Reno teenager sues former police officer over traffic stop

RENO — About a year after he was acquitted of criminal charges that he coerced a 17-year-old girl into undressing to get out of a traffic ticket, a former Reno police sergeant has been sued by the teenager.

In her complaint filed Friday in Washoe District Court, the former McQueen High School student claims Paul Pitsnogle’s actions in April 2006 violated her “bodily integrity” and resulted in severe emotional distress.

“Pitsnogle utilized his authority as a police officer to intimidate and manipulate (the girl) into getting into the back seat of the patrol car, to disrobe and to pose herself as he demanded, while Pitsnogle masturbated in the front seat,” the complaint alleges.

The lawsuit also names the city of Reno, claiming it was aware of Pitsnogle’s attempts to abuse and harass women but failed to stop him. It seeks unspecified damages in excess of $10,000.

Pitsnogle was acquitted in October 2006 of felony charges of officer misconduct and open and gross lewdness stemming from the encounter with the girl, now 18.

He was fired in April after an internal investigation found he disproportionately targeted young female drivers and used the agency’s computers to collect information on them.

Lawyer Scott Freeman, who represents the girl and her family, said the lawsuit seeks the justice that eluded her in the criminal trial.

Pitsnogle attorney Robert Hager said he had not seen the lawsuit but denied the allegations.