A federal judge has permitted significant portions of a lawsuit alleging retaliatory arrests by Escambia County's district attorney and sheriff to continue, while dismissing certain claims due to prosecutorial immunity. The lawsuit stems from a school board dispute and involves allegations of targeted arrests, phone seizures, and political retaliation against school board members and an employee.
A federal judge has allowed major portions of a lawsuit accusing Escambia County ’s district attorney and sheriff of retaliatory arrests to move forward, while dismissing other claims tied to prosecutorial immunity.
In a 52-page order issued March 25, U.S. District Judge Terry Moorer ruled that several constitutional claims can proceed, particularly those involving the seizure and search of cell phones belonging to school board members and a school employee.They allege they were targeted, arrested and prosecuted as part of a political retaliation scheme tied to a school board dispute. Attorneys with the Institute for Justice, which represents the plaintiffs, said the ruling allows the core of the case to move ahead. “Americans must be able to participate in their government without fear that they’ll be labeled as political enemies, investigated, and punished for exposing corruption,” said IJ senior attorney Jared McClain. “The district court’s decision is an important step in ensuring that public officials face accountability when they abuse their power.”“This lawsuit is important to get us all justice for wrongful arrests, but also to make an example of what happens when government officials abuse their power,” she said. The court denied dismissal of claims that District Attorney Stephen Billy and others violated the plaintiffs’ First and Fourth Amendment rights through the seizure of their phones, finding those actions could fall outside traditional prosecutorial duties. Claims that Billy conspired with others to violate those rights tied to the phone seizures will also move forward.However, the judge dismissed many claims tied directly to the arrests and prosecutions, ruling Billy is protected by absolute prosecutorial immunity for actions such as securing indictments and pursuing criminal cases. Claims against Jackson in his official capacity were also dismissed under Eleventh Amendment immunity. According to the lawsuit, tensions began after Digmon and Jackson voted against renewing then-Superintendent Michele McClung’s contract. Plaintiffs allege Billy and Jackson retaliated by launching an investigation, seizing phones and pursuing arrests for allegedly revealing grand jury information — charges that were later dismissed after the Alabama attorney general’s office took over the cases. The plaintiffs say they were jailed, publicly booked and charged with felonies carrying potential prison time. While some claims were dismissed, the court allowed several key allegations to proceed and gave plaintiffs an opportunity to refile others.Mobile, Ala. — The Mobile County Judicial Commission has announced a timeline for filling a vacancy on the Circuit Court following the resignation of Circuit JuThe Mobile Housing Authority has announced that the following Public Housing waiting lists will open to new applicants on Monday, March 30, 2026, at 9:00 am.TheA federal judge has allowed major portions of a lawsuit accusing Escambia County’s district attorney and sheriff of retaliatory arrests to move forward, while dChild struck by vehicle in Toulminville dies in hospital. police say According to Mobile Police on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at approximately 2:40 p.m., officers responded to a local hospital in reference to a child arriving by p
Retaliatory Arrests Lawsuit Escambia County District Attorney Sheriff Prosecutorial Immunity
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