The story of an innocent man wronged by those sworn to protect him unfolds in a recent court filing, highlighting a profound miscarriage of justice. On November 14, 2025, Raymond L. Sherwood III and his family filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia against the County of Botetourt, Virginia, its School Board, and several individuals including prosecutors Marshall Lukacs and John Alexander. The case unveils allegations of false prosecution, malicious conduct by law enforcement and prosecutorial misconduct that nearly destroyed Sherwood’s life.
Raymond L. Sherwood III, a decorated veteran and former police officer turned school-bus driver in Botetourt County, found himself at the center of a legal storm when he was accused of inappropriate conduct with students on his bus route. According to the complaint, these accusations were unfounded and resulted from a report made by probation officer Kasey L. Thomas about her daughter’s interactions with Sherwood. Despite the lack of evidence or sworn statements supporting these claims, twenty-five criminal warrants were issued against him.
The filing details how the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office proceeded with these charges without any sworn affidavits or probable cause documentation—a violation of both state and federal laws. The complaint accuses prosecutors Lukacs and Alexander of withholding exculpatory evidence that could have proven Sherwood’s innocence earlier in the process. They allegedly defied their Brady and Giglio obligations by using coercive bond threats to pressure Sherwood into accepting a plea deal.
Sherwood’s defense attorney Joseph “Joe” T. Cockfield repeatedly demanded evidence from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office but was met with silence—further indicating procedural misconduct. The narrative paints a picture of systemic failure where law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies misused their power to sustain baseless charges against an innocent man.
In response to these alleged injustices, Sherwood is seeking damages for loss of liberty, emotional distress, reputational harm, legal expenses, and more through this civil-rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 among other statutes. The plaintiffs demand accountability from those who violated constitutional safeguards meant to protect citizens like Sherwood from such abuses.
Representing Raymond L. Sherwood III are attorneys Jon C. Clark Esq., while Judge Michael F. Urbanski presides over this case identified as Case No: 7:25-cv-00821-MFU-CKM.
Source: 725cv00821_Sherwood_III_v_Courty_of_Botetourt_Complaint_Western_District_Virginia.pdf
