By admin 
BUCKEYE, AZ (AZFamily) — A newly filed federal civil rights lawsuit is raising new allegations against a former Buckeye police officer already facing criminal charges for allegedly abusing people in custody.
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The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a woman who was approximately nine months pregnant when she was arrested during a traffic stop in November 2025. Body camera and surveillance video show the woman was handcuffed and restrained inside the booking room when then-Officer Carri Carrico struck her in the face.
What the lawsuit claims
The complaint also alleges that earlier in the arrest, Carrico lifted the suspect’s sweater and rubbed her bare pregnant stomach during a search.
According to the lawsuit, the Buckeye Police Department’s own defensive tactics expert found that Carrico used force “not objectively reasonable, consistent with department training or policy.” Despite that finding, the lawsuit claims the department kept Carrico on patrol.
Second incident follows weeks later
Attorney John Griffiths is representing the woman. He argues the city’s failure to discipline or remove Carrico after the first incident allowed a second use-of-force confrontation to occur.
Less than three months after the pregnant woman’s arrest, investigators say Carrico was involved in another use-of-force incident involving a domestic violence suspect who was restrained.
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The lawsuit argues that second incident demonstrates the city failed to properly discipline or supervise Carrico following the November 2025 arrest.
Resignation, lawsuit and demands
Carrico resigned from the Buckeye Police Department last month. She now faces criminal charges related to the custody incidents.
The lawsuit is seeking damages for the woman and her son, who was born three weeks after the arrest. It is also seeking court-ordered changes to Buckeye Police Department policies.
Neither the city nor the police department has responded to the lawsuit.
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