A Williamsport police officer who used a racial slur has settled a lawsuit for $135,000.

Officer Brandon Wheeler, who is white, and Quincey Myers, an adult black man, have settled the civil action that Myers brought in the U.S. Middle District Court.

The civil action was to redress the deprivation under color of statute, custom or usage, of rights, privileges, and immunities secured to plaintiff by the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States.

At about 10 p.m. in late December, 2023, Myers and his brother went to the Cell Block, a night club, to spend the evening visiting with friends. Shortly after midnight, Myers and his friends decided to leave the bar, and Myers went to the restroom while his friends proceeded outside.

Leaving the restroom, Myers then exited the night club proceeding to the public sidewalk where his friends were waiting, visiting and joking with each other while preparing to say goodbye and go home.

As Myers joined his friends on the sidewalk, a security guard from the Cell Block shoved him away from his friends.

Myers turned to the security guard and told him firmly but conversationally that he had no right to put his hands on him.

Myers then stayed where he was, on the sidewalk, while the security guard called the police.

In a matter of minutes, police officers began to arrive at the Cell Block, including Wheeler. Myers and the security guard began to speak with Wheeler, but Wheeler was ignoring Myers, who began to film with his phone since he was concerned at the attitudes of the officers present and then asked Wheeler, “What is your badge number, Sir?”

Wheeler replied with his badge number, to which Myers then asked, “What is your name?”, to which Wheeler replied “Wheeler.” Myers then asked, “Wheeler what?” to which Wheeler was accused of replying with a racial slur repeatedly.

Immediately after Wheeler had arrested Myers, Myer’s brother asked the officers on scene, including Wheeler, why Myers was arrested, and the officers, including Wheeler, indicated “disorderly conduct.”

At this time, Williamsport police officer Addison Gingrich threatened to arrest Myers brother for standing in the street, filming police actions, and asking why his brother was arrested.

Myers’ brother then asked Gingrich if Wheeler had used a racial slur, Gingrich’s only reply was to repeatedly threaten to arrest Myers brother, the lawsuit alleged.

When Myers’ brother asked Wheeler again about the racial slur, Wheeler did not deny it but merely announced that he was leaving and transporting Myers to the police station.

Myers was taken to the station and cuffed to a bench for a period of time before he was informed that he would in fact not be being charged and that he could call for a ride.

No charges were ever filed against Myers as a result of this incident.

Myers had claims of unreasonable arrest, excessive force, First Amendment retaliation, and selective enforcement. He was represented by Attorney Michael J. Zicolello, 333 Market St.

Wheeler was placed on administrative leave, according to Sun-Gazette archives.

Pennlive.com obtained the amount of settlement in the mediation.

Attorney Robert B. Elion served as mediator in the settlement reached Sept. 12.

Chief U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann approved the case for mediation.