Claims
David Flash, publisher of the Big Bend Times, alleges Jeff Davis County officials engaged in a coordinated campaign to suppress his journalism through prior restraints, retaliatory arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, defamation, and disclosure of protected information. The complaint alleges that after a state court invalidated a county-issued 300-foot ban from county property, Flash was arrested on June 27, 2025 while photographing a public meeting, that Chief Deputy Adriana Ruiloba used excessive force during the arrest, and that sheriff's personnel and other county officials participated in or failed to stop the retaliation. Claims include First Amendment retaliation, false arrest, excessive force, malicious prosecution, civil-rights conspiracy, Monell liability, and related Texas tort claims.