Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't touch me. >> This is what I just told you. >> Hey, no, no, no, no. This is a public lobby that was in there. >> He started to escalate the situation. He said, "Sir, are you disturbing his pe are you is he disturbing your peace?" Just for me being there exactly what you're doing or what people are concerned about. >> Yeah, it was argue with me. >> No, because it was concerning to me. There was very There was a lot of things that you said, officer, that were very concerning to me. >> Just one camera, one ordinary citizen, and an entire system of power suddenly shaken. >> I didn't even speak to record back and not cut video and show you don't know what this man is doing. He turned around and engaged you of his own. >> Mysterious filming ban, a controversial handshake, and an attempted arrest in the middle of a courtroom all lead to an unexpected ending. >> You both y'all could go. >> Okay. >> This isn't just a you or him or >> you involved him, sir. You involved that individual. You said, "Is he disturbing your peace?" And I didn't do anything. >> An innocent man was stopped as he entered the courthouse. Was this the law or just an abuse of power >> or deputy? I'm sorry. This deputy came up to me and started saying you can't record in courtrooms or proceedings or things like I told him I'm completely aware what I can and cannot do. >> Police suddenly ordered people to leave the court and even touched people. A question rang out. Did he harass you? A sign that an arrest plot was brewing. And >> you're you're obviously trying to escalate the situation and I don't want to do that. That's not what I'm doing. >> Yes, you are, sir. You are, sir. You are, sir. Lisa, Hannah, >> come on, man. Come on. Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't touch me. >> This is what I just told you. >> No, no, no, no. This is a public court. I need you to step out. >> You can't touch me. Don't touch me. Right. >> Step out. >> Don't touch me. I'm telling you, don't touch me. >> I am asking you. >> For what? Is that a lawful order? For what? >> I just explained it to you. >> This is a public This is a public lobby, sir. >> Do you know what he's doing? Do you know what this is? >> I don't care what I don't care what he's doing to be honest with you, sir. That's none of my business what he's doing. in the courthouse. Do it when business isn't happening. >> No, it's none of my business what he's doing. Excuse me, sir. >> It's none of my business what he's doing, sir. I don't care. >> What you're trying to do here is this is what you're trying to do by trying to put your hands on me. >> Are you okay, sir? Is he disturbing your peace? >> Excuse me. >> Is he disturbing your peace? No, he's not. >> Okay. >> Come on, dude. What? >> Is he disturbing? Are you really trying to >> I'm really asking him. This is his life. >> But I didn't do about Kent. Just be respectful. >> I didn't. Yeah, but just because somebody asked you to do something, >> but sir, I didn't do it mean to it. >> I didn't dress in a courtroom. >> It doesn't It's disrespectful. That's not in a courtroom. >> I'm not in a courtroom. >> Be respectful. >> Okay. So, what does that mean? I'm How am I being disrespectful? >> Sir, I don't mean this business, please. What? >> Listen, you're not going to you're not going to try and find Oh, am I disturbing your peace? >> Yeah, I know. Just one response in court and suddenly the deportation order was issued. But the people insisted on meeting with their superiors to clarify the truth. >> I'll speak to your supervisor. Sure. >> Okay, let's go. >> No problem. Because your your attitude here and your actions here today, putting your hands on me, it's ridiculous. >> Sir, please. >> Ridiculous. >> For filming in publicly accessible areas, I wasn't bothering anyone. You started all this. You escalated the situation. You did. Let's talk to your supervisor. Big mistake. You try and solicit an arrest, an unlawful arrest, violating my rights. Big mistake. That's what you're trying to do. >> Arrived by asking somebody if you were bothering them. I have the right to ask that. >> Hi, Lieutenant. How are you? >> Hi, my name is Sean. Can I get your name and badge number, please, sir? >> My name is Tom. >> Hi, Tom. Um, I'm just call you Lieutenant Lieutenant. This officer over here came up to me and or deputy, I'm sorry. this deputy came up to me and started saying, "You can't record in courtrooms or proceedings or things like I told him, I'm completely aware what I can and cannot do. I'm going to be respectful. I'm not going to go into any courtrooms or any restricted areas or anything >> in the hallways." >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. And so I tried to explain that to him, but he kept repeating himself over and over and over again. And I said, "Okay, I'm done with this conversation now." And I went into the court clerk's office, the lobby, right? Not in a restricted area. And he said, "You can't go in there." He