A Naramata couple recently filed a lawsuit against several RCMP officers over the alleged use of unnecessary force during an arrest in November of 2024. 

Kelly and Sylvia Hohmann filed the suit in Penticton on Jan. 8, naming one officer, Const. Garrett Fast, as well as additional unnamed officers, the Attorney General of Canada and the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. 

The lawsuit claims that a traffic stop on Nov. 15 over a lack of a national safety code number on Kelly's company vehicle turned unnecessarily violent.

After being pulled over, Kelly, 63, contacted his wife in between speaking with Fast about the vehicle's insurance and whether it needed the number displayed. 

The two disagreed on the matter, and Fast allegedly informed Kelly that the vehicle would have to be towed. At this point, Kelly called Sylvia and asked her to come to him. 

While waiting, additional RCMP vehicles and officers arrived with sirens on, Sylvia arriving behind them. 

According to the claim, Kelly stepped back to let Sylvia speak to the officers on his behalf. While allegedly asking for one of the additional officers names, she was allegedly heaved against the side of one of the RCMP vehicles and handcuffed, with an elbow placed against her spine. 

Kelly then allegedly took several steps towards her, calling out for the officer to let go of his wife, before he was grabbed by his arms and forced to the ground, his knees locking up and causing his head to hit the pavement as he did so. 

The lawsuit then alleges that the officers beat Kelly while he was on the ground and ignored a complaint from Sylvia about the handcuffs being too tight while she was placed inside an RCMP vehicle. 

The couple said that they were being charged with obstructing or willfully resisting an officer. 

A search of online court records indicates no charges have been officially filed against either Holman for the alleged Nov. 15 incident. 

The couple claims that the RCMP took the couple to the detachment, ignoring blood on Kelly's head and him losing consciousness multiple times, and that they refused to take Kelly to the hospital despite multiple requests, with their son eventually taking them after the couple were released. 

Starting from Sylvia being handcuffed and up until the couple's release, they also allege that they were being shouted at and subjected to expletives by the officers. 

In addition to claiming physical damages including a concussion and post-concussion syndrome that have left Kelly requiring sunglasses, a cauliflower ear, a torn hamstring and lacerations and bruising across his body, the couple is also claiming to have suffered severe psychological damage.

The couple claim that they have had to shut down their business as Kelly's injuries made him unable to continue working. 

None of the claims have been tested in court, and no response has been filed by any of the defendants.