Demand of $1.8 million for police and city of Dalhart

The City of Dalhart and the Dalhart Police Department are seeking $1.8 million in damages for unlawful arrest, detention, search and seizure, and related actions following a July 10 incident involving two Dalhart County police officers and a deputy sheriff.

Andrew Spignor, an insurance agent and consultant from Sun City, Arizona, was visiting his father-in-law and sister-in-law, who wished to remain anonymous, with his wife, Arelys, and young son. The three had been staying in Dalhart on and off for about two months, Andrew said. His sister-in-law was also hosting a friend who she had thrown out a few days earlier for unacceptable behavior, the Spignors said.

On the evening of July 10, Andrew and Arelys were sitting outside the family’s Maynard Avenue apartment when the former girlfriend (whose name we are not mentioning here) showed up and demanded entry to collect the items that had been left behind. When the Spignors refused, Andrew’s sister-in-law, whose name is on the lease, threatened to call the police. They encouraged her to do so, explaining that the police would not help with civil matters.

She left and then returned with two female Dalhart patrol officers, whose names shall also remain unnamed. According to a video recording of the incident, the first officer appeared ready to leave after hearing the situation. However, her partner explained that the former visitor had squatter’s rights and could therefore enter the house as she wished. The officer then pointed to a tire iron lying on the porch and told the “friend” that she could even pick it up and use it to break a window to gain entry if she wanted.

As the former friend picked up the tire iron and walked toward the window, Andrew Spignor blocked the glass and said he had the right to protect the house. That’s when the second officer arrested him. She called for backup, and a Dallam County deputy arrived on the scene. Spignor’s hands were handcuffed behind his back and he was forced into the back seat of the patrol car.

The three officers then entered the apartment without Arelys’ consent and against her protests, accompanied the “friend” and “looked at everything,” Arelys said.

Andrew Spignor said he spent about 19 hours in jail, was strip-searched and forced to sleep on the floor. His previously injured wrist, which had undergone surgery, was re-injured during the arrest and has been chronically swollen for a month since the incident.

The Dallam County District Attorney’s Office has “dismissed charges in this case … as no charges were filed,” according to an email to Andrew.

He is seeking damages totaling $1.873 million and a public apology from the City of Dalhart, the Dalhart Police Department and the Dallam County Sheriff’s Department for the wrongful arrest and detention.

“I’m willing to negotiate,” he said. “I don’t want to bankrupt the city. Everyone here has been very nice for the most part, from the grocer to the county clerk. But this was wrong.”

Dalhart police had no comment. The city government did not respond to requests for comment or additional information.