Minden, Louisiana – Julie Carver Franks filed a federal complaint on Sept. 11 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, accusing the City of Minden and two former police officers of unlawfully obtaining and disseminating her private nude photographs.
Allegations against former officers
Franks says she lived with Chris Shipp in 2024 and reported physical and mental abuse to the Minden Police Department in March 2024. Former Lieutenant Jason Smith was assigned to investigate. According to the complaint, Smith asked to examine her cellphone, which contained intimate images and videos. Franks contends she only consented to showing photos taken by Shipp, not the entire device.
The lawsuit alleges Smith downloaded the full contents of the phone through the Bossier City Police Department, then shared the images with other law‑enforcement personnel and individuals unrelated to the case. Former Officer Marvin Garrett allegedly accessed the files on Oct. 8, 2024, viewed them, and texted Franks that he “enjoyed her pictures, particularly because she was a woman.”
City’s response and internal actions
Assistant Police Chief Shane Griffith informed Franks in October that Smith had circulated the images to people with no investigative need. Griffith urged her to cooperate in pursuing felony charges against Smith, who was being terminated at the time.
Police Chief Jared McIver later said he would conduct an internal investigation. In June, McIver indicated a desire to settle Franks’ claim but wanted to wait until after the upcoming Nov. 3 municipal election, in which he is a candidate.
Constitutional and state‑law claims
Franks alleges violations of her Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process, equal protection, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as Fourth Amendment claims of an unlawful search. She also asserts sex‑based discrimination, arguing that similarly situated male victims were not subjected to the same privacy breaches.
The complaint states the City of Minden lacked policies and training to safeguard victims’ digital evidence at the time of the incidents, only implementing such measures after the alleged misconduct.
Relief sought
Franks seeks compensatory, special and punitive damages, attorney fees, and court costs. She also requests a court order requiring the defendants to return or protect her private information, prohibit further disclosure, and mandate policies and training to prevent future violations. A jury trial has been requested, though the complaint does not specify a monetary amount.
The lawsuit was filed by Shreveport attorney Nelson W. Cameron.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
