In 2016, Virgil filed a lawsuit in federal court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against the City of Newport and past and present Newport Police Department employees. He alleged violations of his constitutional right to a fair trial, malicious prosecution, fabrication of false evidence, supervisory liability and negligent supervision, failure to intervene, conspiracy to deprive him of his constitutional rights, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. He claimed damages for pain and suffering during incarceration, disadvantages faced after incarceration, and harms “including but not limited to physical harm, mental suffering, and loss of a normal life” resulting from Newport’s misconduct.