CJ-2026-00031 - Steve Orr v. Chuck Brewer

What's This Case About?

Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t just a story about a man whose airplane got scratched by a police dog. This is a full-blown, red-white-and-blue constitutional thriller starring a sheriff who allegedly cooked up an interstate law enforcement sting operation—because he couldn’t get his hands on a private plane without a warrant. And now, that same plane owner is suing him for nearly $50,000, claiming the whole thing was a Fourth Amendment dumpster fire orchestrated from Oklahoma to Kentucky like some kind of backwoods Mission: Impossible gone horribly wrong.

Meet Steve Orr—a Lincoln County, Oklahoma, resident and proud owner of a Piper M350, which is not your average backyard Cessna. We’re talking about a sleek, high-performance, six-seat turbocharged aircraft that costs more than most people’s houses. Steve isn’t a drug lord, a fugitive, or even a guy with a suspiciously large amount of cash in his glove compartment. He’s a dad. A very excited dad, in fact—because on April 20, 2023, he hopped in his plane with his pilot buddy Randy Carr to fly to Williamsburg, Kentucky, for the very important reason of watching his son play quarterback in a college scrimmage. This was a family trip. A wholesome, dad-core, “I packed snacks and a foam finger” kind of weekend. Not exactly the profile of a narcotics kingpin.

But things took a sharp turn when, shortly after landing, Steve and Randy were pulled over in a loaner car by an unmarked police vehicle. No reason given. No flashing lights, no siren—just a sudden swarm of law enforcement. By the time they pulled into a gas station, six or seven police cars had magically materialized around them. Enter Sergeant Lafe Owens of the Kentucky State Police, who approached Steve, demanded his license, and then—still without explanation—ordered both men out of the car. At this point, you’d think someone might say, “Hey, fellas, we’re just here for a football game,” but instead, they consented to a search of the loaner vehicle and their bags. Why? Because, as the filing says, they “had nothing to hide.” And fair enough—no contraband was found. But instead of a polite “Have a nice day,” Sergeant Owens dropped the bomb: “We’re going back to the airport to search the airplane.”

Now, let’s pause. You don’t just casually search a multi-million-dollar aircraft like it’s a suspect’s trunk. This is a highly regulated machine governed by federal aviation rules. But back they went—police convoy in front, Steve and Randy following like contestants on Cops: Skies Edition. At the airport, a K-9 unit was deployed. And not just sniffing around—this dog jumped on the plane, scratching the exterior paint like it was auditioning for Airplane! 2: The Sniffing. Then came the request to search the interior. Steve and Randy, still playing nice, opened the plane and consented—but specifically refused to allow the K-9 inside, fearing damage to the sensitive interior. So far, so “weird but legal,” right? Except here’s the kicker: when the officers wanted to remove internal panels to look for contraband, Randy Carr—being the responsible aviation professional he is—shut it down. Only FAA-certified mechanics can do that, he explained. So, in a move that sounds like a bad compromise, he removed the panels himself so the cops could peek inside. Still nothing. No drugs. No weapons. Not even a suspiciously large amount of protein bars. Just a very confused dad and his very scratched-up airplane.

But the real twist? This wasn’t random. According to the filing, after the fact, Randy Carr was contacted by the manager of the Chandler, Oklahoma, airport, who dropped a bombshell: Lincoln County Sheriff Chuck Brewer had previously tried to sneak access to Steve Orr’s plane to install a tracking device—without a warrant. And when the airport manager refused (because, hello, federal law), Brewer allegedly didn’t just give up. He allegedly called in the Kentucky State Police to pull this whole operation off under the radar. That’s right—this wasn’t a traffic stop gone sideways. This was, according to Steve Orr, a coordinated, cross-state, warrantless fishing expedition cooked up by a sheriff who couldn’t play by the rules.

So why are we in court? Because Steve Orr says his constitutional rights were steamrolled. The Fourth Amendment isn’t just for dramatic courtroom speeches—it protects you from exactly this kind of government overreach: searches without warrants, seizures without cause, and law enforcement acting like they’re above the law. Steve’s lawsuit claims negligence—not in the “oops I spilled coffee on the paperwork” sense, but in the “you had a duty to uphold the Constitution and you straight-up ignored it” sense. He argues that Sheriff Brewer, acting in his individual capacity (not as an official county action), violated his duty by orchestrating an unlawful search through third-party officers, causing not only $49,400 in repair costs (yes, that’s how much it costs to fix a high-end aircraft after a K-9 and an unauthorized panel disassembly) but also emotional distress, embarrassment, and reputational harm. And because the conduct was allegedly done in “bad faith,” Steve is also asking for punitive damages—not to cover his costs, but to punish the sheriff and send a message: you don’t get to weaponize state police departments because you’re mad you couldn’t sneak a tracker onto someone’s plane.

