Officer Must Face Teen’s Claims of ‘Ride Along’ Sexual Assault

An Indiana police officer must face sexual assault and harassment allegations stemming from a teenager’s school-assigned ride along, after the Seventh Circuit rejected the argument that the officer’s alleged behavior was simply “boorish.”

A district court dismissed the claims against Jamie Garcia, saying Zailey Hess had failed to state a viable claim that her constitutional rights were violated. The US Appeals Court for the Seventh Circuit reversed the ruling Wednesday.

Hess alleged Garcia inappropriately touched her and made sexual comments during a ride along when she was 17 years old. Hess brought claims under the Fourth Amendment and the equal ...