Suit Calls Fla. Sheriff’s Probe a ‘Publicity Stunt’

LAKELAND, Fla. — The infamous Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, Fla., this week was sued over accusations that his department used "the tragic death of a young girl as an opportunity for media attention."

Attorney Lawrence Walters and co-counsel in the case, Howard Marks, filed the suit against Judd on behalf of a 12-year-old client who was allegedly falsely arrested, blamed for a classmate’s suicide and labeled a "cyberbully."

The suit said that Judd turned the arrest into a “publicity stunt.”

Judd is the same sheriff who told local media that he declared war on the production and distribution of porn in Florida’s Polk County several years ago, arresting adult star Kimberly Kupps for “obscenity.” 

Later, he also targeted a gas station owner, Minakashiben Patel, in another “obscenity” case after several soft-core porn movies were found for sale in a sting at her mini mart.

Court documents filed Wednesday show the lawsuit filed against the Polk County Sheriff’s Department claimed the girl suffered mental and emotional anguish from the accusations against her.

“While this case is not representative of the many ethical sheriffs out there, it stands out as an egregious abuse of law enforcement discretion,” Walters told XBIZ. “This sheriff’s decision to arrest our client, and drag her name through the mud by labeling her a cyberbully while she was still grieving her classmate’s death, was reckless and inconsistent with fundamental notions of due process.

“We hope this case will result in some changes in the way this sheriff does business, but I’m not holding my breath.”

Judd brought felony charges, in conjunction with the state's attorney's office, in October 2013 against two girls — one of them Katelyn Roman, 12 — after the suicide a month earlier of a third girl, Rebecca Sedwick.

Judd worked the local and national media, and released the names and mugshots of the two girls. He claimed that as many as 15 children tormented Sedwick on social media to the point of her eventual suicide.

Judd and the state eventually dropped the charges after combing through thousands of Facebook posts and failing to find evidence of cyberbullying.

Roman’s family is seeking at least $15,000 in damages.

“We’re seeing evidence of law enforcement abuses around the country, and the public is starting to see what civil rights lawyers have known for many years; the tremendous power of a badge and gun can be easily misused,” Walters said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

Show More