A local pastor and his family have filed a legal claim against the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department, alleging a violation of their civil rights following an armed encounter at their home in October 2011. The incident has sparked controversy and calls for accountability.
On November 15, 2011, Pastor Jimmy Gradis, through his attorney Alan K. Wittig, filed a Notice of Claim with the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. The claim stems from an incident on October 4, when six sheriff’s deputies, armed with M16 rifles, reportedly surrounded the Gradis residence in the San Tan Mountains. The deputies detained Pastor Gradis outside his home while another deputy reportedly forced his wife at gunpoint to join him.
According to the claim, the deputies entered the home without a warrant or permission, where the family’s foster children — four teenage girls and a 7-year-old boy — were inside. The children were forcibly removed from the house and held outside while deputies questioned Pastor Gradis. The teenage girls alleged that male deputies searched them, leading to further concerns about the handling of the situation.
Deputies stated they were responding to a report of a Black man shooting at dogs with a shotgun. However, Pastor Gradis, who is Black, was unarmed and outside his home when deputies arrived. Additionally, the deputies did not report hearing gunshots during the encounter.
The Gradis family alleges that the deputies’ actions were excessive and unconstitutional. The Notice of Claim accuses the sheriff’s department of violating the family’s civil rights, including unlawful entry, unreasonable search and seizure, and inappropriate treatment of the children.
The case remains under investigation, and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department has yet to release a formal statement. This incident has drawn attention to issues of racial profiling and the potential misuse of force, with community members expressing concern over the family’s treatment.
Pastor Gradis and his family are seeking justice and accountability for what they describe as a deeply traumatic experience.