The Big Bend Times and its publisher have faced a troubling pattern of harassment and intimidation by Jeff Davis County officials, raising concerns about misuse of authority and threats to press freedom. This ongoing issue has unfolded through a series of incidents, including criminal complaints, public confrontations, and questionable legal actions, all of which point to a concerted effort to target the publication and its reporting.
Misuse of Confidential Information and Public Shaming
A recent criminal complaint was filed against Lisa Denissen, an assistant in the Jeff Davis County Attorney’s office, alleging the misuse of confidential information and an attempt to publicly shame a local reporter. The incident took place at the Bread Garden Bakery in Alpine, where Denissen confronted the reporter, claiming to have viewed a bodycam recording of him during a traffic stop. She followed him into the bakery to loudly reiterate her accusations, mentioning that she had access to the information because she worked at the County Attorney’s office. This raised serious questions about her use of official records and whether she violated Texas Government Code Section 552.352, which governs the misuse of confidential information by government employees.
Intimidation and Threats by Law Enforcement
The publisher of Big Bend Times has also been subjected to direct intimidation and threats by Jeff Davis County law enforcement. In one incident, Deputy King Merritt pulled the publisher over near the Big Bend Times office, issuing a questionable traffic ticket and warning him of potential arrest if he approached the courthouse. This stop was conducted without reasonable suspicion of a crime and led to legal action being considered against Merritt. Additionally, Jeff Davis County Judge Curtis Evans ordered the publisher’s removal from the courthouse, with deputies threatening arrest, without any legal grounds for such an action.
Restrictions on Reporting and Illegal Detention Attempts
Further incidents have raised concerns about the freedom of the press in Jeff Davis County. During an encounter at the courthouse, Judge Mary Ann Luedecke attempted to restrict the publisher’s right to record government interactions, despite initially giving permission to document the historic courtroom. Later, in another alarming incident on October 18, the judge accused the publisher of criminal activity simply for photographing a sign outside her office. The sign prohibited audiovisual recording and cell phone use, but the publisher had not entered her office and was acting within the law. Judge Luedecke’s reaction included instructing her assistant to “press the button,” seemingly calling for law enforcement, and attempting to detain the publisher. Since Judge Luedecke is not a peace officer, her actions could be viewed as an illegal attempt to detain and impersonate a law enforcement official.
Baseless Investigations and Lack of Transparency
Adding to the pattern of harassment, the publisher uncovered an extensive investigation conducted by Jeff Davis County against him after filing a public information request. This investigation involved hundreds of pages of documentation but led to no charges or legal action, raising questions about its legitimacy. Jeff Davis County also spent over $14,000 on legal fees to prevent the release of these documents, further obscuring transparency.
Ongoing Failures in Law Enforcement
While targeting the Big Bend Times and its publisher, Jeff Davis County law enforcement has been criticized for failing to address significant crimes effectively. The unresolved murder of Sophia Sullivan in 2018, marked by investigative missteps and oversight failures, highlights a troubling prioritization of resources. Additionally, the lack of a policy manual in the Jeff Davis County Sheriff’s Office has raised concerns about the consistency and professionalism of their operations.
Implications for Press Freedom and Accountability
The ongoing harassment of the Big Bend Times and its publisher underscores a troubling misuse of power and an attempt to silence journalistic inquiry within Jeff Davis County. The incidents, ranging from misuse of confidential information to threats of arrest and illegal detention attempts, point to a need for greater oversight and accountability among local officials. These actions against the press threaten the essential role of journalism in holding public officials accountable and ensuring transparency in government operations.
Despite the challenges posed by local authorities, the Big Bend Times remains committed to its mission of delivering news and advocating for the responsible use of power within public offices. The ongoing situation serves as a critical reminder of the importance of press freedom and the need for vigilance against the misuse of authority.
Public Officials and Alleged Misconduct
- Lisa Denissen, Assistant in the Jeff Davis County Attorney’s Office
- Misuse of confidential information by accessing and publicly disclosing details about a reporter based on a partial viewing of a bodycam recording.
- Publicly shamed the reporter at the Bread Garden Bakery in Alpine.
- Deputy King Merritt, Jeff Davis County Deputy
- Conducted an unwarranted traffic stop near the Big Bend Times office.
- Issued a questionable traffic ticket and threatened the publisher with arrest without reasonable suspicion of a crime.
- Involved in a broader pattern of harassment and intimidation toward the Big Bend Times and its publisher.
- Judge Curtis Evans, Jeff Davis County Judge
- According to statements by the Sheriff’s Office, ordered the removal of the Big Bend Times publisher from the county courthouse.
- Directed deputies to threaten the publisher with arrest without any legal grounds for such action.
- Judge Mary Ann Luedecke, Justice of the Peace, Jeff Davis County
- Attempted to restrict the publisher’s right to record government interactions within the courthouse.
- Accused the publisher of criminal activity for photographing a sign outside her office.
- Attempted an illegal detention by threatening to have the publisher detained, despite not being a peace officer, after he took a photo of the sign.
- State Park Police Officer Jacob Barton
- Allowed an unlicensed driver to operate a potentially non-compliant vehicle through town during a traffic stop, raising concerns about public safety and adherence to protocol.
- Engaged in an interaction with the reporter during a live broadcast, which led to partial bodycam footage being misused to shame the reporter later.
- Glen Eisen, Jeff Davis County Attorney
- Allegedly conducted baseless investigations against the publisher of Big Bend Times.
- Spent significant county funds on legal fees to prevent the release of documents related to these investigations.
- His office is implicated in the misuse of confidential information through the actions of his assistant, Lisa Denissen.
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