Donald Ryan Sullivan has filed a compelling civil rights lawsuit against two individuals, alleging a conspiracy to suppress his freedom of speech. On January 30, 2025, Sullivan lodged the complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, accusing Justice of the Peace Terri Monteleone Crosby and her attorney Russell Clayton Monroe of violating his First Amendment rights.
The case stems from actions taken by Crosby and Monroe that Sullivan claims were intended to silence his criticism of Crosby's official conduct. According to the complaint, on January 6, 2025, Monroe sent a cease and desist letter on behalf of Crosby to Sullivan and various Facebook group administrators. The letter demanded that Sullivan stop making "harassing, slanderous, libelous, or defamatory statements" about Crosby on social media platforms like "Tangi Rants and Raves." It also threatened legal action if he did not comply.
Sullivan responded on January 22, 2025, denying any intention to defame Crosby and asserting his right to free speech. He expressed concern over the letter being sent to third parties without first notifying him directly. Sullivan perceived this as an attempt to intimidate him by creating a false impression that legal action had already been initiated against him.
The plaintiff further alleged that the defendants' actions were designed to chill free speech and deter public discourse regarding Crosby's conduct as a public official. He vowed not to be silenced and warned that any further attempts at intimidation would result in swift legal action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
In addition to these allegations, Sullivan accused Monroe of sending the cease and desist letter to Assistant District Attorney Alexis Taylor with no evidence or allegation of criminal activity by Sullivan. This act was purportedly meant to mislead law enforcement into believing that Sullivan had committed a crime, thereby improperly involving them in what is essentially a civil matter.
Sullivan is seeking several forms of relief from the court. He demands compensatory damages for emotional distress and loss of reputation caused by the defendants' actions. Additionally, he seeks punitive damages and reimbursement for attorney’s fees and costs incurred during litigation. Importantly, he requests a permanent injunction preventing Crosby and Monroe from issuing further cease-and-desist letters or taking any other measures aimed at silencing his criticism.
Representing himself in this case is Donald Ryan Sullivan from Tickfaw, Louisiana. The case is presided over by Judge BSL-JVM under Case ID: 2:25-cv-00243-BSL-JVM.