started to escalate the situation with a gentleman that was in there. Yeah. >> He started to escalate the situation. He said, "Sir, are you disturbing his pe are you is he disturbing your peace just for me being there?" He tells the guy, the gentleman, "Is he disturbing your peace?" And he escalates the situation to where now the man is upset. He's like >> a heated confrontation. People accuse the deputy police officer of setting up a trap and violating constitutional rights. Will the lieutenant stand on the side of justice or cover up for his subordinates? >> Are you going to arrest me if I don't leave the courthouse? >> I'm asking you to leave the courthouse. You trying to make it go that way? Not >> I don't want it to go that way. >> You just tried to elicit. I want to conduct my business. I'm an indoor journalist. I'm just taking some pictures and video in the publicly accessible areas of this building. Luke center. >> None of this happened until your deputy came up to me. Sir, I was completely quiet. Wasn't bothering anyone. I'm going to defer to the supervisor. If if the if you're telling me under threat of arrest that I need to leave the building, >> why does there have to be threat of arrest instead? >> Because I need to make all of you accountable in your county. >> Action with a person. Just if somebody harassed you and he did that, what he >> he called me a loser. >> He was leaving >> and I called him bootlicker. >> And I'm deal with you. Both of y'all could go. >> Okay. >> This isn't just a you or him or >> but you involved him, sir. You involved that individual. You said, "Is he disturbing your peace?" And I didn't do anything. >> I didn't even speak to him. >> You can record back and not cut video and show you don't know what this man is doing. He turned around and engaged you of his own. >> I didn't talk to him. >> I didn't make him do it. >> I did not talk to him. >> I didn't make him do it. I said, "You don't know what this individual is doing." >> And I said, "I don't care what he's doing. That's not my business." >> Talk to you about respect, >> sir. I don't want to go back and forth with you, sir. >> So, look at the video, >> sir. All right. What did he say? >> He didn't. That's why you're not in handcuffs. >> Oh. I wish you would have put me in handcuffs. That would have been the biggest mistake. I promise you that. >> Is arrestable offense. >> Yeah. And you would have made a big mistake for the world to see. >> Okay. Because what you're trying to do here. So, I appreciate >> I can't force you to put me in handcuffs. I don't want you think I want you to take my freedom away from me. want this so you can go put it on your channel and you can go play and then tell everybody to call this guy cuz he did this and he doesn't know this. >> Why are you doing it? Why are you acting like a tyrant? >> The tension cooled down. Everything seemed to end peacefully. But the results of the internal investigation with the three words, "No violations cause public opinion to explode with the question, where is the truth?" >> But do you see what they do? He comes up to me while I'm peacefully recording and exercising a constitutional right. Look at this. What a shame. The United States Constitution. We the people. Look at that. Just hang in there. Took an oath to uphold that constitution. That tyrant. And now look what happened. I'm so upset right now. That deputy needs to be held accountable. tyrant. There's no need for any of this. Let's go back right exactly where we were and then we'll get out of here because we don't leave when they tell us to leave. We leave when we're good and ready because it's our right. This is our building. We the people. You saw the constitution there. There's no need for any of this. >> All right. So, we're at the county clerk. Let's do our open records request. Thank you so much. You're welcome. I appreciate it. I'm just going to fill it out and get right back to you. Okay. Do you um you know that there's a price involved in the open records? Sure. I mean off records, anything for you? >> Um even with the email, something like an email where I don't need >> Oh, no. We can >> email, right? Yeah. That's usually what I like to do. Do you have my pen I can borrow? >> Sure. >> Oh, thank you so much. And you're the county clerk, ma'am. Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Nice to meet you. My name's Sean. I'm I'm a journalist. I'm just going to put in a records request really quick and be out of your hair. >> Yeah. All right. No problem. >> Thank you. >> I have it right here. Thank you. It's just the first, last name, title, and salary of county employees. I put my email down there if she could just email that information. >> Let me make sure they don't have any other questions. >> Sure. Yeah, I'll have my phone number, everything. Okay. >> Citizens may sue public officials for violating their constitutional rights. Pursuant to 42 US Code SS1983, individuals/organizations are required to pay damages to the injured party. Violating police officers may be disciplined, have their licenses suspended, fired, or expelled depending on the policy of the agency/ police chief. No arrests were made, but the proceedings reflect abuse of power, violations of press freedom, and public recording. Up next, a journalist was asked to stop filming as soon as he entered a public building. And that was just the beginning. >> I'm sure there's there's money everywhere we go, right? I mean, everybody's conducting >> by the sheer name of it. Treasure is off. >> The police stormed in using the excuse of causing a disturbance in a public building. It seemed that this harmless camera had shaken the entire system of power. >> Because I'm just taking some pictures and video right now. That's why. >> Why you doing that? >> You ask a lot of questions. I'm I'm not I'm just I'm not >> We got a call. >> Yeah, you got a call. >> Concerned about Joe. I spoke to a supervisor already. >> Okay. >> So, I didn't know if that was uh spoke to Tana over there. So, I spoke to her and I let her know. My name is Sean. I'm an independent journalist. I'm just working on a story here in the at the DMV and in the county complex in general. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's basically it, guys. >> So, your business is you're doing like some journalism, >> independent journalist. >> You don't have business with titling a car or anything like that? >> Um, no, not at this time. No, no, just an independent journalist. I if I asked you to end business here, what what they do here? >> Oh, no. Directly with them? >> Yeah. >> No, not directly with anyone here at the DM at the treasurer's office. Excuse me. >> Not not with anyone here. >> Yeah. >> So, what was their concern? >> Just suspicious. So, they call 911. So, we >> very often somebody's recording everything that's going on. >> Oh, but they do it. There's I counted at least, you know, 15 20 cameras has got to be in this one in this one area. >> Why do you think that is? >> Um, not sure. >> There's money here, right? >> I have no idea if there's money here. >> It's a treasures office, so there's money. >> I'm sure there's money. There's money everywhere we go, right? I mean, everybody's conducting >> by the sheer name of it, treasur's office. There's obviously money here. >> Oh, yeah. Obviously money. Yeah. I mean, >> so so that would be the reason why they'd have cameras. Okay. >> Well, there's cameras everywhere, right? >> But there's a lot of money in this. >> You have a camera on you. Does that mean you have a lot of money on you right now? >> No, it's for >> Am I Am I debating with you right now, sir? >> I'm not trying to debate with you. I'm just trying to tell you that >> the confrontation was as tense as a bow string. A journalist asked, "Have you forgotten your oath to the US Constitution?" And the shocking answer right in the middle of a public building. >> So, there's So, there's a sheriff's office. I'm I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get a understanding. There's sheriff's office and then there's the police. So, sheriff's for the county and then the police for the city. Gotcha. Gotcha. >> You don't. >> So, why don't you feel comfortable with a camera? You have one on you and there's cameras, like you said, there's cameras everywhere, right? Listen, I know you I don't know if you've been a law enforcement officer for a long time or not. 20 years. So, you were a journalist and now you're a law enforcement officer. So, now you've been a law enforcement officer for 20 years and you're still an officer, right? You're not a supervisor or anything. So, you're not an investigator or anything, but I would say that just, you know, I'm not a law enforcement officer, but I would say if somebody wanted to scope out the place to like, you know, do harm or commit a crime, I would suspect that they would do so in secret, right? That they would secretly record. They wouldn't openly record, right? They wouldn't just say, "Let me draw as most the most attention to myself possible so that way I can stake this place out and come back, tell you my name is Sean. I'm on camera. I'm not hiding my face or anything. Does that make any sense? It doesn't. It really doesn't. >> Does it make any sense? No. Like things that don't make sense at all. >> Doesn't Nobody would do that. I've never heard of it and nobody would do it. >> You can speak for everybody. >> No one would No one would come in the broad daylight to scope out a place with their face showing, speaking to law enforcement officers, speaking to the supervisor, giving you my name. No one would have done that. >> Okay. Just because you gave me my name, that that's enough for me to know. >> It should be enough for you. Is it is it enough for me to know who you are? >> Do you think I'm committing any crimes? Do you suspect me of committing any crimes? Yeah, Sean. Yeah. >> What's your last name, Sean? >> I'm not going to give it. Not going to give it. No. >> Why not? >> Because I don't I don't provide my full