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Plaintiffs Brian and Sheila Thompson have filed a compelling complaint against Ryan Cate and the City of Trinidad, Texas, revealing alleged misconduct by Cate, a law enforcement officer. The complaint details an incident where Cate allegedly used excessive force and falsely arrested Sheila Thompson. It also uncovers concerning details about Cate’s prior employment and raises questions about law enforcement vetting processes.

Lawsuit Filed Against Ryan Cate and the City of Trinidad, Texas
Plaintiffs Brian and Sheila Thompson have recently filed a compelling original complaint against Ryan Cate and the City of Trinidad, Texas. The complaint sheds light on the alleged misconduct of Ryan Cate, a law enforcement officer whose actions have raised serious concerns.
According to the complaint, Ryan Cate has been known for moving between various small law enforcement departments, and his behavior has reportedly disregarded constitutional boundaries on multiple occasions. The incident in question took place on April 7, 2022, when Cate allegedly used an investigation of a stray dog as a pretext to confront Brian Thompson. It is claimed that when Sheila, Brian’s mother, informed Cate that he could not be on their property without a warrant, he responded in a concerning manner, reportedly stating, “I can do whatever the f*** I want.”
The situation escalated as Cate allegedly proceeded to tase Brian Thompson without warning or justification, continuing to do so even after Brian lost consciousness. Adding to the distressing sequence of events, Sheila Thompson was reportedly arrested by Cate without probable cause for allegedly interfering with public duties, a charge which was later dismissed.
In response to these alarming actions, Brian Thompson is pursuing legal action against Cate for the use of excessive force under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, while Sheila Thompson is filing a lawsuit against him for false arrest. Notably, both plaintiffs are also directing legal action towards the City of Trinidad for its decision to hire Cate as a police officer, despite being aware of his history of violating established constitutional rights.
Lawsuit Alleges Civil Rights Violation by Ryan Cate
For reasons yet to be disclosed, Ryan Cate, who was serving as a police officer for the City of Trinidad at the time, seemed to have a personal grievance against Brian Thompson. On the evening of April 6, 2022, Cate apparently fabricated a story alleging that Thompson had not properly controlled his dog, using it as a pretext to confront Thompson at his residence.
Brian’s mother, Plaintiff Sheila Thompson, observed a police vehicle pass by and then witnessed Cate approaching their home on foot. She went out to the front porch to meet him and inquired about the purpose of his visit. Cate expressed his desire to speak to Brian, to which Sheila asked if he had a warrant due to his previous harassment about the dog, which the Thompsons had clarified was a stray. Cate asserted that he did not require a warrant, and when Sheila insisted that he could not be on private property without one, Cate responded disrespectfully, claiming that he could do as he pleased.
Despite not mentioning anything about arresting Brian or the existence of any warrants, Cate asked to speak to him about a loose dog allegedly present in the Thompsons’ yard. Sheila, knowing that the dog was a stray and that Brian had committed no wrongdoing, fetched him from his bedroom. Brian, unarmed, came to the door to converse with Cate. Despite Brian being visible unarmed, Cate, standing a few feet away on the porch, repeatedly urged Brian to come outside. Brian inquired multiple times if he was being detained or arrested, to which Cate responded by saying he was not detained or being arrested.. As he was not being arrested, Brian stated that he would not step outside and suggested that they continue their conversation at the doorway.
Brian suspected that Cate’s true motive for visiting the house was to arrest him for the alleged nonpayment of a misdemeanor fine from Gun Barrel City, for which a judge had recently granted him an extension. Brian also knew that Cate was aware of the situation and of the granted extension. When Brian attempted to call the judge to verify the extension, he stepped back slightly from the doorway to improve his cell phone signal. However, despite still being fully visible through the glass panes of the double doorway, Cate abruptly declared, “You’re under arrest,” and promptly tased Brian without issuing any specific commands or allowing him to comply or surrender.
