Tennessee Man Charlie Kirk Post
A Tennessee man who spent 37 days in jail over a Facebook post tied to the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has reached an $835,000 settlement with county officials, closing a civil rights lawsuit that alleged unconstitutional arrest and detention.
Larry Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer, was arrested in September after sharing a Facebook meme that authorities interpreted as a potential threat to a local school. Prosecutors later dropped the felony charges, but only after he had already spent more than a month in custody on a $2 million bond that he could not afford.
Arrest Sparked by Misinterpreted Facebook Meme
The post at the center of the case included a reference to comments by Donald Trump following a 2024 school shooting in Iowa. Authorities in Perry County initially believed the meme could be read as a threat toward a local school with a similar name, triggering the arrest and criminal charges.
Officials later acknowledged the post referenced a different incident and not any specific threat to a school in Tennessee. Still, Bushart was held in jail while the case moved through the system, drawing scrutiny from civil liberties advocates who argued the arrest stemmed from protected political speech rather than credible danger.
Weeks in Jail and Personal Consequences
Bushart remained incarcerated for 37 days before charges were dismissed in October. According to court filings and legal statements, he lost a post-retirement job during that time and missed major family milestones, including his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter.
The lawsuit filed against Perry County, the sheriff’s office, and an investigator alleged violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights, arguing that authorities unlawfully treated a social media post as a criminal threat without sufficient evidence.
Settlement Ends Federal Civil Rights Case
Under the agreement announced this week, Tennessee officials will pay $835,000 in exchange for dismissal of the lawsuit. The case had been scheduled to proceed toward trial before the settlement was reached.
Bushart said the outcome affirms his constitutional rights and underscores the importance of protecting political expression, particularly in tense and highly polarized public environments.
The case has drawn broader attention as part of an ongoing national debate over how law enforcement interprets online speech, especially when social media posts are linked to public fear or misinformation.
