Clarksville, TN – A Tennessee woman has filed a lawsuit against the Clarksville Police Department after she was wrongly portrayed as a credit card fraud suspect in a Facebook post, triggering widespread public backlash and emotional distress.
Case Background
Courtney Miller, an Instacart shopper, was inadvertently accused of theft after using a stolen credit card without knowing it was stolen. The civil rights and deliberate indifference lawsuit was filed last month in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.
Miller stated that a surveillance photo of her was first posted on a community Facebook page on March 7, asking the public to help identify the person. Clarksville police later posted the same photo on April 7, captioned:
“HELP IDENTIFY ID THEFT SUSPECT.”
The department’s post, shared with roughly 65,000 followers, suggested that Miller had committed the crime.
What Happened According to the Lawsuit
Police said a victim reported unauthorized charges on her account after reviewing a credit card statement.
“Surveillance images captured the suspect using the stolen credit card at Kroger… Detectives believe someone may recognize the individual based on her appearance and clothing in the photo,” the post read.
The photo showed Miller at a checkout lane, wearing a pink “Self Love” sweatshirt, jeans, and pink shoes. However, Miller was working as an Instacart shopper and was unaware the card was stolen.
“The captioned implication of guilt, paired with the Plaintiff’s photograph triggered widespread public backlash and emotional trauma,” the lawsuit states.
“This post publicly defamed Plaintiff, portraying her as guilty of a crime for which she had not been charged.”
Efforts to Clear Her Name
Miller’s family quickly recognized her in the photo and contacted the police department. She later met with the lead detective and his superior, who allegedly admitted they had provided the photo to the victim. According to the lawsuit, a family member of the victim shared the photo on the community Facebook page, giving unauthorized individuals access to sensitive case material.
Following public outcry, the department issued a press release to local media stating Miller was not a suspect, and deleted the original post.
Miller Speaks Out
In an interview, Miller described the toll the incident has taken on her reputation:
“It is a lot to watch your reputation and your character be questioned and none of it be true.”
Current Status
Kroger and Instacart confirmed they are cooperating with police to locate the person who actually stole the card. No arrests have been made.
The Clarksville Police Department has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and has not issued additional comments.
Takeaway
This case highlights the potential dangers of publicly sharing case materials online and the impact false accusations on social media can have on an individual’s personal and professional reputation.
What do you think about law enforcement sharing suspect photos on social media? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
