On Thursday, August 3rd, 2023 a 1st Amendment Auditor and Constitutional Rights Activist got attacked by a Repo Agent in the Walmart parking lot in Southaven, MS while saving another citizen’s car from being hauled away. It Took 10-15 minutes for the first officer to show and ballooned to probably a great portion of their manpower. All of this because they refused to honor the oath that they swore to their country and its constitution, thus making their job much more difficult than it had to be.
Internal Affairs Complaints filed on responding Officers and Criminal Affidavit sworn against Repo Man
On Friday, August 4th 2023, Reardon traveled to the Southaven MS police department and met with Lieutenant Don Barr whom heads up Internal Affairs for the department. While there, internal affairs complaints get alleged against all responding officers except for one. In the midst of filling out the report, Lieutenant Barr leaves the room. Upon finishing, Reardon gets up and goes to the door, finding that the door is locked from the outside. This essentially turned this room into a jail/prison cell where Reardon was being held against his will. Eventually, Lieutenant Barr returns and Reardon then signs criminal charges against his attacker, Taylor Douget. Finally, Reardon gets sworn in by a clerk and a probable cause hearing gets set for Wednesday, August 9th, 2023.
Public Records Request is made for the 911 Call, all Officer Body Cams, and all Officer reports generated!
Immediately following the filing of internal affairs complaints and criminal charges, Reardon heads across the street to Southaven City Hall where he goes to the City Clerk’s Office and requests the 911 call, all officer body cams, and any officer report generated from response to the Walmart parking lot incident on August 3rd, 2023. This is shown above in what is marked as Part 3.
More information to be updated to this article as it becomes available
The public needs to truly weigh in on their opinions of what all is really going on here. And for those who pick the right reasons redress, redress them in a responsible way. The Southaven Police Department number is 662-393-8654 for easy finding.
Batesville, MS Mayor Hal Ferrell reveals City Ordinance barring Video Recording in the lobbies of City Buildings after a big push by a Constitutional Rights Activist and his supporters
Change came to Batesville, MS on Wednesday 10/19/22, thanks to a push by a 1st amendment auditor/constitutional rights activist and all of his supporters!
This was the Board of Aldermen meeting July 19, 2022 where the Ordinance to ban video recording in City buildings was tabled and passed. Reardon reviews the matter at hand
It was more than just a constitutional challenge and open refusal to comply with controversial ordinance passed by the Board of Alderman on July 19, 2022. The Ordinance in reference barred the use of photography or video recording inside of any City Building. However, on October 13, 2022 all of that would come under direct challenge by a Journalist/1st Amendment Auditor/ Constitutional Rights Activist.
Matt Reardon walks into Batesville, MS City Hall to video record the inside of City Hall on October 13, 2022. This sparked a major reaction to come
The very next day, October 14, 2022 Reardon put in a call to the Batesville Mayor, Hal Ferrell. Later that day, he got a return call from the Mayor. In that call, matters deteriorate as both Reardon the Mayor take two completely opposite stances on the matter at hand. Reardon states that he is fully intent on constitutionally challenging the Ordinance and will return to request public records, recording video as he is doing it. Mayor Ferrell then welcomes the challenge, stating he will even personally address the matter when Reardon comes in video recording. Then both state their willingness to fight the matter in court.
Here is the call on 10/14/2022 between Reardon and Mayor Hal Ferrell
On 10/17/2022, Reardon calls Mayor Ferrell back to let him know he was coming to constitutionally challenge the city Ordinance and request Public Records on Wednesday 10/19/2022 to ensure the Mayor was going to be there.
The confirmation call on 10/17/2022 from Reardon to Mayor Hal Ferrell
On Wednesday, 10/19/2022 just after 2pm, Matt Reardon delivers on his promises and arrives at City Hall walking in with not just one camera recording video, but three separate cameras. Mayor Hal Ferrell comes out of his office and immediately greets Reardon, shaking his hand, and stating that he and the board of Aldermen convened the night before. During this meeting they discussed all the grievances stated and took into account all the calls and emails received on the matter from a plethora of concerned citizens. Ferrell says they held a special vote and voted to repeal the Ordinance.
Since that time, Reardon says that he and the Batesville Mayor have spoken several times and that a mutual respect and friendship have been established. Mayor Ferrell has shown an insistence on transparency being given to the Citizens of Batesville and any interested citizen into the function of matters in Batesville, MS.
