ALL THE CONVICT SHERIFF’S MEN

ALL THE CONVICT SHERIFF’S MEN

EDITORIAL

THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY

In another troubling instance of government overreach and blatant abuse of power, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department faces accusations of launching a full-scale assault on press freedom and the First Amendment. The rights of the press and government accountability are essential to a functioning democracy.

Journalist John O’Connor of THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY uncovered alarming findings regarding misconduct within the department, including excessive fees for public information requests, illegal disclosure of Social Security numbers, failure to provide public records, and highly inaccurate crime statistics, along with multiple cases of fraud, waste, and abuse. Instead of acknowledging their shortcomings and making necessary changes, Sheriff Steve Hall, Major Clay Safford, and Captain Shawn Moses have weaponized their authority and the government to retaliate against O’Connor.

This type of corruption is precisely what the American people are fed up with: law enforcement agencies acting as if they’re above the law and punishing anyone who dares to question their actions. It follows the same disgusting playbook we’ve witnessed at the national level—when the facts don’t align with their narrative, they lash out, attack, and utilize government resources to destroy those who expose them.

This is not the first time the St. Mary’s Sheriff’s Department has silenced the press. In 1998, Sheriff Richard Voorhaar and his deputies took it upon themselves to systematically buy out every single copy of the local newspaper, ST. MARY’S TODAY, on Election Day, just to prevent voters from seeing critical coverage. This incident, which was a clear violation of the First Amendment, starkly exemplified the department’s disregard for press freedom. The United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (scroll down for court ruling) later ruled that this was a blatant infringement of the First Amendment. Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that Steve Hall and his team of political thugs have learned nothing.

What’s even more alarming this time is that Hall isn’t acting alone. Captain Shawn Moses has positioned himself as Hall’s right hand, directly engaging in retaliatory acts against O’Connor and working behind the scenes to ensure he is punished for daring to tell the truth. Moses has been actively orchestrating intimidation tactics, applying pressure, and manipulating government resources to crush dissent. He uses government agencies and his official position to requisition information and employs various boards and commissions to silence the press.

Most recently, Captain Shawn Moses sought to prompt action from the Maryland Police Training Commission by soliciting information and emailing incomplete campaign materials to Director Wayne Silvers.

Unbeknownst to the gangsters with badges, O’Connor is no longer in law enforcement but buys his ink by the barrel.

Instead of serving the people, Shawn Moses is serving his boss, acting more like a political enforcer than a law enforcement officer.

When you consider the bigger picture, the parallels to what we’re witnessing nationwide are unmistakable: the weaponization of government against political opponents, the curtailment of free speech, and the utter refusal to be accountable. They’ve taken a page straight from the D.C. swamp, echoing the same tactics used to target President Trump—if you can’t dispute the facts, attack, intimidate, and silence the messenger.

And let’s not forget who’s running the show. The head of the agency is a convicted criminal, so should we be surprised that retaliation, suppression, and abuse of power are running rampant under his watch? The fact that the head of the agency has a criminal record raises serious questions about his suitability for the role and the impact of his past actions on the current situation. This isn’t about public safety but self-preservation and corruption at the highest level. The people of St. Mary’s County should be outraged that their tax dollars are funding what is beginning to look more like a criminal enterprise than a sheriff’s office.

So, here’s the real question: If they’re willing to go this far to destroy a journalist like O’Connor, what’s stopping them from coming after you next? If you think this doesn’t affect you, think again. You could become their next target when you challenge them and expose the truth. It’s time to protect yourself. Just imagine what they do to people who disagree with them inside the agency, like civilian employees or deputies. We will never know because they are all either fired or left.

This is not law and order. This is the Senior Command staff operating as gangsters with badges.