And let’s talk about that number: $49,400. Is that a lot? For a car scratch, maybe overkill. But for a Piper M350? That’s not even chump change—it’s a full structural and cosmetic restoration. We’re talking about specialized aviation paint, precision panel reassembly, inspections, certifications. This isn’t a body shop job; it’s a forensic-level aircraft rehab. And while it’s not the full value of the plane, it’s enough to make any pilot weep into their flight log.

Now, here’s our take: the most absurd part isn’t the dog scratches. It’s not even the interstate cop collaboration. It’s the audacity of the alleged motive. A sheriff, sworn to uphold the law, allegedly bypassed the entire judicial system—not because there was an emergency, not because there was probable cause, but because he wanted to track a guy’s plane and couldn’t get permission. So he outsourced the job to another state’s police? That’s not law enforcement. That’s Leverage: The County Edition. And while we’re not saying Steve Orr is 100% angelic (we don’t know what he’s done, and neither do you), the idea that a sheriff would allegedly manipulate out-of-state officers to conduct a warrantless search because he hit a bureaucratic wall? That’s not just petty. That’s a full-blown abuse of power wrapped in a Midwestern grudge.

We’re rooting for the airplane. Not because it’s shiny (though it is), but because this case isn’t really about a plane. It’s about what happens when law enforcement thinks the rules don’t apply to them. And if a Piper M350 has to become the poster child for constitutional rights, so be it. Fly high, Steve. And maybe next time, charter a jet.

Case Overview

Jury Trial Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

Michael J. Hunter

Michael J. Hunter PLLC

Relief Sought

$49,400 Monetary

$1 Punitive

Plaintiffs

Steve Orr individual
Rep: Michael J. Hunter PLLC

Defendants

Chuck Brewer individual

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	negligence	violation of Fourth Amendment rights, damage to property, and emotional distress

