Attorneys for the man at the center of a now-viral traffic stop in Jacksonville made some big news on Wednesday by filing a federal lawsuit against the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Sheriff. Civil rights lawyers Ben Crump, Harry Daniels, and Gerald Griggs made the announcement at The Sanctuary at Mount Calvary, standing alongside William McNeil Jr. They have officially filed this suit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, targeting Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, Officers D.J. Bowers, D. Miller, and the City of Jacksonville. As we’ve seen in similar cases of injustice, this lawsuit is about more than one man—it’s about accountability and systemic change.
Background Of The Viral Video
Back in February, William McNeil Jr. became widely recognized after a traffic stop went viral online, capturing video of him being punched in the head by officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. According to court records from Duval County, McNeil was cited for driving without headlights while it was raining, foggy, and smoky. That was the reason given by the officer who pulled him over. However, the case took a turn when JSO released body cam footage in July, showing McNeil locking his car door after Officer D.J. Bowers ordered him to step out.
What followed turned physical. McNeil was hit, leading to broken teeth and a traumatic brain injury. The State Attorney’s office claimed McNeil was near a location under surveillance for drug activity and later argued that Officer Bowers’ “use of force” didn’t amount to a crime. But Attorney Harry Daniels pushed back, saying they can “unequivocally say” it wasn’t raining and that video evidence proves the officers had their headlights off too. “This is what you call an unlawful stop,” Daniels declared. He also pointed out that Bowers described the head punch in an internal report as a “discretionary blow,” an act that wasn’t officially documented.
Ben Crump’s Call For Justice
When Attorney Ben Crump took the mic, he made it clear this case is bigger than Jacksonville. “We know we are on the right side of history,” he told the crowd. “Sheriff Waters and [the city of] Jacksonville are on the wrong side of history if they think racial profiling is acceptable.” Crump stressed that racial profiling is hitting Black men at alarming rates across the country and that this case speaks to a national problem, not just a local one. He explained that the lawsuit isn’t just about winning damages—it’s about forcing real change in the way the city and its officers police Black communities.
By filing the lawsuit, Crump and his team are aiming to “speak truth to power.” He reminded the audience that civil rights battles have always been about standing up even when the system is against you. The message was loud and clear: this isn’t just a personal fight for McNeil, it’s a larger battle for accountability, reform, and justice in America’s policing system.
The Lawsuit Details
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, names Sheriff T.K. Waters, Officers D.J. Bowers and D. Miller, and the City of Jacksonville as defendants. The suit argues that McNeil’s constitutional rights were violated during the stop and that excessive force was used without justification. It also challenges the culture inside the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that, according to Crump and his team, allows officers to act without accountability.
Legal experts note that federal lawsuits like this one can lead to major changes in policy, especially if the city is forced to settle or if a ruling exposes systemic issues. That’s why Crump described it as not just a case for McNeil but a civil rights fight that has the power to bring justice for many. His team is seeking damages for McNeil’s injuries and trauma, but also long-term policy shifts that stop police from racially profiling citizens in Jacksonville and beyond.
Community Reactions And Next Steps
The local community has rallied behind McNeil, with many calling this lawsuit long overdue. Activists point to the viral video as proof of what they’ve been saying for years—that Black residents are unfairly targeted and mistreated by police in Jacksonville. On social media, supporters have praised Crump for stepping in, while others have demanded that Sheriff Waters and the city be held accountable.
Next steps in the case include pretrial hearings and possible settlement talks, but Crump has vowed to push it forward until justice is served. “This isn’t just about one traffic stop,” he told the crowd. “It’s about every Black man who’s ever been pulled over and treated like they don’t matter.” That message has struck a chord not just in Jacksonville but across the nation.