In a compelling legal confrontation, two individuals have filed a lawsuit alleging significant violations of their constitutional rights by various public entities and officials. On January 29, 2026, Kathy Reaves and Frederick L. McCallum lodged their complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against the Maxton Police Department, Public Schools of Robeson County, Robeson County Board of Education, and Freddie L. Williamson.
The plaintiffs claim that their rights under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments were violated through actions orchestrated by these defendants. According to the complaint, Reaves was publicly humiliated and unlawfully detained on March 3, 2022, when she was escorted out of her workplace by a police officer at the behest of Superintendent Freddie L. Williamson without any lawful justification or due process. Similarly, McCallum recounts an incident on March 18, 2022, where he was forcibly removed from his school by a janitor acting without legal authority. Both incidents are alleged to be retaliatory measures following the plaintiffs’ engagement in protected activities such as filing charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) concerning discrimination and retaliation.
Reaves asserts that her removal involved unnecessary police intervention that resulted in false imprisonment and violated her rights under both federal and state constitutions. The lawsuit further accuses the defendants of malicious intent to intimidate and retaliate against both plaintiffs for their previous complaints about unlawful employment practices. These allegations include breaches under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), emphasizing McCallum’s status as a veteran with disabilities.
The plaintiffs seek various forms of relief from the court including compensatory damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, punitive damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, declaratory relief affirming their rights were violated, injunctive relief to prevent future occurrences of similar conduct by these entities or individuals involved, and attorney fees.
Representing themselves pro se in this legal battle are Kathy Reaves and Frederick L. McCallum. The case is presided over by Judge Louise W. Flanagan under Case ID 7:26-cv-00014-FL.
Source: 726cv00014_Reaves_v_Maxton_Police_Department_Complaint_Eastern_District_North_Carolina.pdf