Petition Text

1,208 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF LINCOLN COUNTY STATE OF OKLAHOMA STEVE ORR, an individual, Plaintiff, v. CHUCK BREWER, in his individual capacity, Defendant. Case No. CJ-2026-31 PETITION COMES NOW Plaintiff, Steve Orr ("Plaintiff" or "Mr. Orr") and for his causes of action against Defendant, Chuck Brewer ("Defendant Brewer"), hereby states as follows: PARTIES 1. Plaintiff is a resident of Lincoln County, Oklahoma, and the owner of a Piper M350 Airplane ("Airplane"). 2. Defendant Brewer is a resident of Lincoln County and, at all times relevant to the allegations in this Petition, was the Sheriff for Lincoln County, Oklahoma. VENUE AND JURISDICTION 3. Venue and jurisdiction are proper before this court because, at all times, the alleged conduct that serves as the basis for Plaintiff's claims against Defendant occurred in Lincoln County, Oklahoma. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS 4. On April 20, 2023, Plaintiff, accompanied by his pilot, Mr. Randy Carr, flew from Chandler, Oklahoma, to Williamsburg, Kentucky in Plaintiff’s Piper M350 Airplane to attend his son’s first scrimmage game playing quarterback for the University of Cumberlands. 5. Upon arriving at the Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport (“Airport”), the Airport’s Facility Manager provided Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr with a loaner vehicle to travel to and from the scrimmage. 6. Shortly after leaving the Airport, Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr were stopped by an unmarked police vehicle. 7. Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr pulled into a gas station where six or seven additional police vehicles were present. 8. A Kentucky State Police Officer, Sergeant Lafe Owens (“Sergeant Owens”) approached Mr. Orr on the driver’s side of the loaner vehicle and requested Mr. Orr’s license. 9. Another Kentucky State Police Officer, Brian Maupin (“Officer Maupin”) approached Mr. Carr on the passenger side and asked for Mr. Carr’s information. 10. Neither officer informed Mr. Orr or Mr. Carr why they had been pulled over. 11. After reviewing Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr’s information, Sergeant Owens ordered them to step out of the vehicle, and Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr complied. 12. Without providing an explanation for the request, Sergeant Owens asked Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr if officers could search the loaner vehicle and the two bags located inside. 13. Because neither Mr. Orr nor Mr. Carr had anything to hide, they consented to the search. 14. After Sergeant Owens did not find any contraband, he informed Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr that the police would be heading back to the airport to search the Airplane. 15. At that time, the six or seven police vehicles left the gas station parking lot and headed back to the airport. 16. Getting back in their loaner vehicle, Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr followed the police vehicles back to the Airport. 17. Upon arrival, Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr witnessed Officer Maupin and a K-9 Officer performing a search of the Aircraft’s exterior. 18. While searching the exterior of the Airplane, the K-9 Officer jumped on and scratched the exterior paint on the Airplane. 19. When Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr arrived at the Airport, Sergeant Owens asked for consent to search the Airplane. 20. Because neither Mr. Orr nor Mr. Carr had anything to hide, Mr. Orr and Mr. Carr opened the Airplane and consented to officers searching the Airplane but did not consent to the K-9 Officer’s search of the plane, fearful that it would cause additional damage to the Airplane’s interior. 21. After not finding any contraband, Sergeant Owens indicated that they wanted to remove two panels in the Airplane to check for contraband. 22. At this point, Mr. Carr objected, stating that only federally certified aviation mechanics could remove panels in the Airplane per federal regulation. 23. Because none of the officers were federally certified aviation mechanics, Mr. Carr instead removed two panels on the aircrafts for the officers inspection. 24. As with the previous searches, no contraband was found in the aircraft. 25. During the entirety of the encounter, Sergeant Owens was verbally abusive towards Mr. Orr, yelling profanities, threatening to take Mr. Orr to jail, and threatening physical violence. 26. As a result of the search, Mr. Orr had to spend $49,400.00 to repair damage caused to the Airplane. 27. Additionally, after the incident, Mr. Carr was contacted by the manager of the Chandler, Oklahoma, Airport and was informed from the manager that Defendant Brewer had contacted him previously seeking access to Mr. Orr’s plane in order to put a tracking device on the same. 28. Because Defendant Brewer did not have a warrant to place this tracking device, and because federal regulations prevent any aircrafts from being tampered with, the manager of the Chandler, Oklahoma, airport did not allow Defendant Brewer access to Mr. Orr’s plane. 29. Based on this information, Mr. Orr believes that Defendant Brewer contacted the Kentucky Police Department to orchestrate the unlawful seizures of Mr. Orr and his Airplane in violation of Mr. Orr’s Fourth Amendment rights. 30. Defendant Brewer was not acting in good faith within his duties as the Sheriff of Lincoln County as evidenced by his failure to obtain a warrant prior to attempting to place a tracker on Plaintiff’s aircraft. 31. This bad faith conduct is also evidenced by the fact that the Kentucky State Police, in communication with Defendant Brewer, did not seek or obtain warrants to search Mr. Orr’s loaner vehicle or his Airplane. 32. On February 14, 2024, Plaintiff timely submitted his governmental tort claim notice to Lincoln County pursuant to 51 OKLA. STAT. § 156. 33. Plaintiff’s claim was deemed denied on May 14, 2024, pursuant to 51 OKLA. STAT. § 157. 34. Plaintiff timely initiated a lawsuit against Defendant Brewer, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, and the Board of County Commissioners of Lincoln County on November 7, 2024. 35. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice on July 7, 2025. 36. Plaintiff has timely refiled his claim pursuant to 12 OKLA. STAT. § 100. COUNT I: NEGLIGENCE 37. Plaintiff re-allege and incorporate by reference paragraphs 1-36 above as if fully set forth herein. 38. As the Sheriff of Lincoln County, Oklahoma, Defendant Brewer owed Plaintiff, a resident of Lincoln County, a duty to follow well-established procedures to ensure that Mr. Orr's Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures would not be violated. 39. Defendant Brewer violated this duty to Mr. Orr by attempting to unlawfully place a tracker on his Airplane and by coordinating with the Kentucky State Police Department to unlawfully seize Mr. Orr during the unlawful traffic stop and while his Airplane was being searched. 40. As a result of Defendant Brewer's breaches of his duty, Mr. Orr has suffered extreme emotional distress, embarrassment, and damage to his and his family's reputation in the community. 41. Additionally, Mr. Orr's Airplane was damaged during the Kentucky State Police's warrantless search, resulting in monetary damages in excess of $49,400.00, 42. Additionally, because Defendant Brewer's conduct was taken in bad faith, in clear violation of well-established law, Mr. Orr seeks punitive damages to punish Defendant Brewer and deter similar conduct in the future. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays that this Court enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant, assess actual, compensatory, and punitive damages arising from Defendant's conduct, together with pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and any further relief as this Court may deem equitable and appropriate. JURY TRIAL DEMANDED. Dated: February 23, 2026 Respectfully submitted, By: Michael J. Hunter, OBA No. 4503 MICHAEL J. HUNTER PLLC 100 N. Broadway, Suite 3020 BancFirst Tower Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Telephone: (405) 985-3828 Email: [email protected] ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF