Protester Filed Lawsuit Against Denver Police Sergeant
A Denver man alleges he was wrongfully arrested and tackled during a 2025 protest.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Austin Breen has filed a lawsuit in Denver District Court against Police Sergeant Lee Ingersoll. The legal action stems from Breen's arrest during the 2025 No Kings protest.
Why it matters
The complaint alleges excessive force by law enforcement during a public demonstration. The lawsuit follows the city's decision to dismiss all original charges against the plaintiff.
Austin Breen filed the complaint in Denver District Court on October 13, 2026. All initial charges against Breen were previously dismissed by the City Attorney's office.
The players
Austin Breen
He is the plaintiff who filed a lawsuit following his arrest at the No Kings protest.
Lee Ingersoll
He is a Denver Police Sergeant named as the defendant in the recent civil rights complaint.
The details
Breen alleges that Sergeant Lee Ingersoll tackled him from behind while he was moving eastward during the protest on 6th Avenue. Video evidence cited in the filing depicts officers firing tear gas at the backs of protesters and charging the crowd.
Timeline
October 18, 2025: Austin Breen was arrested by police during the protest.
October 19, 2025: Breen was released from the Denver County Jail at 1:00 a.m.
October 13, 2026: The formal lawsuit was filed in Denver District Court.
Legal Context
This litigation reflects a growing trend of civil rights lawsuits filed against municipal law enforcement following large-scale public demonstrations. The lawsuit follows a pattern set by litigation surrounding the 2020 Denver George Floyd protests.
The lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns regarding police crowd-control tactics during public demonstrations in Denver. Residents and business owners may see continued legal scrutiny of city policing policies as the case moves through court.
The takeaway
Civil rights lawsuits often serve as a mechanism for citizens to challenge specific police department crowd-control procedures. Plaintiffs typically use video evidence to corroborate allegations of misconduct when seeking judicial review.
Further reading
For additional context on police oversight, visit Law Enforcement.
More information
Review the full Breen v. Ingersoll Complaint filed in district court.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Yellow Scene Magazine.
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