This story couldn’t have come with a better, more perfect ending! Hats are off to the Batesville Mayor and all concerned citizens whom helped bring about a positive change!
I received word from one of my YouTube Subscribers informing me that he had sent a detailed email to the Batesville, MS Mayor Hal Ferrell as well as the VFW Posts in the Panola County area condemning one of the city’s newest ordinances that has been hailed as unconstitutional.
I received word from one of my YouTube Subscribers informing me that he had sent a detailed email to the Batesville, MS Mayor Hal Ferrell as well as the VFW Posts in the Panola County area condemning one of the city’s newest ordinances that has been hailed as unconstitutional.
All I can say after reading it, is WOW! Job well done, David. Job incredibly done! David is a proud and patriotic US Army Veteran, and I thank him for his time and dedication to ensuring our safety and our freedom. Here is what David had to say:
Hello, Mr Mayor, Board of Aldermen Members, and Treasured Members Of Sardis Memorial VFW Post 12121 and VFW Post 4968
I hope everyone is having a good day today! I really appreciate all of the long hours of hard work and dedication it takes to run a City Government, as a former Government official myself! Because I am interested in local government, I frequent the internet to learn what different local government bodies do similarly and differently. Upon my research into the City of Batesville ,I discovered something rather perplexing and quite disturbing!
Where do I begin? A City of Batesville Ordinance passed by the Board in July of 2022 making it “unlawful” and a “misdemeanor” to record in the publicly accessible areas of the local city government, is in direct opposition to the Constitutional Rights of all Citizens of the United States Of America, Mississippi, Panola County and City of Batesville! As a U.S Army Veteran, I am sickened by this, knowing first hand the level of Selfless Sacrifice made by hundreds of thousands men and women, so we can enjoy the Freedoms we have in Our Country! In North Korea, All foreign tourists are assigned two North Korean minders who decide where tourists eat and what they see and do. In this video, we see Public Servants acting as if The City Of Batesville were a town in North Korea! Moreover,The City Of Batesville now has an Ordnance similar to what one may see in the DPRK! This Ordnance is an attempt to shield the Government from the scrutiny of its citizens! It is not based in any Constitutional Law or case law.
Taking photographs and the Recording of things that are plainly visible from public spaces is a constitutional right and that includes inside federal buildings, transportation facilities, and recording police and other government officials carrying out their duties. If the behavior of a Citizen Journalist interferes with the operation of government or the ability of other members of the public to use a public facility, a Citizen Journalist may be removed from public property they would otherwise be entitled to be in.
Note that such a disruption would have to consist of more than the mere act of recording. In order to be lawfully removed the Journalist’s actions must make it impossible for city business to continue in an orderly fashion. Profane or abusive language doesn’t create a sufficient disruption by itself, either—only if such language qualifies as a physical threat or “fighting words” (words that inflict injury themselves or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace) or if the act (not just the content) of speaking itself disrupts city business, is there cause for members of the public to be removed.
The First Amendment Of the U.S Constitution states; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
In the United States, there is and can be no legal requirement or accreditation of any kind required to assume the titles “member of the press”, “journalist”, “reporter”, etc. Simply put, any Citizen of the United States can pick up a camera and be a journalist to distribute information about matters to the public interest.The Citizen Journalist in the video was conducting a Constitutionally protected activity from publicly accessible spaces. If the general public are permitted to be there, so can the Press.
When one is in public, the law holds that a person cannot expect to have a high degree of privacy. Thus, surveillance cameras, audio recording devices, and other forms of in-person or remote observation and recording are legal.Feelings are not to interfere with our Constitutional Protected Rights! Further, The freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment, is critical to a democracy in which the government is accountable to the people. A free media functions as a watchdog that can investigate and report on government wrongdoing. It is also a vibrant marketplace of ideas, a vehicle for ordinary citizens to express themselves and gain exposure to a wide range of information and opinions.
Sure, It’s easy to empathise with the emotions and feelings of these hard working ladies in the video! Remember, history is fraught with unscrupulous laws based on feelings…. Jim Crow Laws were just some of them not too long ago!
