GILBERT, Arizona — July 1, 2026 — Law Angels PLLC has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of Mackenzie Padilla, individually and as next friend of her minor son, Sire Servoin Padilla, against Buckeye Police Officer Carri Shayne Carrico and the City of Buckeye.
The complaint arises from a November 1, 2025 traffic stop and subsequent detention. It alleges that Ms. Padilla, then 21 years old and approximately 37 weeks pregnant, was handcuffed, subjected to an invasive search, transported without a seatbelt, and assaulted inside the Buckeye Police Department booking facility.
According to the complaint, Carrico pushed Ms. Padilla's pregnant abdomen against a wall, forcefully seated her on a metal bench, manipulated her handcuffed arms, and struck her on the right side of the head and face. The complaint further alleges that emergency personnel documented a visible head contusion and dangerously elevated blood pressure, and that Ms. Padilla was transported by ambulance to Abrazo West Hospital.
“No one is above the law—not even those sworn to enforce it. Our client's rights were violated, her voice was ignored, and the truth was buried. We are here to hold the officer and the City accountable.”
— John Griffiths
Attorney for the Plaintiffs, Law Angels
The Complaint's Allegations
The filed complaint sets out a sequence of alleged constitutional violations and misconduct beginning with the traffic stop and continuing through Ms. Padilla's detention, transport, booking, medical treatment, and the City's response.
City Named
The City of Buckeye is named as a defendant under federal and Arizona law. The complaint alleges that the City and the Buckeye Police Department failed to adequately supervise, discipline, train, and restrict Carrico after learning of sustained findings involving excessive force, falsification of records, and unprofessional conduct.
According to the complaint, the City imposed only verbal counseling, did not suspend or reassign Carrico, and allowed her to remain on active patrol duty with unrestricted public contact. The complaint alleges that, less than three months later, Carrico assaulted another arrestee, prompting a separate criminal investigation.
The lawsuit asserts municipal-liability claims under Monell v. Department of Social Services, together with a state-law claim for negligent supervision and retention.
Claims Asserted
The complaint asserts nine causes of action against Carrico and the City:
Relief Requested
The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, attorney's fees and costs, declaratory relief, and injunctive relief requiring reforms to policies, training, supervision, discipline, and early-warning procedures within the Buckeye Police Department.
- Compensatory damages for Mackenzie Padilla and her minor son;
- Punitive damages against Carrico in her individual capacity;
- Attorney's fees, costs, and applicable interest;
- Revised suspension and review procedures following sustained force findings;
- Enhanced early-warning systems for officers with patterns of aggressive conduct; and
- Additional de-escalation training for interactions with pregnant, restrained, or otherwise vulnerable detainees.
Read the Filed Complaint
View the complete complaint and demand for jury trial filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.
View Complaint (PDF)About Law Angels
Law Angels is a boutique law firm representing individuals and families in serious personal-injury and civil-rights matters. The firm emphasizes direct attorney access, limited caseloads, clear communication, and determined advocacy.
The allegations described above are claims asserted in a civil complaint. They have not been adjudicated, and the defendants are entitled to respond through the judicial process.