A Black Jacksonville couple has filed a lawsuit against Walmart, alleging racial profiling, wrongful imprisonment and humiliation after they were accused of stealing children’s clothing at a Northside store in October.
Raymond and Nekeeya Brewster, the plaintiffs in the case, claim they were falsely accused and subjected to discriminatory treatment despite providing proof of purchase. “What happened to us was unimaginable,” Raymond said. “I shop there all the time. I never expected this.”
The lawsuit outlines events beginning on October 13, when the Brewsters purchased clothing for one of their daughters at the River City Marketplace Walmart. The following day, after realizing some items were the wrong size, they returned to the store to make an exchange. Mrs. Brewster, a social worker, said she carefully placed the items along with the receipt into a tied Walmart bag before heading into the store.
At the customer service counter, she presented the items and receipt, but the situation escalated when a loss prevention employee accused her of concealing a pair of pants in the bag. Despite Mrs. Brewster’s denials and her husband showing the receipt, the employee insisted, loudly enough for nearby customers to hear, that she had stolen the item.
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The Brewsters and their three young daughters were then escorted to a small office by Walmart loss prevention staff and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) officers. According to the lawsuit, the Walmart employee admitted to the officers that they had no video evidence of theft, and the family was released without charges after an hour-long ordeal.
The Brewsters’ attorneys, including Jacksonville Councilman Rory Diamond, allege that Walmart has a systemic issue with racial profiling. The lawsuit accuses the company of violating the couple’s civil rights, defaming them, and causing emotional distress. It also seeks class-action certification to represent other Black Walmart customers allegedly subjected to similar discriminatory practices over the past two years.
“We teach our children to always do the right thing,” Raymond said. “To be accused of stealing in front of them, despite telling the truth and proving it, was devastating.”
The couple is seeking damages, legal costs, and a jury trial. Walmart, in a statement, said it takes the allegations seriously and will respond once served with the complaint.
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