North Las Vegas Pays $350K Settlement After Alleged Jailhouse Assault—But Who’s Really at Fault?

The North Las Vegas City Council has approved a $350,000 taxpayer-funded payout to settle a federal lawsuit brought by a woman who claims she was beaten by a corrections officer while in custody, breaking her arm. This settlement was quietly passed as part of the council’s consent agenda, a process that allows multiple expenditures to be approved without public debate.

At the center of the lawsuit is Cherie Blackmon, who was transferred to North Las Vegas police custody last year due to an outstanding warrant. While awaiting a judge, she allegedly got into a verbal dispute with then-corrections officer Jarrod Minor. According to the lawsuit, the situation escalated when Minor reportedly grabbed her by the wrists and slammed her head against the cell wall multiple times, resulting in serious injuries, including a fractured arm.

The city has not disclosed why Minor left his position earlier this year, but stated that any disciplinary actions remain confidential. While the lawsuit paints a dramatic picture of excessive force, the city’s legal response suggests there’s more to the story. In court filings, city attorneys defended the officers’ actions, stating that any force used was justified due to safety concerns and arguing that Blackmon’s own actions contributed to her injuries.

This case raises serious questions: Are police officers being unfairly targeted in use-of-force lawsuits, pressured into settlements regardless of circumstances? Or is this a wake-up call for law enforcement agencies to ensure proper training and accountability?

And perhaps most importantly—why does the city opt for quiet settlements with taxpayer money rather than standing its ground in court if it believes its officers acted lawfully?

What do you think? Should cities fight back against questionable lawsuits, or are settlements like these a necessary cost of accountability?

Source: Review-Journal