Seminole County was named in two separate lawsuits filed this past week, one over alleged false imprisonment and one for failure to properly maintain roads.

According to court documents, Donald Nielsen is suing the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners as well as the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office over a May 2023 incident that ended in his arrest and incarceration. His suit was filed Jan. 21.

Lindsey Pruitt, a Tulsa resident, filed a lawsuit on Jan. 22 against Seminole County, alleging that she suffered permanent damage when her car fell through a washed-out road. She also names the City of Seminole in the suit, but it is unclear if the incident occurred within the city limits.

Both plaintiffs are claiming damages in excess of $75,000.

Nielsen’s lawsuit alleges that on or about May 6, 2023, Deputy Jimmy Nash with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office “forcefully, wrongfully, and without a warrant or a valid exception thereto” kicked in the door of Nielsen’s residence and arrested him, breaking the screen of his cellular telephone in the process.

The lawsuit claims that prior to making contact with Nielsen, Deputy Nash received a complaint from an alleged victim who had fled Neilsen’s residence after an alleged incident of domestic violence. The alleged victim falsely claimed there were firearms at Nielsen’s residence but did not indicate they were involved in the alleged domestic violence or that they posed any threat of harm. Nash had noted that the alleged victim had “alcohol coming from her breath and person.”

The lawsuit further claims the alleged victim later disclosed that she had falsely reported a firearm only after Nash insisted that she needed to tell him Nielsen had guns, so Nash would have justification to kick down his door. Nash then arrived at Nielsen’s residence and, upon being refused entry, forcefully entered and arrested Nielsen and booked him at Seminole County Jail. Nielsen was held until he posted a $75,000 bond on or about May 9, 2023, having spent three or more days wrongfully and falsely imprisoned.

Nielsen is claiming that because of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department and Seminole County’s actions, he suffered pain of body and mind, economic damages, and has been damaged in an amount in excess of $75,000.

Pruitt’s lawsuit alleges that on or around May 7, 2024, she was driving down NS 3540 Road when her car fell approximately 20 feet due to the road being washed out.

“As a result of the City of Seminole, or in the alternative, Seminole County’s negligence in failing to properly maintain Seminole County NS 3540 Road in a reasonably safe condition, Plaintiff suffered bodily injury which required medical treatment, physical and mental pain and suffering, and other damages. As a result, Plaintiff has suffered personal injury, including medical expenses, mental and physical pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, lost wages and other actual damages in excess of $75,000,” Pruitt’s lawsuit claims.

Pruitt is represented by Smolen and Roytman of Tulsa and Nielsen is represented by Sweeney-Rex of Ada.