In this encounter, corrupt officers unlawfully threatened arrest to force a citizen out of a lobby designated for public records requests, abusing their power to block transparency. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 10-7-503A2A mandates that all state, county, and municipal records shall, at all times during business hours, be open for personal inspection by any citizen of this state, and those in charge of the records shall not refuse such right of inspection to any citizen unless otherwise provided by state law. The County Attorney's office, acting as the sole public records coordinator, refused to accept or acknowledge the request in person while claiming the lobby was private property despite its exclusive role in handling county records submissions. Officers ignored this public function and sided with staff discomfort, using vague trespass warnings to coerce departure and prevent proper receipt issuance. Hey, how are you doing, sir? Doing good. Not yet. Give me a second. I don't know what's going on. This him? Yeah. Can I ask you for your name and badge number? >> Who done did? Yeah, just asked for your name and badge number. Yeah, yeah. Okay, I want to just talk to Officer Hudson. Hey, Dallas. Hey. So, uh of course uh >> [clears throat] >> Wait. I've had a conversation with the uh the gentleman uh before uh and that was sorry paperwork. Had an attorney, doesn't have an attorney, but again uh we told him not to come back to the office until that was straightened out. Clearly, I guess he's came uh last Friday, came when we were closed, came back again. Again, we've asked you know asked him to leave. I guess my secretary's neither me or my father are there, so he refused to leave uh and they feel threatened because he's you know refused to leave, so that is why we're asking him to leave the office. Okay. You told him to go like he's asking for a public records request or something like that. So So, he's already done that multiple times, and we've we've given that paperwork, but also he was represented by uh we have records that he was going to be represented by attorney uh our firm attorney. Okay. Uh clearly, we can't do anything until either one way or another, but uh uh so, there's no paperwork we can give him right now, and we've tried to tell him that, and there's nothing that we can sign yet. He's already requested those documents before. Okay. Um but we'll uh uh again uh we need so well, we can uh we can I guess if he doesn't have an attorney, uh we can reach out to him directly, but for right now, again uh cuz neither attorney is there, and uh I guess from them talking with him, he was refu you know uh like a little confrontational. Uh my secretary's asked him to leave cuz again, he could just leave paperwork, but again, that's not they you know, it's not a public building. They don't have just permission just to stay there. Yeah. Uh you know, so as a private uh business, we're asking him to leave, and he can leave that paperwork, and we can you know, review it. Okay. All right. Yeah, your secretary told me they felt uncomfortable with him being in here, so I guess it's the and this is the third time uh he's been there. The last time he couldn't uh uh uh well, we well, cuz that we've been called like 30 different times by other people involving with this. Uh so, we had just shut the office uh earlier, so he came by and tried to of course get in, and it was like, "Old public building's closed." So Can I All right, Dallas. I appreciate it. Thank you. Yeah, and we'll just uh you know, you know, I will I can get my me and my dad will talk to Joey uh probably tomorrow, and we'll kind of figure out on this situation figure out how to hopefully get y'all where y'all have to come back and then get straight cuz it doesn't seem like it's ending anytime soon. Uh I kind of figured it it wasn't going to, so Yeah. But [clears throat] I I appreciate it. Secretary I appreciate it, too. Oh, you guys are more than welcome. You guys call us anytime, you know that. Okay. All right, get it. Bye. Thank you. So, who is this baby? That is going to probably be uh Zephaniah Patterson. >> Zephaniah. Is this the civil suit that or does it have something to do with Joey the Sheriff's Department? Mhm. Oh. Okay. But he's trying to say this uh public lobby, but this is a private firm. firm. So, I mean, it's not open to the public. It's open to their client clients, but He ain't a client. >> He's he's not a client, so >> [clears throat] >> but Holloman don't he represent Joey? He represents the county. >> Yes. So, and he would be represented by somebody else, correct? >> Yes. So, he shouldn't be here anyway. No. Should be his attorney Yes. requesting steps, whatever this is about. >> but Dallas did say he whatever paperwork he wants to leave here, he can. And they'll reach out to him or his lawyer whoever is representing