Woman Wins Nearly $4,000,000 After SWAT Team Storms Wrong Home Based On Find My iPhone App

This incident occurred on January 4, 2022, involving Ruby Johnson, a retired US Postal Service worker and grandmother.

Just after exiting the shower, she was shocked to hear demands from outside her Montbello, Denver home, instructing her to "exit her home with her hands in the air."

Dressed only in her bathrobe, the 78-year-old was met by an imposing sight: a SWAT team positioned outside her door.

Credit: ACLU

How one woman's day took a terrifying turn:

The detailed lawsuit filed by Johnson's attorneys paints a vivid picture of the ordeal. 

It states she was greeted by "a large group of Denver Police Department (DPD) officers in military gear carrying tactical rifles, the armored military personnel carrier parked in front of her house and flanked by many other DPD marked vehicles, and a German shepherd K9 dog."

Johnson felt "very frightened and confused" by the overwhelming scene.

Following a loud command through a megaphone to step outside, Johnson witnessed officers demanding access to her garage.

Despite her compliance and providing them with entry instructions, they proceeded to forcibly enter by "destroy[ing] the back garage door and door frame" with a battering ram.

The lawsuit further alleges the police caused damage inside her home, including "the tiles on Johnson's ceiling were broken" and "a prized collectable doll figurine" being damaged, with its head broken "off."

The SWAT team which showed up at Johnson's door. Credit: ACLU

The lawsuit describes the lengthy and invasive search process, noting Johnson was "offered no explanation of why her home was stormed or why she needed to be detained," leaving her to sit in the back of a police vehicle for hours.

How and why did such a big mistake happen?

The root of this mishap, as per the lawsuit, was traced back to a truck theft incident. 

The truck, containing firearms, cash, and an iPhone 11, was tracked to Johnson's neighborhood. 

Detective Gary Staab, acting on this information, "wrongly obtained" a search warrant for Johnson’s house.

American Civil Liberties Union's website continues: "The 'Find My' app in fact made clear that the iPhone's location could not be accurately identified, and there was no basis to identify and search Ms. Johnson's home."

Johnson in the back of a police vehicle. Credit: ACLU

"The hastily undertaken and outsized operation was based on a manifestly deficient search warrant and turned up nothing because Ms. Johnson and her home had no involvement whatsoever with the alleged incident."

The repercussions:

Johnson’s legal action targeted Sergeant Gregory Buschy, the supervisor who approved the search warrant, and Staab directly, rather than the Denver Police Department.

The lawsuit emphasizes the absence of an apology for the "invasion" and "turmoil" caused.

Highlighting the profound impact of the incident, the lawsuit argues, "For us, the damage was always about the psychological and the emotional harm to Ms. Johnson." 

It asserts, "Johnson's privacy, sense of safety and peace in her home have been shattered."

Following this incident, Johnson moved away from her home of 40 years due to "sleepless nights," "intense shame and embarrassment," and feeling "unsafe in her own home."

Damage police allegedly inflicted on Johnson's home. Credit: ACLU

She reportedly continues to suffer from "multiple, unhealed ulcers," "anxiety living alone," and "intrusive thoughts."

On March 4, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado announced the jury's decision in Denver state court, ruling in favor of Johnson and awarding her $3.76 million.

This verdict not only provides compensation for Johnson but also highlights the severe consequences of the mistaken police action on her life and well-being.