A collegiate basketball coach alleges he was unlawfully arrested and humiliated in front of thousands after a game, raising questions about campus security practices and the use of authority during athletic events. The complaint was filed by Otto Benjamin Taylor Jr., head men’s basketball coach at Tuskegee University, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on March 20, 2026. The named defendants are Morehouse College as well as R. Clark and M. Roberson in their individual capacities.
According to the filing, the incident occurred on January 31, 2026, following a basketball game between Tuskegee University and Morehouse College at Forbes Arena on the Morehouse campus in Atlanta, Georgia. Coach Taylor claims that during the ceremonial handshake after the game, he asked Officer R. Clark—identified as a member of Morehouse College police or security—to remove unauthorized students from the handshake line to ensure safety for his players and staff. Instead of addressing these concerns, Taylor alleges that Officer Clark handcuffed him “in front of thousands of onlookers including Coach Taylor’s family members” and escorted him away “as if he were the most wanted individual in America.” The complaint states that Officer M. Roberson assisted in this action despite knowing it was illegal.
The lawsuit outlines several factual allegations leading up to the event. During the game, Coach Taylor observed members of Morehouse College’s football team taunting Tuskegee players from the baseline and using profane language toward coaches and staff. Taylor believed this posed a safety risk and violated Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) postgame protocols. An official’s report included in the filing describes how only one officer was present during the game and had been asked to monitor spectators near Tuskegee’s bench due to safety concerns.
Despite these requests for increased security presence, Taylor asserts that Officer Clark did not intervene with disruptive spectators but instead “laughed and turned his back at the remarks and insults directed at the Tuskegee bench.” After requesting removal of unauthorized students from the handshake line postgame, Taylor says he was restrained with handcuffs without probable cause or reasonable suspicion. He was not charged with any crime and was released later to rejoin his team.
The complaint brings federal constitutional claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against all defendants for alleged violations of Coach Taylor’s Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizures as well as First Amendment protections related to retaliatory arrest. It also includes state law claims for assault and battery as well as false imprisonment under Georgia law (O.C.G.A § 51-7-20). The filing argues that “the Defendants’ conduct was not only unlawful but also shocking and humiliating,” resulting in physical injuries, emotional distress, financial losses, reputational damage, pain and suffering.
Taylor seeks compensatory damages exceeding $1 million for emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, economic losses including medical expenses and lost earning capacity; special damages to be determined at trial; punitive damages over $1 million; attorneys’ fees; pre-judgment interest; costs associated with litigation; and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff is represented by Harry M. Daniels (Georgia Bar No.: 234158), Gerald Griggs (Georgia Bar No.: 141643), John L. Burris (pending pro hac vice), and Gregory Reynald Williams (pending pro hac vice). The case is identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-01519-MHC.
Source: 126cv01519_Otto_Benjamin_v_Morehouse_College_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia.pdf