him. Okay. All right. Well, let me see if I can figure this out. Hey. Hey, Joey. How are you doing? Doing good. How are you, sir? Doing very well. >> [clears throat] >> All right. So, what's going on? Well, the reason why we're here, I mean, what's going on here? Uh as far as I know, um y'all have been called because I'm trying to file a public records request, and I'm being denied. And they won't verbally say that I'm being denied. They just keep making excuse after excuse. Um I've tried to file these public records through the Sheriff's office, and in this county, for some reason, all public records requests are referred to this office because Holloman is not only county attorney, but he's the PRRC for the county, and he's made it to where anybody that goes to ask for public records at the uh police department or the Sheriff's department or the County Clerk's department are all referred to come to here. I've already even talked to Sheriff Wilburn about this because I've tried to file the same public records request through Wilburn, and Wilburn denied me saying that it can only be filed here. Um I think I may have heard a minute ago that they had stated [music] that they had told me previously not to come back. Uh I have that recorded, and I'm almost positive that that was not not said. That I was not told to come back. Um they're they're choosing their wording very carefully, but basically, what it boils down to is Holloman has stated that he can't talk to me because he's county mayor, and he has received documentation from a lawyer that I may sue the county. Well, he's using being county mayor Well, he's he's a county attorney, not the mayor. >> I I I apologize. You're you're correct, attorney. I know this, but I'm I'm a little elevated right now. I'm trying to not be anxious, but you are correct. I have he's using the hat of county attorney to say that he can't talk to me because he believes that I have representation, and he says that that makes it a conflict of interest. >> And it would. I mean, it would it would. It would have if I had an attorney. I currently do not have an attorney. >> Well, we just we just got off phone with uh Dallas. >> Well, can I can I can I continue? >> Yeah, go ahead. Sorry. Thank you, sir. My apologies. Um at at that point, he is using being the county attorney and the conflict of interest to negate doing his duties as the PRRC. And he's saying that none of his staff are allowed to take my public records request either, and he is violating my rights, and I think Tennessee Code 10-7-500 up to like 515 uh the TPRA, and he's using the fact that he's got the county attorney uh that title title to keep from doing the public records request, uh which And now he's even put on a third hat and went so far as to say that this is private property. Whenever they have designed it to where this is the only place in the county that I can go to file the public records request, and this small lobby, I'm not trying to go beyond their door or anything. I'm just here in this lobby. As far as this, I've had to resort to this because a public recording public officials in the course of their duty is uh case law, and I've I've had to end up having proof because of so many times one thing being said, and it actually being another. So, um this is for documentation. I'm just trying to file public records request. This is the only place I can do it, and he's using Real fast, let me show you something. Will you look at this real fast? Now, I prefer you keep this to yourself, but I would like for you to see this just before You talking about this? >> Yes, sir. Okay. >> Right there. You see that's See that, and then that's that, and probably shouldn't do that, but you see that name? Mhm. Okay. You see that paragraph right there? Mhm. Okay. Now, I don't necessarily have to show anybody that to file public records request. But at this point, you have the facts. Okay. >> So, me being trespassed from here under those allegations Well, they ain't nobody said anything about trespassing here. Okay. So, he did. Well, I mean >> Dallas didn't say it. Oh, I understood, but Okay. Well, Dallas owns this building. Well, no, actually it wasn't it wasn't actually it wasn't she that had said it. It was Holloman previously who said to me he would file trespassing. And he's the one that I believe Dallas may have just stated that um uh had told me that I had been told not to come back, but um I I like I said I can watch the video and I'm pretty sure that Holloman did not say come back, but he did tell me to leave at that time that I was trespassing and he was calling the law. But at that time I had my children in the van and I couldn't afford to actually press the issue. All I'm wanting to do is have these pieces Can I Can I Can I ask something? Uh we just got off the phone with Dallas. Yes, sir. Okay, Dallas said if you'll give us the forms or the paperwork that you're requesting, we will give it to them and they will get in touch with you. Well, Dallas will call you directly. The The thing The The thing The thing is is I just need somebody to sign it and I need them to date it and then I need them to copy it that way I have the receipt that has been accepted. deliberately prioritize protecting the county attorney over enforcing statutory duties, turning a legal right into an intimidation scenario. