Some cops think their badge gives them the power to manipulate the law and ruin lives. >> I'm walking away. >> Huh? Am I free to go? >> Why you g me the finger? >> Am I free to go? >> No. Come here. >> For what reason? >> Why are you giving me the finger? Get over here. >> What? >> Get over here. >> I'm not doing anything illegal. >> Yeah, you are. You just cursed me off. >> That's not a crime. What am I doing that made him detain me? What legal right? >> Every time I wrote by him twice, he shot me in the finger. So I turn around and say, "What you?" >> Is that a crime? It's not a lawful order. Then I take it to court and then he'd get sued and I get punitive damages. I'd be rich. Is that what you want? >> But when their schemes to pin a crime on innocent people start to unravel, the consequences hit hard. >> So you're going to get arrested and hindered. >> No, no. I'm not obligated to give you my >> You are. I just told you verbal warning, which is what we're trying to do so we can send you a bunch of way. You're refusing to give your information. >> No, no, no, >> no. I would like to get your information so I could issue the verbal warning and send your way. >> I wasn't on their property. I was on the sound. You can't transfer me from public property. >> Here are the times when corrupt cops tried to frame innocent citizens. >> Starting with the officers who humiliated their entire department because they couldn't handle someone peacefully exercising their lawful right to protest by nearly running him over. >> Oh my god. What the >> I got you out here again. I'm arresting you for loying. >> You don't KNOW THE LAW. YOU JUST TRIED TO HIT ME WITH YOUR CAR. ARE YOU GOING to arrest me if I walk past? >> Yep. >> I think you need to be institutionalized is what I think you should be doing. >> On the 21st of February, 2024, activist Phil Relle was lawfully filming from a public sidewalk outside the Allentown Police Department headquarters. He recorded through an open gate leading into the department's parking garage, but never entered the garage or crossed any restricted boundary. That didn't stop Captain of Patrol Daniel Grass from exiting the structure, accusing Phil of loitering and ordering him to stop filming and leave the area. As Grass grew visibly impatient, he escalated the situation in a way that would quickly expose everything wrong with the encounter. You Youing HIT YOUR OLD BUILDING, you dump PIECE OF Oh my god. Oh my god. What the IT'S A PUBLIC SIDEWALK, YOU DUMB. Look at that nice bill you got. The wrong with you. What a nut job. This guy ising crazy. Running me off the sidewall. Learn to drive yet? Stay the hell away from me. Stay the hell away. Check out the EA crime code about loitering. I catch you out here again. I'm arresting you for loitering. >> You don't KNOW THE LAW. YOU just tried to HIT ME WITH YOUR CAR AND HIT YOUR OWN BUILDING. >> You're throwing your qualified immunity away. Are you going to attack me? Are are you going to attack me or can I talk to you? Can I talk to you? >> He just tried to hit me with his car. He hit the building. Tried to hit me on the sidewalk. >> Well, you were blocking the gate. >> I was to the side of the gate. Everyone that just came in here said you've been blocking. >> It's on video. >> Show me it. >> No. >> What? >> Subpoena it. >> Well, if you want me to do something about it, >> what are you going to do? Nothing. Captain Gross won't do anything. What? What are you going to do? What are you? You a captain? >> Do you want to show me the video if you want? >> No, I don't want to be. >> Then you obviously don't want to play. >> I'll go to the station and do it. Not with you psychos. >> Look at his car. He hit the building trying to hit me. >> Cuz you're blocked. cuz you're blocking it. So, you can't do that because that's interference. >> Where? Where? I was on the other side. I was by the grates. >> That's not blocking anything. >> So, here's the deal. You want a video? Go over there. Stay off this side of the sidewalk. >> I don't have to. Traditional public >> can take you in for arrest. >> Got it. >> What's your name? >> Sergeant Stevenson. >> Badge number. It's covered. >> No, it's right there. >> It's covered. Your wire is covering it. >> That's not my problem. Okay. >> Phil was acting entirely within the law. The officers confronting him, however, were not interested in legality, only control. Despite there being no crime, no obstruction, and no disruption, they treated his presence as a problem that needed to be eliminated. >> You cannot stand there for our ingress and egress out of the garage to intentionally block us. I was standing on the corner next to the wall and by the crates, not in front of the gate. You are you blind? It's all on camera. I took video of where my feet was. >> Great. You going to come show it to me? >> No, cuz you're going to attack me. >> Then you have no complaint. >> I don't need to give you a complaint. I can just sue you. >> Okay. Courthouse is five blocks out. >> You guys are nuts. >> I thought the people at the main station were crazy. You guys, I come here one time and you're running me off the sidewalk. You guys are nuts. >> Cuz your antics are well known. That's why. >> So you we're doing this to harass us. >> Har traditional public forum. First amendment right to protest. I have the right to be here and voice my grievances. >> That's wrong. >> What's wrong? What's wrong with it? Traditional public. >> What? >> What are you voicing? >> My disapproval with your what everything you guys are doing. >> Great. There are more constructive ways to do that than actually try to irritate it. >> Constitution. I didn't block anything. I was standing on the corner. There was no great in there was no gate in front of me. Just wool. I was standing on the other side. There was no garage door in front of me. >> And I'm asking you to vacate the >> You can't. It's a traditional public forum. I have the right to protest here. All you have to do is not block the garage. >> I'm not. Can I walk over there by the pole? >> Walk over there. >> No, I can be on that side of the sidewalk, too. >> You can see the door as much as you want. >> I It's a traditional public forum. I can be there. I won't be anywhere near the gate after he tried to hit me with his car. I won't go anywhere near it, but I can be on that side of the sidewalk. You >> were in the way. >> What? >> That's probably cuz you were in the way. >> I Oh, you are insane. >> I'm not insane. He hit the >> You don't want to share it? Who's the crazy one? >> Cuz you were thugs that attacked me. Captain Gross attacked me and now this guy's running me off the sidewalk. Why do you think he's on the sidewalk? Cuz I was there. Cuz I was over there. What is wrong with you people? Are you going to arrest me if I walk past? >> Yep. >> On public form. >> I told you not to go there. So yeah, I'll arrest you. >> Traditional public form. >> Don't care. I told you. You're not walking there and I'll arrest you. >> All right, you guys all agree with this. All right, I see how you guys are. >> Phil calmly explained that he was exercising his First Amendment rights. Rather than acknowledging that fact, officers dismissed his explanation outright, revealing a deeper misunderstanding or outright disregard of the very laws that they were sworn to uphold. >> So, is everyone else walking down this road? We already told what's going on at the end of the conversation. >> Mhm. >> You can't stop me recording. >> Didn't say anything about it. >> Listen, stop trying to go on the conversation. >> You I wasn't doing that illegal. Everything I'm doing is constitutionally protected. >> You going to stand here all day wasting tax dollars? >> Well, I told you multiple times to move along. >> I don't have to. Traditional public forum. This is where you're supposed to protest. Traditional public form. Do you even know what that means? >> One person protest ain't a protest. >> Yes, it is. If I say it's a protest, it's a protest. That's what Supreme Court precedent says. I'm protesting right now with my voice. Do you understand that? Am I breaking any laws right now? You're not demanding my ID. I'm not detained. >> You want me to play that game? Huh? I didn't demand anything off you. >> Really? What's a reasonable articulable suspicion? >> I didn't demand anything off you. I don't need anything. I need you to stay out of the way of traffic. That's all I need. >> What do you think I'm doing? I'm doing what I was the whole time on the sidewalk. >> Stay there and you're good. >> The following day, Phil returned only to find road construction blocking the area. He attempted to file a complaint about the previous encounter, but instead of professionalism, he was met with immediate hostility from Sergeant Stevenson. I want you to apply for a ride along. Will you do that for me? >> Sure. >> Apply for a ride along. >> Sure. >> You can tell me your life story. We can have a nice pow-wow. You want to do that? >> Sure. >> I can get you the application. You can tell me all about your life instead of you standing here and filming us. >> What's wrong with me standing here and filming? >> Uh, nothing. I just want you to realize that we're good people. >> I think plenty of you are good people. >> Oh, really? >> But >> but we don't think you're a good person. >> Why not? >> Why should we like you? >> I mean, you shouldn't like me, but I don't >> I think you need to be institutionalized is what I think you should be doing. How many times have you been institutionalized? >> Uh, let me count. Zero times. >> Yeah. Zero. Are you sure? >> Yeah. >> Cuz remember, we know all about you. >> You want to know all about us, but we know all about you. >> When have I been institutionalized? >> You tell me. >> That's what my >> Once again, I want you to put in a letter to have a ride along. We'll take you all over the city. You don't even need to bring your bicycle. >> Yeah, that's that's what you resort to. You resort to calling me names. >> Yet, you would never call me names if I was out of this uniform. You know why? Because bad things would happen to you. >> Bad things? Yeah, >> that you want. >> So, once again, I want you to put in for a ride along. I want me to show you how cool it is to be a cop. >> Do you love cops that bad that you need to film us all the time? >> I love how pretty you guys are. >> Yeah, I'm cute and I think you're a handsome fellow, too. So, why don't you put in for a ride along? >> I can take you all over the city. You could be I could be your personal chauffeur. >> I like exercising. I don't need your >> But you never ride your bike. You only push it. I think 15 miles every time >> from Club Avenue, >> Club Avenue all the way around the city. >> So then why why why do you constantly think it's funny to film us? >> What do you get out of it? >> I find bad cops like Dean Flight that >> So now you're fixated on one guy. Last week you were fixated on someone else, >> Captain Gross. >> I believe you need to be institutionalized. >> Take me in. Take me in. >> I think you need to go yourself. Where's your bike today? >> I didn't want anybody. >> You have your helmet. >> I didn't want anybody thinking I was blocking anything. There is a nice man. I love this guy. Like, >> and now you walk around with a balaclava on. It's not even cold out. >> I'm biking. >> You're biking? No, you're filming us and you're bothering me. >> Oh, too bad. You bother people all day. >> Why would I bother people? >> It's your job. >> It's my job to bother people. >> And what do you think your job is? Oh, no. Wait. You don't have a job. >> You know what college is? You don't need >> Yeah. Where'd you go? Penn State. >> Wow. It's funny that we know that. >> Wow. Really? And it's not like you have facial ID scanners or whatever. You're one cop. >> Yeah. And that's why you wear a bottle clava. >> Cuz it's cold. You'll see me plenty of times without it. >> You need to get a life. >> That's what you need to do. You need to get a life. How old are you? >> I'm sure you know. >> You still live with your parents? It's not nothing wrong about living with your parents. >> Do your parents know you do this? Yeah, >> they do. >> I I showed them one of your officers running me off the road yesterday. >> My mom's a lawyer. She loves the Constitution. >> And what what kind of law does she does she uh uh uh fight against? What kind of law does she practice? >> Civil law? >> No. >> No. You sure? >> No. >> Is it criminal law? >> You think I'm going to need her? >> I got work to do. >> Get out. If you think the Constitution means I should be in institutionalized, whatever you say. >> To the officers, Phil's protest didn't count because he was alone. The officers were clearly getting very irritated. They needed to get him out of their hair by all means possible. Even if they needed a little touch of illegality at the 10:36 club at, right? >> All right. That's where your citations are going to be going cuz I warned you yesterday not to come back and do this, >> right? >> Public sidewalk. I am protesting. There's nothing you can do about >> You're not protesting. You're being a nuisance. >> I'm protesting. >> You're doing the same behavior for no legitimate purpose. >> Protesting. >> No, it's not. One person isn't a protest. >> Your six weeks of training doesn't tell you what a protest is. >> And you don't have the knowledge to know what you're violating. M. So, you're going to be getting your citations in the mail or I'll come over there and arrest you. I can see it. >> What's that? >> Okay, bro. I know my rights. Public sidewalks and parks. That is where you're supposed to protest. >> But this isn't a protest, >> bro. It's a protest. >> What are you protesting? >> I'm protesting the police department being violent. You're the department that who's the officer? LeBron beat up that guy in the alley. Cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. I'm protesting you guys. >> No, you're harassing us. >> I'm on the public sidewalk, bro. >> You're harassing us because you have issues. So, either you're getting arrested or you're going to the hospital again. >> Radio. >> Got it. >> Okay. >> Do what you got to do, bro. >> I will. You're going in for mental health counseling. It's being marked in the report and then they will come address you where you live. 10:36 right with mommy and daddy. >> You think you're scaring me, bro? No. >> I don't care about telling you the facts. >> There is noer form of protest than on a public sidewalk. >> And I told you yesterday not to come back here and harass us. >> I'm not harassing anyone. >> This is repeated conduct that serves no legitimate purpose. >> Free speech. I am protesting. There's nothing you can do about it. >> You're not saying anything. You're not doing anything. Filming is not a first amendment right. >> Filming is not a first Can you say that again, please? >> Filming is not a First Amendment right. >> One more time for the camera. >> It is not a First Amendment right. It is not observed by Pennsylvania law. >> By this point, it was clear Phil understood the law far better than the officers confronting him. Sergeant Stevenson's threats were only underscoring how unsteady the department's position truly was. >> There is no case law yet. You want to make it? >> How am I making it though? >> Cuz it will get set in court. >> Fine. Hasn't been proven yet. It's not observed by Pennsylvania law. And I told you yesterday to stop doing this or you're going to face arrest. >> And yet you're back here. Not only that, using obscene LWD language in view of the public. Obscene language has to appear appeal to the Puran interests. It is a very narrow precedent. >> If you want to go for it, >> it doesn't. It fits right under disorderly conduct. >> You cannot. And as a uniform officer, I have told you not to be here anymore. >> It's a traditional public. >> Let's continue loitering here because of your behavior. >> Do what you got to do. >> The very next day, Sergeant Stevenson filed criminal charges against Phil Rashelle, including loitering and disorderly conduct. At the initial hearing, Phil's own video footage was never entered into evidence. Based solely on Stevenson's testimony, the judge found Phil guilty of loitering. Phil immediately appealed. That appeal changed everything. The higher court entered a verdict of not guilty, effectively dismantling the original case. In the end, on the 23rd of July 2025, Phil filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with the assistance of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE. As of this episode, the case remains ongoing. Up next are officers Cordova and Brema, whose quick temper and excessive force transformed a simple moment into a confrontation with serious consequences. >> I'm investigating. Okay. What crime this is? >> What crime? >> Possible trespassing. >> I was on the sidewalk. >> Well, I don't like your your movement, so I'm going to >> I don't You keep backing away from the car. You're being extremely suspicious. >> Why are you taking my detain? I'm not under arrest. >> Look at this. They taking cuffs off me. >> Yeah, I told you you were detained. >> Illegal. On the 22nd of March 2024, officers were dispatched to the Central Bank of Kansas City after a man, the owner of the Kansas City Accountability YouTube channel, was seen filming outside the building. For nearly 8 minutes, he remained on public property before a bank employee stepped outside to question his actions, clearly unsettled by the camera. Although it did not look like it, this would spark a chain of events that would nearly end up with an innocent YouTuber being framed by some power drunk who probably just wanted to throw him in jail because of his skin tone. >> I'm sorry. >> What are you doing? >> Recording. >> What? >> Recording? >> Like what? What are you doing? Is it like a project or >> Yeah, I'm an independent journalist. I'm just gathering content for a story. >> I'm just curious like what's the story about? Uh, I can't tell you. >> You can't tell? >> Because it'll compromise my story. >> It ain't published yet. >> Once it get published, I can I can definitely tell you about the story and send you the link. >> Oh, yeah. >> But yeah, I knew I'm not doing anything. I have no ill intent. