A federal judge ruled Tuesday that an Ohio county commissioner's constitutional rights were violated after he was arrested by his fellow commissioners for publicly criticizing a sheriff, according to multiple reports. I put it down.

U.S. District Judge J. Phillip Calabrese ruled that Trumbull County Commissioner Niki Frenchco's First and Fourth Amendment rights were protected by fellow Trumbull County Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa and then-coworker Frank. Huda and Trumbull County Sheriff Paul Monroe. said WFMJ. report.

“Here in America, we do not arrest political opponents,” the judge reportedly said at the beginning of his ruling.

According to the newspaper, Niki Frenchko was arrested on charges of obstruction during a county meeting on July 7, 2022, after she repeatedly interrupted then-clerk Paula Vivoda-Klotz. Klotz argued that Franceko “chose to willfully ignore the appropriate and professional process” to investigate allegations that certain inmates were not receiving adequate medical treatment in prison. Facebook video of the meeting A live stream by Frenchko was shown.

Frenchko claimed in the video that a sick inmate was told the prison's kiosk was broken and ended up hospitalized with meningitis, after which he developed Bell's palsy and blindness. She was also shown on video claiming that another inmate died after he stopped taking his medication and criticizing Sheriff Monroe's response to the allegation.

“You're talking about the top law enforcement officer in Trumbull County. That's unacceptable,” a voice said in the video. Some called for Frenchko to apologize to Sheriff Monroe. Frenchko continued to push, but was interrupted when police showed up, removed him to applause, and arrested him, the video showed. (Related: These are the biggest legal victories in free speech in 2023)

A cover-up was recently confirmed in which all documents were destroyed. Few survivors pointed to a scheme by authorities, sheriffs, and staff.thank you @firstAndmentx & @ACLU To reach out. Inequity cuts across party lines. @scenery @JesseBatters @scrowder https://t.co/h9AlQez4tb

— Niki Frenchko (@NikiFrenchko) December 19, 2023

Frenchko, the only Republican on the three-member Trumbull County Commission, was charged with a misdemeanor charge of “prevention of crime.”[ing] or confuse[ing] Ohio law defines “lawful assembly” and prohibits disruption or speech that “offends the sensibilities of a group,” the Associated Press report. Frenchko has since reportedly filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging violation of her rights.

Judge Calabrese was concerned about the law but did not criticize it, the Associated Press reported.

“This case tests long-standing norms and the Constitution's strong protections for free speech that enable criticism of our nation's representatives and public officials,” the justices wrote.

According to the Associated Press, criminal charges against Frenchko were dropped weeks after his arrest.