ICAP represents Joshua Rohrer, a disabled, formerly unhoused veteran, in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Gastonia and current or former members of its police department. In October 2021, officers arrested Mr. Rohrer under an unconstitutional panhandling ordinance while he was standing on a median with his service dog, Sunshine. During the arrest, officers used excessive force and tased Sunshine, who ran off and was later struck and killed by a car. Following the incident, the City launched a retaliatory social media campaign, using the official police department Facebook page to taunt and disparage Mr. Rohrer and spread false information about the encounter. The lawsuit alleges that the City’s actions violated the First and Fourth Amendments, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state law.
Rohrer v. City of Gastonia
Litigation Content
Major Filings 5
- Received a decision from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina adopting the Magistrate Judge’s Memorandum and Recommendation and denying Defendants’ motion to dismiss in substantial part. (Jul 28, 2025)
- Magistrate Judge issued a Report and Recommendation recommending that the defendants’ motion to dismiss be denied in large part. (Aug 24, 2024)
- Filed a brief in opposition to defendants’ motion to dismiss. (Oct 23, 2023)
- Filed a judicial misconduct complaint against the Magistrate who presided over Mr. Rohrer’s initial appearance and then publicly commented about his case while it was pending. (Jul 3, 2023)
- Filed a complaint in federal court seeking declaratory and compensatory relief against the City and several of its officers. (Jun 30, 2023)
