Clifford Law Offices Files Lawsuit in Federal Court on Behalf of Victim Sexually Assaulted by Police Officer

Clifford Law Offices filed a Lawsuit today (Dec. 6) on behalf of a 20-year-old McHenry County woman who was sexually assaulted by an on-duty Holiday Hills patrolman when he stopped her for speeding.

The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in Chicago against the patrolman and the far west suburban village alleging civil rights violations as well as negligent hiring. The patrolman, 31-year-old Troy G. Hetz of Wonder Lake, resigned in 1995 from the Lindenhurst Police Department when another woman filed a similar action in state court on an unrelated incident. That case has since been dropped.

Hetz immediately admitted to Wednesday's occurrence and resigned his part-time post at the police department.

Clifford's lawsuit in federal court alleges battery, assault and false imprisonment against the officer as well.

"This is an outrageous case involving an officer who abused his authority," said Robert Clifford, principal partner of the firm. "Holiday Hills Police Department should be taking responsibility for the criminal acts of one of its employees and will be held accountable for the negligent hiring of a man who never should have been wearing a badge to begin with."

Last Wednesday Kristine Holian was driving in a residential neighborhood in Holiday Hills when Hetz stopped her for alleged speeding. After checking her license, he ordered her to drive to an unlit gravel road in a secluded area whereupon he directed her to get out of the car and sexually assaulted her on the hood of his patrol vehicle. She immediately went to the Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry and reported it to the McHenry Sheriff's Police.

The following day Hetz's wife filed and was granted a protective order against her husband which calls for the removal of all weapons from their home and prohibits Hetz from having any contact with her. She alleged that he had forced her to have sex and often threatened her with a gun. She was granted emergency custody of their three children.

"Officer Hetz is a sexual predator who utilized his power and authority to physically and mentally coerce and sexually assault a 20-year-old woman who was in a position of terror and vulnerability," said Timothy Tomasik, attorney at Clifford Law Offices handling the matter, and former Assistant Cook County State's Attorney who prosecuted numerous high-profile sexual assault cases. "Miss Holian's lawsuit is a step in assuring that Hetz will never terrorize other women in this state."

Hetz was released on $15,000 bond on charges of official misconduct and bribery.