Homeless Woman Says Cop Fondled Her

PORTLAND, ORE. (CN) - A homeless woman has accused a Portland police officer of ordering her to expose her breasts and fondling her during a search.

Officer Matthew Kohnke allegedly approached Linda Lorraine Wickerham at her makeshift campsite and asked if he could search her. When she consented, he ordered her to lift her shirt and bra, told her to pull out her pants and underwear at the waistband, and reached into her pants and touched her genitals, Wickerham claims in Federal Court.

Kohnke never issued a citation or arrested her because she had committed no crime, the lawsuit states. The plaintiff demands punitive damages, saying the search violated her Fourth Amendment rights and "shocks the conscience." She is represented by Engle & Giles P.C. See complaint.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit