In 2022, Sheriff Owen was named in a lawsuit alleging that he was aware of the illegal arrests and excessive force used against Salinda and Anita Hayes but failed to take corrective action. The plaintiffs claimed that Owen’s inaction contributed to the violation of their constitutional rights. The court found the allegations sufficient to raise a reasonable inference of municipal liability. ([casetext.com](https://casetext.com/case/hayes-v-owen?utm_source=openai))
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