Ex-Wife of Former Officer Sues City of Whitehouse, Former Police Chief

TYLER — The former wife of an ex-Whitehouse police officer has sued the city of Whitehouse and the town’s former police chief. KETK reports Jessica Johnson filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court of East Texas on October 9. Court documents reveal Johnson claims the defendants violated the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments by violating her privacy and her right to be free of sexual assault. Johnson said then-Police Chief Craig Shelton assaulted her at her home on May 14 when she was separated from her husband, an officer on the police force. Shelton was indicted on an assault charge, but the charge was later dropped after Johnson admitted lying to a grand jury. The former police chief resigned from his position not long after the charge was dismissed.

Jessica Johnson is seeking damages for mental anguish and emotional distress, embarrassment and humiliation, and physical and mental pain and suffering. Jessica Johnson’s husband, Shawn Johnson, was later fired from the force following a lengthy investigation into his actions. He allegedly attacked Shelton over the incident. A message left with the city seeking comment was not immediately returned.