SOUTH PORTLAND -- The Maine Civil Liberties Union Foundation has appealed a recent decision by a federal court judge, who had ruled that a South Portland Police detective did not use excessive force during a prostitution sting operation in March 2006.

Lawyers for the foundation, representing South Portland resident Rosanna Morelli, believe U.S. District Judge George Singal erred in May when he ruled in favor of South Portland Detective Sgt. Steven Webster.

The group filed its appeal today with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, in Boston. Oral arguments are likely to be heard this fall, the foundation lawyers said.

South Portland police, along with Portland police and the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, set up the sting operation on March 3, 2006, at the Merry Manor Inn in South Portland. Singal found that Webster had probable cause to detain Morelli when he grabbed her wrist and held her against a wall.

Morelli's lawyers say Webster used excessive force, seriously injuring the 53-year-old woman's shoulder. She was not arrested or charged with any crimes.