Former dorm RA suing UAPD for $500,000

Attorneys for Robert Stout, 21, filed the suit in Pima County Superior Court April 7 against the University of Arizona, its police department, the Arizona Board of Regents and UAPD Chief Harry Hueston II. UAPD spokesman Sgt. Mike Smith declined comment on the lawsuit.

Stout, who also declined comment yesterday, alleged in court documents that officers conducted an insufficient investigation before arresting him April 18, 1998 in connection with vandalism at the La Paz Residence Hall.

He was arrested on suspicion of underage drinking that night after police came to the dorm to investigate a "possible riot" and allegedly found Stout holding a beer in the hallway.

The lights in a wing of La Paz, 602 N. Highland Ave, were punched out and a haze from discharged fire extinguishers filled the hallway when officers arrived, according to police reports.

Stout's attorney, Dennis Harrison, alleged officers charged the student with false reporting because "he denied the criminal damage" to the corridor.

The lawsuit charges that police jeopardized Stout's future because he was serving as community service officer for UAPD and pursuing a career in law enforcement at the time of his arrest.

Because of the false reporting and criminal damage charges, Stout's career was "permanently derailed" and he was "ostracized by his peers," the lawsuit states.

All three charges against Stout were dismissed Jan. 27 in the Pima County Justice Court.

According to Stout's lawsuit, he was "forced to pay nearly $900 for the La Paz damages before re-registering for classes." The money was later returned to Stout.

Harrison filed a claim with the Arizona Attorney General's Office requesting that UAPD and the UA Attorney's Office evaluate the investigation.

"The police knew early on that they didn't have a case," Harrison said. "They didn't do anything to correct their mistake."