ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Kobby Grant, a local business owner, has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court of Maryland against the Anne Arundel County Police Department, Anne Arundel County, and the state of Maryland, alleging unlawful collection of his DNA and racially discriminatory practices by law enforcement.
The case, which centers on a violation of Grant’s constitutional rights, began on July 30, 2022, when Grant, a Black man of African descent with no prior criminal record, called 911 to report an assault by his then-girlfriend, Kirsten Nicole Bell. According to court documents, the assault occurred during an argument over household cleanliness.
Despite Grant providing video evidence of the assault, no charges were filed against Bell at that time. Instead, the next day, Grant was served with a summons for second-degree misdemeanor assault, based on what he claims were falsified statements made by Bell.
The official police report provides additional context. Officers responded to the scene around 12:21 a.m., documenting that Grant and Bell had engaged in a verbal and physical altercation. Grant informed officers that Bell, who had been formally evicted from his residence on June 11, 2020, had returned to gather her belongings.
However, she allegedly became belligerent, threw objects around the house, and eventually struck him in the face with a closed fist. Although Grant reported soreness, he had no visible marks or bruises. Photos of his injuries were taken, and the video evidence of the incident was submitted to the police.
Bell’s account differed significantly. She claimed that during the argument, Grant had been disrespectful and grabbed her cellphone, believing she was cheating on him. She alleged that he struck her on the chin, but like Grant, she had no visible injuries. Both parties refused to complete the domestic violence forms provided by the officers.
According to the complaint, Bell accused Grant of rape 24 hours after the initial incident, despite not mentioning this during the initial police response. Bell did not seek medical attention for the alleged rape until Aug. 1, 2022, further casting doubt on her claims. Grant’s complaint raises significant questions about the actions of the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
On Sept. 30, 2022, despite not being charged with a crime, Grant was contacted by Officer Teare, who informed him of a warrant authorizing the collection of his DNA. Grant’s lawsuit argues that this collection was illegal under Maryland State Public Safety Code Ann. § 2-504, which requires individuals to be charged with a violent crime, such as rape, before DNA can be lawfully obtained.
Grant’s complaint also alleges racial discrimination in the police investigation. Despite providing evidence contradicting Bell’s accusations, Grant was subjected to an invasive DNA collection process. The complaint highlights a pattern of biased behavior by the officers involved, who, according to Grant, sided with the White female accuser against him, a Black male, despite a lack of evidence.
Grant remains in legal limbo, unable to expunge his records or have his DNA removed from government databases, as he was never formally charged with a crime. He is seeking $5 million in damages for emotional and psychological harm, the removal of his DNA information from government databases, and the expungement of all investigative records held by the Anne Arundel County Police Department or any other collaborating law enforcement agencies.
This case underscores significant issues within the criminal justice system, particularly regarding the collection of DNA without probable cause and the potential for racial bias in law enforcement practices. The court’s handling of this case will be closely watched, as it could set important precedents regarding the rights of individuals in similar situations.
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