Frank N. Bonuso
“False Affidavits and Fabricated Probable Cause”
In 2019, Frank N. Bonuso took the rare step of suing the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) in federal court, naming Sheriff Paul Blackman, Detective Steven D. Ritenour, and Supervisor Jamie D. Davidson as defendants.
His lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 2:19-cv-14343, accused HCSO officers of misrepresenting facts in a probable cause affidavit—a sworn legal document used to justify searches, arrests, and prosecutions.
The Allegations
Bonuso claimed that Detective Ritenour and his colleagues knowingly provided false or misleading information to establish probable cause against him. In plain terms, he alleged that they lied under oath to obtain legal authority to act against him.
A probable cause affidavit is supposed to be a factual, sworn statement that meets strict legal standards. If officers exaggerate, omit, or fabricate details, they can not only destroy the integrity of a case but also commit perjury.
Bonuso’s lawsuit went directly to the heart of this issue, suggesting that HCSO’s use of false affidavits wasn’t a mistake—it was an intentional act.
The Court’s Response
On December 12, 2019, the court dismissed his complaint—partly due to procedural deficiencies and partly because certain claims didn’t meet the high standard required to survive a motion to dismiss. Some counts were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they could not be refiled.
This dismissal didn’t prove the affidavit was truthful. It simply meant that Bonuso’s case didn’t advance to a stage where those facts would be tested before a jury.
Why This Case Matters
Direct Evidence of a Pattern – The central claim in Bonuso’s case is that Detective Ritenour filed false sworn statements. This mirrors allegations in other lawsuits and personal accounts involving the same deputy.
Key Personnel Connection – Ritenour’s name appears repeatedly across multiple cases and complaints, which strengthens the argument for a pattern of misconduct.
Judicial Oversight Failure – Even when false affidavits are alleged, the system’s reliance on procedural dismissals often means these allegations never get a fair hearing—allowing misconduct to continue.
Weaponization of the Warrant Process – The probable cause affidavit is one of the most powerful tools in law enforcement. If it’s being misused or falsified, it opens the door for wrongful arrests and prosecutions.
Bigger Picture
Bonuso’s case, like others, may have died in court, but it survives as a critical warning: if law enforcement can secure warrants through false statements without accountability, no citizen is safe.
Documenting these cases isn’t just about the individuals involved—it’s about exposing a system that rewards shortcuts, punishes the innocent, and protects those willing to bend the truth for a conviction.
Sources:
Bonuso v. Highlands County Sheriff’s Office et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-14343 (S.D. Fla., 2019) (Court Filing PDF)
