Lawsuit OK'd: Cop broke man's ribs at wrong house

ADRIAN (AP) — A lawsuit can proceed against a beefy sheriff’s officer who tackled a smaller Lenawee County man, breaking his pelvis and ribs, while investigating a crime — at the wrong house.

A federal appeals court says a jury could “reasonably conclude” that Sgt. Jacob Pifer used excessive force against Ralph Pelton in 2015.

Pifer and another officer were investigating a report of domestic violence involving a gun. Pelton pulled his arm away from Pifer while confronting the officers on his front porch.

That’s when the 320-pound sergeant tackled Pelton and broke his bones. Pelton wasn’t armed.

It turned out the officers were at the wrong address.