In a gripping legal confrontation, two Florida residents have taken legal action against a local establishment and city officials following an alleged violent encounter. On August 19, 2025, Nicholas Cardenas and Baden Smith filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, accusing WTF St. Pete, LLC and several unnamed officers of assault and negligence.
The plaintiffs, Nicholas Cardenas and Baden Smith, claim that on July 14, 2024, they were subjected to unwarranted physical aggression by security personnel at WTF St. Pete’s establishment known as “The Farm” in downtown St. Petersburg. According to the complaint, what began as a conversation about trash accumulation inside the venue escalated into a physical altercation where both plaintiffs were allegedly assaulted by security guards identified only as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2. The lawsuit alleges that these guards “began physically touching and/or striking Plaintiffs without verbal warning or provocation,” resulting in significant injuries.
Further exacerbating the situation was the involvement of local law enforcement officers from the City of St. Petersburg Police Department. The plaintiffs allege that after seeking assistance from nearby officers regarding their ordeal with the security guards, they were met with further aggression instead of aid. Officer Stephun Herring along with other unnamed officers are accused of using excessive force during their arrest of Smith and Cardenas. Notably, Officer 3 is said to have used a taser on Cardenas multiple times despite his compliance with police commands.
Cardenas and Smith argue that these actions constitute violations under Title 42 Section 1983 for unreasonable use of force by law enforcement officers. They also accuse WTF St. Pete LLC of negligence for failing to properly train its employees and creating an unsafe environment for patrons like themselves.
In addition to seeking damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of costs and attorney fees for personal injuries sustained during these incidents; both plaintiffs demand judgments against all defendants involved including punitive damages where applicable due to malicious intent exhibited throughout this incident.
Representing them legally is Kelli Martinez from Suli & Martinez Law PLLC based out Lakewood Ranch Florida who has demanded jury trials across all counts filed. The Case Number is: 25-004615-CI.
Source: 25004615CI_Nicholas_Cardenas_v_Wtf_St_Pete_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdfSource: 25004615CI_Nicholas_Cardenas_v_Wtf_St_Pete_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdfSource: 25004615CI_Nicholas_Cardenas_v_Wtf_St_Pete_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
