Bristol Police Officer Sues Casino Guest over Viral Videos

A new legal showdown tied to an incident at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol, Virginia, has drawn attention to the clash between viral social media claims and law enforcement reputations. A Bristol police officer has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking $200,000 in damages after a casino guest posted a series of TikTok videos accusing the officer of assault following her removal from a casino lounge.

The Incident Originated from a Simple Misunderstanding

According to a WJHL-TV report, on December 3, Officer Lilly-Kay Tomlinson lodged the lawsuit in the US District Court against Stephanie Bates. The lawsuit stems from events on September 6, when Bates and her husband were guests at the Hard Rock Hotel and were spending time in one of its lounges. According to court filings, Tomlinson was working an off-duty security detail at the casino when staff signalled that somebody had possibly entered the lounge without proper access. 

Bates was identified as a potential trespasser, prompting security and police to approach her table. The situation escalated after lounge staff verified that Bates never violated any access rules. According to the lawsuit, Bates and her husband initiated a heated exchange, even directing profanity toward Tomlinson and another officer. Police say the couple was warned that their behavior could result in an orderly conduct charge if it continued.

When Bates allegedly refused to lower her voice and back down, Tomlinson attempted to escort her off the property. According to the officer, Bates was resisting by pulling her arm away and shouting, at which point she was formally expelled from the casino. The couple was allowed to retrieve their belongings from the hotel room before being escorted out of the premises.

Social Media Quickly Picked Up the Story

The encounter quickly made its way into social media. Bates posted multiple TikTok videos describing the incident, accusing Tomlinson of violently grabbing her arm, leading to serious injury. In some videos, Bates appeared wearing a sling and displaying what she described as swelling on her wrist. She also repeated her allegations during interviews with local media.

Tomlinson’s lawsuit disputes those claims, pointing to medical records that indicate no fracture or dislocation. On September 8, the police department released body cam footage showing officers confronting the couple inside the casino. The video captures the tense exchange, with Tomlinson grasping Bates’s arm as she turns away. Chief Byron Ashbrook stated the footage was made public to provide transparency.

“Her body camera was turned on as soon as the officer made contact with the individual identified to them.”

BVPD Chief Byron Ashbrook

Tomlinson’s lawsuit argues that Bates’s online statements crossed from personal opinion into defamatory accusations, portraying the officer as violent, dishonest, and unfit for duty. The legal challenge includes three counts of defamation and seeks compensatory and punitive damages as well as attorneys’ fees. A jury trial has been requested, setting the stage for a courtroom examination.