Man sues Taney County law enforcement for alleged excessive force

TANEY COUNTY, Mo. — A man is suing Taney County and one of its deputies, as well as Taney County Sheriff Brad Daniels and former sheriff Jimmie Russell, for damages after suffering injuries while in custody.

According to the eight-count petition filed in Taney County Circuit Court earlier this week, Brian Czekala, of Forsyth, is suing for personal injury after he claims Taney County deputy Adam Hale used excessive force and injured him five years ago.

The suit alleges on Aug. 17, 2020, when Czekala was in the Taney County Sheriff's Office's (TCSO) custody, Officer Hale threw him to the ground, slammed his head multiple times into the ground, and punched him in the head, face and body.

As a result of the incident, Czekala sustained medical costs; injury to his head, face, eye and ribs; and depression, anxiety, and worsening of psychological conditions.

The suit also lists Russell and Sheriff Daniels as defendants, saying they breached their duty to protect the public by allowing Czekala to be harmed and failing to train and educate employees on reasonable force.

Czekala is represented by the Corbett Law Firm of Springfield.

Ozarks First reached out to Sheriff Daniels for comment and has not received comment.