Perry County officials in Tennessee have agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a retired police officer who was wrongfully jailed for 37 days after sharing a Facebook meme about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The settlement was reached on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, ahead of a scheduled July trial in Memphis.
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Lawsuit Details
Larry Bushart, 61, filed the civil rights lawsuit in December against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems, and investigator Jason Morrow.
His September arrest on a $2 million bond caused him to lose his post-retirement job and miss critical family milestones.
Authorities dropped the felony charge of threatening mass violence at a school in October after national attention.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression helped represent Bushart in securing the financial settlement.
The legal dispute began when Bushart shared an existing meme featuring Donald Trump's 2024 quote "We have to get over it."
The quote originally referenced a school shooting in Perry, Iowa, but local officials alleged it threatened Perry County High School in Tennessee.
"I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated," Bushart said.
He expressed relief that the legal battle over his social media activity had concluded after his extended incarceration.
"The people's freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy.
I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family," he added.
Sheriff Nick Weems maintained that while most posts were lawful, the specific meme caused public alarm because of the matching school names.
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"Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community," Weems said.
Legal advocates noted that the case represents a rare instance where online commentary about Kirk's death resulted in actual imprisonment, though dozens of other Americans faced professional censorship.
"No one should be hauled off to jail in the dark of night over a harmless meme just because the authorities disagree with its message," said Adam Steinbaugh, FIRE senior attorney.
He stated that local law enforcement should have protected the retired officer's speech rather than forcing him through the legal system.
"We're pleased that Larry has been compensated for this injustice, but local law enforcement never should have forced him to endure this ordeal in the first place," Steinbaugh added.
The legal team emphasized that the monetary payout should serve as a warning to other municipal agencies regarding constitutional protections.
"It's in times of turmoil and heightened tensions that our national commitment to free speech is tested the most," said Cary Davis, FIRE attorney.
Davis noted that accountability mechanisms exist specifically for instances where local authorities fail to uphold constitutional standards.
"When government officials fail that test, the constitution exists to hold them accountable," he said.
The organization hopes the financial outcome prevents similar actions by law enforcement networks in the future.
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"Our hope is that Larry's settlement sends a message to law enforcement across the country: respect the first amendment today, or be prepared to pay the price tomorrow," Davis said.
