Kansas Reporter Sues Police Chief for Raiding Her Office

Deb Gruver, a reporter at a small Kansas newspaper, has initiated a federal lawsuit against Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody, per PBS.

Gruver alleges that Cody violated her constitutional rights when he forcefully took her personal cellphone during a search conducted by authorities, where computers were confiscated from the office of the Marion County Record newspaper.

This search, along with two others at the residences of the newspaper's publisher and a City Council member, has ignited a debate about protecting press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment.

Police Chief Cody has provided limited public statements since the search raids occurred. He defended the raids on the police department's Facebook page.

In his court filings to obtain the search warrants, Cody argued that he had sufficient grounds to suspect that the Kansas newspaper and City Council member Ruth Herbel, whose home was also searched, had committed violations related to identity theft or computer crimes.

Marion Police Chief Allegedly Upset About Kansas Reporter's Investigation Into His Background

Eric Meyer, the publisher of the newspaper, has asserted that the identity theft allegations were likely used as a pretext for the search, suggesting that the police chief was actually concerned about Gruver's investigation into his background during his time with the Kansas City Police Department before he assumed his role in Marion.

Meyer has indicated his intention to file his own lawsuit in response to the events, according to KSAT.

The Record newspaper is known for its assertive coverage of local politics in its community of approximately 1,900 residents located about 150 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas reporter Deb Gruver, a seasoned journalist with over three decades of experience, has emphasized her commitment to fellow journalists across the country by filing her lawsuit.

Her career has spanned multiple newspapers in different states, including Kansas, Wyoming, and Indiana, and she has received awards for her reporting.

Gruver expressed her belief in protecting journalists' constitutional rights and maintaining their ability to work without intimidation or retribution.

Kansas Newspaper Office Raid

The series of events that unfolded on the day of the office raid involved three separate actions: the raid on the newspaper office, a search of Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel's home, and a search of publisher Eric Meyer's home, the Daily Beast noted.

Meyer's 98-year-old mother, who resides in the raided house, subsequently died from "sudden cardiac arrest."

The basis for the raids, as indicated in the search warrant affidavits, was complaints from local restaurateur Kari Newell, alleging that a confidential source leaked sensitive documents to a reporter at the Marion County Record.

Deb Gruver's computer tower was removed from the premises during the office raid.

Meanwhile, the lawsuit alleges that when Gruver went to the police department to retrieve her phone on the day of the raid, Cody stated that he did not believe she was involved in the alleged identity theft.

In response to the national uproar over the raids, Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey rescinded the search warrant that had authorized the raids.

Ensey concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a legal connection between the alleged crime and the places searched or the items seized.

Subsequently, the confiscated items were returned to the newspaper. However, the newspaper's attorney, Bernie Rhodes, alleged that the sheriff's office had copied 17 gigabytes of data without turning it over and destroying it.

Rhodes, who did not file the lawsuit on Gruver's behalf, expressed his enthusiasm for Gruver's decision to pursue legal action.

He also mentioned that the Kansas newspaper still has more evidence to review before determining whether to continue with legal proceedings.

Rhodes conveyed his hope that Gruver's lawsuit would mark the initial step in a series of actions aimed at holding the police accountable for their actions.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 'This is my house': Kansas newspaper publisher releases video of police raid on 98-year-old mother - From KMBC 9