Robins Kaplan Files Federal Civil-Rights Lawsuit Against Eagan Police and Dakota County Over Death of Kingsley Fifi Bimpong
Photo of Kingsley Bimpong. Courtesy: Robins Kaplan LLP.
Updated: 5:15 PM on October 10, 2025.
The following is a statement we received from Vicki Hruby, attorney for the City of Eagan, regarding the incident on November 16, 2024. You can find our original reporting of this story below.
Eagan, MN - On November 16, 2024, an Eagan police officer observed a vehicle traveling the wrong way into oncoming traffic. The driver, later identified as Kingsley Bimpong, was stopped by officers out of concern for his safety and that of others on the road.
During the traffic stop, Mr. Bimpong was asked, and denied, having any medical conditions that could explain his erratic behavior. Mr. Bimpong appeared to be impaired but did not display signs of a serious medical emergency. An officer trained as a Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) responded to the scene. DREs are not emergency medical responders, not medical professionals; their evaluations are designed to determine whether an individual may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, not to diagnose medical conditions.
Due to Mr. Bimpong’s apparent intoxication, he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Officers summoned MHealth paramedics, who observed Mr. Bimpong for approximately 17 minutes before he was transported to the Dakota County Jail. Hours after Eagan officers departed, it was discovered that Mr. Bimpong tragically suffered a fatal stroke.
The City of Eagan extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Bimpong.
Because this matter involves pending litigation, the City will respond to the allegations through the United States District Court and will not be providing further comment at this time.
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA - The Minneapolis-based law firm Robins Kaplan LLP has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against three Eagan police officers, seven Dakota County correctional officers, and Dakota County itself, alleging that their deliberate indifference to a medical emergency led to the preventable death of 50-year-old Kingsley Fifi Bimpong, a longtime Minnesota postal worker and lawful permanent U.S. resident.
The 72-page complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, accuses the defendants of violating Bimpong’s constitutional rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, resulting in the wrongful death of Bimpong.
Kingsley Bimpong is described as a lawful permanent U.S. resident from Ghana, who lived in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and had worked for the U.S. Postal Service since 2016. He was known among coworkers as a reliable employee and a proud father. He had no criminal history, no record of drug or alcohol issues, and was described as “a calm, quiet man who kept to himself.”
A Routine Stop Turns Into a Medical Emergency
According to the filing, the chain of events began at 10:44 p.m. on November 16, 2024, when Eagan Police Sergeant Joseph Moseng pulled Bimpong over after he turned against a red arrow and briefly drove over a median. From the first moment of contact, the complaint states, “it was obvious something was very wrong.” Bimpong appeared confused, off-balance, and unable to form complete sentences. He repeatedly said “I don’t know” when asked his name, destination, or address.
Soon after, backup arrived at the scene with the arrival of Officer Liam O’Shea, followed by Officer Martin Jensen, a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
Instead of treating the incident as a medical crisis, Jensen conducted a cursory flashlight check of Bimpong’s eyes but never completed the required 12-step DRE evaluation, which would have included taking the pulse, checking blood pressure, and looking for medical distress. According to the complaint, both Moseng and Jensen muted their body-worn cameras multiple times to conceal their discussions, a violation of Eagan Police Department Policy 423.6.
The complaint states that despite no odor of alcohol, no drugs in the vehicle, and clear evidence of neurological impairment, the officers decided to arrest Bimpong instead of summoning EMS.
Inside the Police Station — Missed Signs of Stroke
The complaint goes on to state that at the Eagan Police Department, surveillance and BWC footage show Bimpong stumbled and needed help walking. He sat cuffed on a bench for more than an hour while officers sought a warrant for a blood draw. During that time, he drooled uncontrollably, his right hand hung limp, and he appeared to fall asleep repeatedly, which the complaint states are all classic signs of a hemorrhagic stroke.
The complaint further states that even after learning from Bimpong’s postal coworkers that he had complained of a severe headache and confusion earlier that evening, officers still declined to call for medical care. When an EMS crew arrived solely to draw blood, one paramedic reportedly asked whether Bimpong should be taken to a hospital. According to the complaint, Moseng allegedly responded that doing so would require an officer to remain with him there, and the officers chose not to.
According to the complaint, shortly after midnight, Jensen remarked that performing a full DRE would be “a whole bunch of time wasted.” Before transport, Moseng was recorded starting to say, “Is this dude having a stro—” before cutting off his microphone.
The complaint highlights that this moment encapsulated the officers’ conscious disregard for Bimpong’s life.
At the Dakota County Jail: A Slow, Visible Decline
According to court documents, Bimpong arrived at the Dakota County Jail in Hastings at 1:09 a.m. on November 17, 2024, nearly three hours after first contact with police. The arresting officer told jail staff he was delivering “one adult male, no issues.” The complaint goes on to state that the video cited in the lawsuit tells another story, as Bimpong reportedly staggered from the squad car, dragging his right foot, unable to stand on his own. Officers propped him up by his arms, carried him through intake, and attempted to push him into a body scanner when he could not stand.
