Man sues Sheriff's Office after vehicle search on 'Live PD'

Daniel J. Gross | The Greenville News

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and producers of the hit A&E television show "Live PD" are facing a civil lawsuit based on a man's appearance on the show when he was subject to a vehicle search.

The Sheriff’s Office had been under contract with "Live PD" to have cameramen shadow several deputies during patrols for footage on the show. The agency’s contract with the show ended in August 2017.

Javonte Hall filed the complaint on July 30, alleging gross negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation and invasion of privacy.

The suit states that Hall was driving home from work when he decided to stop to see a friend at Crestwood Forest Apartments in Greenville County on April 29, 2017.

When leaving, he began to back his vehicle out of a parking spot when a deputy being filmed for "Live PD" intentionally rammed his vehicle, according to the suit.

The suit states that Deputy Chad Ayers targeted Hall because of his race. It further reads that Ayers is seen on camera approaching Hall’s vehicle with his weapon at the ready and searching through his vehicle before being released.

“Mr. Ayers made various defamatory comments to the cameras, and commentators painted the Plaintiff as a dangerous criminal. Finding no evidence of any wrongdoing, the Plaintiff was released,” the suit reads.

Hall was never charged with a crime, according to the suit and online court records.

Ayers started at the Sheriff's Office in 2006 and left in June but a reason was not documented for his resignation, according to records obtained from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, Hall is also suing A&E and Big Fish Entertainment, the producers of the show.

“The claims against Big Fish Entertainment completely lack merit and we look forward to vindicating our position," said Big Fish Entertainment attorney Cameron Stracher in an email to The Greenville News.

Hall is being represented by Greenville-based attorney Kyle White.

"It would be inappropriate to comment beyond the allegations of the complaint at this time, but we stand by those allegations and look forward to our day in court," White said.

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The Sheriff's Office has declined to comment on the allegations.

"In an effort to protect the integrity of the case, we will withhold comment on any and all pending litigation," said Sgt. Ryan Flood, a spokesman for the Sheriff's Office.

The suit claims Hall has suffered emotional distress and lost his ability to hold a job based on his appearance on the show. He is seeking $100,000 worth of actual and punitive damages.

"The airing of the episode continues to do irreparable harm to the Plaintiff as long as it continues to air," the suit states.