AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) – A former deputy with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office has filed a federal lawsuit against Sheriff Donald Smith.

Dennis Reynolds filed the lawsuit Wednesday in U-S District Court in Harrisonburg, claiming his constitutional rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act and Title Seven of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 were all violated.

 Reynolds was hired by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office in November of 2016 and was promoted to K-9 handler in December of 2018.

 According to the lawsuit, Reynolds submitted his resignation letter on July 17th, 2023, under threat of termination.

 He is seeking five million dollars in compensatory damages plus at least $350,000 in punitive damages as well.