by Mindy Aguon

Guam - A local businessman who was arrested and charged for taking photographs on his mobile phone of a car accident in his neighborhood is seeking $3 million in damages from Attorney General Alicia Limtiaco, Police Chief Paul Suba, Guam Police Department officers D.B. Anciano and Serafino Artui, and the AG's Office and GPD. Court documents state that on October 4, East-West Rental Center President and owner James. L. Adkins was leaving his residence when he noticed a green truck that crashed into a wall nearby.

Adkins took out his mobile phone and began taking pictures of the accident while in his car. As he was driving away, he alleges the two officers approached him demanding he give up his camera, but he refused. Adkins was arrested and detained and later given a notice to appear in court for obstructing governmental function and failure to comply. He is seeking one million dollars for his mental anguish and suffering, humiliation, shame and embarrassment and damage to his good name and reputation for the false arrest and imprisonment, along with another $2 million in punitive damages.

In a statement released by his attorney's office, Adkins states, "I was arrested because I took pictures of a car accident near by house. I committed no crime and I did nothing wrong. I filed this lawsuit because I believe that these police officers think they are above the law, they can arrest and incarcerate people without cause and they can get away with it. I also believe that the Guam Police Department condones this type of behavior by its police officers. This is wrong, and it has to stop. The primary job of all police officers is to protect citizens' constitutional rights, not to violate them."

A summons was served on AG's Office to respond to the complaint within 20 days.