” that goes beyond any single officer or case.

FAQs

Is there a settlement in the Micah Washington case? 

No. This is active federal civil rights litigation. No settlement has been reached and no trial date has been publicly announced as of March 2026.

Was Officer Dana Elmore fired or charged? 

As of mid-2024, Dana Elmore remained employed by the City of Reform on administrative leave. No criminal charges have been filed against her despite investigations by both the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the FBI. Her employment status in March 2026 has not been publicly confirmed.

What happened to the charges against Micah Washington? 

All charges against Washington, Henry, and Washington’s teenage brother were eventually dismissed. The fentanyl trafficking charge was dropped after lab tests proved the substance was not an illegal drug. Washington’s attorneys allege the drugs were planted.

Is this a class action lawsuit? 

No. This is an individual federal civil rights lawsuit filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. It does not involve a class of consumers and no claim filing process exists.

Where can I follow updates on this case?

 Monitor PACER.gov for federal court filings. Local Alabama coverage from WBRC, ABC 3340, and the Alabama Reporter also tracks developments in this case.

What legal claims form the basis of the lawsuit?

The lawsuit addresses excessive force, deliberate indifference, malicious prosecution, and wrongful detainment and arrest — all federal civil rights claims under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.

For related coverage on individual civil rights and government accountability litigation, see AllAboutLawyer.com’s reporting on the Google Privacy Lawsuit — $425M verdict under appeal and the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit 2026 update — both covering long-running federal litigation involving constitutional and civil rights claims against government and corporate actors.

By AllAboutLawyer.com Staff | Last Updated: March 5, 2026

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah