NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - A federal judge has dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by a former New Middletown resident who claimed village officials retaliated against him with snowplows and concrete blocks.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James Grimes Jr. granted the village’s request to dismiss the complaint filed by Alexander Knappenberger on Monday. The judge ruled that many of the allegations were too old to be considered by the court and that the remaining claims did not prove village officials violated Knappenberger’s constitutional rights.

Knappenberger filed a $6.7 million lawsuit against the village and several officials, including former Mayor Harry Kale and former Police Chief Anthony Protopapa, in May 2025. He alleged officials engaged in a pattern of harassment because he criticized the local government on social media. The complaint cited incidents dating back to 2021, including "junk vehicle" citations, a snowplow blocking his driveway in 2022, and the installation of concrete blocks behind his home in 2023.

In his opinion, Grimes ruled that claims involving the snowplow incident and early citations were barred by a two-year statute of limitations. The judge rejected Knappenberger’s argument that these events were part of a "continuing violation" that should allow them to be heard despite the time limit.

The court also addressed the installation of concrete blocks and cables on a former school parking lot that the village acquired in 2023. Knappenberger argued that the barrier trapped his vehicles and amounted to an illegal seizure of his property.

Grimes determined that the village placed the blocks on its own property. The judge noted that while the barrier might have made exiting difficult, Knappenberger did not have a legal right to drive across the village-owned lot to reach the alley. The opinion stated that the blocks did not prevent him from accessing his property from the front on Main Street.

The judge also dismissed the First Amendment retaliation claim. While Knappenberger argued the village erected the blocks to punish him for his online criticism, the judge found the complaint failed to show that the zoning inspector or other officials knew about the posts before acting.

The court further ruled that Zoning Inspector Monte Weimer was protected by qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that shields government officials from liability unless they violate clearly established rights.

Knappenberger had asked the court for permission to file an additional response to the village's arguments, but the judge denied that request on Monday.

The judge declined to rule on claims based on Ohio law, such as intentional infliction of emotional distress, dismissing them because the federal claims failed.

The dismissal is without prejudice, meaning Knappenberger has 14 days to file a third amended complaint if he chooses. The judge cautioned him that any new filing must avoid "supposition, innuendo, and allegations with no clear connection" to legal claims.

The lawsuit stemmed from a long-running dispute involving the property on Main Street. Knappenberger previously told 21 News in 2022 that he felt targeted when village plows pushed snow against his garage.