A screenshot of the Dakota County Jail video from the complaint showing Bimpong being pushed into the body scanner.
According to the complaint, one correctional officer, Eduardo Decache, allegedly picked him up and shoved him into the scanner, while others laughed. The complaint states that his intake form falsely listed a “language barrier,” even though Bimpong spoke fluent English, and further noted that he “did not require further evaluation.”
According to the complaint, Bimpong was then placed alone in a cell, where his condition reportedly deteriorated rapidly. It is reported that during that time, he repeatedly fell, crawled, and rolled on the floor, sometimes with his pants down, urinating on himself multiple times as he lost control of his bladder. The complaint states that video footage from the Dakota County Jail shows multiple correctional officers, including Strickland, Hedden, Decache, Corbin, and Marquez Zazueta, walking past his cell, some stopping to watch.
A screenshot of the Dakota County Jail video from the complaint shows Bimpong lying on the floor of his cell as a CO is visible in the background, checking on him.
The complaint states that each of their logged “well-being checks” reported that the “Inmate and cell OK.”
According to the complaint, at approximately 4:33 a.m., more than three hours after his arrival, a female officer finally questioned whether Bimpong was “foaming at the mouth.” When staff entered his cell, he was cold to the touch, gray, and unresponsive. It was reported that Narcan was administered three times without effect before EMS was finally called. The complaint states that his blood pressure was measured at 240/216 mm Hg, which was reported to be a life-threatening hypertensive crisis.
A screenshot of the Dakota County Jail video from the complaint shows a female CO questioning Bimpong’s health and status.
Hospitalization, Brain Death, and Aftermath
Bimpong was taken from the Dakota County Jail by medics to Regina Hospital in Hastings, where it was reported in the complaint that doctors found a massive left-sided intracerebral hemorrhage, which the complaint reports was around 8.7 × 5.9 × 3.9 cm in size, with brain swelling and shift. Toxicology screens that were performed on Bimpong, according to the complaint, were negative for alcohol or drugs. Bimpong was then transferred to United Hospital in St. Paul, where neurosurgeons reportedly determined no surgery could save him.
According to the complaint, a brain-death evaluation was performed on Bimpong on November 18, 2024, and confirmed that Bimpong had a complete loss of brain function; his family agreed to remove life support the next day. He was pronounced dead at 12:32 p.m. on November 19, 2024.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s autopsy attributed the cause to an intracerebral hemorrhage with brain swelling and herniation, which is reported to be a classic hemorrhagic stroke. The Medical Examiner also confirmed no intoxicants were found in Bimpong’s system.
State Findings: Training Lapses and Violations
Following the death of Bimpong, the complaint states that the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) opened an inquiry into the incident and found the Dakota County Jail in violation of multiple state standards.
According to the complaint, the DOC determined that none of the correctional officers at the Dakota County Jail were current on first-aid or CPR certifications, which had expired in June 2022. The complaint goes on to state that the DOC also found that the county and its medical contractor, Advanced Correctional Healthcare, which provides training to the correctional officers, failed to provide updated training nearly a year and a half before Bimpong’s incarceration.
Per the complaint, as a result of these findings from the DOC investigation, Dakota County was required to provide mandatory first aid and CPR training for all the correctional officers from an outside vendor. The complaint states something that could have easily been done before Bimpong’s death.
The complaint goes on to state that DOC investigators also found that jail staff failed to perform required medical screenings within two hours of intake, as required by Minn. Admin. Rules 2911.2525 Subp. 1(A)(E, which included obtaining and documenting emergency medical information, performing a mental-health screening, and the non-completion of a release of information form, all of which are required according to the complaint.
Per the complaint, as a result of these findings from the DOC investigation, Dakota County was also required to retrain its correctional officers on the intake and booking process, specifically the policies and procedures related to inmates who might be uncooperative during booking, which the complaint states occurred in Bimpong’s case.
Legal Claims and Damages
COUNT ONE — 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment Violations
Defendants: Sgt. Joseph Moseng, Officer Liam O’Shea, Officer Martin Jensen (Eagan Police Department)
The complaint alleges that these three officers acted with deliberate indifference to Kingsley Bimpong’s serious, life-threatening medical needs during and after the traffic stop.
The filing asserts that the officers observed multiple obvious stroke symptoms, including confusion, inability to communicate, loss of coordination, right-sided weakness, drooling, and vision issues, but failed to summon medical help, choosing instead to arrest him and proceed with a blood draw.
Their failure to obtain medical care after taking Bimpong into custody violated his constitutional rights under the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments.