name or my driver's license unless I've been suspected of committing a crime. >> In the middle of a public building, an order of eviction suddenly rang out. But our civil rights being trampled right before everyone's eyes. >> Leave. Why would they ask me to leave? It's a public building. Everybody has a right to be in a public building. We have a right to be here. We have a right to check up on our government. That's another first amendment right. You have >> disturbance. >> Oh, I'm causing a disturbance now. I doubt that. I doubt that. See, what happens is is that you can't come in here and then cause the disturbance and then say that disturbance is on me. You can't. There might be a disturbance, but you are the ones causing it, not me. I'm just walking around taking. What was I doing when you walked in? >> Based on that, on your opinion, someone called us because they're suspicious of >> suspicious. What is suspicious about me? >> You're recording in a building that has money. Like I said, why am I repeating myself over and over? >> So, you're recording recording in a building that has money makes me suspicious. That's what you're saying, officer. >> How many other people have you seen acting like yourself today? Recording of people? >> I I have no idea. I haven't ran into any journalists. I I wouldn't know. I I >> Who knows? The world's a big place. >> Oh, sure. Sure. I'm the only person I've seen doing taking pictures and video today. Well, now I've seen two more people taking pictures and video inside the treasur's office. You two, right? I don't get public. I don't I don't get funded by the public. If that's what you're asking like you do. >> No, I didn't ask if you were getting funded by the public. I asked you to >> Well, that's my business. And >> since you're independent journal >> Yeah, that's mine. That's my business. That means I pay myself independent. That means I work for myself. I own a business. >> How do you pay yourself? >> Sorry about that, sir. You have a good day. >> How do you pay yourself? >> Well, what is that business? What is that any business of yours, officer? >> I don't understand. What is What does that mean? >> It's your job. >> It is my job >> to get it to have a job. You You must get paid for that, right? >> And I told you I did. So, I don't have to explain to you how my bank account number or anything like that. >> Did I ask you your bank account? >> No, but I don't have to explain to you anything. I don't have to explain to you anything. I owe you no explanation. >> Okay. >> I'm not causing a disturbance. I'm not raising my voice. >> I mean, you don't ask. >> I know I don't. It's another right I have that you didn't take an oath to uphold the Constitution, though. But so, I guess you wouldn't respect that Fifth Amendment, right? Right. >> You obviously don't respect what I just asked you. The tension suddenly turned when the deputy sheriff appeared, ending the argument and asserting civil rights on the scene. Shawn left the building without being arrested, but the event exposed abuse of power. Asking to leave a public place without violating it. >> Can I get your name and badge number, please, sir? >> My name is Deputy Crest 716. >> Okay, deputy. Hi, how are you? So, I was just explaining to this officer, I'm just take I'm an independent journalist taking some pictures and video. I'm exercising my first amendment right. Do you take an oath to the United States Constitution, sir? Okay. I just want to make sure cuz he didn't take one, he says. So, I'm just exercising my First Amendment, right? Just checking up on my government, working on a story here. Not bothering anybody. I'm in the publicly accessible areas and um definitely not casing the places he's trying to say that I'm trying to do. But again, just taking some pictures and video. There's no issues with that. Correct. Right, deputy? >> There is not. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. So, >> yeah. I just like I said there's a way to deescalate the situation and to handle things properly and to >> move my jacket. How's that? >> I will. Of course I will. Why wouldn't I? But I'm just saying there's >> you'll see that what you're saying is incorrect. >> Okay. I hope so. I hope I hope it is incorrect. >> Not I wouldn't want to problem here. >> No, I'm not causing a dist. You're saying I'm causing a disturbance, but I'm not >> condescending. >> I'm not condescending. You came You came to talk to me. I didn't want to >> because I explained to you point blank exactly what you're doing and what people are concerned about. Yeah, it wasern No, because it was concerning to me. There was very There was a lot of things that you said, officer, that were very concerning to me. You were saying that you didn't take an oath to uphold the United States Constitution, that you took an oath only to the city of Omaha. You you told me that I was casing the place. You told me that I needed to leave because you don't feel comfortable that I'm around money and that I'm taking