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's all good. Huh? >> I was recording. >> You're not supposed to record a baby. >> You're not supposed to what? >> You can't record. >> I can barely hear you. I'm so sorry. You cannot record the cannot record the name. >> Yeah. Who told you that? >> What's your name? >> Okay. >> As the man prepared to leave, officers Cordova and Brema stopped him immediately, treating him as though he were the problem in this situation. >> Hey man, >> how's it going? >> Uh, apparently you guys were uh Officer Bremer. >> Bremer. And what's your name of badge number? Long story short, it sounds like whatever you were doing at the bank, they don't want you to be over there. >> I was on the public sidewalk recording. >> Okay. Well, they said it whatever you were doing, they just don't want you over there. >> I was on the public sidewalk. They can't tell me not to be on the >> I don't know, man. That's why I came over here. >> You want to go over there? >> No, not really. >> You can go over there. >> And I didn't I told them they came outside. Let me calm down. They came outside. The guy Aaron, he said, "Hey, what are you doing?" I said, "I'm an independent journalist. I'm just gathering content on the story. I was walking all the way up down Truman and I walked down there to record the train and then the lady came out. She said, "Hey, you can't record the bank." I said, "Ma'am, I'm on public property." So, >> yeah, but you could see why that that would kind of make them uncomfortable, right? I mean, it's a bank. >> You can't even see nothing. >> I I know, but they don't know that. >> Yeah, you can. If you stand outside and you look at the bank, you can't see anything. The windows is tinted. It's reflecting. >> Do you have an ID on you? >> Do I need an ID? >> Yes. >> For what? What if I commit? >> I identified you. You just identified yourself as being over there >> on the sidewalk. >> I'm investigating. >> Okay. What crime this is? >> What crime? >> Possible trespassing. >> I was on the sidewalk. >> I identify you so we can show you the warnings for >> I how you going to be trespassing and I'm on the sidewalk >> because they're saying you were on the >> I got camera footage and if they lying to you and I show you that they're lying. Are you going to do something to them? >> That's That's all between you and them at >> that is lying. I'm on the public sidewalk. I came all the way up Truman. I walked down there to get the footage of the train. On my way back, I just looked I just looked at the I just looked at the bank and they came running outside. >> Okay. >> So, yeah. Came back over here, walked there about to go to work. >> Okay. So, I need your ID. >> No, sir. >> I do though. >> No, you do not. For what crime? >> I just told you they put in a call on you. >> I wasn't I was >> You just identified yourself. And I wish I wish I was still on that sidewalk when you when you pulled up. I wish I was on the sidewalk. I was right here, sir. >> So, I'm I'm confused, man. So, you're going to refuse to give me your information for a lawful stop? >> So, you're going to get arrested and hindered? >> No. No. I'm not obligated to give you my >> You are. I just told you. >> Because I haven't committed no crime. No crime was committed, sir. >> Brother, is your tags aren't coming back on file, okay, for the Kansas registration. Do you have the registration paperwork for it? You could hold your phone up and zoom in. >> No, it's okay. No, I'm I'm trying to be >> I'm asking you a legitimate question. Do you have the registration for the vehicle? >> Hey you guys. So, this is this this is when and I had my uh I had my selfie stick out when I was recording. I was on the public side. You're now you're redirecting against my question of >> I don't have to answer your question. >> What followed raised serious concerns. One officer demanded the vehicle's registration even though the man wasn't driving and had no legal obligation to produce it. At this point, it was becoming obvious that the cops had some sinister motives and were determined to achieve it by all means. >> And if you see that, that came from a uh that came from a dealership. >> You're not wanting to give us your information. >> Listen, now listen. If I committed a crime, I will give you my ID. That's what be that's what reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime. I was standing on that sidewalk, sir. >> Hey, man. There is a uh four tourist out here. It's unregistered. The guy can't drive it cuz he can't It's not registered. >> Which one, sir? >> It's It's over there. >> Can you show me? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Why would you try to infringe on my right? >> Okay. So, let let me let me get this straight. So, >> why would you try to infringe on my right? >> You're going to stand You're going to stand outside of a bank in midday and you're I I heard you. So, you're going to stand outside of a bank in midday >> videotaping the bank and you don't think that's going to make the employees extremely uncomfortable? >> See, where they get uncomfortable >> inner city. Do you do you stay in Kansas? >> Their uncomfortability don't don't stop my right >> of Casey Mo. Okay. So that makes uh that makes most businesses extremely uncomfortable. >> And what's up with your buddy, man? >> This car right here, it's not registered. >> I know. So I'm asking you, can I tow that car out of your lot? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Do it. >> Yes. Okay. >> We don't know who when they par the car. Just don't. >> Okay. So now that you've identified yourself now as the one being st or one standing out there and videotaping them and making them feel uncomfortable to issue the ver verbal warning which is what we're trying to do so we can send you about your way. You're refusing to give your information. >> No no what happened. >> So I'm only going to ask you one more time and then I'm just going to have to cuff you up. Man, I don't want to do that. I would like to send you about your way. Yeah absolutely please. >> The man calmly asserted his rights but the officers showed little interest in respecting them. Instead, they insisted he had done something wrong, even though no law had been broken. >> When you pulled up and they told you what happened, hey, he was on the sidewalk. He has every right to record on the sidewalk. I wasn't even coming to the bank. I was coming to get the train. >> There's officers that monitor the city cameras that saw you verbatim on their property. >> That's a lie. >> It's in the It's in the call notes. >> Okay. Do you want me to stop this video and show you? >> No. I would like to get your information so I could issue the verbal warning and send your way. >> I wasn't on their property. That's how trespass work. Trespass. If you're on the property, they tell you to leave. That's how it go. They give you a chance to leave and then you're trespassed in >> and they don't know that you have a selfie stick. Why would citizens that are probably unarmed come and uh and approach you? >> I would you say that one more time. >> Why you Okay, so first off, you're videotaping. You're standing outside. You're being extremely suspicious. They can't tell that that's a selfie stick. >> Why would citizens that are on >> It was It was like this. How are you going to ask me a question and then not let me finish? >> I was like they came Aaron came outside and talked to him. We had a good dialogue. >> We had a good dialogue. >> That's not what the lady on the phone said to put in the call about you. >> I can show you the video. Do you guys want me want to see the video? >> No. I'd like to get your information so I can send you away >> for reasonable art ticketable suspicion. >> I just did. I I gave you