The Jeff Davis County Mountain Dispatch ran a front-page story about the June 27 Commissioners Court meeting where our publisher, David Flash, was tackled, detained, and cited by deputies while covering the meeting as a working journalist. They used his name repeatedly — but never contacted him, never contacted his attorney, and never contacted the county for comment.
That is a basic failure of journalism.
In contrast, NewsWest 9 and The Big Bend Sentinel both reached out to Flash, his attorney Shane O’Neal, and county officials for responses. They asked questions. They reviewed the video. They printed both sides.
The Mountain Dispatch just ran with a story — without a single quote from any of the key parties involved. No explanation of Flash’s legal filings. No mention of the visible injuries. No legal context for the citation. Not even the county’s own side was quoted.
That’s not just lazy. That’s irresponsible.
NewsWest 9 titled their story:
“West Texas journalist says he was tackled, cited while covering public meeting”
And included key context from Flash’s attorney:
“The citation they gave him was for disorderly conduct, but it doesn’t cite a legal code.”
“The officers’ forcible grabbing of David’s arm — which left fingernail imprints and other injuries — would be considered an unreasonable use of force under the Fourth Amendment.”
The Big Bend Sentinel went further — quoting county officials who criticized Flash, including calling him “crazy” and “not suitable for public settings.” We strongly disagree with that characterization, but at least they asked. The Sentinel even included video screenshots and documentation of medical treatment.
The Mountain Dispatch? They printed none of it. No photos. No quotes. No attempt to ask or verify. Just thirdhand information and unnamed sources in a supposed newspaper of record.
For the record: Flash has filed formal tort complaints and notices of claim against Jeff Davis County. While no lawsuit has yet been filed, the county has acknowledged those claims and hired outside legal defense. The deputy who tackled him — Chief Deputy Adriana Ruiloba — was not originally named in the complaints. She is now. The citation — a Class C misdemeanor — doesn’t even cite a section of Texas law.
That’s what the public deserves to know. That’s what the press is supposed to uncover.
🟦 Catch up on the case & support the legal defense fund:
👉 https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-david-flash-against-corruption
We’re not asking for special treatment — just basic fairness. And basic journalism.
