Former Sheriff, County of Worth Hit with Lawsuit

The St. Joseph News-Press, on their online website, reports former Sheriff Neal "Bear" Groom and the County of Worth were sued by a Joplin woman in federal court seeking civil damages.  The civil suit seeks over $75,000 in damages for costs and expenses incurred as well as other relief that the court deems just and fair. Groom was convicted in federal court of coercing eight females to expose parts of their bodies in violation of 4th Amendment prohibitions against unreasonable searches.  Groom is currently serving his sentence in federal prison.