A man who claims Scranton police entered his home without a warrant and tackled him filed a federal lawsuit against three officers and the city.

The city refutes the allegations in a response filed last week.

John Wright, of Lackawanna County, says officers violated his constitutional rights during an incident that resulted in his arrest Nov. 17, 2024.

Wright says officers used excessive force following a vague report of a suspicious person, violating his Fourth and 14th Amendment rights, which ensure due process and equal protection. The suit also alleges the city of Scranton was remiss in its duty to properly train police officers. It was filed March 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

The city asserts the officers’ actions were legal and necessary for public safety, in its response filed June 30. The city denies allegations it failed to properly train its officers.

According to the complaint

On the night of the incident, Scranton police officers Benjamin Douglas Snyder and Matthew Grippo were dispatched at about 11 to a Willow Street address after a report of a suspicious person in white clothing.

Officer Brian Lynady also responded. He spotted Wright, who matched the vague description provided by dispatchers.

When Lynady ordered Wright to stop, he didn’t comply and kept walking. When Wright neared a laundromat in the 400 block of Pittston Avenue, Lynady again ordered him to stop and verbally indicated he was detained. Wright ran upstairs to his apartment.

Snyder and Grippo knocked on Wright’s apartment door, which Wright initially refused to open. When he did, police pushed their way inside, forced Wright to the floor and handcuffed him without a warrant or exigent circumstances, the suit claims. Wright says he suffered injuries during his arrest.

“Being present in a public area and matching a vague description of a suspicious person as a Black male in white clothing does not constitute reasonable suspicion of criminal activity,” the complaint states.

The city responds

In a formal response on behalf of the city and officers, attorney Sean McDonough said a theft earlier in the day and Wright’s erratic behavior were a sufficient basis to stop Wright and ask for identification.

The city admitted officers didn’t have a warrant to enter Wright’s apartment, but asserted he invited them in. The city further asserted that officers had a legally sufficient reason to arrest Wright without a warrant.

They deny allegations that Wright was injured during the arrest.

The city, Snyder, Grippo and Lynady ask the court to dismiss the case and grant them costs and attorney’s fees.

Months behind bars

Officers charged Wright with resisting arrest and fleeing police officers. He spent nearly six months behind bars. His charges were dismissed May 29, 2025.

“Upon reviewing the case, we determined that it lacked prosecutorial merit and it was withdrawn,” Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher said.

Wright argues because the initial detention was unlawful and lacked probable cause, he had no legal obligation to submit to the officers, making the derivative charges of resisting arrest legally baseless.

In its response, the city denies the dismissal reflects any constitutional misstep by the city or its officers.

Wright seeks joint and several compensatory damages for physical harm, loss of liberty, and emotional distress, punitive damages against the individual officers and reimbursement for attorney’s fees and legal costs.

When asked to provide comment beyond the city’s formal response, city Solicitor Jessica Eskra said, “We do not wish to comment on pending litigation.”