Josiah Roise, one of four candidates for Minot’s mayor, has filed a federal lawsuit against the Minot Police Department and Ward County Sheriff’s Office, alleging violations of constitutional rights during incidents in April 2019.

The lawsuit was filed in federal District Court in North Dakota this past April 11 by Roise and other family members. Roise also began circulating petitions in April for a citywide vote to fill the mayor’s position that became vacant on April 1, and he announced his intention to run at that time.

Roise said the court filing had been delayed because of the difficulty in gaining access to police information necessary to his case. The lawsuit was filed this past April to avoid losing the right to sue under the statute of limitations, he said.

He added he has been unsuccessful in calling for the council to ask the state Bureau of Criminal Investigations to investigate.

“I filed the lawsuit myself to get the ball rolling, and I still want that investigation,” he said.

Roise said unconstitutional enforcement is a persistent problem that he hopes the lawsuit will bring to light. He said it made sense to file his lawsuit now because of increased public awareness brought by recent troubles surrounding the police department and former chief.

In his court complaint, Roise states he was driving a vehicle pulling a trailer when officers pulled him over, captured his gun serial codes and searched his trailer without a search warrant. An employee who was with him was arrested. The complaint also states law enforcement searched his parents’ home, where his laptop was confiscated after officers failed to hack into it. Officers searched Roise’s commercial shop after he allowed entry, which he stated he permitted because he believed officers would damage the property by breaking in. Statements submitted by Roise and family members to support the complaint reported police were aggressive and the searches traumatic as they were not told the reason.

Police records included with the filing indicate a Ward County search warrant for bomb-making materials was obtained for the employee’s residence after an investigation into a roadside explosion and fire at the edge of Minot indicated the presence of a pipe bomb. The employee was reported to be living with Roise’s parents. The investigation tied the employee to the site of the fire, purchase of pipe bomb items and to vehicles registered to Roise.

The City of Minot was made aware of the filed documents in June, and the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund is handling the case. The Roises are listed as self represented, although Josiah Roise said he is seeking an attorney.

Others listed as plaintiffs are David, Karen, Elijah and Isaiah Roise.