Jeff Davis County Judge Curtis Evans made multiple inflammatory public statements this week about journalist and Big Bend Times publisher David W. Flash, calling him “crazy,” “not suitable for public settings,” and suggesting additional criminal charges are being pursued—despite no such charges currently filed or publicly confirmed.
Evans’ comments appeared in a June 29 article by The Big Bend Sentinel covering an incident that occurred during a June 27 budget workshop in the Jeff Davis County courthouse, where Flash was detained, handcuffed, and issued a citation for disorderly conduct after photographing and livestreaming the public meeting.
In the article, Evans is quoted as saying:
“He’s crazy and not suitable for public settings.”
“Other charges are pending on that incident. There’s a two-year statute limitation on disrupting a public meeting, a Class B misdemeanor.”
Legal experts and civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the remarks, noting that “disrupting a public meeting” under Texas Penal Code § 42.05 requires intent to disrupt or prevent the meeting and either verbal or physical interference—criteria not supported by available evidence. Flash, who livestreamed the meeting from a corner of the room and silently took photos, has stated that he was quietly attempting to leave when he was approached and physically grabbed by deputies.
Video captured by Flash and shared online shows the journalist being calm and nonconfrontational throughout the incident, even as he was being physically restrained. “I was saying nothing—just clicking my camera—when I was grabbed,” Flash said in a statement.
The video shows Flash telling deputies, “Please, I’m not disrupting anything,” and repeatedly stating, “I’m not resisting,” as he was restrained and handcuffed.
Flash has since filed a notice of claim against Evans for libel per se, arguing that the judge’s public comments falsely accuse him of criminal behavior and attack his mental fitness as a journalist. Texas law classifies such statements—particularly those that imply criminal conduct or unfitness for a profession—as inherently defamatory.
The Big Bend Times also reviewed Texas Penal Code § 42.05. Under the law, a person must intentionally disrupt a lawful meeting by physical action or verbal utterance. Photography and recording of public meetings, when done without disruption, are constitutionally protected activities under longstanding First Amendment precedent.
Flash has also filed notices of claim against Jeff Davis County, Sheriff Victor Lopez, and others involved in the June 27 incident. He was later treated at an urgent care facility in Odessa for injuries sustained during the encounter, including abrasions, bruising, and swelling to the forearm, wrists, and shoulder.
Flash has not yet entered a plea in response to the disorderly conduct citation, but he has stated that he intends to plead not guilty. No additional charges have been filed as of publication.
Flash is also awaiting trial on unrelated electronic harassment charges that were recently moved to Fort Stockton after multiple Jeff Davis County officials, including the County Attorney and Justice of the Peace, recused themselves due to pending civil claims.
Big Bend Times will continue to cover developments in this story, including legal filings and public statements made by county officials regarding the incident.
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For ongoing updates and public records related to this incident, visit bigbendtimes.com.
To support David Flash’s legal defense against what he describes as retaliatory prosecution, visit his GoFundMe at:
👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-david-flash-against-corruption
