A Florida man was arrested for displaying an obscene bumper sticker on the back of his truck, one that either expressed his sexual preferences, or his love for a four-legged animal.
After Dillon Shane Webb was told the sticker was “derogatory,” he claimed his freedom of expression was violated, and the deputy’s office asked if he was using his free speech to express his desire of “eating a donkey.”
Keep reading to learn why Webb was arrested over a bumper sticker!
In 2019, a Columbia County sheriff’s deputy was driving behind a pickup truck when he noticed a vulgar sticker plastered on the middle of the rear window.
Dashcam footage shows Deputy Travis English stopping his cruiser in a parking lot behind the brown pickup, operated by Dillon Shane Webb, 23, with the bumper sticker in clear view.
The letters on the sticker – printed in bold white – reads, “I EAT A**.”
In the video, the deputy approaches the passenger side of the truck and after saying, “hello gentleman,” he explains that he pulled the car over due to “the derogatory sticker” displayed on the back of his truck.
In Florida, law prohibits “any sticker, decal emblem or other device attached to a motor vehicle containing obscene descriptions, photographs or depictions.”
“How’s it derogatory?” Webb asks from inside the car.
The officer replies, “How’s it not derogatory?”
“Some 10-year-old kid sitting in the passenger seat of his momma’s vehicle looks over and sees ‘I eat a**’ and asks his mom what it means,” English says. “How is she going to explain that?”
Sniping back, the driver provides the wrong answer: “That’s the parent’s job, not my job,” Webb says before he’s asked to present his driver’s license and registration.
After stepping out of the vehicle, Webb is searched, and the deputy tells him the sticker is a “misdemeanor violation of Florida’s obscene materials law.”
“I have four kids…if my 6-year-old was to look at me and like, ‘dad what does I eat a** mean?…he’s curious…and the way [you] handled this situation, I’m not pleased with,” English said before offering Webb the opportunity to explain his sticker to the court system.
Next, the deputy suggests Webb remove one of the letters from the word “A**” to read “AS.” But Webb refused, citing his constitutional right to free speech.
A few minutes later, things take a nasty turn for Webb.
After confirming with his supervisor that he had reasonable rights within the law, English steps out of his cruiser and approaches Webb, who’s leaning against his car, looking at his cellphone.
“All right Mr. Webb. Place your hands behind your back,” Webb is told. When he asks “why?” he learns “because you’re going to jail.”
Asking “for what?” English explains that he was given “the option to take that off” the window, but he “refused.”
He was then arrested and charged with the additional offense of “resisting an officer without violence.”
‘Perverted mind’
“They’re just words,” Webb later told First Coast News. “If that’s how they feel, if they have a perverted mind, that’s on them.”
But according to Sergeant Murray Smith of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, it wasn’t just the words on the sticker that Deputy English determined was illegal.
“It was the obscene phrase depicting what the deputy thought was a sexual act, which is obscene by definition,” said Smith. “What would a reasonable citizen think? Is the guy eating a donkey or is he doing a sexual act?”
The incident captured the attention of a lot of social media users, the majority who defended Webb.
“So what if he eats donkey. What’s the big deal?” asks one netizen. Another, referring to English speaking of his child’s potential reaction to the sticker, says, “Since when are a cop’s feelings deserving of an arrest?”
“I live here and as soon as we heard he got arrested we all went and got the sticker and put it on [our] trucks,” pens a third.
Another adds, “He better keep his kids off the internet. They will see far worse than this.”
The State Attorney’s Office cited the First Amendment and the charges against Webb were dropped. Later, Webb sued for alleged violations of his First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights, but U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard of the Middle District of Florida ruled that the arrest was “arguably justified under Florida’s obscenity law,” giving the officer and his supervisor “qualified immunity,” which means they are protected from the lawsuit.
This case underscores the ongoing debate in the U.S. over free speech and its boundaries, especially around expressions some might find offensive or derogatory. It also reflects how the First Amendment remains a contentious issue, with some insisting their right to free expression is under threat, while others argue for consideration that certain messages will have on the population.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please share your thoughts with us and then share it with your friends so we can get the conversation going!
A Pup’s Party of One: A Story of a Forgotten Birthday Bash.
In the world of our beloved pets, birthdays hold a special significance. It’s not just another day on the calendar, but rather a momentous occasion when love and affection abound, and tails wag with boundless excitement. Nevertheless, there’s a unique tale of a dog who has realized that sometimes, birthdays can be a lonely affair, even for our four-legged companions
As the sun peeked over the horizon, a small furry friend with a wistful gaze welcomed the day. It was the dog’s special day, one that typically brings merriment, well-wishes, and a delectable cake decorated with glowing candles for humans. However, the dog noticed something peculiar – nobody seemed to remember. The hours ticked by, and the dog’s heart sank deeper into solitude, yearning for a pat on the head or a jubilant chorus of “Happy Birthday.” But alas, the silence remained. As the day progressed, the dog’s mind raced with questions, “Am I not significant? Does no one care?”
The dog’s heart felt heavy due to the absence of well-wishes from family and friends. It did not receive any cheerful phone calls, cards, messages, or even a simple text with a “Happy Birthday” message. As a result, the dog felt unimportant and forgotten. Despite this, the dog found comfort in the presence of its human. The familiar scent and reassuring presence of the person who had always been a source of love and support brought solace to the dog. In the absence of external celebrations, the dog sought joy in simple pleasures such as a gentle pat or a favorite treat.
However, the day lacked the festive atmosphere that is typical of birthdays. There were no balloons, streamers, singing, or laughter. The dog particularly missed having a birthday cake, a symbol of celebration and a treat that signifies a special day for both dogs and humans. The absence of the sweet, fluffy delight left a void in the dog’s heart.
Nevertheless, the dog found comfort in the furry companion by its side. Although equally uninterested in fanfare, the furry friend was content to share the solitude without judgment or disappointment. To this canine companion, the dog was simply a friend, perhaps feeling a little downcast but a friend nonetheless.
As the dog was alone, it began to contemplate the true meaning of birthdays. It realized that it had been placing too much importance on external validation and grand gestures. Birthdays were about more than just celebration; they were about connection, love, and being in each other’s company. The dog came to a realization that it was not unimportant or unloved, but instead valued for the everyday moments spent with its human and furry companion. This newfound appreciation filled the dog with gratitude for the companionship it had, instead of focusing on what it didn’t have on that particular day. As the day came to an end, the dog found comfort in the embrace of its human and the warmth of its furry friend. Although the day was not marked by extravagant celebrations, it was filled with simple togetherness and the profound understanding that significance was not measured by grand gestures, but by the bonds we create and cherish every day. This valuable lesson was learned on a quiet, uncelebrated birthday, shared with those who truly mattered.
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