Bodycam released when Northern Michigan man sues state police, claims excessive force

An Iosco County man is suing two Michigan State Police troopers in federal court, alleging they used excessive force after he questioned them for ticketing a friend last year.

He claims he suffered injuries when the troopers arrested him that will require surgery.

The suit was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Bay City on behalf of Robert Bigger of Hale, records show.

Bigger is seeking damages and attorney costs in the suit, filed by Michael Jones and Jonathan Marko with Marko's Detroit-based law firm.

In the suit, Bigger alleges the state troopers violated his Fourth and 14th Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution when they arrested him on Dec. 4, 2023, in Hale.

Bigger claims he went to the scene of a car crash involving a family friend, according to the complaint.

He and his wife gave the friend the vehicle she was driving when the crash happened, the filing said.

While he was there, the troopers gave the woman a ticket. Bigger questioned their decision, the lawsuit said.

The complaint alleges the troopers grew upset with his questions and ordered him to leave the area.

He said as he was walking to his car to leave, the troopers allegedly arrested him "without provocation," grabbed Bigger and threw him to the ground.

The suit said Grubbs deployed his electric stun gun on Bigger several times.

His attorneys said the troopers falsely claimed Bigger resisted arrest and inflicted serious injuries.

The attorneys also said the incident has caused their client to suffer anxiety and left him with fear and distrust of law enforcement officers.