Plaintiffs Allege Arizona Law Enforcement Violated Constitutional Rights Through Unlawful Search

Angela Baker and Keven Pittsinger have filed a federal lawsuit alleging severe misconduct by law enforcement officers, including the use of excessive force and unlawful search tactics. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona on December 4, 2025, naming several officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) as defendants.

The plaintiffs, Angela Baker and Keven Pittsinger, allege that on December 5, 2023, DPS officers executed a search warrant at their property based on false information provided by Detective Henry Pelham. According to the complaint, Pelham obtained the warrant by falsely claiming probable cause that Baker was involved in vehicle theft. However, evidence showed that Baker had legally acquired the vehicle through a series of transfers and had no knowledge it was reported stolen. Despite this, DPS officers conducted a heavily militarized raid involving SWAT vehicles and helicopters. During the operation, Pittsinger, who suffers from multiple health issues including PTSD and hearing impairment, was forcibly removed from his motorhome at gunpoint without proper clothing or explanation. The plaintiffs claim that their Fourth Amendment rights were violated due to unreasonable searches and seizures.

Baker’s allegations extend to claims of judicial deception by Pelham in securing the warrant through false statements and omissions. She contends that Pelham ignored exculpatory evidence readily available to him and failed to conduct an adequate investigation before seeking judicial approval for the search. Additionally, Baker accuses DPS officers of trespassing onto private property without legal justification and conducting unauthorized drone surveillance over her home.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress, physical pain, property damage, loss of housing support for Baker, and exacerbation of medical conditions for Pittsinger. It also demands punitive damages against individual defendants like Pelham for their actions during the raid. Moreover, declaratory relief is sought to establish that the defendants’ conduct violated constitutional rights under both federal law and state law provisions.

Plaintiffs are represented pro se in this case with no attorneys listed. The presiding judge is yet to be named but will be overseeing Case No.: CV-25-8259-PHX-DJH.