An Iowa man is suing the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, alleging excessive force was used against him by one of its officers.
John Michael Orndoff, 25, of Milton, is suing Van Buren County and Deputy Adam McIntyre, who has been employed by the county since 2018.
According to the lawsuit, McIntyre was working on Oct. 15, 2024, when he observed Orndoff driving a vehicle without license plates. Before McIntyre could initiate a traffic stop, Orndoff parked the car and began walking away. After speaking to the county dispatch staff, McIntyre learned that Orndoff’s driving privileges had been revoked, and informed Orndoff that he was being cited for driving with a revoked license.
Orndoff objected and asked to speak to the county’s chief deputy, according to the lawsuit. McIntyre denied the request, then took hold of one of Orndoff’s arms and directed him to place his hands behind his back. “Orndoff did not immediately comply, but did not strike, threaten or in any way assault McIntyre, and did not attempt to flee,” the lawsuit asserts. “Within seconds of first taking hold of Orndoff, and after a single warning, McIntyre threw Orndoff head-first to the ground … Because McIntyre was controlling Orndoff’s arms, Orndoff was unable to break his fall or to protect his head as he was driven to the ground.”
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According to the lawsuit, Orndoff’s head struck the concrete and he was immediately rendered unconscious before convulsing.
“Orndoff sustained a severe head injury, including a skull fracture and brain bleed, as a result of the takedown,” the lawsuit asserts. “Orndoff posed no immediate threat to McIntyre or to anyone else; Orndoff was unarmed, and Orndoff was not actively resisting arrest or attempting to flee but was, at most, passively resisting.”
Orndoff was taken to Van Buren County Hospital and then transferred by air to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, according to the lawsuit.
Court records show Orndoff was later charged with, and convicted of, driving with a revoked license and interference with official acts.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for alleged violation of Orndoff’s constitutional rights and for alleged assault and battery. The county has yet to respond to the lawsuit, and Van Buren County Attorney H. Craig Miller declined to comment on the allegations.
Court records indicate that in July, Orndoff was charged with livestock neglect. Police alleged that along with a veterinarian, they investigated several complaints of animal neglect on Orndoff’s property and found a young cow in an emaciated condition that was suffering from a lack of feed and potable water. The veterinarian noted the cow’s visible spine, ribs, and pelvic bones, as well as signs of muscle wasting. “This animal is in need of immediate sustenance and veterinary care,” Dr. Emma Fryauf Fallis wrote in her report on the cow’s condition.
Four weeks after the charge of livestock neglect was imposed, it was dismissed by the court at the request of county prosecutors, although Miller said he could not comment on the reasons for the request.
Orndoff is currently facing a charge of failure to properly dispose of dead animals. A county deputy alleges a dead pig was found in a feed bag on Orndoff’s property and a “skinned animal” of some kind was found hanging from a tree in his yard. According to the deputy, Orndoff said he was using the dead animals to feed to his dogs.
Orndoff has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A trial date has yet to be scheduled.
This story is provided by States Newsroom, a nonprofit state news network and Blox Digital content partner.
