Jeff Davis County’s own judge is now threatening more bogus charges against me for documenting public meetings — help me fight back – David Flash, Big Bend Times:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-david-flash-against-corruption
Jeff Davis County Judge Curtis Evans could have taken a responsible path following the June 27 incident. Instead of reflecting on why a journalist was physically detained and cited for simply taking photographs during an open public meeting, he chose to escalate — again.
In comments to The Big Bend Sentinel, Evans not only dismissed the seriousness of what happened but actively fueled it. He called Big Bend Times publisher David Flash “crazy” and “not suitable for public settings.” Then he said what we all need to hear clearly: “Other charges are pending.”
Let that sink in.
A journalist is tackled and handcuffed for taking photos — something fully legal in an open public meeting. Then the county judge goes to the press and promises even more charges for it.
This isn’t about law. It’s about vengeance. And it’s disturbingly reckless.
The county’s actions — from the courtroom takedown to this latest threat — are not only unconstitutional, they are deeply unserious. No amount of spin can hide what the video shows: Flash was quiet, compliant, and simply photographing what was happening. When he was approached and grabbed, he was not speaking — he was literally pressing the shutter on his camera.
Still, the county gave him a disorderly conduct citation. And now, they’re publicly considering how to “upgrade” that — not because the facts have changed, but because they didn’t get the result they wanted.
What kind of local government reacts to accountability with threats? What kind of judge thinks it’s appropriate to promise more charges during a press interview — before any actual legal process has played out?
This is the behavior of a county that has lost its way.
An advisor warned Flash several hours before Evans’ quote went public that officials were contemplating further retaliation. The idea was so ridiculous — so lacking in legal merit — that it almost didn’t seem possible. But now it’s clear: Jeff Davis County is so determined to punish Flash for reporting on them that they’re willing to manufacture consequences out of thin air.
It’s craven. It’s abusive. And it should alarm everyone in Texas who cares about civil liberties.
Flash has already entered a not guilty plea in a separate case that was similarly driven by retaliation. He’s raised legal funds from hundreds of supporters. He’s secured legal counsel. And more importantly, he has the truth — and the video — on his side.
County Attorney Glen Eisen once said that Flash “brings problems on himself” by the way he uses his platform. In reality, what Flash has done is bring daylight. And for some in power, that’s the real offense.
But the First Amendment doesn’t exist to protect the powerful from criticism. It exists to protect the people who dare to speak.
At some point, the officials of Jeff Davis County must ask themselves: What exactly are we doing? Are we here to govern — or to harass? Because what they’re doing now isn’t just irrational. It’s a threat to the very idea of public service.
If this is the legacy Judge Evans wants, he’s well on his way to cementing it.
