UMVA has learned that a dramatic turn of events has unfolded in the case of Larry Bushart, a former Tennessee police officer who was jailed for posting a meme on social media.
The trouble began when Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems claimed that some residents perceived the meme as a threat against a local school, also named Perry County High School. This sparked a chain reaction that led to Bushart's arrest on a felony charge of threatening mass violence at a school, with an astonishing $2 million bond set.
Bodycam footage, obtained by Bushart's attorneys, reveals that both he and the responding officer were baffled by the reason for the dispatch. The officer stated that the sheriff's office had mentioned "concerning posts" on Facebook, allegedly insinuating violence, but Bushart maintained that his post was not threatening.
In a tense exchange, Bushart refused to take down the post, and authorities ultimately arrested him. However, the charges were dropped in October, and Bushart, backed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), sued the county, the sheriff, and the investigator for allegedly violating his First Amendment rights.
The consequences of Bushart's arrest were severe: he lost his post-retirement job, missed his wedding anniversary, and was unable to attend the birth of his granddaughter. Now, in a stunning development, Bushart will receive an $835,000 settlement, a significant vindication of his First Amendment rights.
Bushart expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated." This resolution brings closure to a harrowing ordeal, and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting fundamental freedoms.
