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A routine visit to Lexington, Mississippi City Hall to request comment on a federal investigation spiraled into an arrest that has now resulted in a federal lawsuit. Journalist Ron Durbin's encounter with Officer Scott Walters reveals what happens when public officials decide transparency isn't part of their job description.
The Simple Request That Started Everything
Durbin entered City Hall with a straightforward goal: ask if anyone would comment on the Justice Department's investigation into the police department. The response from staff was immediate and defensive. When Durbin asked for the police chief's name, a simple public record, the atmosphere grew hostile.
"Who's giving the no comment?" Durbin asked. The staff member's refusal to even provide the chief's name, Charles Henderson, set the tone for what would follow.
Officer Walters Takes Control
Chief Investigator Scott Walters arrived and immediately escalated the situation. Despite Durbin's calm questions about public records and the federal investigation, Walters declared the journalist's presence "unnecessary" and "obnoxious."
When Durbin asked about accessing police reports, Walters insisted he go through the city attorney. But when pressed whether this special requirement applied because of the camera, Walters ordered him to leave the building entirely.
The Constitutional Standoff
"So you're violating my first amendment rights," Durbin responded when told to exit. Walters confirmed he was giving an order, leading to a crucial exchange about the nature of the interaction.
Durbin asked if he was under threat of arrest if he didn't leave. Walters' response was unequivocal: "If you don't leave, I'm going to arrest you." The threat worked, and Durbin left the police department.
Round Two at the Courthouse
Undeterred, Durbin moved to the courthouse to request information about $1.7 million in outstanding fines and fees identified in the Justice Department report. Even there, court staff demanded he stop recording in the public area.
When Durbin explained his constitutional right to film, staff called for backup. The situation escalated when he was ordered to back away from the building entirely.
The Arrest Nobody Can Explain
Officer Walters returned and immediately detained Durbin, claiming he needed to investigate whether a crime had been committed. When Durbin repeatedly asked if he was free to go or being detained, Walters grew increasingly agitated.
The confrontation reached its climax when Walters demanded identification from someone he claimed was just being investigated. As Durbin complied with requests while maintaining his distance, Walters made his decision.
But what exactly was the crime that justified the arrest? The footage captures everything, including Walters' explanation to Durbin and what happened next.
The complete confrontation and arrest are captured in the full video, along with the aftermath that led to a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.
