An Ohio elected official’s constitutional rights were violated when her colleagues on a county board of commissioners had her arrested for criticizing the sheriff during a public meeting, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

Niki Frenchko, the lone Republican on the three-member Trumbull County Board of Commissioners, was placed in handcuffs by sheriff’s deputies at the commissioners’ meeting on July 7, 2022, and charged under an Ohio law that makes it a misdemeanor to “prevent or disrupt a lawful meeting.” The law prohibits obstructive conduct or speech that “outrages the sensibilities of the group.” The charge was later dropped,

Frenchko — who livestreamed her arrest on Facebook — subsequently filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, saying she was ordered to leave the meeting and placed under arrest for exercising her First Amendment right to free speech, and that the sheriff’s department lacked probable cause to charge her.


U.S. District Judge J. Philip Calabrese agreed.

“Here in America, we do not arrest our political opponents,” the judge wrote. “This case tests that longstanding norm as well as our Constitution’s robust protections for free speech that allow us to criticize our representatives and public officials.”

Calabrese ruled that the sheriff, two deputies, and both county commissioners named in the suit — one of whom has since left the board — are personally liable for damages. A hearing on damages will be scheduled later.

The judge expressed misgivings about the state law itself but declined to strike it down, as Frenchko had sought.

“If they’re going to do this to me in broad daylight at a public meeting, I had a duty to take them to task so they can’t do it to someone else,” Frenchko, who is running for reelection this year, told The Associated Press. “It’s so off the mark of what America should be.”


Messages were left for Sheriff Paul Monroe and current Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa, both of whom were named as defendants. An email was sent to their lawyer seeking comment. An appeal was expected.

The Ohio case echoes other recent instances in which elected officials have been punished over speech.

In Montana, Republicans silenced transgender lawmaker Zooey Zephry last year after she refused to apologize for telling colleagues who supported a ban on gender-affirming care that they would have blood on their hands. In Tennessee, Republicans expelled Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, two young Black Democratic lawmakers who have since been reappointed and reelected, for breaking procedural rules during a gun control protest on the House floor.

Frenchko took office in 2021 as the first GOP commissioner of Trumbull County in nearly three decades, quickly developing a reputation as a “dissenting and often unwelcome voice” on the board, the judge noted. Commissioners’ meetings became notoriously contentious, with disagreements over policy frequently veering into personal invective.

It was against that backdrop that Frenchko, Cantalamessa and since-retired Commissioner Frank Fuda began bickering over Frenchko’s criticism of Sheriff Monroe after an inmate death at the Trumbull County Jail.

At one point, Cantalamessa told Frenchko: “You are talking about the chief law enforcement officer in Trumbull County; it’s unacceptable,” according to a transcript cited by the judge. Fuda then called for a sergeant in the back of the room, telling Frenchko, “You got a choice, you wanna apologize to the Sheriff, fine; if you don’t, we’re going to move on.”

Frenchko plowed on. That’s when a sergeant went up to the dais, pulled Frenchko’s chair back and ordered her to stand up and leave the meeting. She was put in handcuffs outside of the meeting room.

Calabrese, in Tuesday’s ruling, said the evidence showed that Frencko’s “speech caused her arrest.”

The defendants are not entitled to immunity from damages, he wrote, because the law has “long recognized that any reasonable official would know that the First Amendment does not countenance the arrest of a person for engaging in protected speech.”

One of Frenchko’s attorneys, David John Betras, a former Democratic Party chairman of a neighboring county in northeastern Ohio, said he represented the Republican official in court because the case has “nothing to do with politics.”

“We can’t arrest each other because you disagree with them politically. Once you start down that slope, it’s bad news for all of us,” Betras said. “Who arrests someone for disturbing their own meeting?”

The criminal charge against Frenchko was dropped several weeks after her arrest

New never mounted. Mark 5hd 3.6-18 PR-1 Mil.
Opened the box to look only. Changing directions.
$1700 shipped.

Have 2 Vudu 5-25 w/ MD3 reticles. Glass is perfect. 1 has 2 marks on the objective, see pics. Other than that they are pristine and will come in factory boxes.

1. No marks, $1250 shipped SPT
2. Marks, $1200 shipped SOLD

PP F&F, Zelle or checks are all good.

I see that Manners is releasing this new stock at SHOT Show. They are calling it the Night Stalker aka MCS-NS. I am pretty excited about it and it provides me everything I want in a night time predator setup. I will wait to see what kind of price they put on it before I get my hopes up but if it's under $1500 then I think I'll be putting an order in once they open up the order banks.

asking 1500shipped to you.
Comes with arca rail as well
Looking for an aw cut 737r or a acc elite chassis in blue for a rem 700short action. I can add cash either way if needed.
Cut for a Kelbly but Remington clones should fit. Short action.

I don’t wanna lead more on than I already do, but I am a nerd for many subjects. Wanted to share my relationship to “fame”. This is my cousin a retired oil and gas geologist that makes awesome videos on the subject. Yes he is from Wyoming and uses it for much of his content. I just want to add the disclaimer that all outdoor content is 100% CGI created as Wyoming doesn’t actually look like this or even that interesting at all. In fact, Wyoming doesn’t even exist. But watch his content anyway. Is a fun, albeit, fictional depiction of Wyoming.

Go check out his channel.

Thank you for your time.



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Because science ...

Stupid question here but need to ask before I buy....other than the color is there any differences between the GEN3 6-36 bronze(or what ever color it is)and the black edition? I am ready to buy 2 GEN3's but do not like the odd color and prefer the black edition if same same.

