CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — The deacon and pastor of a Carter County church have filed a lawsuit against members of the Carter County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), claiming they violated their constitutional rights by attempting to force them out of their roles.

Deacon Daniel Pate and pastor Rick Miller of the Old Horseshoe Freewill Baptist Church filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The lawsuit seeks $3 million in damages and requests a jury trial.

The defendants named in the lawsuit include Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley, several individual deputies and Carter County as a government entity.

The following individuals are listed as defendants, with Carter County being included as an entity: • Carter County Sheriff Mike Fraley • Chief Deputy

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