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 10-7-503 A2B requires the custodian of a public record or the custodian's designee to promptly make available for inspection any public record not specifically exempt from disclosure. And in the event it is not practicable for the record to be promptly available for inspection, the custodian shall within seven business days make the public record requested available, deny the request in writing stating the basis for the denial, or furnish the requestor the time reasonably necessary to produce the record. Rather than facilitating submission or issuing a formal denial, they relayed instructions to leave paperwork without signature or date, dismissing the citizen's need for proof of acceptance despite prior instances of secretaries providing it. Their internal discussion revealed awareness of potential media exposure, yet proceeded with threats, showing selective enforcement that shields public officials from accountability. >> Well, here's the thing, they none of them here, Dallas or Holloman, there's nobody here other than two secretaries. So, they can't do that anyway. She has done it in the past and it has worked. I got proof that she signed Well, I'm just saying what Dallas told us was you hand us the paper, we'll give it to them, they will give it to him, and then he will get in touch with you. Well, my Okay, well, my point is that she has signed them in the past and it was accepted through Holloman. He was actually back there and told Well, maybe you know, maybe you know, he looked over it and then just told her to sign his name or whatever. I don't know the circumstances behind it. >> No, it's none of that. It's It's nothing official. All it is is an acceptance. You can take it and sign it and get a copy of it and then you would sign it, but it would have to be for your department. Like if all of a sudden Have your body cams been running? Mhm. Okay, the whole time, thank you. And no mutes. I appreciate that. Um and I'll at the end of this I'll ask for the the the the caller ID number as well, please. Um but at this point um I'm just trying to file this, but like I said, like if I wanted to get y'all's body cam footage, You would have to go to the You would have to go to the police department and request it. They are our city. Okay, but you wouldn't send me back down here to Holloman? I wouldn't send you nowhere. I would send you to my assistant chief. Assistant chief. Uh and then they would him and the chief would send it or they would >> apologies because I may have stated earlier You did say that the city that the city may have >> I mean, this is the he I I may have been falsing that up on the >> This uh he does represent the city as an attorney, but as far as law public record >> public records request you just have to go to as far as I know, you just go talk to our chief. Right. Well, my apologies if I did have that incorrect because I haven't actually tried to file a request through the OPD, so >> But okay. All right, so with that being said, okay, um Dallas said leave the paperwork with him. I can't leave the paperwork. Well, then he said then because this is like a privately owned It is a I mean, it is their uh office and this is not a lobby for people just to come in and say it and the girls feel uncomfortable. He said it's not like coming in and rest or just hanging out. >> I'm here on official business. But they're not here. The ones that you need to talk to is not here. They told you that. They asked you to leave. And that's what we're going to do. And then whenever Holloman and them is there, maybe you can call get an appointment, do whatever needs to be done. You see what I'm saying? Cuz we don't want this to go anyway. We just want you to leave. If they want you to leave, they're requesting you to leave. So, we're going to request you to leave. So, they're denying me my public records request. >> No, they said if you would leave the public records request, then Dallas said he would get in touch with you. But that's not the correct procedure. I Like I said, I don't I'm not >> Will I be arrested if I don't leave? Will I be arrested? >> Uh there's a good possibility. Well, we don't want to go that route. We don't want All All All All I need All I need is for you to say that you'll arrest me if I don't leave. I don't want to be arrested, so I will leave if under the threat of arrest. If