GREENVILLE, Texas – A man who was arrested and charged with murder a year ago in a fatal shooting near Greenville, Texas, before being cleared is suing the county sheriff’s office, sheriff and law enforcement officials for more than $3 million.
The lawsuit by Brandon Gonzales, 24, filed Tuesday and first reported Greenville Herald-Banner alleges false arrest and imprisonment and malicious prosecution. It names the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Randy Meeks, an unidentified informant and the officer who arrested him two days after the Oct. 26, 2019, shooting that killed two men and left 12 people injured near Greenville, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Dallas.
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Gonzales was released Nov. 6 after the sheriff's office said information favorable to him was discovered and asked prosecutors drop charges.
County attorney Daniel Ray declined comment citing the pending lawsuit.
Gonzales, who was arrested at a car dealership where he worked, moved to Florida after his release but said he is still recognized as having been charged with murder.
“It ruined my life,” Gonzales told The Dallas Morning News. "It’s like, even though I was set free — they finally found out I was innocent — it’s still there.”