Former federal agent claims he was humiliated over false arrest by Horry Police officer
A retired federal law enforcement agent is claiming his reputation has been damaged after a false arrest by an Horry County Police officer.
Gregory McDowell is accusing Horry County Police and Officer Ryan Coggins of false arrest and slander after he was arrested Nov. 12, 2024, for making a false police report, according to a lawsuit filed March 14, 2025.
McDowell was widely reported in the news media and his mugshot was even put on a sign in front of his subdivision by unknown persons, the suit said.
Horry County spokesperson Mikayla Moskov said by text that the county does not comment on pending litigation.
The Conway resident claims Coggins wrote a false affidavit supporting the arrest. McDowell had reported to police about a neighbor who appeared to be pointing a gun at him in his community.
On Jan. 10, 2025, a preliminary hearing on the charges was held before a magistrate, who after the evidence dismissed the charges, the suit said.
During the hearing, Coggins admitted that he omitted from his affidavit that McDowell said he wasn’t sure he saw a gun and that he could not prove McDowell did not see what was reported. The information contradicts his arrest affidavit.
The charges were dismissed, but not before the matter became public, including a poster put in front of McDowell’s home of him in an orange jumpsuit, causing McDowell humiliation, emotional distress and nightmares.
McDowell is asking for actual and punitive damages.
