A Lansing resident has filed a lawsuit against a local police officer, alleging severe violations of civil rights that led to wrongful arrest and imprisonment. Avis Cowand initiated the complaint on November 26, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, accusing Officer Douglas Hall of the Lansing Police Department of fabricating evidence and conducting an unlawful search and seizure.
The case revolves around events from April 22, 2022, when Officer Hall allegedly applied for a search warrant under false pretenses to enter Cowand’s home at 933 Reo Road in Lansing. According to the complaint, Hall submitted an affidavit with false statements and omitted critical information necessary to correct its misleading content. This alleged misconduct resulted in a warrant that was unsupported by probable cause. During the execution of this warrant, officers forcibly entered Cowand’s home using flash-bang devices and pointed firearms at him, actions described as excessive force in the complaint.
Cowand’s legal battle began when he challenged the validity of the search warrant through a ‘Franks’ hearing before Judge Janet T. Neff. The absence of Officer Hall during this hearing led Judge Neff to suppress evidence obtained from what was deemed an unlawful search and seizure. Consequently, Cowand was released after spending over eight months in custody, and his federal criminal case was dismissed on April 19, 2023.
The lawsuit claims that Hall’s actions caused significant harm to Cowand, including psychological injuries, emotional distress, reputational damage, loss of income, and loss of his home. The complaint also holds the city of Lansing accountable for these constitutional violations due to alleged failures in policy enforcement and officer training.
Cowand is seeking compensatory damages amounting to $25 million and punitive damages against Officer Hall totaling $5 million. Additionally, he requests declaratory relief affirming that his rights were violated under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. The suit also seeks injunctive relief aimed at preventing future violations through potential changes in training and policy within the police department.
This case is being handled pro se by Avis Cowand himself without legal representation noted in the filing documents. It is presided over by District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou with Magistrate Judge Maarten Vermaat involved as well under Case ID: 1:25-cv-01585-HYJ-MV.
Source: 125cv01585_Aris_Coward_v_Douglas_Hall_Complaint_Western_District_of_Michigan.pdf
