Nationwide — John Marks, an African American man from Manvel, Texas, was arrested after his white neighbor, Amanda Zawieruszynski, accused him of sexual assault during a house party. However, surveillance footage later proved Marks’ innocence, and now he is suing her and the local police department for civil rights violations.
Marks, 40, hosted a small gathering at his home in November 2023. Zawieruszynski joined him and his friend, Freddie Douglas Jr., in the pool. A week later, she reported to police that both men had sexually assaulted her, prompting charges of aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping. Marks and Douglas were jailed and later released on bond, maintaining their innocence.
Cameras installed in his home showed a different story, according to Atlanta Black Star. Footage captured Zawieruszynski arriving casually with cupcakes, moving freely around the house, and willingly participating in intimate activity with both men in the pool. Her relaxed behavior contradicted her claims of being coerced or assaulted.
Marks says he informed officers about the surveillance before his arrest, but the footage was ignored. His lawsuit alleges police used excessive force, detained him without proper access to legal counsel, and mishandled evidence, including tampering with camera recordings. Marks claims law enforcement prioritized securing a conviction over finding the truth.
A grand jury later reviewed all the evidence, including the surveillance, and declined to indict Marks or Douglas. In his civil lawsuit, Marks accuses Zawieruszynski of false reporting and the Manvel Police Department of multiple civil rights violations, such as unlawful search, excessive force, and officer misconduct. He seeks compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to his reputation.