pictures while >> there's money in this building. You said that, correct? And you said you don't feel comfortable. So, you were saying you're asking me to leave. That's right. >> I asked you. Yes. >> Okay. So all those things are worrisome. All those things are worrisome to me. This is a county building. >> He's a county deputy. He doesn't have an issue with it because he knows the law. He understands that I have a right to be here. I'm not bothering anyone. You can't just say come here and say that I'm in creating a disturbance when I'm not. >> Transparency and accountability not only protects citizens but also protect the very reputation of law enforcement officers. Stop. >> I said stop. >> Stop resisting. >> How fast is I going? >> I'm doing 72 miles. >> Listen. >> Handcuffed and still being shouted at. Stop resisting while he kept shouting, "I'm already handcuffed." Was this necessary coercion or an excessive display of power? >> Get back in the car. Get back in the car. Get back in the car. You know what? You see, you see see what see what you doing. Why you stepping out the car for? Hey. Hey. Stop. Stop. Stop. >> Put your ass back. >> Hello. Hello. down there. >> Go, go, go. >> Hey, stop. >> Hey, look. Stop. I ain't playing with you, dude. Stop resisting. >> Stop. >> Stop. Stop. Sir, >> this probably You can't hear it. Stop. Stop. All right. Stop. Sir, >> I'm You need to relax. >> Stop resisting. >> I'm not my resistance from handcuff. >> Stop resisting. >> On top of the hood over, sir. Hello. >> Hey, look. You got to go on the ground if you don't listen. >> Why did you keep doing that? >> Stop. >> I said stop. >> Stop resisting. Why you tensing up? >> Why you tensing up for, >> bro? Bro, >> why you ting? >> Why did you pull me over? >> I'm handcuffed. What is the problem, bro? >> You can't get for no reason. Why not? >> Hey, boss, for right now, just chill out. All right. >> You can't tell me to chill out if I'm not your pulled over. When we get to the back patrol car and we're done with the search, you will be told for what? >> Why do I being searched for? Hello. >> Being arrested, boss. You're arrested. >> For what? >> You're under arrest. >> For what? >> We We'll get to that. Just calm down. >> No on-site breathalyzer, no physical exam, just a smell of alcohol is enough to suspect DUI. Was there a serious lack of legal basis for the arrest? >> All All I was trying to do is trying to figure out why you were going that fast. >> All this Yeah. >> How fast is I going? >> I'm doing 72 miles for you. You can't tell me to listen, bro. Then then exercise the first amendment then. >> But you just put me on my car, bro. Why? You're not telling me for this. >> It's not the discussion, bro. You're not telling me. >> Yeah, you'll see it in court. I I'll see you in court. >> So, where's my stuff? Like, I don't know if you pulled over, but I still don't understand. You >> You're not in court. Oh my god. This on the ground. What's going on? All right. All right. Roll on your butt, >> bro. On your butt. Put your feet up to your chest. Put your feet to your chest and up. >> Am I getting arrested? >> No. Check out. >> Didn't I just tell you under arrest? Bro, you're saying that I was speeding. You give me an hour, sir. Soon the car. He agreed to a blood test but was recorded as refusing a breath test. Do the police themselves not understand the law they are enforcing? >> To the state administered chemical test of breath. >> Excuse me. >> So right now I'm reading you for breath. >> No you said you could do blood. >> So it's either yes or no at this point. And then I'll reread I'll reread it for you for the blood cuz I have every for every little test I have to reread this and then mention the test. So would you go for your breath? >> I do for blood. >> They all came out to the hospital. >> It's either yes or no. >> I said yes for the breath. >> Did you give me cuz I have to reread it for blood. So I'm going to >> Yeah, that that's what I'm going to do. But for your for your breath test listen. Is a yes or no for for each test that I read for I understand you want to do the blood but since I asked and we'll get to the blood again I have to reread this card. Okay. >> So it's either yes or no for the for the breath. What would >> I don't want to say yes or no for the test. I just want to say yes for the blood. >> Say hey I didn't read. >> No no no. I told you I have to reread this. >> It's still your choice. I still have to reread this. And when I mention that, then you make your choice there, too. So, further breath, no. >> All charges dismissed. Police got an F. But the most important thing, a small act of kindness, a big legal victory. Thomas hired a lawyer and all criminal charges were dismissed. The unnecessary use of force while handcuffed, the unreasonable arrest for DUI, and the abuse of implied consent were the main points that led to the police's defeat in court. Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? 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