The main Watonga police lawsuit was a federal civil rights case filed by John Sexton against the City of Watonga, Oklahoma, after Officer Monty Goodwin slammed him to the ground during an early-morning stop on July 4, 2024. Sexton sought $75,000 plus interest, costs, and attorney’s fees, and the case settled with the city’s insurer paying the claim.1The Watonga Republican. City’s Insurer Pays Claim The city itself was responsible only for a deductible of up to $1,000.
What Happened on July 4, 2024
Sometime between roughly 5:30 and 6:00 a.m., Sexton was walking with his six-year-old son, who has autism, when two Watonga officers approached and said his presence looked “a little bit suspicious.” Body camera footage captured one officer telling him, “If you don’t give me your ID I’m going to take you to jail for failure to identify.” When Sexton did not hand over identification, Goodwin took him to the ground, handcuffed him, and placed him in a patrol vehicle.2KOCO. Watonga Police Officer Use of Force DA Declines Criminal Charges He was detained but never formally arrested, and no police report was filed.3OKC FOX. DA Clears Watonga Officer From Criminal Charges in July 4 Use of Force Case
Oklahoma is not a stop-and-identify state. Pedestrians are generally not required to produce ID during an encounter with police, only during traffic stops.3OKC FOX. DA Clears Watonga Officer From Criminal Charges in July 4 Use of Force Case Sexton later said the stop violated his rights and traumatized his son.2KOCO. Watonga Police Officer Use of Force DA Declines Criminal Charges
The Claims in the Lawsuit
Sexton’s suit alleged the two officers stopped him and his son without reasonable suspicion and demanded identification in violation of the Fourth Amendment. It also targeted the city directly, alleging inadequate officer training and arguing that Watonga should have known about prior complaints against Goodwin from his earlier job as a Blaine County sheriff’s deputy. Sheriff Travis Daugherty has said Goodwin was demoted and eventually left the sheriff’s office after complaints from deputies he supervised.4The Oklahoman. Watonga Police Cam Footage Community
How the Case Was Resolved
The city’s insurance carrier paid the claim. City Manager Leroy Alsup confirmed the resolution and said the city’s exposure was limited to a deductible of up to $1,000. Alsup also said additional officer training had already been conducted and more was scheduled.1The Watonga Republican. City’s Insurer Pays Claim
A Second Use-of-Force Incident Shaped the Context
About a month before the Sexton stop, on June 2, 2024, Goodwin responded to a call involving 15-year-old Santiago Garcia, who has autism. Body camera footage showed Goodwin attempting to flip the teen and punching him three times in the face. The camera dislodged during the struggle, leaving only audio for the rest of the encounter.5KOCO. Watonga Police Officer Monty Goodwin No Longer With Department The teen’s mother, Andrea Lambert, publicly condemned Goodwin and organized a peaceful protest at the Blaine County Courthouse on August 31, 2024.6News9. Watonga Officer Faces New Scrutiny Over Use of Force Incident With Autistic Teen
Criminal Investigations Produced No Charges
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reviewed both incidents. For the July 4 stop, the Blaine County District Attorney announced on August 15, 2024 that no criminal charges would be filed, writing that the office was “solely tasked with determining whether any of Mr. Goodwin’s conduct in this matter was criminal in nature” and that its decision spoke “only to our assessment of potential criminal liability under Oklahoma law.” The DA expressly noted that disciplinary and civil action were outside the scope of the review.3OKC FOX. DA Clears Watonga Officer From Criminal Charges in July 4 Use of Force Case2KOCO. Watonga Police Officer Use of Force DA Declines Criminal Charges
For the Garcia incident, OSBI found enough evidence on body camera footage for a possible misdemeanor assault and battery charge. The Fourth District Attorney’s office still declined. Assistant DA Eric Epplin said there did “not appear to be sufficient evident of criminal intent to sustain a conviction” and noted that Goodwin had already resigned.7The Watonga Republican. Cop Avoids Charges Again
Goodwin’s Firing, Reinstatement, and Resignation
After the body camera footage became public through reporting by KOCO 5, the city fired Goodwin in August 2024.5KOCO. Watonga Police Officer Monty Goodwin No Longer With Department Earlier, on July 27, 2024, Sheriff Daugherty had sent the city a letter demanding both July 4 officers be placed on administrative leave during the OSBI investigation, writing that he wanted “the citizens to know that somebody is listening.”8KOCO. Blaine County Sheriff Requests Watonga Officers Be Placed on Leave
Goodwin appealed. Oklahoma law gives officers in the state pension system the right to contest a firing before a police review board. The Watonga City Council approved board members on November 6, 2024, and the board found that reinstatement was appropriate; the city approved it later that month.9KOCO. Watonga Police Department Reinstates Officer Monty Goodwin10News9. Watonga Reinstates Police Officer After 2 Use of Force Investigations Council member Tina Willis suggested the ruling turned on a “technicality,” noting that some of Goodwin’s prior disciplinary warnings had been verbal rather than written.11The Watonga Republican. City Reinstates Goodwin Some residents accused city officials of a “conspiracy” between the police department and city hall.12KOCO. Watonga Officer Monty Goodwin Reinstated Goodwin was briefly back on the force before resigning.7The Watonga Republican. Cop Avoids Charges Again
Political and Departmental Fallout
On August 15, 2024, Mayor Bill Seitter and Vice Mayor Travis Bradt abruptly resigned during a special city meeting originally called to demote City Manager Carrie Beth Little to interim city manager.13KOCO. Watonga Mayor Vice Mayor Resign in City Shakeup Neither publicly explained the decision.14The Watonga Republican. Ragsdale Named Mayor Kayla Ragsdale became mayor and Ryan Bruner vice mayor.5KOCO. Watonga Police Officer Monty Goodwin No Longer With Department
Beth Massey was named chief of police and began on August 12, 2024, telling the public she wanted to “regain the trust of the people in the community.”15The Watonga Republican. Massey Named Watonga Chief of Police As of April 2026, the city is again advertising for a chief of police, with applications going to City Manager Leroy Alsup. The listing does not explain the vacancy.16Oklahoma Municipal League. Chief of Police – Watonga
A Separate, Older Case Against the Department
Searches for Watonga police litigation also surface Hicks v. City of Watonga, 942 F.2d 737 (10th Cir. 1991), an unrelated case. Former Watonga officer Steven R. Hicks sued under 42 U.S.C. ยง 1983, alleging he was fired in retaliation for issuing traffic citations to Councilwoman Brenda Diffey and her son and for reporting that Police Chief Lonnie Rickey had hidden radar equipment purchases. The Tenth Circuit granted qualified immunity to most defendants but denied it to Diffey on Hicks’s First Amendment retaliation and property-interest claims, remanding those for further proceedings.17vLex. Hicks v. City of Watonga, 942 F.2d 737 It has no connection to the Goodwin matters.