I urge all American Citizens, especially my fellow Veterans, to oppose this unlawful Ordnance with the same tenacity the Bravest of Us ALL had when They gave all to preserve our Rights as Americans! It may seem trivial to some but I’ll leave you with some words of warning spoken by the Founding Fathers Of Our Great Country to help aid you in your pondering on this important issue;
“The people are the ultimate guardians of their own liberties.In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some germ of corruption and degeneracy. Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone.” Thomas Jefferson
“I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” James Madison
This is a Link to the Video inspiring this email. https://youtu.be/xn7rFwo3uYg Please remember it will be seen around the world and across our Nation!
Please Respond, but more importantly take action!
David N U.S Army Veteran
This is the 1st Amendment audit David referenced in his email
The call with Mayor Ferrell the day after the 1st Amendment Audit where I try to convince him that it is unconstitutional and announce intention to constitutionally challenge
Finally here is the call today to Mayor Ferrell. His office has received many calls and emails. His tone sounds a bit different. Could he possibly be walking back his ordinance? I will find out when I walk in on Wednesday
Vigilante Investigative Reporter details out alleged large scale conspiracy by the State of Mississippi and Lafayette County Officials to intimidate, manipulate, obstruct, and defeat the due course of Justice in multiple courts. He says it amounts to a full scale attack on the Constitution and if left unchecked, poses one of the largest threats to society as a whole!
On Tuesday June 28, 2022, just prior to a scheduled Chancery Court Hearing commencing, Matt Reardon was taken into Custody by Lafayette County Sheriffs Department due to an arrest warrant that stemmed from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations on June 27th.
Reardon was charged with Aggravated Stalking after he walked in to Oxford, MS City Hall with a camera phone to record the publicly accessible spaces and then request public records. Something Reardon says is called a First Amendment Audit and is completely protected as being constitutional under the First Amendment including a plethora of Federal case law backing that up. The sole issue that State and Local Officials relied upon in their filing of this Felony Charge against Reardon was a restraining order that was taken out in 2017 by the then Mayor-Elect, Robyn Tannehill, whom they alleged was inside of City Hall at the time Reardon entered, although no contact was made nor did Reardon even attempt to make any type of contact with.
After the initial $10,000 appearance bond set by Circuit Court Judge Kent Smith was revoked at the request of the District Attorneys Office, Reardon sat confined and fully deprived of his freedom and liberty for 3-months time. Over the course of that time, Reardon was hit with several orders and timely deadlines requiring his response to ongoing litigation in not just one, not even two, but three separate courts, both State and Federal. Unfortunately the conditions of his incarceration would ultimately deprive and prevent him from providing his response within the timeframe required by each Court. Of these included a Motion for Dismissal coincidentally filed the DAY AFTER Reardon was arrested (June 29, 2022) where the State of Mississippi sought the dismissal of an ongoing Federal Lawsuit that Reardon had filed back in April alleging a plethora of Civil Rights Violations stemming from an alleged Conspiracy involving State and County Officials, along with Employees of Communicare. Reardon had until September 15, 2022 to respond to the pending motion, however he was unable to respond to the States Motion for Dismissal due to the conditions of his incarceration and a lack of resources or ability to do so.
