Muncie resident files civil suit against Henry County Sheriff surrounding Facebook page

INDIANAPOLIS — A Muncie resident has filed a lawsuit with the ACLU of Indiana against the Henry County sheriff, claiming John Sproles has violated the First Amendment by deleting the resident’s Facebook comments and blocking him from following and commenting on Sproles’ professional sheriff’s page. Kristopher Bilbrey, a political commentator and podcast host, filed the civil lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Indianapolis Division earlier this month. He claims Sproles posted an edited video on his professional sheriff’s Facebook page and after Bilbrey commented on the video, Sproles deleted his comment and blocked him from the page. “Sheriff Sproles’ actions violate Mr. Bilbrey’s rights to engage in expressive activity and to receive information, both of which are cognizable under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the complaint read. Sproles was elected as the Henry County sheriff in November 2022 and began his term in January. The complaint claims that while he was running for the position, his Facebook page was titled “John Sproles for Henry County Sheriff,” a page that was for his use as a political candidate. After he took office, the complaint stated that the name was changed to
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