Afroman faces trial after deputies sued him for making viral music movies utilizing safety footage from their raid on his dwelling.

Afroman heads to court docket this month after deputies sued him for turning their raid on his dwelling into viral music movies that uncovered their faces and actions.

The trial begins March 16 in Adams County, Ohio, the place the authorized battle between the rapper and legislation enforcement has turn out to be a take a look at case free of charge speech rights within the digital age.

Again in August 2022, Adams County deputies confirmed up at Afroman’s home with a search warrant linked to an investigation into potential drug possession and trafficking, plus allegations of kidnapping.

The warrant claimed a confidential informant had seen giant quantities of money and weed on the property and stated Afroman saved girls locked in his basement.

None of that panned out. No prices had been filed. No arrests occurred. However the harm was actual.

“I used to be driving dwelling like I don’t know like 65 miles away from dwelling I get a name my children was subsequent door taking part in within the yard once they may see the cops pull it up armed with lengthy weapons and sporting tactical gear,” Afroman recalled in an ABC Information report.

The officers kicked down his door and tore via his home whereas his safety cameras captured all the things.

Deputies seized 1000’s of {dollars} in money through the raid. Most of it got here again, however about $400 vanished.

The home took a beating too. Doorways acquired smashed. Gates acquired destroyed. When Afroman requested the top officer in the event that they’d assist repair the harm, the response was chilly.

“The man began laughing and waddling his head, and stated we’re not required to try this. They had been unapologetic,” Afroman stated.

So he did what rappers do.

He turned the expertise into music. Utilizing his personal safety footage, Afroman launched three songs in regards to the raid, together with “Will You Assist Me Restore My Door.” He made merchandise to assist pay for repairs. The movies went viral. Then the deputies sued.

Seven legislation enforcement officers claimed they suffered humiliation, ridicule, psychological misery, and lack of popularity after seeing themselves within the movies.

They demanded Afroman hand over all income from the music and merchandise. Afroman fired again along with his personal lawsuit, looking for damages for the destruction of his dwelling.

However in February, Decide Jonathan P. Hein dismissed all of Afroman’s claims with out a listening to.

“I don’t like that they dismissed all of my claims with a click on of a button in some little workplace someplace with out a listening to,” Afroman stated.

He’s satisfied that is about silencing him, not in regards to the deputies’ privateness.

“I ought to have freedom of speech. I ought to be allowed to talk out about my life, and cops that violate my dwelling and steal my cash shouldn’t be allowed to sue me,” he acknowledged.

The case has drawn consideration from free speech advocates who see it as a troubling precedent. When officers execute their duties in public or on somebody’s property, their faces and actions turn out to be a part of the document.

Afroman’s argument is easy: he documented what occurred to him and turned it into artwork. In line with FOX19, the deputies’ legal professional declined to touch upon specifics, saying they’d argue the case in court docket, not within the press.

The trial will decide whether or not officers can sue somebody for utilizing footage of themselves performing their jobs, or whether or not Afroman’s proper to inform his personal story trumps their claims of emotional hurt.

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