Thanks Dave

Alright guys,
I done fucked up. I have a Tippmann M4-22 with a 7" barrel and running a DA mask on it tucked in a 9" handguard. Looks cool and the long handguard lets me run a clip on for hunting egg suckers and the like around the house at night. Downside is it is a PITA to get the suppressor off. Gotta pull the handguard and that screws up the colimnation of the thermal so normal post shooting procedure was to lock the bolt back and let it breathe for a couple hours before putting it in the safe (Several Eva-Drys in there but I digress). Pulled it apart for a deep clean and saw a bad thing...

So yeah... I fucked up! Question is this. I'm going to put a Wojtek .22 QD on it so I can pull the suppressor at will and to do this I need to whack about .030" off an inch off the crown as per Wojtek if the threads are more than .400" long I'll need a spacer (I'm at .4155") so I figger I'd have it shortened to .385". Do y'all think that is enough to clean it up or should I spring for a new barrel (cheap enough at $150.00) and a spacer ($12.00) and not look back? I have a good gunsmith that I think would do it for about $75.00 so I'm torn. The inside of the barrel looks ok so I am guessing that with the rifle sitting at an angle the moisture pooled to one side and didn't get in the barrel to add another data point (Should have stored it muzzle down but too late now). What say y'all? Lop and re-crown or new barrel. Not like it's a Vudoo or anything. I just want it to be minute of squirrel. Thanks in advance!

Remington short action that's been
blueprinted with 30moa rail.

2 bolts (.223 and standard)

Triggertech diamond 2 stage trigger

Mdt .223 mag

KP barrel is 24" mtu contour (5/8x24 muzzle)

Krg bravo with 3 heavy lop spacers, heavy grip weight, and heavy full length arca rail

Bipod and suppressor not included

$1800 ppff or venmo





Your ffl must accept from individuals or add $45

Ron DeSantis is a great Governor, but it's not his turn to be POTUS yet.

(Black conservative & Florida Congressman Byron Donalds is another Rock Star for the future)

Their parenting skills were lacking that I can see, but did they force her to tat up?

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Sometimes....asking a question gets you answers.....the answers you might not want to hear.

I have some once fired lapua brass from some factory ammo. I tried to measure headspace using it but it all chambers without any sizing done. I used the wheeler method of removing firing pin and ejector and bolt drops under its own weight.

So my question is, should I still bump the shoulders back a couple thou or just reload as is?

I am selling the following items. I prefer selling all items as a package deal. I am asking $950.00 shipped for everything. I will not split up sorry. The barrel currently has a SAS Tomb Brake. I do have thread protector. Threads 5/8 x 24

1. Accuracy International 24 inch Barlein 1-8 twist Barrel for AX/AT rifle. 39 rounds through her $650.00
2 Whidden Gunworks 6.5 Creedmoor full length sizing die with Forster Ultra Micro seating die. $200.00
3 Giraud holder and cutter for 6.5 Creedmoor. $75.00
4. AMP #17 pilot for 6.5 Creedmoor. $10.00
5. Whidden 6.5 creedmoor case gauge $50.00
6 189 pieces of Hornady 1x fired 6.5 Creedmoor LRP brass $100.00
7 2 100 round boxes Nosler Custom competition 140 grain bullets $100.00
8. 2 100 round boxes Barnes Match burner 140 BTHP bullets. $75.00
9 2 boxes Lapua 139 Grain scenarios $100.00
10. 2 boxes hornady 140 gr BTHP $75.00
11 1 box Sierra 142 Gr SMK. $45.00

Excellent, like new.
built 9/18/2023.
ZCO 527 MPCT3X with 10 mil non-locking turret. I have white dry erase turret marker on it right now. Mounted in ZCO slimline mount 6 mil mount with level cap and diving board. Comes with sun shade also. Amazing package for sure.
I am trying to standardize my competition and training Rifles and I just cannot afford 5 ZCO‘s. lol!
Everything included that comes new with each part number on the boxes.
$4150 shipped.

It’s as bad as WWF wrestling. Don’t see how you people still watch it.

Especially after the Burn Loot Murder shenanigans

Just like the title says. Brand new in the box. $700 shipped to your FFL.

Short Action - Mag Boltface - Right Hand

Thank you.
JD

Used on one stage, prefer my plus one. Heavy fill, waxed with rebel rooster bag wax. DM for pics.

Guys,

My budget is $2500 (ish).

Looking for recommendations on a bolt action precision rifle.

I used to be a sniper in the German Military about 10 years ago. Trying to get back into the game. (I live in the US)

Thanks in advance!

WTS 15 boxes (300 rounds) Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr ELD Match #81500
$525 shipped.

Shot at the local nra range today. Running an lmt upper 16 inch with a precision armament brake, vtor a 5 buffer system.

I like to shoot really fast, every time I go out there the range officers ask if I’m shooting an automatic.

So in any case I fairly quickly shoot 150 rounds of pmc 223. I smoked the whole place up. Everyone was complaining and the range officer said he’s never seen so much smoke in there before ever and that I was serenading everyone with lead particles.

So my question is what could be causing all the smoke. Pmc 223 does not seem to always run so Smokey. It’s it my combination of parts, the muzzle, the buffer system?

Anyone have good options for plinking 223 that does not run so gassy?

I was amazed I watched it from start to end in one sitting. Also, he answers any questions you have at the end.

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