By JACKIE TAYLOR | December 23, 2020

Stems from sexual abuse/harassment by SRO Huggins

Following the arrest and eventual conviction of Linn County Deputy SRO David Allen Huggins for indecent liberties with a child; the victim is now plaintiff in a civil lawsuit against Linn County, former Linn County Sheriff Paul Filla and USD 344.

The suit was filed Monday, Dec. 14, 2020 in the United States District Court, District of Kansas and lists nine counts including Failure to Supervise and Discipline, Denial of Substantive Rights Under the 14^th Amendment – Failure to Train, Negligent Hiring, Title IX violations and more - the plaintiff is asking for a jury trial in Kansas City, Kan.

The plaintiff is now a junior at Wichita State University double-majoring in Criminal Justice Political Science with a minor in Sociology. After graduation, she plans to attend Washburn University to earn her law degree.

“When I get licensed, I plan to advocate for victims of similar crimes,” said the victim/plaintiff. “I want to bring justice to victims of crimes just like mine.”

“This is unbelievable,” she said. “The story of a girl molested is jaw dropping; all the covering up. I’m absolutely floored at the complete and utter negligence.”

“I’m glad it was caught when it was because I don’t know where I’d be today if it wasn’t,” said the plaintiff.

The victim’s father said, “Usually when something like this happens to a kid, it devastates them for life. She chose to go the other direction.”

The victim said that multiple deputies who worked for Sheriff Paul Filla had kept things “hush hush” when she was at Huggins’ house.

The suit contends that she was babysitting Huggins’ grandbaby at his house.

“A La Cygne officer stopped by to chit-chat,” she said. “He called Huggins out on me being at his house.”

The victim spoke of the “complete and utter manipulation.”

“I was a 15-year-old girl who had done nothing bad in my life,” she said. “It made me lie to my parents, the school; he (Huggins) made me feel like there was only one person that was important and that was him.”

“It’s crazy – you don’t see it until it’s past,” the victim said.

Her father said, “It started in 2017 – it was always about bringing to light what people cover up – it was not about the money. It’s about people who did things wrong being reprimanded; not just a slap on the wrist, but being reprimanded and bringing awareness.”

Linn County Counselor Gary Thompson had no comment and said the county will be represented by Kevin Case at Case Linden PC.

USD 344 Superintendent Travis Laver had no comment and said Mike Seck of Fisher Patterson Sayler & Smith, LLP will represent the school district.

Former Sheriff Paul Filla was “unavailable” for comment.

County Attorney James Brun issued the following release concerning the matter, “The Linn County Attorney Office does not comment on the validity of any civil litigation pending against the County.” 

“The Linn County Attorney Office has been outspoken against the prior Sheriff Paul Filla and the atrocities that occurred during his tenure.”

“During his tenure a death occurred in his jail, multiple employees arrested for sex offenses, inmate’s rights were violated, evidence missing, cover-up of employee potential DUI, and the list goes on.”

“My office went to the commissioners and county counselor, Gary Thompson, for help in stopping these atrocities. It was made very clear that the county has “insurance” and the majority would not step in to help.” 

“The only commissioner during the prior tenure of Sheriff Filla that stood up was Vicki Leonard.  Prior Commissioner Leonard came to court, tried to make change, and actively inquired of the status of the Sheriff’s Department.   It should also be noted that current commissioner, Danny McCullough, has actively worked on making change for the betterment of the community (especially with law enforcement and the County Attorney Office).”

“My office was bashed by the majority of commissioners and County Counselor Gary Thompson in an effort to discredit what was actually happening. My office was manhandled by the majority of commissioners and county counselor trying to deflect the real issues of their own neglect in duties protecting the community and doing the job they were hired to do. The portrayal that the County Attorney is not "local" was the bedrock of why I shouldn't be trusted even though atrocities were occurring . Unfortunately, the general public believed the commissioners and Gary Thompson.”

The victim’s father stated, “Stuff like this, especially in small towns, won’t be tolerated; there are consequences for wrong doing.”

“Small town schools need to quit covering up things and be honest; regardless of how you know,” he said.