Sheldon, Iowa — A former Northwest Iowa Community College student is suing NCC, the City of Sheldon and Sheldon Police Officer Rob Hegenbarth over an incident that took place last year while the plaintiff was attending NCC.
In a 20 page lawsuit petition, Lindsey Cundiff accuses NCC of violating her civil rights in their actions following a case in which dead skin removed from the heel of an NCC student was placed into a bag of cheese which was owned by another NCC student, who subsequently ate from the bag of cheese. Cundiff maintains that NCC’s actions following their investigation into the incident violated her right to due process under the Iowa Constitution, and accuses the college of engaging in Libel and Slander.
The petition also contends that when advised of the situation, Officer Rob Hegenbarth allegedly relied solely on the NCC investigation in filing a simple assault charge against Cundiff when, the lawsuit contends, he knew or should have known that Cundiff had not committed the crime with which she was charged. The lawsuit notes that the Court dismissed the charges against Cundiff, charging all costs to the State of Iowa.
Hegenbarth’s employer, the City of Sheldon, is also named in the lawsuit for allegedly failing to adequately train Officer Hegenbarth in investigative techniques and procedures. Officer Hegenbarth and the City of Sheldon are being accused of violating Cundiff’s Due Process Rights, as well as Libel and Slander.
Cundiff’s lawsuit asks for unspecified monetary damages in the case, and demands a jury trial in the case.