not, then I plan to stay here until 4:00 because Holloman could show back up. Well, all right. So, so it's like this, he he said for you, you know, they want you to leave. So, I mean, yes, I guess if they if we go in there and call them back and he says, "Yeah, push the issue." then we'll have to push the issue. We're just asking you to politely leave and then come back when they're here or get an appointment. >> I'm just politely trying to get services done. I mean, they don't politely ask for the taxes, so why come down here to use the services that my taxes pay for? I expect to be able to use >> but they're they're saying this is a private firm. >> But there is public office in this firm. Even though it's private, once they take on the public office, this lobby becomes public because it's the PRRC lobby and it's the county mayor lobby. So, the the The county mayor, he's not He's not county mayor. on that door. I'm not trying to get to All All I want to do is turn in these couple sheets of paper right here. >> Well, hand it to me and I'll go turn it in to him. And then they They have to sign They have to sign right here it says where it's accepted and then they date it and then they copy it and they give me a copy that way I have proof. I've even been told that this video isn't enough proof unless I get that signed received copy. So, that's why >> well, stand right here. Let me go see what they All right, thank you. Like I said, if it comes to threat of arrest, I will leave. I don't want to be arrested. They won't let you. So, I'm I don't know about this whole signing and dating stuff. And I And I'll be honest, I don't either. I don't I don't know about the public records request. So, I'm going to tell him not to sign anything cuz he is such Uh-huh. I mean, that's cuz I've asked him and he won't He won't Let me make one more phone call. I mean, just I'm so sorry. Oh, you're fine. I don't know. Uh-huh. >> [clears throat] >> Look, guys, here's the thing. If we threaten him with arrest, then he's going to unless he's going he's going to push us. He's going to We're going to be all over the tabloids. Yeah. And we know that. Yes. Because once we say, But "Look, you're getting You're going to be arrested if you don't leave." he's going to jump up start recording and all and and he's going to push the issue. That's what's going That guy we could have probably arrested him after this order, but I could. We could. I just don't know how bad they want him. I don't know how bad He's getting elevated anyways. He's trying to elevate us. He's fine before you showed up. I'm going to sign it just so he gets his eyes out of here. All right, let me go get it though. You don't come up here. >> Okay. >> [cough] >> Hey, sir. Yes, sir. Can I have that piece of paper? Uh she said she's going to sign it, get you a copy, and do what you're asking. And then once it's done, then Then I'll leave. Then you need to leave. >> Then I will leave. All right, I'll bring it right back. Um I need They need to keep the original copy and I get All right, y'all need to keep the original copy. Yeah, and sign and date it and He said right in where right there, I guess. >> And he says you keep the original with your Thanks, Red. I don't care. Mhm. Thanks, Red. Yes. Okay. Mhm. What's this over? What's he want? I think he I think he got arrested a while back. Mhm. And he's wanting documents from the city. We don't even do stuff with the city. You know. And he's just really not stopping. Huh. I think I heard about this. Mhm. He's saying If it's I'm going to put it in This is what he's saying is Yeah. Yeah, he will put it on social media. Yeah. Huh. No, I don't I don't do drama. Mhm. Mhm. Cool. There you go, sir. All right. Thank you, sir, very much. I will get this And Dallas out here will get in touch with you. I guess when he gets back into the office. I guess or whenever he does what he's got to do. Gentlemen, I appreciate you and I'm I'm out of here. Thank you. >> Sir, have a good one. Can we get it? No, I don't know. Okay. Ultimately, the police acted as private security for corrupt interests instead of neutral enforcers of the law, eroding public trust through coercion. Tennessee Code Annotated Section 10-7-503A3 treats failure to respond to the request as described in subdivision A2 as constituting a denial, and the person making the request shall have the right to bring an action as provided in Section 10-7-505. The citizen only obtained a signed form after sustained pressure and repeated arrest threats, yet officers never clarified immediate custody consequences, relying on ambiguity to compel compliance. By enforcing a private firm's narrative over the Tennessee Public Records Act's clear obligations, they enabled ongoing obstruction of records tied to a sheriff-related civil suit, weaponizing law enforcement against citizens seeking lawful oversight.