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I Sued the Sheriff …

We have discussed the situation regarding the anonymous blogger who complained about the salary and perks of Pastor Mac Brunson, here. Detective Robert Hinson of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office got a subpoena and forced Google to reveal the blogger’s identity. Hinson also worked for the church as part of the pastor’s security detail.


The anonymous blogger, identified as Thomas A. Rich, filed a federal law suit claiming the government violated church-state separation and his free speech rights. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office wisely decided to settle the case. Rich will get $50,000.

I applaud Rich. He could have easily just considered the matter too much trouble to pursue. But he filled suit and stood up for church-state separation and his first Amendment rights. Government officials count on the apathy of the citizenry when they overstep their bounds. It is the courage of individuals like Rich that helps protect our freedoms.

H/T AU.

-David Drumm (Nal)

14 thoughts on “I Sued the Sheriff …”

  2. After the travesty in Iowa where the 3 judges were targeted and voted out, who knows what kooks with a law degree will end up on the bench? Leading to state bar retention ratings for voters of , 12 instead of 97. Or the State’s Attorney, Or the local prosecutor.

  3. The plaintiff was represented by Michael Keith Roberts , II
    Law Offices of J. Scott Nooney & Associates 1680 Emerson St
    Jacksonville, FL 32207

    I couldn’t get PACER to display the settlement agreement and couldn’t find out about attorney fees.

  4. “I sued the Sheriff”

    Well Nal, some folks is juss naturally lucky; however, this is what happened to some other folks and me:

    “I fought the law and the law won…”

  5. i wonder how many other police officers on on his “security” detail. good way to always have the law on your side

  6. Quintus Arius
    1, November 1, 2010 at 6:44 pm
    security detail ? does not the Right Reverend trust in the
    Sword of the Lord ? the Power of the Holy Spirit… Michael,
    Gabriel and All the Hosts of Heaven ?

    even Jesus ordered His men to stand down when the Romans arrived
    in The Garden to take Him to Pontius Pilate.

    oh Ye of little faith.

    ==============================================================

    Love it!!

  7. security detail ? does not the Right Reverend trust in the
    Sword of the Lord ? the Power of the Holy Spirit… Michael,
    Gabriel and All the Hosts of Heaven ?

    even Jesus ordered His men to stand down when the Romans arrived
    in The Garden to take Him to Pontius Pilate.

    oh Ye of little faith.

  8. The original thread stated:

    [Hinson secured a subpoena from the State Attorney’s Office to force Google Inc. to reveal Rich’s name.]

    Does this mean Google must comply with any subpoena from any jurisdiction about their customers? I thought only the Feds were into that.

  9. To Kay:

    Law Offices of J. Scott Nooney & Associates
    1680 Emerson St
    Jacksonville, FL 32207
    (Plaintiff’s counsel)

    CASE #: 3:09-cv-00454-MMH-MCR
    Middle District of Florida

  10. Of course religious leaders should have “security details.” See how much the Taliban and al Sadir’s Mahdi Army are “helping” their respective countries?

    Seriously, though.. Only $50,000? Is that really enough to change future behavior? And how are there no criminal consequences to this obvious, egregious abuse of power?

  11. anon nurse- “pastor’s security detail” caught my eye too. What’s the pastor afraid of? Militant Amish lesbians? Pamphlet toting Jehovah’s Witnesses? Roving gangs of Quaker street thugs? It’s a jungle out there in Jacksonville. Run for your life!

  12. Mr. Rich’s courage and determination sets the kind of example we all should follow.

  13. “Hinson also worked for the church as part of the pastor’s security detail.”

    When I young, church attendance was mandated. None of the pastors had a “security detail.”

  14. I was curious as to whether Rich was PRO SE for the $50,000 case or whether he was represented. So I went to the PACER case locator and typed in Florida for district and “Thomas, Rich” for the name and “civil party search” but it came up
    “no records found”. I did not check exact matches only.

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