Wichita ? A man whose arrest on minor charges sparked speculation of a possible link to the BTK serial killings has sued three media organizations, including The Associated Press, alleging they defamed him in their reporting.

Police have said the man’s arrest was triggered by a BTK-related tip in which they discovered outstanding warrants for trespassing and housing violations. Police raided and searched his house and took a sample of his DNA. He was never charged in connection with the killings.

Roger Valadez, who filed the lawsuit Monday, has since done television and newspaper interviews critical of the police raid and the media coverage. “I want to vindicate myself,” he said. “Up to this point my name has been used negatively, and now I want it used in a positive way to help clear my name.”

The lawsuit names as defendants the AP; Emmis Communications, which operates the KSN group of stations, including KSNW-TV in Wichita and KSNT-TV in Topeka; and Journal Communications Inc. and Journal Broadcasting Group of Kansas, which owns Wichita’s KFDI-FM radio station.

In his petition, Valadez is seeking in excess of $75,000 and a public apology.