At this moment, Sheila was standing by the door but was not obstructing the doorway. Additionally, Sheila, who was 66 years old at the time, 5 feet 2 inches tall, and just over 100 pounds, was swiftly bypassed by Cate, a significantly larger man, who proceeded to tase Brian a second time after which Brian lost consciousness. Cate continued to employ the taser in “drive stun” mode on Brian, even while he was unconscious, to such an extent that it caused Brian to involuntarily release bodily fluids and required him to be transported to the hospital before being taken to jail.
Subsequently, Cate arrested Brian for the warrants from Gun Barrel City and for resisting arrest, while also arresting Sheila for supposedly interfering with public duties. Sheila’s charge was later dismissed, as was Brian’s charge of resisting arrest. She spent approximately 29 hours in jail before being released on bond, incurring significant costs to defend herself against the charge.
Allegations of Previous Unreasonable Use of Force Surfaced Against Officer Ryan Cate Before Joining the Trinidad Police Department
Recent revelations have shed light on the employment history of former Trinidad police officer Ryan Cate, indicating a pattern of concerning behavior predating his time in Trinidad, Texas.
Back in December 2019, while serving as a deputy for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Cate was reportedly involved in an incident with striking similarities to the current allegations against him. A deputy entered a family’s home without a warrant, and when Cate arrived as backup, his aggressive behavior led to the arrest of a resident who filmed the incident, reminiscent of the circumstances surrounding Sheila Thompson’s arrest.
Following this incident, Cate moved through several law enforcement positions, working for ten different departments in a span of ten years, raising questions about his tenure and conduct at each placement. In April 2020, he departed from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, purportedly as a result of the aforementioned incident. Subsequent short-lived employment stints in various small police departments further underscored a spotty service record, signaling potential recurrent issues.
Notably, after departing from Trinidad, Cate faced criticism for an episode where he reportedly trespassed on a property without a warrant, displaying a pattern of disregard for individuals’ rights. His conduct prompted a sustained complaint of “Inappropriate Conduct and Rudeness” from the City’s police chief, and he garnered a reputation within the community for being perceived as authoritarian.
In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed that Cate had made a public appearance on The Dr. Phil Show in 2017, where he was informed about an arousal disorder of his autonomic nervous system. Despite the unfortunate nature of his condition, the public disclosure of this condition and its potential impact on his suitability for a law enforcement career raises significant concerns.
These revelations prompt questions about the adequacy of background checks conducted by the City of Trinidad prior to Cate’s employment. The accumulation of concerning incidents and patterns in Cate’s professional history raises pertinent questions about the thoroughness of the vetting process implemented by law enforcement agencies.
The emergence of these details has cast a spotlight on the importance of comprehensive background assessments and due diligence in evaluating the suitability of individuals for law enforcement roles, with implications for ensuring public safety and trust in law enforcement agencies.
Summary
Plaintiffs Brian and Sheila Thompson have filed a compelling original complaint against Ryan Cate and the City of Trinidad, Texas, shedding light on alleged misconduct by Cate, a law enforcement officer. The complaint details an incident where Cate allegedly used an investigation of a stray dog as a pretext to confront Brian Thompson, ultimately resulting in the use of excessive force by Cate, false arrest of Sheila Thompson, and subsequent legal action pursued by the plaintiffs.
Furthermore, the complaint reveals concerning details about Cate’s employment history, including prior allegations of unreasonable use of force and a recurrent pattern of behavior predating his employment in Trinidad. These revelations raise questions about the vetting process conducted by law enforcement agencies and emphasize the significance of thorough background assessments for individuals in law enforcement roles.
Disclaimer
The content provided above is for informational and educational purposes only. The details outlined in the complaint and the allegations against the involved parties are based on the information available at the time of composition. Any actions or decisions taken based on this information should be carefully considered and coupled with professional legal counsel where necessary. The accuracy, completeness, and current nature of the information cannot be guaranteed, and no liability is accepted for any losses or damages incurred as a result of the use of this information. It is advisable to consult with a qualified legal professional regarding specific legal issues and concerns.
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