On September 26, 2019, Deputy Hartmann, along with Deputies Otero and Katich, entered Earl Lee Dorey’s property without a warrant or probable cause. They startled Dorey, who was sitting in his car, leading to a confrontation where Hartmann allegedly struck Dorey on the head with a flashlight and punched him multiple times in the face. Dorey sustained injuries, including a torn rotator cuff and bleeding from the eyes. A lawsuit was filed against Hartmann and the other deputies, alleging excessive force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution. The court dismissed the false arrest and malicious prosecution claims but allowed the excessive force claim to proceed.
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