ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. -- Three young women in St. Johns County have filed a lawsuit against the city of St. Augustine Beach for what they claim happened to them after a house party.

Women Name Police In Strip Search Lawsuit

The 19- and 20-year-old Flagler College students said they were forced to strip in front of jail personnel after being arrested for a crime they did not commit.

The incident began at a home on Oak Road in St. Augustine Beach in August 2006, when a party led to a call to police and the arrests of 14 people accused of possession of alcohol by a minor.

Among the suspects were Leah Melton, Jessica Wedemyer and Kelly Boese. Although the charges against the women have been dropped, the suit naming the St. Augustine Beach police, the sheriff who runs the jail and two law enforcement officers continues.

The lawsuit states that even though there was alcohol at the house party, at no time were the plaintiffs in possession of alcohol or appear intoxicated. It also says, "At the jail, Plaintiffs were administered breathalyzer tests, which revealed breath alcohol levels of .000."

Despite that, the plaintiffs allege they were forced to disrobe in front of the correctional staff against their will and put on a jail uniform.

"That constituted unconstitutional strip searches in violation of the Fourth and 14th Amendments," according to the lawsuit.

If an inmate is going to be strip searched, it is supposed to take place in a holding cell, where a supervisor and a deputy should be present. If an inmate is not to be strip searched, the person is asked to disrobe and put on a uniform behind a curtain for privacy.

Despite the lawsuit, that's what officials said happened to the three students.

"In this particular case everything that is documented means that a normal booking process occurred. That means that an individual steps into a small area and shower curtain is drawn," said Sgt. Chuck Mulligan.

Mulligan said at no time should an inmate be forced to strip in front of others unless the person is suspected of hiding a weapon or drugs.

However, the three women claim they were told to strip and that a search was performed without regard to the nature of the alleged offenses for which they had been arrested and without a reasonable suspicion that weapons, drugs or other contraband would be found.

"I don't believe that the word strip search in this particular suit fits what we currently know about the circumstances," Mulligan said.

He said the investigation is ongoing.