all the reasonable suspicion we would need as a law enforcement officer. >> What the supervisor say when you get here? >> This is Wow. >> Okay. Well, I don't like your your movement, so I'm going to >> I don't You keep backing away from the car. You're being extremely suspicious. Why are you taking my >> You're going to be detained. I'm not under arrest. >> You You can keep your little stick thing on there. >> But you keep backing up towards the road and I don't like that. >> Anywhere >> and and the fact that you're refusing to give us any sort of information. We're just going to sit you on the curb, brother, and >> reach reaching into your pocket. >> Yeah. I I don't like all the jazz. Can I get my Can I Can I hold it, please? >> No. >> Okay. Over here at the car. >> Okay. I'll just put on the hood. >> Yeah. >> They g They said we can get the car towed out of here if we need to. >> Come on. Why would you? >> That's too much, bro. >> What am I? I'm in cuffs. I'm not Ain't nothing in my pocket. My portable charger. Pat me down. >> Come on. Consent surgery person. >> I have nothing on me. I have my portal. >> Are you giving me consent surgery person? >> No, sir. Man, have a seat. >> Can I stand? >> No, you cannot have a seat. >> Cross your ankles, partner. >> This is >> per policy. When we set you down, you need to kick your legs out and cross them. >> Oh my god. >> So, are you going to refuse another lawful order? Is that Is that what I'm gathering? First of all, you got me detained. >> Yes, correct. >> I want to stop. >> At this point, hindering. At this point, hindering. >> And I literally just said that I would like to let you go and you just continue to keep going. >> The charges they attempted to justify were excessive to the situation. There was no crime, only bruised egos and officers unwilling to back down. >> You were on the sidewalk during that point. I want to tell you that. But you were also in the grass area. >> No, I wasn't. I got it on. We got camera footage. You were you were on the ground. >> No, I was never on the grass, sir. I know the law. This is what I do. I'm an independent journalist, sir. >> She talks to you if you while you were in the grass. >> I wasn't in the grass. I'm on the sidewalk, >> which is their which is their property, which I understand. >> But I am going to issue you a trespass warrant. >> I was not on the grass. >> Not a charge. It's just saying that you know the guy that knows the law. You know what I'm saying? >> That's the captain, but he he'll probably tell you the same thing. >> Okay. And what's his name? >> Captain Clark. >> Captain Clark. >> Yes, sir. >> You want to talk party? Saw talked to him on the grass, which is their property. Real time answer yet. >> Yeah, he was on their property in the grass area again, which is their property. I I don't know the full conversation because she had he she had it with Jed, but they asked him to leave. He's now refusing to give us his information and says that we're unlawfully detaining him. Um, >> and wants a supervisor. >> How you doing, Captain Mark? >> Fine. How are you? >> I walked over here. >> Call. >> Yes. >> I walked over here. I got everything on camera. I can show you. >> All right. >> Well, I tell you what. Uh, they call So, there's cameras everywhere in here. So, you were you you were >> the easement right there is a sidewalk, but the grassy area actually belongs to the Okay. What? So, does the bank want to do anything? Trespass. >> They can't trespass on the sidewalk. >> I was on the sidewalk. You can't trespass me for public property. Plain view doctrine. Okay. >> You can't trespass my eyes. >> You think I see him? >> Who's your person? >> Moses. My name is Call me Moses, sir. >> So, I don't have to. So, you guys okay if I stand him up? >> And this is why I don't have to >> And I have And I have no ill intent. I have nothing on me like >> here. That way we don't have to. Yes, sir. >> You don't have to look straight up. >> Yes, sir. >> You guys can move by a second. >> We could have already sent you home, brother. >> He sent you this in a coat. >> Well, he's he's about to tell him the same thing he told you. >> Okay. >> We need to get him ID for a trespass warning for the bank. He was on the property in the grass. I talked to the calling party. Her name's Ellen and she's still there. She works there, but she contacted him in the grass saying, "Hey, you can't record." He said, "Okay, that, you know, that's fine." And he said, "You can't tell me I can't record." And he said, "You can't tell me I can't record." And so, >> all right, we'll catch you later. >> He stepped back onto the sidewalk. And so, they want to issue him a trespass warning because it was the one time. And so, they want they would like us to be able to issue him a trespass warning, but we need to get him identified. So, >> was he ever warned not to be on the property beforehand? >> Not before at that time. >> So, we have no violation of law then. Correct. >> Just Yeah, just the warning. >> So, he want to ID himself? >> No. >> I mean, he didn't break the law. He doesn't have to ID himself. Okay. So, it'd be one thing if he went back up on there after he was warned, but >> Okay. I mean, you can tell him, "Sorry, he didn't break the law. We can't just ID people because they wanted to give trespass warnings, >> right?" The tone of the encounter shifted once a captain arrived on scene, signaling that the situation might finally be handled properly. >> Look at this. They taking cuffs off me. >> Yeah, I told you you were detained. >> Illegal. >> Now you're just being confrontational again, brother. >> Another issue. All right. Yes, sir. Another issue is his vehicle is not coming back on file through Kansas registration. >> So, uh I talked to the property. >> It doesn't come back and he didn't want to provide me the registration information for it. >> That's our sergeant. >> That's the sergeant. >> Hey, how you doing, Sergeant? >> Good. How you doing, man? >> What's your name and your badge number, sir? >> Uh 5382. >> Yes, sir. Uh again, just to give you a little quick rough draft on what just took place here, man. Uh I'm an independent journalist again. I'm just gathering content for a story right before work. It just seemed like you just was like just digging just want to arrest me, man. I have no ill against you, brother. I told something. >> Here's the deal. >> They got caught. The reason why everyone went by, they're the ones who got called. The other ones didn't. So they already responded to a call. I get it. You're right. If you're on the sidewalk, you ain't breaking any law. So they they claim you're on their property. Obviously, just so you know, you're not allowed on the property if you're on the property. >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. I do this for a living. I'm an independent journalist. You know what I'm saying? >> Well, independent journalist No, you can't be on the private property. >> I wasn't. No, I was never on the property, though. You You know what I'm saying? >> And that's fine. I mean, if they uh like they said they were >> It's okay. I mean, you were you were there freely. They warned you don't go back, but now you've been warned don't go back on their property. >> I I was never on it, but >> they were responding to a call. That's all they were doing. just just what what what what kind of I want to say kind of like just bothered me is uh how you pronounce your name? What's your name and badge number? >> Cordova. >> Cordova. And this is all just a learning experience. You know what I'm saying? I never knew how long you've been on the force and sometime you never come into a situation like this. But once I told you what took place, you was still pushing the issue. I said, "Hey sir, you said they trying to trespass you." I'm like, "I never was on their property. It's the plain view doctrine. Whatever I see in public, I can record. You can't trespass my eyes, man. That's all. In the end, the man was released without a single charge. In the last incident, a harmless situation escalated simply because an officer wouldn't let it go. The next case follows the same path where ego turned a non-issue into a confrontation. >> What's your problem? >> What? >> Why you giving me the finger? >> Am I free to go? >> No. Come here. >> For what reason? >> Why are you giving me the finger? Yeah, you are. You just cursed me off. >> That's not a crime. >> Yes, it is. >> Says who? >> Says me. >> Says who? >> Turn around. You're free to go. >> Stop cursing. Go. >> You're free to >> On the 28th of May, 2022, Corporal Michael Pritch pulled his patrol vehicle over and approached a young man walking along the side of the road. Without