Police stage ‘chilling’ raid on Marion County newspaper, seizing computers, records and cellphones

[Anonymous]

In an unprecedented raid Friday, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and reporting materials from the Marion County Record office, the newspaper’s reporters, and the publisher’s home.

Eric Meyer, owner and publisher of the newspaper, said police were motivated by a confidential source who leaked sensitive documents to the newspaper, and the message was clear: “Mind your own business or we’re going to step on you.”

The city’s entire five-officer police force and two sheriff’s deputies took “everything we have,” Meyer said, and it wasn’t clear how the newspaper staff would take the weekly publication to press Tuesday night.

The raid followed news stories about a restaurant owner who kicked reporters out of a meeting last week with U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, and revelations about the restaurant owner’s lack of a driver’s license and conviction for drunken driving…

… The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she would authorize a potentially illegal raid.

https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/police-stage-chilling-raid-on-marion-county-newspaper-seizing-computers-records-and-cellphones/

Looks like a republican judge doing the bidding of US representatives Jake LaTurner. Maga showing their true colors again. Conservatives always talk about how bad crime is. Really they want to get in power and use the police to silence everyone.

[Anonymous]

The newspaper is called The Marion County Record?

Because I will subscribe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The newspaper is called The Marion County Record?

Because I will subscribe.

Great idea!

[Anonymous]

Maybe "lawfare" is going to start going both ways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

In an unprecedented raid Friday, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones and reporting materials from the Marion County Record office, the newspaper’s reporters, and the publisher’s home.

Eric Meyer, owner and publisher of the newspaper, said police were motivated by a confidential source who leaked sensitive documents to the newspaper, and the message was clear: “Mind your own business or we’re going to step on you.”

The city’s entire five-officer police force and two sheriff’s deputies took “everything we have,” Meyer said, and it wasn’t clear how the newspaper staff would take the weekly publication to press Tuesday night.

The raid followed news stories about a restaurant owner who kicked reporters out of a meeting last week with U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, and revelations about the restaurant owner’s lack of a driver’s license and conviction for drunken driving…

… The search warrant, signed by Marion County District Court Magistrate Judge Laura Viar, appears to violate federal law that provides protections against searching and seizing materials from journalists. The law requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead. Viar didn’t respond to a request to comment for this story or explain why she would authorize a potentially illegal raid.

https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/police-stage-chilling-raid-on-marion-county-newspaper-seizing-computers-records-and-cellphones/

Looks like a republican judge doing the bidding of US representatives Jake LaTurner. Maga showing their true colors again. Conservatives always talk about how bad crime is. Really they want to get in power and use the police to silence everyone.

Wait! I thought Republicans were the champions of the 1st amendment. Please tell me this isn't true!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe "lawfare" is going to start going both ways.

Explain, please.

[Anonymous]

The 98 year old mother died as a result of the raid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The 98 year old mother died as a result of the raid.

+1 https://www.thedailybeast.com/marion-county-record-subjected-to-police-raid-after-unpublished-dui-story-about-restaurateur-kari-newell

Republicans are over on a thread whining their lil hearts out that a man who threatened Biden and the police who might come to talk to him is dead by police gunfire. Bet this woman, equally traumatized but by a non-constitutional raid, won’t ever register on their fascist radar.

Oh and the woman who kicked this all off, Newell, is by her own admission guilty of the crimes of DUI and driving without a license. She claims the paper was trying to interfere with her ability to get an ABC license, but by the rules she shouldn’t be able to get one. Republicans are big on “rules for thee but not for me.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe "lawfare" is going to start going both ways.

Explain, please.

The FBI raided James O'Keefe, and was leaking materials seized to The New York Times, who is in a lawsuit with James O'Keefe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The 98 year old mother died as a result of the raid.

+1 https://www.thedailybeast.com/marion-county-record-subjected-to-police-raid-after-unpublished-dui-story-about-restaurateur-kari-newell

Republicans are over on a thread whining their lil hearts out that a man who threatened Biden and the police who might come to talk to him is dead by police gunfire. Bet this woman, equally traumatized but by a non-constitutional raid, won’t ever register on their fascist radar.

Oh and the woman who kicked this all off, Newell, is by her own admission guilty of the crimes of DUI and driving without a license. She claims the paper was trying to interfere with her ability to get an ABC license, but by the rules she shouldn’t be able to get one. Republicans are big on “rules for thee but not for me.”

RedState, a pro-Republican site, ran an article on this, opposing the police. They didn't mention the woman who died, but said it started not over a license but because the restaurant owner Newell kicked the paper out of the restaurant when Mr. LaTurner was there.

[Anonymous]

The newspaper had received a tip about the restaurant owner having a DUI, which would put the existing liquor license at risk.

The newspaper didn't run the story, because they thought they were being set up to run a false story.

Police version- we thought the newspaper was guilty of identity theft and hacking.

Newspaper version- the police were either upset after we didn't fall for their fake sting, or they wanted to see who leaked us this story, which would have involved a law enforcement officer abusing access to databases.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe "lawfare" is going to start going both ways.

Explain, please.

You see, there was this bakery...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The newspaper is called The Marion County Record?

Because I will subscribe.

Yes and the name of the connected official who did not want her DUI publicized is Kari Newell.

Kari Newell.

Streisand Effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The newspaper had received a tip about the restaurant owner having a DUI, which would put the existing liquor license at risk.

The newspaper didn't run the story, because they thought they were being set up to run a false story.

Police version- we thought the newspaper was guilty of identity theft and hacking.

Newspaper version- the police were either upset after we didn't fall for their fake sting, or they wanted to see who leaked us this story, which would have involved a law enforcement officer abusing access to databases.

Sounds like the woman's ex leaked the document, which may have been part of her divorce proceedings.

But what preceded the event is so weird. The woman, a restaurant owner, hosted a meet-and-greet for a US congressman. She asked the police chief to kick out a reporter and the editor from the paper. They did write about that incident. But they did not write about the DUI.

And then it turns out that they were investigating the police chief's termination from KCPD for sexual misconduct. Another story they investigated but did not report, because according to the editor they had not established enough evidence to print.

Following this, somebody apparently FB messaged them this document about the DUI. If it's the ex, undoubtedly some sort of revenge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The newspaper had received a tip about the restaurant owner having a DUI, which would put the existing liquor license at risk.

The newspaper didn't run the story, because they thought they were being set up to run a false story.

Police version- we thought the newspaper was guilty of identity theft and hacking.

Newspaper version- the police were either upset after we didn't fall for their fake sting, or they wanted to see who leaked us this story, which would have involved a law enforcement officer abusing access to databases.

Sounds like the woman's ex leaked the document, which may have been part of her divorce proceedings.

But what preceded the event is so weird. The woman, a restaurant owner, hosted a meet-and-greet for a US congressman. She asked the police chief to kick out a reporter and the editor from the paper. They did write about that incident. But they did not write about the DUI.

And then it turns out that they were investigating the police chief's termination from KCPD for sexual misconduct. Another story they investigated but did not report, because according to the editor they had not established enough evidence to print.

Following this, somebody apparently FB messaged them this document about the DUI. If it's the ex, undoubtedly some sort of revenge.

But if it’s not the ex, it’s someone who wanted the rule of law.

But we still have a judge who signed off on an un-American warrant.