STILLWATER, Okla. — A former Oklahoma State University student, Claire Hosterman, is suing the City of Stillwater and its police department after claiming she was unlawfully arrested and subjected to an illegal strip search by officers in September 2022.
Hosterman’s lawsuit alleges that Stillwater police officers violated her constitutional rights during the arrest, leaving her naked and handcuffed in a jail cell for several minutes. According to the lawsuit, Hosterman was stopped by officers while with friends on a street near a local bar. The officers initially believed one of Hosterman’s friends matched the description of an individual involved in a “belligerent” incident at the bar.
When the group did not comply with the officer’s instructions to leave the scene, an altercation reportedly ensued, leading to Hosterman’s arrest on charges of public intoxication and resisting arrest. The body camera footage from the booking process, which has been referenced in the lawsuit, captures an officer telling Hosterman, “Alright, it sounds like you have a great lawsuit,” a remark that Hosterman’s legal team argues hints at the officers’ awareness of the misconduct.
The lawsuit further claims that, during the booking process, Hosterman’s purse strap became entangled with an officer’s arm, which led to the officer allegedly grabbing her by the hair and forcibly taking her to the police station. Once inside the detention facility, Hosterman contends that several officers, including both male and female officers, proceeded to remove her clothing, with one male officer allegedly standing nearby and watching.
Hosterman was reportedly left alone for approximately eight minutes, naked, handcuffed, and face down on a jail bench, while she cried hysterically. The lawsuit describes the incident as deeply traumatic, asserting that Hosterman was subjected to unnecessary and unlawful treatment.
The allegations have raised serious questions about the actions of the Stillwater Police Department, and whether the officers involved violated Hosterman’s rights to privacy, dignity, and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. Legal experts suggest that strip searches must meet stringent legal standards and can only be performed under specific circumstances that justify their necessity.
Hosterman’s legal team is seeking damages for emotional distress and violation of constitutional rights, and they argue that this case could have significant implications for police practices across the country. The outcome of the lawsuit could potentially influence future policies regarding how police departments handle arrests, searches, and detainee treatment.
As the case unfolds, it will likely shine a spotlight on police accountability and the proper procedures for conducting searches during arrest, particularly in situations involving vulnerable individuals.
Former OSU Student Sues Stillwater Police Over Alleged Unlawful Arrest and Strip Search