What strikes even more of a “coincidence” is that Reardon was currently Appealing the denial of his Post Conviction Relief Petition which raised multiple alleged fatal flaws and Constitutional Rights Violations in an attempt to directly challenge his Plea in 2017. This appeal had been filed and assigned to the Mississippi Court of Appeals, and the court was awaiting Reardon’s submission of a corrected motion for rehearing after Reardon asked the Court to recall his timely filed motion in order to fix certain discrepancies and printing errors. On June 27, 2022, just days after Reardon made this request, orders reportedly came down the Chain of Command for The Mississippi Bureau of Investigations to Charge Matthew Reardon with one count of Aggravated Stalking, a Felony Charge. Due to the confinement that would follow with his bond now revoked, Reardon was unable to submit the necessary Motion for Rehearing into the Court of Appeals in order to keep his Appeal alive and potentially going before The Mississippi Supreme Court via a Writ or Certiorari. A successful reversal or relief granted on the appeal would potentially be a major issue for the District Attorney’s Office in that this new charge REQUIRES a previous similar conviction within the past 7 years in order for them to bring such a serious charge. A potential make or break moment for the District Attorney’s Office. A June 28th arrest, however, would stop Reardon from his opportunity to prevail on appeal and would effectively seal the deal for the County and the State in more ways than just one
On August 24 with Reardon nearing 2 months incarceration, he received a third and final order. This order would come from Lafayette County Chancery Court Judge Robert Whitwell regarding lengthy litigation involving Reardon’s first born child that has seemingly dragged out in and out of the court house for years. This order would essentially close out Reardon’s claims presented to the court in an order of dismissal with prejudice after he was unable to argue it’s facts and merits on June 28, 2022 when he was taken into custody prior to walking into the courtroom in Chancery Court. Prior to walking into the courtroom Reardon was advised that the Judge had ordered all entering be searched for any cell phones or recording devices, however, this move was unprecedented as it had never before been ordered and required. Furthermore, Reardon claims that such an order was aimed solely at him, that it authorized an unlawful search and seizure in violation of his Fourth Amendment Rights, and was unenforceable as the Court never first sought permission of such a requirement by the Supreme Court in advance as would be required. In the order Reardon received August 24th, Whitwell claimed among other things that not only was Reardon’s visitation rights with his daughter severed, but his joint legal custody of his daughter was severed by the court. Reardon would ultimately be on the time-clock to dispute the ruling with 30-days to do so. Unfortunately as with the other required responses, Reardon found himself without the ability to do so due to his confinement. See the order for yourself below
On September 30, 2022 and At the strong advisement of his public defender based upon risks at trial beginning with the State and County exploiting loopholes in their own criminal statute and applying uncanny political influence, Reardon offered a plea of guilty and was given 5-Years unsupervised probation (non-reporting) along with him being banished from Lafayette County for the same period of time. This marks the second time now Lafayette County has applied Wild West Justice and told Reardon to get out of town. Reardon says he was set on taking this matter to trial, seeking full vindication on the alleged charge, however he was advised that his best viable option to regain his freedom was to take the plea and agree to the banishment due to uncertainty that would come at a jury trial, the highly influential people involved, and the testimony given by the 8 individuals that testified against Reardon at his preliminary hearing which led to the revocation of his bail.
The following day after Reardon was released from the Lafayette County Detention Center following his 3-month stay, he formally addressed the matter for the first time while ripping into the local news agencies for grandstanding and capitalizing on a matter that should have been heavily scrutinized and furthers shielding information that should have been disseminated to the public. This is what Reardon had to say:
“I plan on giving a more detailed response in the upcoming days regarding the serious legal matter that resulted from my walking into Oxford, MS City Hall on June 20, 2022 to conduct what I clearly stated was a Constitutionally Protected and completely harmless 1st Amendment Audit of the inside of City Hall as an Independent Journalist. In the meantime I need to stress a few things that have been weighing on my mind. I know my actions were clearly self evidenced in the video below which was uploaded to YouTube the same day, and the absolutely despicable charge of aggravated stalking levied against me 1-week later. Then there is the revocation of the initial appearance bond given, followed by the subsequent incarceration of me for 3 months during a time when my wife and kids needed me the most which demonstrate without a doubt the largest grandstanding overreaction by Lafayette County and it’s officials. The completely biased articles written by Magnolia State Live and HottyToddy.com and The Oxford Eagle show one side of everything which was HIGHLY doctored and manipulated. To make matters even worse I have no doubt that the latest unfair and completely biased attacks are far from over. I believe the resulting damage caused by The State of Mississippi, Local Officials, and particularly these media outlets have left a permanent stain on the Constitutional Rights afforded to all citizens. Most certainly in regards to Freedom of the Press and Journalism. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist, and quite honestly it doesn’t take one with an IQ above 20, to see in the Video of that which transpired that I never once asked to see Mayor Robyn Tannehill, never once saw Mayor Robyn Tannehill, and never did anything remotely perceivable as a threat. I was, as stated from the beginning, solely engaged in a constitutionally protected activity of simply filming the publicly accessible spaces and the decorated interior of City Hall, A PUBLIC BUILDING! It never had the slightest involvement with the Mayor as was unfairly blown out of proportion. A contempt violation on a five year old restraining order should have been it and even that would be highly questionable. Certainly not a Felony Charge of Aggravated Stalking, AND MOST DEFINITELY not getting ransacked with BOTH! We live in a cruel, sick, and sinister society that continues to digress in showing it’s ugly, dirty hand that always seems to revolve around politics. I know I have God on my side. I’m far from a “monster” as was reported from the slew of untrue testimony from the ones that truly deserve that label. There is Pure evil in the hearts of some in this county. In the Bible, Luke 12 verse 2-3 sums it up perfectly in saying that “the secrets will be uncovered, the truth will come forth, and God’s thought about every behavior and action will be vindicated. What’s done in the dark will come to light, and thank God he has created it to operate so!” The legal system has lost its integrity. The “Community” has lost its morals and decency. It’s ludicrous to me that People charged with manslaughter and murder are given bonds in this same God-Forsaken County, meanwhile I had NO weapon, threatened ABSOLUTELY no one yet this independent journalist recording in a publicly accessible building is clearly and unfairly portrayed as the true threat and completely deprived of his freedom and liberty in order to achieve the county’s ultimate two goals: To abscond from liability from not only this but another legal matter (Lawsuit), and to seek a second banishment from Lafayette County to the previous recipricantt of Wild West Justice. The true motive and motivation of this political WITCHHUNT by the State of Mississippi and Lafayette County can’t and won’t be ignored and avoided. That I solemnly swear.. These are the facts the news media refused to report on when they decided to cover this story.”