warning, the man raised his middle finger at the officer. Although it might have appeared a little disrespectful, it was not necessarily illegal. What followed, however, was an attempt by an officer to massage his bruised ego, even if he needed to do it outside the bounds of the law. >> Why you give me What? >> What's your problem? >> What? >> Why you giving me the finger? >> I'm walking away. >> Huh? >> Am I free to go? >> Why you give me the finger? >> Am I free to go? >> No. Come here. >> For what reason? >> Why you giving me the finger? What's your problem? >> Am I free to go? >> No. >> You have a problem? >> No. >> Do you have a problem? >> No. >> You don't have a problem? Then we're I can leave. >> Why you giving me the finger when you're walking? Huh? Come here. Get over here. >> What? >> Get over here. >> Is that a lawful order? >> Yeah. For what reason? >> Because you're giving me the finger. >> That's legal. >> No, it isn't. >> Says who? >> Says it all. >> Call up the law. >> Huh? >> Call up the law. >> What's your name? >> What's the law? >> What's your name? >> What's your name? >> Corporal Pritch claimed the act itself was unlawful. In reality, courts have repeatedly ruled that gestures like this fall squarely under protected speech and can't be used as grounds for detention or arrest. That legal reality didn't stop Pritch from pushing forward anyway. >> Get over here. >> What? >> Get over here. I'm not doing anything illegal. >> Yeah, you are. You just cursed me off. >> That's not a crime. >> Yes, it is. >> Says who? >> Says me. >> Says who? >> Turn around. Come on, >> bro. That is not a crime. >> Yes, it is. >> No, it's not. >> Why are you cursing? >> It's not a crime. >> What's your name? >> It's not a crime. >> WHAT'S YOUR NAME? >> HELP. HELP. >> NO. HELP. >> HELP. HELP. >> AS the encounter intensified, Corporal Pritch shut off his body camera, leaving the rest of the interaction undocumented until backup arrived. Despite the man audibly calling for help, turning off a body camera under these circumstances wasn't just suspicious, it was a direct violation of state law. >> Under arrest right now because I was cursing and he said you're being detained because you act. >> What? That's not legal. >> It is legal. He's allowed to detain you until he performs his >> What am I doing though? What am I doing that made him detain me? What legal right >> I rode by him twice. He shot me the finger. So I turn around say what you >> is that a crime >> problem is calling public service and then he tells me to no that's not a crime half off big >> yeah off dig >> that's not a crime that's not a crime he's looking at you cuz he's like what the you want me to do cuz there's it's not a crime I know my rights >> are you >> I don't have to say any of that >> uh you do if you're being detained >> for what reason what legal reason am I being detained for >> where are you coming from and where are you >> what legal reason am being detained for. I need to know that legally. I need to know that. >> Why are you shooting me in the face? >> Why are you >> Is that illegal? >> Yes, it is. When you are cursing in public, you are causing a public disturbance. You're being a nuisance to the public. >> In what way? When he was driving past Well, I'd like to see you guys prove it in court. >> It's It's called It's called causing a public disturbance by being a nuisance. Not saying you're being charged with anything. At that point, he is detaining to make sure that there is nothing wrong. Make sure that you're okay. >> What reason does he need to detain you? He thought maybe he thought you were signaling him down. Were you signaling to him? >> Listen, I was You knew very well that I wasn't signaling to you, right? I wasn't signaling. >> Well, you bringing attention to yourself. You're acting. You're acting strange. I'm making sure you're okay. >> Dude, that's so funny. Like, you're not here for my safety. You're not trying to protect me. >> How do you know? >> You're walking on the side of the road and you're you're cursing and you're flipping the bird >> once at him. I gave him the finger once. That will not hold up. >> Do you know him? Do you know him? >> It's not your business. I plead the fifth. I plead the fifth. What's the first amendment for? >> Okay. First amendment is for your freedom of speech. Okay. >> What does that have to do with with >> was I making a choice of action? >> Am I calling for an action to be done against you? Now attention to yourself. Listen. Listen. >> It's it's it's behavior that's out of the ordinary. Clearly, if you stopped all the way back there, I'm assuming you guys were back there and you just were back a bit a bit further back. >> You just continue to walk. I wasn't running. I was walking. >> Once he gives an order for you to stop, you're supposed to stop. I did stop when he originally said it, but I was asking is it illegal? >> Then he took off. >> Yeah, cuz I kept walking cuz you weren't you weren't pursuing at the first. You only started pursuing cuz I said you big. That's when you got a little upset. >> But we're here at this point now. Okay. You brought the attention to yourself. You closed the public alone. >> Well, I'd like to see you legally hold. I'm not charging you with anything, so I don't really need to hold anything. >> Well, I want to know from your perspective what I see. So, you tell me what you were doing. >> Bring your attention. I play the best >> idiot. How long have you been a cow? Tricks. >> Longer than you. >> Listen. >> Longer than you. I'm not a cop. >> I don't understand what what the point of this is. >> I'm walking. That's what I'm doing. >> It's the fourth amendment to be allowed to walk without seizures or anything like that. >> You sure? >> Are you sure that's the fourth amendment? You sure about money on it? >> You sure that's what the fourth amendment? It gives you the right to walk without seizure. What's going to be seizured while you're walking? >> My body. My person. You weren't about to. He said I was going to be under arrest. He said you are detained. He said you are detained arrest. >> So now what happens? So now what happens? >> He just admitted to arrest. >> So he gives you a lawful order to stop and you do not order though. >> When you do not stop. >> It legally was not a lawful order. >> When you do not stop then that becomes a criminal offense and then yes you can be put under. >> But it's not a lawful order. Then I take it to court and then he'd get sued and I get punive damages. I'd be rich. Is that what you want? >> That may be what happened. Unfortunately for the officers involved, the man knew his rights and he made that clear. There's no lawful basis to detain him and no evidence to justify their actions. The officers were left with no exit other than backing down. >> That may be what you what's going to happen. It may not be what happens. Okay. >> Okay. I may get a normal jury. Am I free to go? >> What may happen is you may get No, because at this point you were detained. Okay. Because he told you so he didn't stop. So therefore, you need to identify yourself as a part of the investigation. So, what is your name? >> Okay, I'm going to need all of your badge numbers. >> I will give you everything written down on a card. What is your name? >> I can give you >> If you have an ID, that's perfect. >> Am I Okay, I'll I'll take it to court because this is still this is still a detainment. >> Are you a juvenile? >> This is an illegal detainment. So, I can still >> I'm not going to answer that. >> You have to answer. >> Why? >> Because you're being detained. >> I said I'll give you my ID, buddy. He's such a pig, though. >> So, what does that make you? >> Not a pig, >> dude. This is illegal. You'll legally have to prove that I was a nuisance. How would you do that? How would you do that? I just want to hear >> camera systems. Okay. So, when he goes by in the car, okay, and he sees you doing what you're doing and what was going to be there. >> And what part of that caused a disturbance? That's what I'm trying to legally understand. I don't understand. Is that a body camera? >> That's what it is. >> Perfect. Perfect. >> Tucker doesn't have them. You know that Tucker's been on back order for months. >> Because I have a lawsuit against them. That's why. And I wish they'd have body cams. I would love if they had body take out the bad cop. >> It's for all of us, right? >> It's for all of us. It's for everybody that's involved in the situation. Okay. If you have any problems or anything, you want to come down, you want to talk to somebody, our supervisors are always there as well. Okay. >> Well, I'm going to take a lawsuit. So, who would I press