Eichelberger also said he has evidence of Guido wearing a sheriff’s vest in public and hanging around with other deputies after Patten said he had relieved Guido of his reserve officer’s duties.

All of which is a pattern, Eichelberger said of Guido, and the lawsuit makes reference to an April 10, 2016, Vidalia police report that alleges Guido pulled a gun on a motorist in Natchez and the motorist fled to his home in Vidalia as Guido chased him.

“I do (think it is a pattern) and the sheriff is aware of it,” Eichelberger said, “and the sheriff can say that Guido is not a reserve deputy anymore, but we’ve got pictures of him cruising around on June 24 four months after this incident wearing sheriff’s department gear, riding around with other sheriff’s deputies.”

Timing

The federal case being filed July 23 just days before the Aug. 6 primary elections was just a coincidence, Eichelberger said, adding that June and July are busy times for him with bar conferences and that Guido filing his discovery responses in June attributed to the timing of the federal filing.

“I don’t see how this lawsuit would have affected Travis Patten,” Eichelberger said. “I mean he is an extremely popular sheriff down there.”

Guido and McCoy declined to comment for this story. Patten and Guido said they had not yet been served with the federal lawsuit when they were contacted for interviews for this story. Eichelberger said the suit was sent for service last week.

Relief for damages

McCoy’s lawsuit states that the Feb. 1 incident caused post-traumatic stress and has caused him to miss work, loss of sleep and appetite and a racing heart that is unresponsive to medication.

McCoy seeks a trial and relief in damages, including permanent emotion injury, pain and suffering, economic damages, loss of enjoyment of life, past present and future emotional distress and mental anguish and medical expenses, court costs, pre and post judgment interest, attorney’s fees, out-of-pocket expenses and all other damages.