Residents accuse Burke County sheriffof intimidating critics; county attorney offers to review

Two Burke County residents used the public-comment period at the county commissioners meeting to accuse the Burke County Sheriffs Office of targeting and intimidating citizens who criticize law enforcement.

Nathan Ford, a Burke County resident, told the panel that the sheriffs office posted screenshots of private citizenssocial-media posts on the departments official Facebook page and used those screenshots to ridicule critics. Ford said that practice raised First and Fourteenth Amendment concerns and asked what mechanisms exist to protect citizens who petition local government.

"The First Amendment guarantees our right to free speech," Ford said during his five-minute comment. He also cited the Fourteenth Amendmentto note that federal protections apply to local government action. Ford asked who could intervene if the sheriff was accused of wrongdoing and whether county employees operating the sheriffs social channels were county staff.

Chairman Commissioner Martin interrupted to invite the county attorney to respond. The county attorney told Ford he would meet with him after the meeting and review the matters raised, and asked Ford to provide the materials he referenced. "I'll get back with you when we got this information," the county attorney said.

Commissioners did not take formal action during the meeting on Fords requests; the county attorney said the board would direct follow-up after reviewing the facts.

Other speakers at the meeting also defended law-enforcement funding and staffing. Xavier Wimberly, a resident of North Burke County, urged the commission to prioritize resources for deputies and said the sheriffs budget has grown repeatedly in recent years.

The county attorney said he would investigate the specific allegations and meet with the speakers; he also cautioned that the board would need the full facts before making public statements or taking action.

The meeting record does not show the attorney's findings or any subsequent formal referral to an independent investigator or state authority; the attorneys promise was the only formal follow-up recorded at the meeting.

Ending

The county attorney asked speakers to remain available so staff could gather information. No formal board action was taken at the meeting on the free-speech allegations; the attorney said he would report back once he had reviewed the documentation.