criminal charges against? >> You're going to have to you're going to have to call you're going to have to call and figure that out with a lawyer. You would have to file a complaint with the courts. Okay. And then you can go from there if you want to see if you can press charges and whatnot if you violated your rights. >> Appreciate it. Okay. Don't give us fingers. Shut the up. >> Stay out of the roadway. Stop causing a public alarm. >> Shut the up. Am I free to go? You're free to go. >> Stop cursing. >> You're free to >> In the end, no charges were filed against a civilian. The officers faced no immediate consequences either. But the encounter made one thing unmistakably clear. The law was not on their side. If the Corporal Pritch case didn't prove how dangerous it gets when officers ignore the law, the next case involving Joshua Grover proves it because he was treated like a wanted criminal for just doing his job. >> Just stand up here. It's for our safety and for your safety. >> I'll stand over here. >> Okay. Bring your hands behind your back for me. >> What did I do? Bring your hands behind your back. >> Real estate photography is what I'm doing. >> Just follow. On the 14th of August 2024, a 911 call came in from a residential neighborhood after a woman reported seeing a man taking photos near her home. That man was Joshua Grover, a real estate photographer who had been hired by a client to photograph their property. Instead of calmly clarifying the situation, the neighbor's husband confronted Joshua aggressively, yelling at him and lunging forward in an apparent attempt to frame the interaction as threatening. When Deputy Boots arrived on scene, he notably had no body camera. Despite Joshua calmly explaining that he was doing his job, he was immediately detained without any clear legal justification. As more deputies arrived, the situation only deteriorated. Rather than speaking with Joshua first, officers prioritized conversations with nearby residents, allowing assumptions to guide their response. >> Hey, how you doing? >> Good. How are you? >> Good. Sorry to bug you. Uh, we're investigating this minor incident down the street here. There's somebody out taking photos. >> Yeah, I talked to the other officer, but Oh, did you? Yeah, he has my ID right now. So, it's coming out. >> Oh, perfect. Uh, do you have the Are you working through a realtor right now? >> Yeah. You want the number? >> Yeah. If you had the name and number, that would be great. We just want to make sure he's >> Yes. >> legitimate. >> Yes. >> So, but to your knowledge, was he supposed to be here to take photos or >> Yes. Okay. >> Yep. And he was asked to take photos of the common area. >> Okay. >> Um, we left the house by park over there. >> All right. I don't know. I'm just jumping in the middle of this. I don't know what all is going on. >> If there was a crime here to investigate, I would accept an investigative detention, but there is nothing to investigate. >> It's pretty plain and clear. It's photos. >> Well, I'm going to go touch base with him and then we'll go from there. Okay. >> Do it quickly cuz I'm wanting this detention to be over. It's not right. So, here's all the realtor info. That's the name of the realy company P. and then a phone number. >> It quickly became apparent to Joshua that his rights were not going to be respected by the responding deputies. And that realization only escalated this encounter further. Officers grew increasingly hostile, treating him like a suspect despite having no evidence of wrongdoing. >> Step on this. >> Stand up here until I figure out who you are. >> I'm not going to ID. >> Okay. Stand up here. You're required to follow our instructions. >> I'm not. Why am I detained? >> Don't compliment. Just stand up here. It's for our safety and for your safety. >> Sir, I'll stand over here. >> Okay. Bring your hands behind your back for me. What did I do? Bring your hands behind your back. What did I do? Just get out here. >> You're not following our orders. Why do I have to follow your orders? >> Let me put the camera up here so it doesn't >> Hey, can somebody film this? >> Hey, let me feel like I'm not going to resist. >> Resist. But why? Why do I have a lesson to learn or something? >> There are no lessons to learn that already. You >> give your lawful order and you're refusing to comply. >> I told you I didn't want you sitting on my car right there when I'm sitting there trying to do a few things to figure out who you are. >> What have I done? What law have? >> It's possibly voyerism. That's what we're trying to figure out. >> What? >> Yeah. Look, >> real estate photography is what I'm doing. >> Cool. >> Well, we got to figure that all out. >> And this is what I've done for like 12 years. >> Guess what? We get called to something, it's our job to investigate. That's it. What crime? Your right not being detained. >> Are your camera body came? >> What did my sergeant just say? >> What crime? >> Voyerism. >> Yes. I >> think you heard us the first time. >> And what did I somebody's >> This is something that's done all the time. You shoot the outside of a unit to put it up for sale. >> Well, when somebody calls us and says, >> "You had it explained by the owner that they're doing it for real estate." >> Huh? >> The owner that I'm doing it for, they've explained to you it's for real estate. >> Well, the owner never invited you here. >> Yeah, they did. >> That's who I'm shooting for. >> Why are they saying that? >> Cuz somebody else is confused about why I'm taking photos. It's just a confusion on their end. That shouldn't be a reason that I'm in cuffs. >> Reason you're in cuffs is not for following our orders for safety purposes. You made that choice. >> I was going to stand over here out of the road. >> We told you to stand in front of this car where we could see you. >> Period. >> Why do I have Why? Why should be a dumb follow? >> This is Germany. >> I don't have to follow. You have no idea what you're talking about. >> If I haven't broken the law, I don't have to order me around. I haven't broken the law. >> You have a job to do. You should shut your mouth and I'll explain to you. >> But there's no reason to detain me if I haven't broken the law. >> You get dispatched. >> You have no reasonable orable suspicion. >> There's no getting >> to put me in cuffs. >> What stood out was how uncertain the officers seemed about what had actually occurred. Yet that confusion didn't stop them from acting confrontational toward Joshua from the very start. The groundwork for a lawsuit was already forming, and their conduct made that outcome increasingly inevitable. >> You guys are not playing by the rules. >> Let me explain something to you. Okay. You're in a tiny ass county. We don't have badge numbers. >> I'm just >> I have a I have a call sign, >> an employee ID number, anything. >> Okay. Well, my number is 62. >> Okay. >> My employee ID number, but we don't have badge number. >> I would like to know what what law I have broken. >> That's what we're investigating to find out if a law has been if a violation >> photography is protected under the first amendment. Even this is ridiculous. I don't think it's ridiculous. >> This is absolutely ridiculous. What's the investigation part? And anybody can take pictures of anything that they can see in public. >> You can't trespass on their property. >> That is a common area that I was invited into. That's not trespassing. I haven't been trespassing. There's no reason why I wouldn't be able to be there. It's public at that point. >> It's not restricted. I'm not restricted by anything here. >> Our job investigation to find out investigated on your way. You got nothing to worry about. >> I think we just investigated it and you had it explained to you clearly. This is all public. >> You're arresting me for being in public? >> No. >> Even after Joshua repeatedly offered to show the photos he had taken to verify his explanation, officers refuse to review them or reassess their approach. Their distrust remained fixed regardless of the facts being offered directly to them. You're not arrested. >> You can look at anything your eyes can see in public. That's not voyerism. Well, when somebody calls us and tells us that >> if their window's somebody's window, >> that's a whole different thing. That's very likely. >> You want to see the pictures? >> You want to see the pictures? >> I'll let our investigating deputy look at the pictures if that's what he wants to do. I'm just here to assist him. >> Like, then the investigation's over, isn't it? Cuz you're not going into somebody's window. >> You don't want to quit, do you? >> Well, I'm going to stand up for my rights. I'm in cuffs