Opinion ID: 2682018
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: On September 7, 2009, Brian Mead pulled into the driveway of his home and was immediately accosted by off-duty sheriff’s deputy Doug Pierce. Pierce identified himself as a law enforcement officer but wore no uniform and could produce no identification supporting his claim. On top of his inability to produce identification, it is undisputed that Pierce smelled of alcohol when he confronted Mead. Consequently, when Pierce forcibly grabbed Mead and attempted to subdue him, a struggle ensued and Mead pulled away from Pierce, escaping his grasp. Pierce later represented to on-duty deputies who arrived at Mead’s home that Mead had assaulted him. The on-duty deputies arrested Mead for assault on a law enforcement officer. Mead then filed the present suit against Pierce and others. 1 The claim against Pierce is that Pierce caused Mead to be seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment. Pierce moved for summary judgment, asserting a defense of qualified immunity. The district court denied Pierce’s motion for summary judgment, saying that “the facts are very much in dispute as to what occurred 1 Mead sued his neighbors, Kenneth and Tara Bibbs, and the Bay County Sherriff, Frank McKeithen. The disposition of the case as to these defendants is not relevant to this appeal. 2 Case: 14-10447 Date Filed: 07/07/2014 Page: 3 of 9 between Mead and Pierce” and that Pierce was not entitled to qualified immunity. (Doc. 85 at 3). Pierce appeals. We affirm.