x
Breaking News
More () »

Street preacher's claim of unconstitutional arrest rejected

Court records show Roy was known for preaching against homosexuality outside gay-friendly bars.

A federal appeals court has refused to revive a lawsuit filed by a Louisiana street preacher who said he was unconstitutionally arrested in 2015.

Court records show Clarence Dean Roy faced a disturbing the peace charge — on which he was later acquitted — after a woman accused him of verbally accosting outside a bar in Monroe.

Court records show Roy was known for preaching against homosexuality outside gay-friendly bars. Appellate Judge Grady Jolly's opinion said Roy was carrying a six-foot cross and wearing an orange jump suit on the night in question. He was arrested on a complaint by a woman identified in the court record as Jessica Falcon.

"Falcon reported that Roy had followed her, saying ‘ugly, lewd things,’ including that she is a ‘homosexual,’ that her ‘father is the devil,’ and that she is 'going to hell,'" Jolly's ruling said. "Roy has denied following Falcon, making these statements, or even ‘seeing’ Falcon on the night of the incident.'

Sgt. James Booth arrested Roy on a disturbing the peace claim, based on the woman's complaint.

After his acquittal, Roy sued the arresting officer and the city, saying Monroe's disturbing the peace ordinance was unconstitutionally vague, that Booth lacked probable cause to make the arrest and that his constitutional freedoms of speech and religion were violated.

On Thursday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's dismissal of the suit. The ruling said there appeared to be probable cause for the arrest, that Monroe's disturbing the peace ordinance is constitutional and, based on the court record, was reasonably enforced.

“In the picture that emerges, Monroe police officers make reasonable distinctions between protected expression and forbidden provocation,” Jolly wrote on behalf of a three-judge 5th Circuit panel.

More Stories: 

RELATED: Recently discovered mineral named for LSU professor

RELATED: Louisiana governor creates 'rural revitalization' council

► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.

‎Stay up-to-date with the latest news and weather in the New Orleans area on the all-new free WWL TV app. Our app features the latest breaking news that impacts you and your family, interactive weather and radar, and live video from our newscasts and local events. LOCAL & BREAKING NEWS * Receive r...

Before You Leave, Check This Out