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Texas woman arrested after displaying anti-Trump truck sticker considers lawsuit following sheriff's threat

The woman was arrested shortly after a sheriff posted this image (Facebook)
The woman was arrested shortly after a sheriff posted this image (Facebook)

A woman who was targeted by a Texan sheriff for displaying an anti-Trump sticker on her car has said she is considering legal action.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls posted a photo on Facebook of Karen Fonseca’s truck with a sticker on the back reading “F— TRUMP AND F— YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM.”

“If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you,” Nehls wrote in a post, which has since been deleted.

“Our Prosecutor has informed us she would accept Disorderly Conduct charges regarding it, but I feel we could come to an agreement regarding a modification to it.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) responded: “No, Sheriff Troy E Nehls, you can’t prosecute speech just because it contains words you don’t like. The owner of this truck should contact the ACLU of Texas.

No, Sheriff Troy E. Nehls, you can't prosecute speech just because it contains words you don't like.The owner of this truck should contact the ACLU of Texas.

Posted by ACLU on Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The day after Nehls made the post, Fonseca was arrested on an outstanding felony warrant. She was released later that day on $1,500 bond, according to The Washington Post.

But at a news conference Monday, Fonseca said she is considering launching lawsuit against Nehls.

The truck’s owner Karen Forsenca (KPRC2)
The truck’s owner Karen Forsenca (KPRC2)

“I’m just one person,” she said. “But if I can be used as bait for Troy Nehls to try to gain … supporters for him in his upcoming race for Congress against Pete Olson, then this is how the system works: Pick on the people who are vulnerable and step in and turn their lives around for gain.”

Fonseca’s attorney, Brian Middleton, that Nehls acted like a “cyber bully” in his Facebook post. Fonseca is accusing Nehls of violating her civil rights for political gain.

“It is protected speech,” he said. “Anyone who has a sticker like that is within their rights. He acted like a cyber bully and threatened her with prosecution.”

According to BuzzFeed, Nehls’ office will not be charging Fonseca with disorderly conduct.

Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey told the New York Post that the sticker does not meet the “elements of the crime of disorderly conduct.”

“I don’t believe it does, nor did a select group of prosecutors in my office who reviewed the matter,” he said.