Woman accuses police of arresting her because she displayed 'F*** Trump' sign on car
A Texas woman who displayed a large “F*** Trump” sticker on her vehicle says she was later arrested on an unrelated charge becasue of the sheriff’s political leanings.
Kate Fonseca was arrested by the Fort Bend County Sheriff outside of Houston, Texas on an outstanding fraud warrant, but Sheriff Troy Nehls almost brought her up on charges of disorderly conduct for the large decal on the window of her pickup truck.
The Sheriff’s office has not provided details about the fraud warrant, but said police had gotten a tip on where to find Ms Fonseca.
Her husband, Mike Fonseca, told a local ABC affiliate that his wife was arrested at their home in front of their six-year-old daughter.
“I think it's the sticker,” he said, explaining the reason for Ms Fonseca’s arrest.
She also told reporters she thought it was because of Mr Nehls found the sticker as offensive to US President Donald Trump. She was released on a bond of $1,500 later the same day.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Facebook page had posted an image of Ms Fonseca’s truck, but has since deleted the post.
The caption of the now-deleted post read: “"I have received numerous calls regarding the offensive display on this truck as it is often seen along FM 359. If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you."
“FM 359” refers to a local highway.
During a press conference, Mr Nehls addressed the Facebook post and said it “accomplished its objective and now we know who owns the truck,” adding that he does not regret writing it.
However, District Attorney John Healey indicated that though he found the use of profanity in public offensive, he “would not take the case” because the placement of the decal on her personal vehicle does not constitute a crime.
Ms Fonseca has said she has no plans to remove the decal that she placed on her truck 11 months ago.
"It makes people happy. They smile. They stop you. They want to shake your hand,” she told the news station.
Ms Fonseca reportedly disagrees with Mr Trump most vehemently about the proposed US-Mexico border wall.
"It's not to cause hate or animosity," Ms Fonseca told the Houston Chronicle, adding that "it's just our freedom of speech and we're exercising it."
Mr Nehls said he supports freedom of speech but worried that profane messages could incite others and lead to confrontations that would disturb the peace he has pledged to keep.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) responded to Mr Nehl’s now-deleted Facebook post: Constitutional Law 101: You can’t ban speech just because it has “f@ck” in it,” with an invitation for Ms Fonseca to contact them if needed.
The organisation also noted a 1971 US Supreme Court case that overturned the conviction of a man for disturbing the peace for wearing a jacket with an expletive as part of an effort to protest the military draft and the Vietnam War.
A woman who raised her middle finger in October to Mr Trump's motorcade as it passed her riding her bicycle in Virginia was fired from a government contracting firm for violating the "code of conduct policy."
Desiree Fairooz was was about to face a second trial after being arrested for laughing at Attorney General Jeff Sessions and her conducted while being taken away from the room during his Senate confirmation hearing, but the Department of Justice decided to dismiss the charges.
