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Couple awarded $1.25 million for illegal raid

Posted at 6:17 AM, Apr 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-28 11:04:39-04

The Pima County Sheriff's Department must pay $1.25 million to couple Rob and Jill Larson for violating their constitutional rights while raiding their home in 2013.

The judgment came from a federal jury Friday. 

According to documents filed in U.S. District Corut, on May 23, 2013, deputies raided the Larsons' home in response to a 911 call of gunfire across the street from their home. Both Larsons were woken up, handcuffed and placed inside a patrol vehicle while deputies raided their home.

Deputies kept the Larsons in custody after the 911 caller, William Warfe Jr., told them they had the wrong house, and deputies searched a different home.

A search of the PCSD database revealed that Warfe had repeatedly made false 911 calls. The jury ruled that the raid violated the Larsons' constitutional rights.

PCSD declined to comment, with spokesman Courtney Rodriguez saying "We cannot discuss this litigation at this time."