In a striking legal move, an individual has filed a civil rights lawsuit against a prominent California grocery chain and its security service provider, alleging racial discrimination and unlawful detention. Gregory Wayne Walton II lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, on February 17, 2026, targeting Raley’s Inc., Off-Duty Officers Inc., and specific individuals involved in the incident.
The lawsuit stems from an event on February 13, 2026, when Walton claims he was wrongfully detained and accused of theft at a Raley’s store in Sacramento after making legitimate purchases. According to Walton, who holds a master’s degree in criminal justice, the ordeal began when a store employee discarded his receipt upon his request. Despite this, security guard Eric Delaluz confronted him as he attempted to leave the store with sushi purchased earlier. Delaluz demanded proof of purchase and physically prevented Walton from leaving despite knowing that the receipt had been discarded by another employee. The situation escalated when Tiffany (Doe Manager 1), identified as an assistant manager, allegedly ignored Walton’s request for intervention and ratified Delaluz’s actions.
Walton argues that this incident is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of discriminatory practices by Raley’s Inc., citing fifteen prior adjudications involving similar misconduct by security personnel. He asserts that these actions violate several laws including the Unruh Civil Rights Act and Bane Act due to arbitrary discrimination and coercion without probable cause. “This is not negligence,” Walton states in his complaint. “This is conscious disregard… This is malice.”
The plaintiff seeks extensive judicial relief including declaratory judgments confirming violations of civil rights laws, compensatory damages for emotional distress and humiliation amounting to $9.5 million, statutory damages under relevant civil rights statutes totaling $600,000, punitive damages up to $20 million for willful misconduct over more than a decade without reform, and injunctive relief mandating civil rights training for all security personnel involved.
Representing himself pro se (in propria persona), Gregory Wayne Walton II emphasizes systemic issues within Raley’s operations that have persisted despite substantial financial settlements in previous cases. He calls for comprehensive reforms including mandatory civil rights training certified by the California Civil Rights Department and establishment of neutral policies governing customer detentions.
This case underscores significant questions about retail security practices’ compliance with California’s civil rights laws—whether selective enforcement constitutes arbitrary discrimination or if such incidents reflect deeper systemic failures requiring judicial intervention.
The case is presided over by Judge [Name], with Case ID: [CaseNo.: 2a OOS 30]. Gregory Wayne Walton II appears as his own attorney (in pro per).
Source: 26CV003530_Gregory_Wayne_v_Raleys_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