The plaintiffs seek punitive damages under Smith v. Wade, 461 U.S. 30 (1983), and attorneys’ fees under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
COUNT TWO — 42 U.S.C. § 1983: Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment Violations
Defendants: Correctional Officers Eduardo Decache, Brittany Corbin, Ramsey Strickland, Manuel Hernandez, Heather Hedden, Christopher Severson, and Lucio Manuel Marquez Zazueta (Dakota County Jail)
This count extends the deliberate-indifference claim to the Dakota County correctional officers who were responsible for Bimpong’s care while he was in custody.
The complaint alleges these officers observed Bimpong’s rapid physical decline—including paralysis, incontinence, inability to walk or stand, and loss of coordination—yet failed to provide or summon emergency medical assistance.
It argues that each officer knowingly disregarded an obvious and serious medical risk, allowing him to suffer and die in violation of his constitutional rights.
Plaintiffs again seek punitive damages under Smith v. Wade and recovery of attorney’s fees under § 1988.
COUNT THREE — Civil Rights Violations (Monell v. Dept. of Social Services, 436 U.S. 658 (1978))
Defendant: Dakota County
This count alleges municipal liability under Monell, asserting that Dakota County maintained or tolerated customs, policies, and practices that caused or contributed to the constitutional violations.
Specifically, the County allegedly:
Failed to correct or discipline correctional officers for performing “well-being checks” in a perfunctory and meaningless manner;
Allowed a culture of disregard for inmates showing clear medical distress;
Delegated inmate medical care to Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH), a for-profit contractor, without ensuring adequate staffing or oversight.
Plaintiffs argue that these systemic failures demonstrate deliberate indifference to inmates’ medical needs and directly caused Bimpong’s death.
COUNT FOUR — Civil Rights Violations (City of Canton v. Harris, 489 U.S. 378 (1989))
Defendant: Dakota County
This claim accuses Dakota County of failing to properly train and certify its correctional and medical staff, particularly in recognizing serious medical emergencies such as strokes.
The complaint notes that first-aid and CPR training for Dakota County Jail officers had expired in June 2022—more than two years before Bimpong’s death—and was never renewed.
The lack of training allegedly made it “substantially certain” that constitutional violations and inmate deaths would occur.
The County’s failure to train, supervise, or implement adequate medical-response policies is cited as a direct cause of Bimpong’s death.
⚖️ Prayer for Relief (Requested Outcomes)
The plaintiffs, Josephine Adu-Gyane and Rosalind Marie Lewis, who are the co-trustees for the next of kin, request the following from the court:
Judicial Declaration: A finding that all defendants violated Bimpong’s Eighth and Fourteenth Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
Monetary Damages:
Count I (Eagan Officers): $20 million in compensatory damages + $20 million in punitive damages.
Count II (Correctional Officers): $20 million compensatory + $20 million punitive.
Count III (Dakota County – Monell): $20 million compensatory.
Count IV (Dakota County – Failure to Train): $20 million compensatory.
→ Total damages sought: $100 million in combined compensatory and punitive relief, plus costs and interest.
Attorney’s Fees and Costs: Recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs under 42 U.S.C. § 1988.
Policy and Training Reforms:
A court-ordered mandate requiring Dakota County to overhaul jail policies and staff training to ensure that inmates displaying obvious medical distress receive immediate medical intervention.
Additional Equitable Relief: Any other remedies the court deems just and equitable.
Jury Demand: Plaintiffs demand a trial by jury on all issues.
Editor’s note / Clarification: While that totals $120 million on paper, the two Dakota County counts (Counts III and IV) seek overlapping compensatory relief for the same alleged constitutional violations. In practice, such overlapping claims are usually treated as alternative legal theories, not additive totals, meaning the adequate combined damages exposure is roughly $100 million when viewed as a single comprehensive claim against all defendants.
In summary
The complaint seeks to hold individual officers and Dakota County jointly accountable for what plaintiffs describe as a systemic culture of indifference that deprived Bimpong of his constitutional right to medical care while in custody. It requests $100 million in damages and court-ordered reforms to prevent similar in-custody deaths in the future.
“As our complaint alleges, the police and correctional officers acted on incorrect and unfounded assumptions about Kingsley as justification for treating a person suffering from classic stroke symptoms with callous indifference that resulted in his death. The shocking deliberate indifference from local authorities stripped Kingsley of his last safeguard: the right to basic medical care. No one should lose their life in custody simply because those responsible choose silence and neglect over compassion and responsibility. A jail cell should never become a death sentence simply because cries for help were ignored.”
- Katie Bennett, Robins Kaplan’s National Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Civil Rights Group Deputy Chair and Partner.
Joining Bennett on the case are Robert Bennett, Andrew Noel, Marc Betinsky, and Greta Wiessner, all members of Robins Kaplan’s civil-rights and police-misconduct team.
We have reached out to both Dakota County for comment on this lawsuit and are awaiting a response.
Written by: Will Wight
