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In Hawkins County, Tennessee, a man is taking legal action against both the county and a deputy from the local sheriff’s department, alleging unjust detention and arrest for a DUI offense.
Filed on February 26, 2026, the lawsuit presents Timmy Martin as the plaintiff, who contends that Deputy Brandon Beach unlawfully detained him on March 1, 2025, at approximately 5:30 a.m.
Both Deputy Beach and Hawkins County have refuted any misconduct and are seeking the dismissal of the case.
Martin’s Claims
Martin recounts that he was en route to his morning work shift at a Knoxville salon when Beach pulled him over on Highway 11W. According to the lawsuit, Martin promptly began recording the encounter using his phone.
The legal document also asserts that due to the darkness, Beach lacked adequate lighting to properly observe Martin’s eyes and facial expressions.
Beach allegedly told Martin he had pulled him over because the vehicle had swerved and requested Martin’s license and registration, the lawsuit states. Beach then reportedly asked if Martin had been drinking or taking drugs, to which Martin said he had not.
The lawsuit claims Martin explained he was going to work at a salon, which caused a change in Beach’s demeanor. Martin claims he was again asked if he had taken any antidepressants or suboxone, which he denied. According to Martin, the only things he had consumed in the last seven hours were a normal dose of Nyquil and two Goody’s powder packets.
The suit alleges Beach told Martin that if he admitted to taking drugs, he would let him go.
Martin claims to have been subjected to a series of field sobriety tests while on a downhill slope in 30-degree weather. He also claims to have told Beach he was unable to continue raising his foot during one test due to a previous surgery. After telling Beach he was not able to perform the test with his other foot, Martin alleges he was placed in the back of the patrol vehicle while Beach searched his vehicle.
The lawsuit states Martin had $860 in the center console of his vehicle that night.
Beach then told Martin he was going to jail, according to the suit.
“Upon hearing that he was going to jail, the plaintiff said, ‘You know this is a false arrest.’ Deputy Beach replied, ‘I’ll make sure it’s not,” the lawsuit reads.
When another member of law enforcement arrived, the lawsuit claims Beach could be heard saying, “It’s not alcohol, there’s something in his eyes.” Martin then claims to have been transported to the Hawkins County Jail, where he says he was strip-searched and had his blood drawn.
Martin also claims to have requested that his blood pressure be taken, which he says was denied. When he was released from the hospital, the lawsuit states Martin went to get his impounded vehicle. Martin alleges that when he found his vehicle, the $860 was missing.
The lawsuit claims the money was never returned to him. It also states that when Martin received his belongings, including his phone, back from the jail, the video of Beach was gone.
Martin also claimed that he went to a hospital after his release from jail and learned that his blood pressure was at a level that qualified as a medical emergency.
The lawsuit claims Beach filed an arrest warrant for Martin that contained false and omitted information.
Martin claims the results of the blood draw showed no evidence of alcohol or drugs, with the exception of .05 mL of Doxylamine, which is found in Nyquil.
After receiving the results of the tests, the charges against Martin were reportedly dismissed in exchange for his attending traffic school.
Martin is suing the county and Beach on claims of unlawful detention, false arrest and malicious prosecution, as well as negligence, theft of property and destruction of evidence, and intentional, reckless, and/or negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Beach and Hawkins County’s Answer
In an answer to the lawsuit filed on April 10, 2026, Beach denied violating Martin’s constitutional rights and denied that Martin was wrongfully detained or arrested without probable cause.
He further denied that any falsified statements were made and said it was not a true statement that no drugs were found in Martin’s system.
Beach also denied that Martin had $860 in the vehicle, nor was that amount of money in his possession when he was booked into the jail.
The deputy also denied that Martin had recorded the interaction on his phone and denied ever removing any video from Martin’s phone.
Beach did acknowledge that Martin’s DUI charge was nolled by the district attorney’s office in exchange for his attendance at driving school.
Beach denied that Martin was entitled to any relief or damages.
Beach asserted that he is entitled to qualified immunity in the matter under state law and reiterated that he had reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop and arrest Martin.
“Having fully answered the Complaint, the defendants assert that the claims against them should be dismissed at the cost of the plaintiff.”