Profane truck decal captures sheriff’s attention

He said charges may loom over anti-Trump sticker

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls on Wednesday created a social media firestorm with a Facebook post threatening to bring disorderly conduct charges against the driver of a truck displaying a profane anti-Trump message on its rear window.

Nehls told the Houston Chronicle that he had received calls, texts and emails in recent days from people who took offense at the language in bold, white lettering: “F--TRUMP AND F---YOU FOR VOTING FOR HIM.”

The sheriff, a Republican who is weighing a bid for Congress, said he decided to post the photo onhis personal Facebook page in hopes that it would help to identify the truck owner. The license plate is not visible in the image.

“I have received numerous calls regarding the offensive display on this truck as it is

often seen along FM 359,” Nehls wrote. “If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you.”

Turns out, a woman who identified herself as the driver said she used to work for Nehls in the county jail.

Karen Fonseca said the truck belongs to her husband but that she often drives it. They had the sticker made and added it to the windo wafter billionaire realestate magnate and reality TV star Donald Trump was sworn into office. ‘Many are offended’

The sticker has attracted attention many times before, Fonseca said. People shake their head. They take photos of it. Officers have pulled her over but failed to find a reason for writing a ticket.

Nowthe sheriff is taking it on, but Fonseca did not plan to contact him.

“It’s not to cause hate or animosity,” said Fonseca, 46. “It’s just our freedom of speech, and we’re exercising it.”

Concerned that the language could incite a confrontation on county roadways, Nehls said he wanted to have a conversation with the truck owner. Trumprelated stickers have triggered road-rage incidents around the country.

A woman biking by a presidential motorcade near a Trump golf course in Virginia was photographed recently with her middle finger raised; she was then fired from her job at a government contracting firm after identifying herself as the cyclist.

Nehls wrote on Facebook that a county prosecutor had agreed to accept disorderly conduct charges — an opinion that District Attorney John Healey disputes, as does the ACLU of Texas.

“Many families have called that have seen that truck on our county roadways and are very offended by the language on the truck,” Nehls said. “I think they’re walking a fine line.”

Healey, a Republican not seeking re-election next year, said he wished the sheriff’s office had contacted him earlier about the incendiary issue. He said he did not receive a call until around the same time the comments were posted. In disagreeing with his own prosecutor, Healey noted that his office lacked any information about how the public was reacting to the truck.

“I did not believe it was a prosecutable case based on the definition of disorderly conduct,” Healey said. Post goes viral

The ACLU of Texas, meanwhile, responded to the sheriff on Facebook.

“Constitutional Law 101: You can’t ban speech just because it has ‘f@ck’ in it,” the organization posted. “Hey truck owner, feel free to contact the ACLU of Texas.”

The sheriff’s post quickly went viral, and his office decided to hold a hastily called afternoon press conference, citing “the high volume of interview requests.”

Nehls, who has retweeted a video posted by Trump of an arena crowd standing for the national anthem as well as videos of the president defending law enforcement, is no stranger to media attention.

He is known for comments that criminals who enter Fort Bend County could leave in a body bag. He adopted a dog that a television reporter saved while out with the sheriff during the 2016 floods.

The statement Wednesday stirred controversy among mem- bers of the public. Some on Facebook questioned whether the truck sticker amounts to a violation of the law.

State law describes disorderly conduct as intentionally using “abusive, indecent, profane, or vulgar language in a public place, and the language by its very utterance tends to incite an immediate breach of peace.” The law also prohibits making “an offensive gesture or display in a public place” that could have the same effect.

“I’m glad to see out government officials are concentrating on what’s important,” Facebook user Antonio Herrera commented on the post.

“It is important to respond to calls from residents, yes,” Nehls responded. “Glad we agree on that.”

By 7:30 p.m., the post had been shared more than 4,700 times and received nearly 10,000 comments.

“Many families have called that have seen that truck on our county roadways and are very offended by the language on the truck. I think they’re walking a fine line.” Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls