POLICE ENCOUNTER RECORDS
Janene Thorpe
Overview
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On April 23, 2021, American Fork officers Philip W. S. Craig and Christopher Slate Blackburn came to Janene Thorpe’s home to deliver citations.
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The officers entered without a warrant and with no apparent emergency justifying entry. According to the family’s federal complaint, when Janene’s husband, Christopher, tried to end the conversation and close the door, Craig blocked it with his foot, then forced it open and entered, followed by Blackburn.
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The complaint states that Craig grabbed Janene and dragged her toward the doorway. The family’s lawsuit challenges the entry, use of force, and the department’s handling of the underlying neighbor dispute.
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The citations arose from a property-line dispute in which a neighbor accused Janene of throwing rocks at her. The family disputes that accusation and says Janene was tossing material onto her own property, away from the neighbor.
Officers Involved
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Here are the officers who were involved in the encounter. Click their profile links below:
- Blackburn, Christopher Slate
- Craig, Philip W. S.
Lawsuit
Janene Thorpe and members of her family filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit in April 2023 against American Fork City, Cedar Hills City, several AFPD officers, and others. The lawsuit was ongoing as of September 2026.
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The complaint identifies C. Slate Blackburn as one of the defendant officers.
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PACER court docket: The filing history for the federal lawsuit through September 28, 2026. The latest entries show that motions involving discovery, expert testimony, and summary judgment were still being addressed.
- Janene Thorpe Lawsuit — PACER Court Docket
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Federal complaint: The Thorpe plaintiffs allege federal civil-rights violations and related state-law claims involving American Fork City, Cedar Hills City, AFPD, and several officers. These are allegations, not court findings.
- Janene Thorpe Lawsuit — Federal Complaint — Document 2
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Civil cover sheet: The basic filing information submitted when the federal lawsuit was opened.
- Janene Thorpe Lawsuit — Civil Cover Sheet
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Exhibit A — Parcel map: A parcel map filed with the complaint to show the properties involved in the underlying dispute.
- Janene Thorpe Lawsuit — Exhibit A: Parcel Map — Document 2-1
Civil Background
Records from three separate Utah civil proceedings involving Janene Thorpe and the Sanches family. These provide background on the underlying neighbor disputes and are separate from the federal civil-rights lawsuit.
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Civil Stalking Injunction — Case 210400815
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Maria Sanches obtained a civil stalking injunction against Janene Thorpe in 2021. These records include the temporary and final injunction orders and case histories documenting the proceedings and appeal.
- Janene Thorpe — Civil Stalking Case History — Case 210400815
- Janene Thorpe — Civil Stalking Case Document Filings — Case 210400815
- Janene Thorpe — Temporary Civil Stalking Injunction — Case 210400815
- Janene Thorpe — Order: Permanent Civil Stalking Injunction — Case 210400815
- Janene Thorpe — Order: Final Civil Stalking Injunction — Case 210400815
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Janene Thorpe v. Edward Maurice Sanches et al.
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Janene Thorpe’s 2022 complaint against Edward and Maria Sanches alleges injuries from a dog bite and seeks damages. The records include the original Provo docket, the American Fork docket after transfer, and the complaint; the transferred case was dismissed with prejudice.
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American Fork Docket After Transfer — Case 220100200
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Christopher Thorpe Sr. and Janene Thorpe v. Edward and Maria Sanches — Contract Case 240406544
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Christopher Thorpe Sr. and Janene Thorpe filed this contract case against Edward and Maria Sanches in 2024. The records include case histories and a May 2020 settlement agreement addressing earlier property and neighbor disputes; the docket records dismissal in June 2026.
- Christopher Thorpe Sr. and Janene Thorpe v. Edward and Maria Sanches — Contract Case History — Case 240406544
- Christopher Thorpe Sr. and Janene Thorpe v. Edward and Maria Sanches — Contract Case Document Filings — Case 240406544
- Christopher Thorpe Sr. and Janene Thorpe v. Edward and Maria Sanches — Exhibit 1: May 7, 2020 Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release — Case 240406544
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YouTube Videos
Videos discussing the Thorpe encounter and placing it in the context of other AFPD encounters. The titles and interpretations belong to the respective creators.
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LackLuster: Coverage focused on the allegation that AFPD officers entered the Thorpe home without a warrant.
- Cops Break In With No Warrant — American Fork Police
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Clearly Established: Commentary connecting the Thorpe encounter to concerns about warrantless home entries and other AFPD encounters.
- The Lego Raid Was Just the Beginning: American Fork PD’s Home Invasion Pattern