for no reason. >> You're in cuffs for not following orders. >> I don't have to follow orders when I'm being illegally detained. >> All right. Thank you. Uh-huh. We'll see you. Bye. >> So, keep in decent sense then. >> No. No. >> So, >> it is not common practice for him to sit there and take pictures inside people's houses and stuff. That's the people that hired him. >> And she goes, "No, every once in a while he'll take a picture of the whole road to show what it's attached to. It's not okay for him to be taking pictures of people's properties and their personal stuff." >> Yeah. She goes, "I don't hire him for that." >> Oh. So, had she hired him at all? >> Yeah, she hired him to take pictures of this house and this house. >> Oh, he he did say for what it's worth, he goes he offered to show me the photos that he he took. So, I don't know if you want to. >> Yo, he's been wandering around. He knows what he deleted. I don't even give a >> For sure. Yeah, for sure. So, >> it's a full illegal detention that's taking longer than necessary. There's no reason to extend a detention longer than necessary. He's or they're chit cchatting right now. This is longer than necessary. >> It's proved >> right here. >> He's using the color of law. >> Josh, what's your date of birth? >> You're legally required to identify yourself, by the way. >> So, I'm going to be arrested if I don't talk to the deputy. >> What is your date of birth? I'm trying to make this. I'll give it to you if you tell me I'm going to be arrested. If I don't give it to you, I'll give it to you. >> You want me to tell you you're being arrested? >> If you're going to threaten me with arrest, >> I'm not threatening you with anything right now. I'm trying to figure out this situation because your employer is saying at not any given time has she ever hired you to take direct pictures inside people's or their personal property. >> I've never taken a picture inside. >> That's not what these people are saying when her blinds are open. That's why I'm trying to figure this out so we can either get you out of here or you and I can sit down and have a more civil conversation about this. >> So, you want to force my information out of me? >> No, I want to talk to you. There's no forcing that. >> So, my birthday let you know that whether or not I was looking through windows. >> I'm telling you what they're telling us. I'm trying to figure this out, sir. I'm trying to be decent with you. You're the reason you're in handcuffs. >> I'll help you out. That's a 14 mm lens, which is a very wide angle, which is very far far far away. So, from that corner, you can't even see anywhere we go. >> Okay. What is your date of birth? So, I can make sure that I have everything correct so that we can try to get you out of here. >> What crime am I being detained for? Just And then I'll give you my birthday. >> Are you me? You want to go down this street? >> I want I just want to know. >> I'm going to go get statements from them about >> I just want to know what crime I'm being detained for. As the encounter continued, it became clear that the photographer had a stronger grasp of the law than the officers detaining him. A reality that only seemed to frustrate them further and harden their stance. >> It's our job to investigate. We can't take your word for it. >> We can't. We don't know you. I You don't know me. That's our job. We're cops. We investigate. >> Sometimes people alleged a crime that didn't occur. Sometimes people allege a crime that did occur. It's our job to find out if it occurred or not. >> We are mutual factf finders. That is all we do. So, and while we're doing that, you are required to identify yourself. It's a criminal violation not to. So, if that's something you want to get stuck with, then that's on you. We'll find out who you are. >> Okay. So, I'll be arrested if I don't identify myself cuz it's against the law. And you're saying that this is a legal detention. I have to. So, I'll identify myself. >> Great. >> Okay. >> Fine by me. As long as you guys are saying that by law I have to in this because I'm being detained and if I don't do it, I'll go to jail. >> Right. >> There is a very high likelihood of that. Yes. >> I hear yes or no. >> I just We're just going by the book. Dude, >> we're not going >> I'll identify myself. >> Okay, perfect. Then who are you? >> Am I going to go to jail if I don't? >> Identify yourself? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. My name's Joe. Do >> you have a Utah driver's license on file or? >> Uh-huh. >> See, it's easy. >> That wasn't easy. >> Oh, that's not going to be easy. It's not going to it's not over. >> I'm going to go find out. Are you good for a sec? >> Yeah. Should put him in one of our cars and die. >> Just stand with him. >> Big time investigation. It's taking quite some time. >> Which car is yours? >> It's taking quite a while to investigate this. >> Is your car up here? Legally, he is where he's supposed to be. And practice-wise, he just lost a job. >> It's a simple question. >> How is this investigating? Like, does that help you with the voyerism claim that you're making up? >> Uh, it could. >> Let's end this detention. It's illegal. >> You mean the voyer racism claim that seems very legitimate up to this point? >> Very legitimate. >> Not even close. >> So far, >> not even close. >> That's what all criminals say. >> Oh, now I'm a criminal. >> Yeah, we're we're working on it. We're trying to find out. >> Yeah. >> You're doing that to yourself. >> No, I'm not. I haven't done anything wrong. I'm in cuffs cuz I didn't stand where you wanted me to stand. I'm going to push in the back of my car here for now. >> My camera. Yeah, I'll grab it. >> So, I'm going into the back of a cop car now. Um, still haven't broken the law. >> I can handle them anymore. >> In the end, Joshua Grover was released, but issued a citation for allegedly interfering with the police officer. 6 months later, he formally contacted the mayor and city council seeking accountability, but received no response. Instead, he was later charged with failure to provide identification despite having already given officers his name and date of birth during the encounter. As of this writing, Joshua's lawsuit against the department remains ongoing. Joshua Grover's case proved how quickly officers can overstep their authority. In this incident, a biased officer took that overreach even further, attempting to arrest a man for nothing more than a parking violation. >> I don't understand this guy. >> He's a narcissist. He's a narcissist with nothing better to do. I hate Richard McMahon. I don't care. >> I didn't block the room. >> I Yes, you did. I saw you and Listen. Hey, hey, hey. I'm investigating a traffic crime. You do not have the right to do that. You are detained. >> What crime? the parking violation. >> On the 29th of 2024, officers were dispatched to a residential neighborhood following repeated parking complaints made by a local resident, Richard McMahon. Before speaking with them, Sergeant Michael Ferguson first met with Richard's neighbors, many of whom were visibly frustrated and fed up with what they described as constant baseless reports. >> What's going on? >> He's p It's because I'm trying to get this yard done and he doesn't like how I'm parked. >> Okay. Even though I did allow room for everybody else to park cuz there's nowhere for me to park without blocking somebody's mailbox or their driveway when that's the yard I'm trying to get to. He's trying to tell me I'm supposed to park down by the elementary school. But I did accommodate make sure my phone's out. I got space to get around. And as you saw his own vehicle, he was still able to get out of his own driveway and block the whole freaking section off, which is what he was saying. He couldn't get back out of his driveway cuz I was blocking the road. Okay. Well, all right then. And of course too when my first when I when I first pulled up here I got started before I even made my first pass. He came out there jumping yelling, "Hey, what the [ __ ] are you doing? You can't be barking there. How the hell am I supposed to get out of my driveway if you don't move it? I'm going to call the cops and poke me right in the face. Right in the chest." >> He jabbed you in the chest. >> Yes, sir. >> You want to file assault battery charges? >> If he wants to press me matter about being in how he is, then yes. Otherwise, if we can just let things bygons be bygones, then I'd say let it go. But if he wants to keep acting like that, then yes. Hello. How are you? >> Man, I was just going to say I mean Richard, he's a prick. I mean, he's always doing stuff like this. I mean, this guy's just trying