LAKELAND, Fla., Sept. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexus Services, Inc. announced this afternoon that it has filed a lawsuit against Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. The complaint seeks injunctive action on behalf of the plaintiffs, who are managing emergency response teams and attempting to place evacuating Florida residents in shelters in advance of the landfall of Hurricane Irma. The defendants (Grady Judd and Polk County, FL) are engaging in a practice of discouraging people from seeking emergency shelter through fear, and conducting unconstitutional pedestrian warrant checks on Floridians in crisis, who are seeking life sustaining shelter from a major Hurricane.

When asked about the lawsuit, Mike Donovan, CEO of Nexus Services, Inc. stated, "Sheriff Grady Judd knew that people would be afraid because of his statements earlier this week. That fear is causing them to not seek shelter, and that as a result people… Men, women, and children, may die. This storm is deadly, and how many people will die or be injured because of Judd's reckless tweets? The Sheriff has sworn an oath to protect people, not endanger them. His actions are reckless and unconstitutional, and he needs to be held accountable for his actions."

Nexus Caridades Attorneys, Inc., Civil Rights Chief Mario Williams has indicated the Sheriff's actions, "constitute unconstitutional pedestrian warrant checks, which violate the fourth amendment rights of Floridians fleeing the path of Hurricane Irma."

The Polk County Sheriff drew national attention earlier this week when he issued the following tweet from the department's official, verified Twitter account (@PolkCoSheriff), "If you go to a shelter for #Irma and you have a warrant, we'll gladly escort you to the safe and secure shelter called the Polk County Jail."  Media outlets across the globe and millions on social media have shared their concerns regarding the Sheriff's decision to deny access to shelter during what was expected to be, became overnight, a deadly storm.

These tweets prompted Nexus Services, Inc. to promptly launch efforts to assist individuals and families with transportation or lodging assistance if they must evacuate but are afraid to do so because of the Sheriff's threats.  A 24-hour hotline was established (813-815-4663) for those who are in fear and in need of help to call.

The filed complaint can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/Sheriff-Polk-Co-Lawsuit-9-10-2017

The suit is being filed by Nexus Caridades Attorneys, Inc. on behalf of Nexus Services Inc., Libre by Nexus, Inc., and its risk manager, Andres Barreno. Nexus Caridades Attorneys, Inc. is one of the largest providers of pro bono legal services in the country.  Nexus Caridades, Inc. is committed to standing up for victims of abuse by government agencies and officials. www.nexuscaridades.com

Nexus Services, Inc. is a leading provider of immigrant bail securitization and electronic monitoring. The organization funds Nexus Caridades Attorneys, Inc. as part of its corporate giving and in an effort to increase access to justice for disadvantaged people across the United States.  www.nexushelps.com

CONTACT: Nexus Services Inc.
Jen Little, Director of Public Relations
(540) 255-9492 /jlittle@nexushelps.com

SOURCE Nexus Services, Inc.