Jonathan Choe, a journalist for Turning Point USA Frontlines, was arrested and detained in Las Vegas over the weekend while reporting on a "No Kings" protest, an incident he described as an experience with "over-policing." Choe stated on Monday, March 31, that he was taken into custody on Saturday, March 28, for a misdemeanor jaywalking charge, a first-time offense for him.
The arrest occurred on Las Vegas Boulevard as Choe was filming from the sidewalk, documenting interactions between activists and Christian individuals, including volunteers from TPAction, during the demonstration. Choe explained his actions leading to the arrest, stating, "I stepped off the sidewalk for a few seconds to avoid bumping into someone in the crowd." He added, "As I was stepping back on the sidewalk, a cop by the name of Officer Schmidt came charging at me and arrested me on the spot."
Choe maintains that he did not hear any warnings from officers to stay on the sidewalk amid the chaotic protest environment, contrary to what Officer Schmidt allegedly claimed. "Instead of giving me a warning, I was taken to jail in handcuffs," Choe wrote in his statement.
Following his arrest, Choe was held in custody for more than 12 hours. During this period, he was placed in a cell with individuals facing more severe charges, including a DUI suspect, an accused domestic abuser, and a homeless person struggling with addiction. He was also required to remove his personal clothing and wear a jail-issued orange jumpsuit. "I spent more than 12 hours in jail with a DUI suspect, accused wife beater, and a homeless drug addict," Choe recounted. "They made me strip down and change into an orange jumpsuit."
Choe was not the sole individual arrested under similar circumstances during the protest. He reported that two elderly men, whom he identified as supporters of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, were also taken into custody for comparable alleged offenses. All three individuals were released on Sunday morning, March 29, and are scheduled to appear before a judge next month.
The journalist has asserted that he possesses video evidence showing other individuals walking in the roadway in front of officers without facing any intervention or citation. This, he argues, demonstrates a significant inconsistency in law enforcement's application of rules during the protest. "The inconsistent enforcement is so obvious and egregious," Choe stated, highlighting his concern about the selective nature of the arrests.
Despite his personal experience, Choe affirmed his general support for law enforcement. However, he also expressed a newfound understanding of what he perceives as excessive police action. "I am still pro-police. But for the first time in my life, I now know what over-policing and a power trip looks like," he wrote, reflecting on the incident's impact on his perspective.
Choe and his attorney are preparing to contest the misdemeanor jaywalking charge in court. Additionally, they intend to file formal complaints against Officer Schmidt and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. These complaints are planned for submission to both the department's Internal Affairs division and the Citizen Review Board. As part of their legal strategy, they plan to request official body camera footage and police reports pertinent to the arrest. Choe emphasized, "The burden is on the cops to show I was intentionally walking on the roadway and was warned numerous times not to do so."
Furthermore, Choe has indicated his intention to bring the matter to the attention of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican and former Clark County sheriff, seeking guidance on the situation. As of the time of his public statement, Choe had reached out to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for comment regarding the arrest but had not yet received a response.
Choe concluded his statement by expressing a broader hope for the police department's future practices. "In the end, I hope Vegas PD uses this as an opportunity to reexamine their enforcement procedures during protests," he said, suggesting a desire for policy review and improvement in handling similar public gatherings.
