SC judge drops man’s lawsuit over Rock Hill police viral video arrest
A South Carolina state court judge has dismissed a malicious prosecution lawsuit filed by a Rock Hill man against the police department after video of the arrest of him and his brother went viral in 2021. The arrests sparked three days of protests, and put the city in America’s spotlight over police tactics.
A federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Ricky Roderick Price against police officers remains pending, although one federal judge has already recommended dismissing the federal case.
Price, who is Black, claimed in the state lawsuit filed in 2024 that Rock Hill Police Department officers had no probable cause to pull him over before his arrest on drug charges. Price spent four months in jail before the charges were dropped by prosecutors with the 16th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
After Price filed his lawsuit, lawyers for the city and police countered in court documents that Price attacked them first.
Price “violently and aggressively resisted that arrest, striking multiple officers requiring the attendant law enforcement officers to use justifiable and reasonable force against him,” the city’s lawyers said.
Judge: Probable cause for traffic stop, arrest
Circuit Court Judge G.D. Morgan Jr. of Greenville wrote in an order that evidence showed police had “reasonable suspicion” to make the traffic stop off Dave Lyle Boulevard.
More, there was probable cause to arrest Price afterward because officers found drugs and a gun, Morgan said. After Price’s brother Travis arrived to get Ricky Price’s jewelry and other items, an officer pushed Travis and took him to the ground even though he had done nothing wrong. Ricky Price then fought with officers.
“The Court finds that the evidence presented to the Court supports probable cause for the arrest of Plaintiff, Morgan wrote. “There was evidence Plaintiff was illegally in possession of drugs and a handgun, Plaintiff resisted arrest, and also deposited drugs in the back of a patrol car on camera. Additionally, a Magistrate issued signed warrants for Plaintiff’s arrest and the York County Grand Jury issued a true bill of indictment on the charges.”
Morgan’s order states his ruling “ends the case” in York County civil court.
Ricky Price’s lawyer, Monier Abusaft, told The Herald in a phone interview he is aware the state court case is over.
“We disagree with the judge’s order but we respect the court,” Abusaft said.
Abusaft said Rock Hill police actions concerning Price’s arrest should be heard by a jury.
2021 video, protest went national
Video taken by a private person in the store parking lot on Willowbrook Avenue showed Ricky Price fighting with officers after Travis Price is slammed to the ground.
The private video went viral and protesters filled downtown Rock Hill that night and for two nights afterward. Police wore riot gear and used shields to counter the protesters. Coverage of the arrests and protests went national.
Travis Price was also arrested on a charge of hindering police despite the onlooker and police videos showing he did not push officers.
Prosecutors later released police body camera footage.
York County’s top prosecutor, Kevin Brackett, dropped the criminal charge against Travis Price about a week later. South Carolina state police with the State Law Enforcement Division charged the officer who took Travis Price to the ground, Jonathan Moreno, with third-degree assault and battery. Moreno was fired by the Rock Hill Police Department.
Moreno was later acquitted in a criminal trial after a York County jury found him not guilty.
Travis Price sued Rock Hill in a separate legal action and received in a $500,000 settlement in 2023.
What happens next?
In the federal case, Ricky Price claims malicious prosecution and civil rights violations and alleges physical and mental injury. He is seeking actual and punitive damages.
In September, federal magistrate judge Shiva Hodges recommended the case be dismissed, but only a higher level U.S. District Court judge can dismiss it.
It is unclear when U.S. District Court Judge Mary Geiger Lewis, who is assigned the federal lawsuit, will rule on whether the case moves forward or not.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM with the headline "SC judge drops man’s lawsuit over Rock Hill police viral video arrest."
