A recent civil complaint outlines allegations that law enforcement officers unlawfully detained, used excessive force against, and falsely prosecuted an individual during a traffic stop in October 2024. The filing states that these actions resulted in physical injuries, emotional distress, and legal burdens for the plaintiff. The complaint was filed by Rodnique Koonce in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on April 17, 2026, naming Rafael Sanchez, S.C. Decker, and unidentified members of the New Jersey State Police as defendants.
According to the complaint, on October 13, 2024 at approximately 9:00 p.m., the plaintiff was traveling westbound on Interstate 78 near mile marker 56.8/56.9 in Newark when she observed what she believed to be her daughter’s vehicle at an accident scene. Fearing for her daughter’s safety, she pulled over to communicate with police at the scene. The document reports that when she approached Trooper Rafael Sanchez to advise him that her daughter was present at the scene, he responded “in an aggressive, hostile, and threatening manner.” Sanchez allegedly ordered her to leave before instructing her to pull over under threat of arrest.
The complaint further alleges that while attempting to comply with troopers’ commands to exit her vehicle, Trooper Sanchez and another officer forcibly opened her car door, pulled her from the vehicle with substantial force, threw her to the ground, and arrested her without probable cause. She was then transported to a New Jersey State Police facility identified as Bridgewater station or precinct where she was detained for several hours before being released. Her vehicle was also reportedly towed from the scene.
The plaintiff asserts that criminal and traffic charges were subsequently brought against her based on “false allegations,” including accusations of obstructing traffic and resisting arrest. She denies assaulting officers or resisting arrest as described in official documents related to Complaint-Summons No. 0714 S 2024 012964 and associated municipal summonses for obstructing passage of vehicles under state law. The filing notes that these charges were ultimately dismissed by prosecutor discretion after not guilty pleas were entered by Koonce on March 12, 2025 in Newark Municipal Court.
Following the incident, Koonce sought emergency medical treatment at St. Luke’s Hospital Anderson Emergency Department for injuries including back pain; subsequent medical records documented diagnostic imaging of her spine, knee, wrist, as well as continued care with various providers for both physical injuries (neck, back, knee) and emotional distress (anxiety, depression). The complaint also states that witnesses—including Koonce’s daughters—observed how officers treated her during the encounter.
The legal action brings multiple claims under federal law (42 U.S.C §1983), alleging violations of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights due to unlawful seizure/false arrest/false imprisonment (Count I), use of excessive force (Count II), malicious prosecution (Count III), failure to intervene by other officers present (Count IV), as well as parallel claims under state law including violations of the New Jersey Civil Rights Act (Count V), assault and battery (Count VI), false arrest/false imprisonment/malicious prosecution under state law (Count VII), and negligence regarding hiring/training/supervision by supervisory entities (Count VIII).
Koonce argues that defendants acted “intentionally,” “unreasonably,” “maliciously,” or with “deliberate indifference” toward her constitutional rights throughout their interactions with her during this event. She claims defendants lacked probable cause or any objectively reasonable basis for their actions both during arrest and in pursuing criminal charges.
As relief from the court, Koonce seeks compensatory damages for bodily injury; pain; suffering; emotional distress; humiliation; inconvenience; loss of enjoyment of life; medical expenses; therapy expenses; towing costs; legal expenses; punitive damages against individual defendants where permitted by law; attorney’s fees pursuant to federal statute; pre-judgment/post-judgment interest; declaratory or injunctive relief deemed appropriate by the court; leave to amend pleadings if additional parties are identified through discovery; along with any further relief deemed just.
The case is represented by Justin C. Bonus Esq., Attorney at Law based in New York City. The case identification number is Case 2:26-cv-04089.
Source: 226cv04089_Koonce_v_Sanchez_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf
