Police in Adams County, Ohio raided the home of rapper Afroman after receiving information that he had an underground dungeon in his basement. Mr Afroman then used footage from this raid in his music videos while the officers are now suing him for unauthorised use of an individual’s persona and invasion of privacy.
Afroman is suing the officers
Although Afroman was out-of-town at the time of Adams County sheriff’s deputies’ raid on his Winchester, Ohio home on August 21, 2022, he was aware that police officers were breaching his privacy. He knew because his house surveillance system recorded the moment deputies entered with guns drawn and broke through his gate, along with ex-wife and children outside. All this action was also capture by cameras inside and outside his property at that same moment in time. Afroman used footage shot during his raid as promotional material in music videos and merchandise to promote his new album. Seven law enforcement officers involved have since sued Afroman for invasion of privacy, alleging that Afroman’s use of footage caused them emotional distress, humiliation and loss of reputation.
Sheriff’s deputies conducted the search based on information received from an informant who claimed Afroman was involved in illegal drug trafficking and kidnapping activities. But Afroman was never charged with any criminal offence and denied possessing firearms altogether; furthermore he claimed police deputies caused extensive damage to his home while also taking money belonging to him, although eventually all but $400 of this amount were returned.
In their lawsuit against Afroman, seven police officers allege he used images from their raid in music videos and merchandise sold by him, leading to emotional distress, embarrassment, ridicule and loss of reputation for them and the others involved in their raid. Each cop is seeking $25,000 as damages along with legal fees and related costs for themselves and any legal representation needed against this injustice.
Motherboard reports that Afroman’s officers suing include four deputies and two sergeants: Shawn D Cooley, Michael D Estep, Brian Newland and Randolph L Walters Jr. Their complaint states that music videos and other content featuring officers depict them with distinctive looks and uniforms that is offensive to most reasonable individuals; furthermore, such content disclosed facts from officers’ private lives that would likely offend many without providing legitimate reasons to the public for doing so.
The officers are suing Afroman
An Ohio police raid of rapper Afroman did not result in any charges being brought, yet it led to music videos and merchandise featuring images from the raid – as well as seven officers filing a lawsuit over unauthorised usage of images and footage from it causing emotional distress, humiliation and loss of reputation for them – with them seeking $83 Million compensation from Afroman and those responsible.
According to the complaint, Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a raid at Afroman’s home on August 21 in response to an arrest warrant alleging drug trafficking and kidnapping. While Afroman was out of town at this time, his ex-wife was present during the raid and recorded parts on her phone while security cameras captured other scenes. Officers confiscated “drug paraphernalia”, later returned by Afroman himself, along with $400 cash.
But Afroman didn’t let them get away with it, posting music videos about the raid to YouTube, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram and making merchandise featuring officers’ faces. He claims they broke his door, disconnected surveillance systems, stole money and cause other damage to his property. As well as accusing him of lying about how many drugs were found there.
The officers have filed suit against Afroman for violating their privacy by falsely portraying them in an unfair light, alleging that Afroman’s unauthorized use of their “images, likenesses and distinctive appearances” caused embarrassment, loss of reputation and humiliation – along with death threats due to publicity about the raid.
To win their case against Afroman, officers must demonstrate that he knew or recklessly disregarded their depictions as false or inaccurate, though it seems unlikely they can. Afroman’s content is expressive rather than commercial in nature and draws its value from public interest – not their “personas.” Additionally, law in this area mandates that an individual have “an actual or potential interest” in any profits that might result from using someone else’s image without consent.
The officers are suing Afroman’s company
Joseph Edgar Foreman, better known by his stage name Afroman, transformed his experience with a police raid into an album and music videos. Unfortunately for Afroman though, the officers who raided his home last year took exception and are suing him for invasion of privacy claiming that footage from their raid appeared in his songs and merchandise.
Last August, Adams County sheriffs officers raided Afroman’s home in Ohio’s Adams County in search of evidence of drug trafficking and kidnapping. They found nothing, so Afroman was never charge with any crime. To protest their raid, the rapper released several music videos and social media posts criticizing and ridiculing those involved – including officers involved themselves! He even created merchandise featuring their images such as T-shirts or merchandise featuring these officers’ names or faces as cartoon characters from Family Guy (one such post even depicted one such officer as an obese character from Family Guy!).
In their lawsuit, the officers allege that Afroman’s use of their names and faces violated their privacy and caused emotional distress, leading to humiliation, mental anguish, loss of reputation, financial harm, as well as violating their free speech rights.
The ACLU filed a brief in support of Afroman, asserting that his claims of wrongdoing by officers are without foundation and would likely be dismissed if brought by a private citizen instead of law enforcement agency. They further maintain that officers’ claims for injury and distress stem from an overly broad definition of their “personality and image”. While any statements or expression that express an opinion, criticism, or ridicule against another individual is protect under the First Amendment. Afroman himself has denied all accusations against him while asserting that their lawsuit is an attempt at silencing him; plans to fight it in court against them all.
The officers are suing Afroman’s manager
Seven law enforcement officers have filed a lawsuit against rapper Afroman for stealing and misappropriating their likenesses without their permission. They claim he breach their privacy when using footage from a raid of his home last year in music videos and social media posts. Afroman claims officers damage his home, stole his money, used surveillance systems in ways which endanger his family. Damaged their equipment causing additional costs, damaged his money or utilized surveillance system to harm them. Afroman has released albums and merchandise in response to what he claims was an unlawful search warrant raid of his home last year. These suits against Afroman are expect to conclude before any court-case concludes against Afroman for any-possible infringement of rights-violations commit. When using footage from police raid of last year in music-videos or social-media posts by using footage taken during raid.
The officers have filed suit for $25,000 per count to stop Afroman from using video footage of their raid in his music and other content, alleging they have suffer emotional distress, humiliation, loss of reputation due to these videos being share online and financial losses due to this lawsuit. Furthermore, they claim death threats have been issue against them as a result.
Afroman says his criticism of their actions irked the officers, who filed suit to stop his criticisms of their conduct. Afroman claims he never threatened anyone; instead he is only suggesting they be more circumspect about breaking into people’s homes based on unfounded suspicions and should also recognize they are public figures subject to public scrutiny.
He claims the officers’ actions during the raid caused significant damage, such as breaking his front door, demolishing his custom-made gate and damaging his surveillance system. Furthermore, they took away money he said was earn through concerts. These funds were later confiscate by authorities who also confiscated earnings of approximately $20,000. According to him, repairs for this damage and related expenses cost nearly $20,000.
Motherboard reviewed bodycam footage from this raid, which shows officers milling around, prodding at floorboards and wall panels, and going through mundane objects like CD binders without finding any drugs or evidence of criminal activity.
Robert Klingler, Afroman’s attorney, maintains that they should not have come under attack from police when searching the house. Instead, Klingler alleges his clients have been subject to ridicule and losing their reputations. Which affects their mental-health and threaten the safety of their families as-well-as receiving death threats putting their lives in peril.