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A routine public records request at the Comanche County Courthouse in Lawton, Oklahoma turned into a constitutional confrontation when sheriff's deputies forcibly escorted a journalist from the building. The reporter had been investigating allegations of corruption involving county commissioners, including one recently charged with felony embezzlement.
The Investigation That Started It All
The journalist arrived at the courthouse seeking records related to multiple ongoing investigations. Among them: a detention officer who recently faced trial for allegedly receiving sexual favors from inmates, with the jury unable to reach a verdict. More significantly, County Commissioner John O'Brien faces felony embezzlement charges for allegedly using county vehicles and phones for personal purposes, including sending explicit text messages to a woman using his government phone.
Despite the charges, O'Brien remains in his position as county commissioner. Two other commissioners, Johnny Owens and Josh Powers, are also under scrutiny for potential misuse of government property.
A Tale of Two Offices
The journalist's experience varied dramatically between different offices in the courthouse. In the County Clerk's office on the third floor, staff member Carrie proved helpful and professional, working cooperatively to fulfill the records requests. She explained the process, offered to email the requested documents, and maintained a pleasant demeanor throughout the interaction.
The contrast with the Criminal Court Clerk's office on the fifth floor couldn't have been starker. When the journalist began reviewing case files, an unnamed female employee became hostile, demanding he stop using his phone and refusing to identify herself when asked.
When Public Records Become a Security Issue
The situation escalated when the hostile clerk called courthouse security. Deputy Hector Von arrived, followed by Lieutenant Gonzalez, who ordered a deputy to follow the journalist throughout the building. When questioned about this surveillance, the lieutenant initially walked away from the conversation, prompting the journalist to describe his behavior as inappropriate.
This characterization became the flashpoint. Lieutenant Gonzalez then ordered the journalist to leave the entire courthouse facility "under threat of arrest" for allegedly "creating a disturbance."
The Constitutional Standoff
The confrontation raises serious questions about public access to government buildings and records. The journalist was conducting lawful activity in public areas of a public building, requesting records that are required by law to be available during business hours. Oklahoma statutes mandate that government offices have open records custodians available, and failure to comply is classified as a misdemeanor.
The deputies' decision to escort out someone engaged in constitutionally protected journalism activity creates potential liability under federal civil rights laws. The journalist indicated plans to return the following day, prepared to be arrested rather than abandon the investigation.
What the Video Reveals
The full confrontation was captured on multiple cameras, showing the entire sequence from the initial hostile interaction through the final escort from the building. The footage reveals the stark difference in how various government employees treated the same constitutional activity, and raises questions about whether the "disturbance" justification meets legal standards for restricting First Amendment activities.
Watch the complete investigation to see exactly what happened when accountability journalism met resistance in Comanche County.
