Settlement reached in case over cavity search

By BOB GIBBINS
Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS October 09, 2008 10:17 am

— MUSKOGEE – A settlement has apparently been reached in a pair of cases filed by a woman who was allegedly subjected to an improper cavity search.
U.S. District Judge Ronald White signed an order Wednesday, dismissing the suits filed by Christie Vaughn. The dismissal states White has been told by the attorneys that the cases have been settled, or are in the process of being settled, and it’s not necessary for the cases to remain on the court’s calendar.
The cases were dismissed without prejudice. White has kept jurisdiction to rescind the dismissal order and reopen the cases if it’s determined they in fact haven’t been settled, and further litigation is necessary.
The initial suit was filed against the city of Tahlequah and Cherokee County Detention Center. Earlier this year, a second suit named Loyd Bickel, Beth Collins, Cindy Matthews, Sylvia Holmes, Steve Farmer, David Huffman, Chandra Hickey and Misty Davis. White combined the cases in response to a request by attorneys for CCDC.
Vaughn was stopped by Huffman and taken to the police department, where she was strip-searched. She was then taken to CCDC and subjected to a cavity search. No drugs or paraphernalia were found as a result of the search, which Vaughn claimed was done without a warrant.
Jim Cosby and Crystal Jackson represent Vaughn.