Matt Reardon
Reardon uploaded the Audit of City Hall to YouTube the very same day, which the prosecution then used as its evidence of the crime charged. But watch the video below. Do you honestly see any type of conduct that was ever directed at Mayor Robyn Tannehill? Reardon NEVER knew for a fact that she was in the building. In fact there was never was the first piece of evidence offered that she was indeed there as was claimed. But what you do see as evidence is a complete view of every step Reardon took inside of that building. CERTAINLY nothing remotely warranting a Felony Charge 1-week later
Shown above is the Full Start to Finish First Amendment Audit by Matt Reardon at the Oxford, MS City Hall on June 20, 2017. Prior to Reardon finishing the Audit where he was going to request Public Records from the City Clerk, he was met by Officers from Oxford Police Department whom escorted him out of the building by using a restraining order taken out in 2017 by the then Mayor Elect Robyn Tannehill
The Audit shown above would be Reardon’s 3rd First Amendment Audit during the month of June in Oxford, MS which include the Lafayette County Justice Court Building and the United States Post Office (shown below)
This was June 8, 2022 at Lafayette County Justice Court where Reardon walked inside of the building attempting to retrieve court papers while simultaneously recording and documenting the interaction.
This was June 16, 2022 and was a successful First Amendment Audit being that there was no interaction while Reardon was on the property
I believe these audits and dialog are very Important particularly in today’s day and age. Remember this:
The Law doesn’t give you any rights, the law only takes them away. Stand firm and protect your Rights!
This Article below fully details out what Reardon asserts as the true underlying motive for Lafayette County’s aggressive and unprecedented prosecution of him which was initiated June 28, 2022. The VERY next day The State of Mississippi filed a motion to dismiss itself from the Federal Lawsuit
1ST AMENDMENT AUDITING: The practice of exercising one’s constitutional right to record video for the purpose of educating anyone who attempts to infringe that right and commending those who respect it.
Here is some basic knowledge you will want to familiarize yourself with regarding 1st Amendment Audits
THE 1ST AMENDMENT OF THE US CONSTITUTION: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
1ST AMENDMENT AUDITING: The practice of exercising one’s constitutional right to record video for the purpose of educating anyone who attempts to infringe that right and commending those who respect it.
The right of citizens to record the police or any functioning/moving part of our Local, State, and Federal Government is a critical check and balance. It creates an independent record of what took place in a particular incident, one that is free from accusations of bias, lying, or faulty memory. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers have been known to ask people to stop taking photographs or recording video of public places. Those who fail to comply have sometimes been harassed, detained, and arrested. When in public spaces where you are lawfully present you have the right to photograph or record anything that is in plain view. That includes pictures and video of federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police. Such photography and video recording is a form of public oversight over the government and is important in a free society
1st Amendment Audit turns into 5th Amendment Audit outside of Federal Contractor 0Building
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF 1ST AMENDMENT AUDITS
On 6/8/2022 Matt Reardon visits Lafayette County Justice Court to find the answers to a few questions. Prior to the first question being asked, tension mounts over Reardon recording on his cell phone, and this turns into a 1st Amendment Audit involving a court security officer and 2 Deputies of Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department
