Texas Father Sues Dallas Police for Excessive Force in Mistaken Identity Arrest

Silvester Hayes, single father of four, seeks unspecified damages for his mistaken identity arrest which allegedly led to job loss, homelessness, and permanent injuries, amid claims of racial profiling and excessive use of force by Dallas Police.

• Silvester Hayes, a Texas father, was unlawfully arrested by Dallas police on October 16, 2021 who mistook him for a man wanted for family violence, according to a complaint filed in U.S. Texas Northern District Court.
• Hayes alleges he was racially profiled, beaten, and charged with resisting arrest, even after police realized their error. The incident escalated when the officers noticed a legally registered gun in Hayes' vehicle, and continued to use excessive force.
• The ordeal allegedly resulted in significant personal loss for Hayes, causing him to lose his job, his home, and left him with a dislocated shoulder, an injury he is still dealing with.
• Hayes, who initially aspired to become a police officer, spent several days in jail following the incident and had trouble finding work due to the case against him, despite having no prior criminal record.
• The lawsuit, which lists the City of Dallas and 10 officers in the Dallas Police Department as defendants, is seeking unspecified damages for Hayes, alleging excessive use of force, unlawful arrest, and violation of his rights under the Fourth Amendment.

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