to work, cut yards, and I mean, he does stuff like this all the time. >> Oh, I'm very familiar with this man. >> Yeah. >> I'm just sorry. I just wanted to vouch for him cuz I know you're just trying to do your thing and he's he's always got to be a >> I mean, like you heard him. How how does that make sense for me to go park down by the elementary school to come way down here on my mower and that's that's not logical at all. >> Anywhere block anything for him just loses his mind. >> If you exist in this culde-sac, he loses his mind. >> It's pretty ridiculous. >> And like you saw, like he's saying, he couldn't back out. He had plenty of room. Even with my tailgate down, he was able to get out of his driveway and he decided to try to barricade me in here. >> Okay. Did you at any point in time try to leave? >> No. I'm still working. I like I just got done. with the edge. Richard was blocking the road. >> Yeah. >> So, I saw his car out here. >> I still got to I'm just about done with the edge and I still got to weed and then blow it and then I'm heading off to the next one. >> Okay. You have your ID on you? >> Certainly. >> It soon became clear that Richard had provoked one of the men parking near his home. An interaction that officers would later use to justify charges that appeared questionable at best. >> So, I'm assuming, Mr. Traffic Officer, that uh you cannot block an entire roadway with your vehicle. McMahon's claim was that he could not get around it, but clearly he was able to if he was blocking it in. >> So, um, >> I don't understand this guy. >> He's a narcissist. He's a narcissist with nothing better to do. >> Well, Richard calls us, but as soon as you roll up, he sees that he's in the wrong. >> Yeah, cuz he doesn't want contact >> and he skirts inside. He knows >> I shouldn't have been doing that. >> Who's the neighbor? He has issues with >> all of them. The one on the back side. >> Well, and then this one down here. He has issues with >> this one over here is kind of race related, isn't it? >> Mhm. >> He's always saying he doesn't like >> Who's the one with the PO against him? >> One on the back. >> The one on the back side. Yeah. >> But is one of these the ones he always calls about the kids? >> That's That's that one back there. No person shall park a vehicle within a street or alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than 10 feet of with roadway for the free movement of vehicular traffic. >> Do you think that would cover this? >> Yeah. >> Do you know exactly where he was parking? >> This guy right here. >> Oh, you're talking about this guy? >> Yeah. >> Oh, >> Richard was blocking the entire road. He was perpendicular to the road. >> Talking about trying to >> No, no, no, no. Richard bought paid for. I haven't been on the backside, but let's get a let's get a a wheel and go see. And if he's got 10 ft, I say it's fine. >> From the start, it was obvious the officers on scene had little patience for Richard. Whether that personal irritation influenced the escalation of the situation and the charges considered was a key issue. >> McMahon, I hate this guy. >> Yep. Oh, I hate Richard McMahon. I don't care. >> Well, I'll stand back and let you guys take care of it. I just think he's a douchebag. >> Yes, sir. >> Here's your ID back, man. So, uh, do you want to press charges if you assault battery? >> Is he still pressing trying to press me? Am I potentially facing the ticket for not parking legally? >> As from what I can see, you haven't done anything wrong at all. >> Is he still being good with >> I really don't want to, but >> Okay. >> Okay. as long as everything's okay set. I mean, I was pretty sure I was parked legally because I didn't want to obstruct anything. >> It's It's not the greatest, but I also see that, you know, from a practicality standpoint, you don't have a whole lot of other options. The ordinance says you have to leave at least 10 ft all the way around the trailer if you've done that. Um, so I I don't see anything wrong with it. It's just this guy's this guy. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, >> all right. your last yard >> just in case he might come back out because even when I told him I was like well then I just if you got to keep back from that way I'll just press charging you for assault. Well you ain't got it on camera do you because of his attitude was going on if you wouldn't mind just waiting like 5 or 10 minutes and I'll be done just in case he tries to come back. >> Yeah, we'll leave somebody out in the cold sack for you. Okay. >> Yeah. All right. All right. Well, he doesn't want to press charges for anything so we'll just let it go. He's not going to answer the door for his uh improper parking. So, >> you want to try? >> Sure. >> He uh when I was measuring did open the door. So, he's right there. >> No. >> Did he answer the door? Like, did he open the door out of curio? >> He opened the door and then look and then close the door. So, he's by the door. He's walking. >> Of course he is. Yeah, we can try. >> Eventually, officers approached Richard's home. While he was abrasive and uncooperative, that alone didn't give them the right to force their way inside or escalate the encounter. His behavior, though confrontational, did not legally justify an arrest. >> Hello. Uh, just want to let you know that the trailer is legally parked. >> Well, so I can go park anywhere in the cold sack. The way he's parked, >> the way he's parked is legal. The way you were parked when I showed up was not. So, I need to see your driver's license so I can issue a citation for blocking the roadway. >> I didn't block the road. >> I Yes, you did. I saw you and Listen. Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. I'm investigating a traffic crime. You do not have the right to do that. You are detained. >> You are detained. >> COME IN MY HOUSE. >> YOU ARE detained >> for what? >> For the traffic violation I observed. I need to see YOUR LICENSE FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. >> YES, I am. Open the door. >> YOU'RE DETAINED. >> COME HERE. You are under arrest. >> YOU ARE UNDER ARREST. >> ALL FIVE OF YOU. >> YEP. YOU ARE UNDER ARREST. >> ALL FIVE OF YOU. >> HEY. HEY. We hate THIS GOVERNMENT. >> HEY, LET the government. >> You are under arrest. QUIT RESISTING. >> NOT RESISTING. >> Give me your arm. >> Good lord. >> Hey guys. >> Oh my goodness. You're a freak. >> QUIT RESISTING. QUIT RESISTING. >> I'M NOT OUT. >> YOU ARE ACTIVELY resisting against me. >> I am alive. >> Holy. >> Now you're under arrest for resisting arrest, obstruction, and the parking violation. >> Richard immediately recognized that what had occurred was unlawful. The officers, however, insisted that their actions were justified and blamed Richard for the outcome, a claim that would later be challenged outright. >> Okay. >> All right. Don't move so I can get these locked. I never resisted you to begin with. >> Yes, you did. >> Five of you hit me. >> It's all on body cam, sir. >> Yes, it is. >> All right, we're going to get you rolled over. >> Okay. >> All right. Stand up. >> All right. Wait. >> All righty. >> Can I bring anything with me? >> What would you like? >> My cell phone. >> Where's it at? >> Right there. >> We'll grab it. Anything else? >> That should do it. Okay. >> You want your shoes? >> H Yeah. >> Where's your dog name? >> There's a leash right there. Sleeper. >> What's your dog's name? >> Pepper. >> Guys, why did you >> assault me? We were attempting to investigate a crime and you got to shut the door on us. >> Other sh What crime? >> Parking violation. Come on. >> Hey. Hey. >> I'm going, guys. I'M GOING. I'M GOING. >> HEY, REAL QUICK. We did this once. DO NOT DO IT. HEY, STOP. THIS CAN GO EITHER WHICH WAY YOU CHOOSE. >> I'M CHOOSING TO GO. >> WALK OUT THERE OR YOU CAN KEEP FIGHTING US ON TO THE GROUND. DO YOU UNDERSTAND? >> YES. >> All right, let's go. >> I'm not going to I thought I could walk out here peaceful. I thought that >> Yeah, we shut the door. KEEP WALKING. >> I DON'T KNOW. >> YEAH. What am I dealing with? >> I told you. >> Did somebody grab my phone? I never even tried to do this or anything. You all came on the back. Wow. >> All right, Rich. You got anything on you? >> No. Okay. Sleep. Did you get the phone? >> Phone. It was right next to that uh that end table. Let me >> get the air turned on for you. >> In the end, Richard McMahon was released the following day without any charges. Sergeant Michael Ferguson was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. In July 2023, he was terminated from his position. By April 2025, Richard filed a lawsuit against Ferguson and the assisting officers. As of this writing, the case remains ongoing.