Man sues police over ‘brutal and violent’ arrest
By Russ Reed
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LIMERICK, Maine (WMTW) — A Limerick man who claims he was unlawfully assaulted and beaten by Maine State Police troopers who arrested him last year has sued those officers and the law enforcement agency, as he seeks more than $100 million in damages.
Justin Savage and his girlfriend, Shawna Morse, filed a federal lawsuit against the state of Maine; the Maine State Police; MSP Col. William Ross, the leader of the agency; MSP Trooper Jamie Fenderson; MSP Sgt. Adam Schmidt; and Det. Anna Ritland.
MSP officials said that on the night of March 16, 2024, troopers responded to a report of a domestic assault happening on Long Street in Limerick.
State police initially reported that Savage was detained by troopers after he had assaulted Morse in front of their home. But in a revised news release that was shared in May 2024, state police said a neighbor called to report Savage had assaulted Morse in front of their home.
According to state police, Savage became combative and during an ensuing struggle, he landed on Schmidt’s leg and broke his ankle — an injury that reportedly required surgery. Police then accused Savage of biting Fenderson’s hand in an effort to escape, causing two lacerations.
Savage was arrested on charges of domestic violence assault, assault on a police officer, refusing to submit to arrest and disorderly conduct.
A booking photo shared by the York County Jail with Maine’s Total Coverage in March 2024 shows Savage had a black eye, a split lip, and severe swelling on the left side of his face.
The lawsuit claims that Savage and Morse did not understand why troopers responded to their Long Street home, and that the police caused and escalated a conflict.
According to the lawsuit, Savage had his hands cuffed behind his back by Fenderson when Schmidt body slammed Savage onto the driveway, and all three troopers swarmed on top of him.
The lawsuit states that while Savage was being put inside a police cruiser, Fenderson punched and beat his face, drawing blood. The troopers then put leg restraints and a hooded spit mask on Savage, the latter of which caused him to have difficulty breathing that was ignored by the troopers for “an excessive and unreasonable amount of time,” according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit goes on to state that the troopers removed Savage from the cruiser, laid him on the ground, and held him there. According to the lawsuit, Fenderson once again repeatedly punched and beat Savage’s face.
“At all times, Justin was fully restrained, immobilized, in handcuffs, leg restraints, fully covered with a face mask, and had multiple individuals sitting on and holding him on the ground. Justin did not and could not pose any threat nor protect himself,” the lawsuit states. “Fenderson’s violent punching and beating of Justin’s face was outrageous, unlawful, unjustified, and wrongful, and done with malice, or malice can and should be implied. Justin suffered serious head injuries and lasting severe physical and psychological injuries from the assault.”
Maine’s Total Coverage has watched video of the arrest, which shows troopers handcuffing Savage before taking him to the ground. The video also shows the troopers punching Savage while he was on the ground.
Court documents state that all criminal charges against Savage were dismissed on April 15, 2025.
Maine State Police officials also said Morse tried to help Savage in his attempt to escape, and she was arrested on charges of obstructing government administration and refusal to submit to arrest.
The lawsuit states Morse was falsely accused of using force and resisting arrest, and that she was detained or restrained.
“[Shawna] visibly witnessed the assault on Justin and she suffered severe and lasting emotional injuries,” the lawsuit states.
According to court documents, all criminal charges against Morse were dismissed on Feb. 24, 2025.
Savage and Morse are requesting a jury trial as they seek compensatory damages. Legal-Ease, the Portland-based law firm representing Savage and Morse, said in a news release that their clients are seeking damages in excess of $100 million.
Maine State Police officials said the agency wound up receiving a complaint that the officers involved used excessive force. According to officials, the troopers completed a use of force report and submitted their video footage of the incident along with criminal investigative reports — which were approved and reviewed by their direct supervisors and commanding officer. The reports were then forwarded to the Maine State Police Training Unit for additional review of the officers’ tactics, officials said. The troopers’ video, use of force reports and criminal investigative reports were also reviewed by the State Police Office of Professional Standards.
“The agency determined the use of force in this case was lawful, justified and proper based on the circumstances, resulting in exonerating the officers,” reads a statement from the Maine State Police.
In a statement shared with Maine’s Total Coverage, state police said Savage’s “lack of cooperation and resistance to being detained” is what led to the use of force. State police said no force would have been used and no one would have been injured if Savage had been compliant.
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