BOTCHED DRUG RAID VICTIMS FILE SUIT

BRECKENRIDGE - Attorney Tim Meinert filed a lawsuit against the Summit
County Sheriff's Office and the Frisco Police Department Thursday on behalf
of Josh Brunvand and Kate Rhodes, the victims of a botched drug raid last
summer.

"The kids were almost going to back out, but they talked about it and
decided for themselves and everyone in the county that they want some
answers," Meinert said. "The reason Kate and Josh are doing this is because
they don't want this to ever happen again to anyone."

Meinert delivered a letter to the Sheriff's Office Nov. 20 asking for
$300,000 to compensate the couple, which relocated to California after the
incident. He said if they weren't compensated by Jan. 31, 2005, he would
file suit.

The incident stemmed from reports the Frisco Police Department received
early last year claiming Brunvand and Rhodes were manufacturing crystal
methamphetamine in their Meadow Creek Villas condominium unit.

The manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine is a dangerous process that
can cause deadly explosions.

Police responded to the couple's condominium, where an officer conducted a
quick search and left. But further complaints led officers to believe the
couple might be making crystal meth, and in mid-July, police obtained a
search warrant, waited until the couple left their condominium and
apprehended them en route to a local restaurant.

There, Meinert wrote, they were handcuffed and escorted back to their
condominium where officers "engaged in threatening, intimidating and
harassing conduct" trying to get a confession from them.

In the meantime, the drug task force team members searched the condominium
destroying two doors, a mirror, household items and strewing personal items
throughout the unit.

They found nothing in the raid.

Sheriff John Minor, Capt. Derek Woodman and Frisco Police Chief Tom Wickman
later apologized to the couple and their parents.

Minor could not be reached for comment Thursday, but has declined comment
regarding the lawsuit in the past.

Meinert's letter says police violated their civil rights and committed
conspiracy, false arrest, kidnapping, assault and battery, false
imprisonment, trespassing, slander, outrageous conduct and intentional and
negligent infliction of emotional distress as their basis for the demand.

They cite economic losses since they both had to quit their jobs and move
from the area while incurring moving expenses. They also underwent
psychiatric and psychological treatments.

Rhodes and Brunvand could not be reached for comment.