US News
Tennessee man sues police over home raid after criticizing speeding officer
A federal civil rights lawsuit follows overturned criminal charges, according to Fox News reporting.
The short version
- Joshua Gibbons filed a civil rights lawsuit against Kingsport, Tennessee, its police chief, and officers after an armed pre-dawn home raid.[Fox News]
- The 2022 raid followed Gibbons filming and verbally criticizing an officer he observed speeding without lights or sirens.[Fox News]
- Tennessee's Court of Criminal Appeals unanimously overturned Gibbons's disorderly conduct conviction in June, ruling speech directed at officers was protected.[Fox News]
- Kingsport police have not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding the litigation.[Fox News]
Key facts
- Joshua Gibbons filmed a Kingsport police vehicle speeding without emergency lights and confronted the officer at a drive-thru in October 2022.[Fox News]
- Eight armed officers conducted a pre-dawn raid on Gibbons's residence after obtaining an arrest warrant from a court clerk.[Fox News]
- Gibbons was acquitted of traffic-related offenses, but was initially convicted of disorderly conduct before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the verdict in June.[Fox News]
- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed a civil lawsuit on Gibbons's behalf alleging First Amendment violations.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The Kingsport Police Department has not issued a public response or comment regarding the allegations in the lawsuit.[Fox News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.