VIRGINIA BEACH — Dozens of police officers descended on a waterfront home in the affluent Birdneck Point community to execute a search warrant the morning of Sept. 13.
They arrived in armored vehicles, police cruisers and even boats, according to a lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court in Norfolk by the 79-year-old man who owns the home and was detained during the search.
“Without warning, they launched a barrage of munitions, shattering windows and damaging property,” the complaint said.
The homeowner, William Jennings, had to walk barefoot across shattered glass when an officer with a bullhorn ordered him out, the lawsuit said. Jennings was handcuffed and kept in the backseat of a police vehicle while investigators searched for drugs and other related items, the complaint said.
“When officers stormed inside, they treated the home with utter disregard, ransacking it without any concern for what they destroyed in the process,” the complaint said. “Interior doors were pried open with crowbars, furniture was damaged, and belongings were destroyed.
“Among the many items unnecessarily destroyed were antique dolls belonging to Mr. Jennings’ late mother, torn apart by officers searching for nonexistent drugs.”
Hours later, police left and Jennings was released. Items seized by investigators included electronics, ammunition, ledgers, mail, pills, a scale and containers with “residue,” according to a search warrant. The lawsuit said the pills were prescribed medications.
“Despite the sheer scale of the search, law enforcement found nothing illegal. No drugs. No paraphernalia. No evidence of any criminal activity whatsoever,” the complaint said. “Beyond the physical destruction, the raid caused irreparable harm to Mr. Jennings’ reputation. As a long-time resident of the prestigious Birdneck Point community and Cavalier Yacht and Country Club, the stigma of being subjected to a high-profile police raid in his own neighborhood has resulted in significant reputational damage.
“This raid was not only an unjustifiable use of force, but an egregious case of elder abuse.”
Listed as defendants in the complaint are Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate, as well as the officer who led the raid, and other unnamed officers who took part. A spokesman said the department doesn’t comment on pending litigation.
According to a search warrant affidavit filed in Virginia Beach Circuit Court three days before the warrant was executed,recorded phone calls between an inmate in the city jail and the inmate’s wife led police to Jennings’ home.
The couple talked about buying and selling drugs over multiple calls, the warrant request said, using common slang terms for methamphetamine. The amounts discussed typically sold for $100 to $150. The wife also indicated she had a gun, which she called a “bang, bang,” the document said.
The officer who requested the warrant said he knew the inmate lived at the Penguin Circle address where Jennings’ home is located through DMV records and previous encounters. The warrant also said his wife was living there, and that the inmate planned to return after his release. Jennings, who has owned the property since 1979, is never mentioned.
A relative of Jennings who didn’t want to be identified because she’s not directly involved in the lawsuit said the inmate had done odd jobs for Jennings over the years, and that Jennings allowed him and his wife to stay in a guest house on his property. The relative said Jennings knew the man had been in and out of jail, but was just trying to help the couple get back on their feet. She also said the inmate’s wife was in the guest house when police arrived.
The lawsuit, filed by Richmond lawyer Seth Carroll, claims police failed to conduct a “meaningful” investigation before executing such an “aggressive and militarized raid.” The complaint also alleges police acted with gross negligence, and violated Jennings’ Fourth Amendment rights against false arrest and unlawful searches. Jennings seeks at least $500,000 in damages.
Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
