In response to continuing misconduct and what amounts to government harassment of the media, Jeff Davis County and Deputy King Merritt are the subjects of a new tort claim filed by the publisher of this publication, Big Bend Times. The claim, delivered to the county attorney, alleges multiple constitutional violations and retaliatory actions, adding to an ongoing pattern of intimidation directed at members of the press in Jeff Davis County.
The complaint arises from an incident on April 27, 2024, when Deputy Merritt reportedly conducted a traffic stop approximately 10 miles from the Jeff Davis County Courthouse, near the publisher’s live/work space in rural Fort Davis. According to the claim, Deputy Merritt stated that the purpose of the stop was to “warn” the publisher about a threat of arrest if he approached the courthouse. The publisher asked that any such warning be delivered through appropriate legal channels, such as certified mail, to ensure legitimacy; however, Deputy Merritt allegedly disregarded this request, opting instead to escalate the encounter.
After several minutes, Deputy Merritt abruptly demanded the publisher’s license, later accusing him of refusing to comply as he was in the process of locating it. The claim further alleges that Deputy Merritt issued a citation for “failure to maintain a single lane,” described as a retaliatory measure without factual basis.
The tort claim lists multiple legal violations, including:
- False Imprisonment: The baseless stop deprived the publisher of freedom without probable cause or legal justification.
- Abuse of Process: The stop and citation were allegedly used as tools to intimidate and retaliate against lawful press activities.
- Malicious Prosecution: The citation, issued without evidence, is claimed to be a misuse of legal procedures for retaliatory purposes.
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The threat of arrest and retaliatory actions reportedly caused distress and hindered the publisher’s ability to work.
- Violation of First Amendment Rights: The stop and threat of arrest are described as efforts to suppress lawful reporting activities.
- Violation of Fourth Amendment Rights: The baseless stop and demand for identification constituted an unreasonable seizure.
This claim joins prior complaints against Jeff Davis County officials, underscoring what Big Bend Times describes as a troubling pattern of government harassment targeting press freedoms and transparency. Observers from the legal and media communities are following this case closely, which raises serious questions about the conduct of public officials and the rights of journalists within the county.
Big Bend Times remains committed to reporting on this evolving story, underscoring critical issues of government accountability and press protections in Jeff Davis County.
