Dennis Pape, a former Penn Hills police officer, has taken his case to federal court, filing a civil lawsuit Wednesday against Plum Borough, the municipality of Penn Hills, and three officers. He claims he was unlawfully seized and roughed up after a traffic crash. The complaint accuses the officers of false arrest, excessive force, and malicious prosecution and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages. Pape's attorney says the criminal charges that followed the incident were later dismissed.
Who is named
The suit names Plum officer Jacob Kingerski, Plum Sgt. Scott Ricketts and Penn Hills officer Isaiah Jenkins are defendants, according to TribLIVE. The complaint alleges that Pape "was seized without probable cause and physically restrained despite being unarmed and not resisting" and also claims both municipalities are liable for allegedly failing to train, supervise, and discipline their officers.
Charges, dismissal and federal filing
Before the civil case, Pape had faced state charges that included reckless endangerment, obstruction, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Online court records show those counts were later dismissed, according to WPXI. The civil complaint, listed as PAPE v. PLUM BOROUGH, Civil No. 2:26-cv-01462, was filed July 8. Open Public Records shows the federal filing was indexed on July 8, 2026.
What the complaint says
Along with allegations of false arrest and excessive force, the lawsuit claims unlawful seizure and malicious prosecution and demands a jury trial, attorneys' fees, and costs. Pape's attorney, Brian Zeiger, told reporters that Pape identified himself, cooperated, and was then roughed up and arrested, and that he is not yet in communication with the defendants, according to TribLIVE. Plum police and local officials told the outlet they had not seen the filing and declined to comment.
Where the incident happened
The lawsuit traces the confrontation to a two-vehicle crash on Universal Road, where Pape's vehicle was hit after another driver allegedly crossed a double yellow line to pass illegally, according to WPXI. The collision occurred near Monico's Bar & Grill. County records list Monico's at 3435 Universal Road in the Plum area, a detail confirmed by Allegheny County records.
Legal angle
The complaint brings classic 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claims and Monell-style municipal liability theories for failing to train, supervise, and discipline. Those kinds of claims typically require a showing that a municipal policy, custom, or deliberate indifference led to the alleged constitutional violations. Officers sued in their individual capacities can raise defenses such as qualified immunity, while municipal liability turns on whether an official policy or practice caused the alleged misconduct. Background on Monell and municipal liability is summarized by the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School, Cornell LII.
The complaint requests a jury trial and financial damages, and scheduling and next steps will unfold in federal court as the case moves forward. Municipal and police officials have declined to comment beyond the brief statements noted above, and Pape's attorney says he has not yet been in contact with the named defendants.
