In a gripping case that underscores the complexities of law enforcement and civil rights, Felix Iraheta has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against Montgomery County, Texas, and several deputies from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on February 20, 2026. Iraheta accuses the defendants of excessive force and deliberate indifference to his medical needs following a traffic stop incident in February 2024.
The lawsuit arises from an encounter on February 20, 2024, when Iraheta was stopped by Specialist Timothy J. Boerema while driving within The Woodlands Market Street retail district. According to the complaint, Deputy Joseph Michael O’Neill initiated a forcible vehicle extraction using high-leverage techniques that resulted in Iraheta suffering a severe shoulder dislocation and fracture. Despite being visibly injured and in acute pain, Iraheta alleges that he was subjected to continued forceful handling by Deputies O’Neill and Nicholas Anthony Scinicariello during his arrest and subsequent transport to Memorial Hermann-The Woodlands Hospital.
Iraheta claims that his injuries were exacerbated by further custodial interference at the hospital where he was denied proper medical stabilization. He asserts that Deputy O’Neill overrode medical directives by refusing to allow him to use a physician-ordered sling for immobilization after his shoulder was reduced. The complaint also highlights an alleged pattern of misconduct by Deputy O’Neill, who had previously been involved in similar incidents but continued to receive accolades for high-volume DWI arrests without apparent scrutiny of his methods.
The lawsuit not only targets individual deputies but also holds Montgomery County accountable under Monell liability for its policies and customs that allegedly fostered an environment prioritizing arrest volume over constitutional compliance. Iraheta seeks compensatory damages for physical injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of earning capacity, and punitive damages against individual defendants.
Representing Iraheta is attorney Orlando Rodriguez from O. Rodriguez Law PLLC. The case is presided over by Judge (name not provided) under Case ID 4:26-cv-01355.
Source: 426cv01355_Felix_Iraheta_v_Montgomery_Complaint_Southern_District_of_Texas.pdf
