PORTLAND, OR – A Multnomah County jury has ordered Target to pay $150,000 after a Tigard store employee falsely accused a customer of having explicit images of underage girls on his phone, a claim that led to a federal investigation and, according to the man’s family, contributed to his death. The verdict closes a years-long case brought by the estate of Jeffrey Buckmeyer, a Portland father who was never charged and was later cleared.
The civil complaint alleged that the employee’s report set off an FBI investigation in 2018, during which agents seized Buckmeyer’s electronics and searched his home. The case was dropped after authorities found no evidence of child abuse or pornography, but the fallout left lasting consequences for Buckmeyer and his family.
FBI investigation and false report claims
“Defendants intentionally instigated the FBI to detain plaintiff and to search plaintiff’s home based on false information defendants provided to law enforcement,” the complaint alleged. It further stated, “Specifically, defendants intentionally, knowingly, and falsely reported to law enforcement that defendants saw child abuse or child pornography materials on plaintiff’s mobile phone,” adding, “Plaintiff never had child abuse or child pornography materials on his mobile phone.”
According to court filings, the employee, described as a cellphone technician, told management that Buckmeyer asked for help deleting a large folder of images. The worker claimed to have seen explicit photos involving underage girls and alerted authorities. The FBI later seized multiple devices and conducted a months-long forensic review.
“[Buckmeyer’s] neighbors were made aware of the search warrant and plaintiff was limited in his ability to spend time with his own child while the FBI completed its investigation,” the complaint stated. Authorities ultimately returned the devices and concluded there was no evidence to support the allegations.
Impact on family and legal fight
Buckmeyer died in April 2019 from cardiac arrest. His girlfriend, Patty Anselmo, who continued the lawsuit on behalf of their daughter, said the accusations had a profound effect on his health. “He was labeled a demon,” Anselmo told The Oregonian. “I certainly think this pressed the ‘fast forward’ button for Jeff,” she said about his heart condition.
Anselmo said the stigma lingered even after the investigation ended. “Having some black cloud placed over him unfairly, it just left a mark on who he was,” she said. “We were never sure if it was going to get cleared up. And now we can hold our heads up and say very clearly that this was completely fabricated. This was a lie.”
During the trial, forensic experts testified that Buckmeyer’s devices contained no illegal material. “The experts testified that all they do is bust people who have this type of perversion,” attorney Michael Fuller told The Oregonian. “They said these devices do not appear in any way to belong to someone who in any way is interested in any of this stuff. It’s as clean as anything you’d ever see.”
Fuller said Buckmeyer had sought to clear his name before his death. “Seven years ago I promised Jeff that I’d see his case through,” Fuller said. “Last week we fulfilled my promise and we thank the jury for its service.”
In an email cited in the complaint, Buckmeyer wrote, “These charges have ruined my life in many ways.”
Target did not respond to a request for comment.
Target lawsuit Oregon, Jeffrey Buckmeyer case, false accusation FBI investigation, Tigard Target incident, emotional distress verdict
