The United Cajun Navy on Thursday morning will present in the 19th Judicial District Court what Cajun Navy leaders say is a “groundbreaking” case that could lay the framework for future protections for cash-strapped nonprofits against cyberstalking.
Court documents show United Cajun Navy, Inc. founder Todd Terrell has over the past several months filed temporary protective orders against eight individuals from five states, citing what he alleges is a pattern of repeated harassment, cyberstalking and spreading of false claims that have negatively impacted his nonprofit’s ability to execute its mission.
The defendants, all of whom are represented by attorney Jarvis Antwine of Antwine Law Firm LLC, are: Kip Coltrin, Thomas Bever, Jeremy James Ellis, Melissa Warren Harcus, Denise Marguerite Brunson, Deborah Kay Asuncion, Alice Johnson and Gloria McCracken Godwin.
At the center of the alleged harassment and libel is a public Facebook Group called Cajun Navy Wiki Leaks, for which Terrell claims the defendants produce content that is “based on coerced testimony Mr. Bever has sought out, inaccurate information, stolen documents such as my personal banking information, and even mail from my home,” adding the authors have gone so far as to publish “fictitious background reports showing criminal convictions that are not mine but stating that they are me, which have greatly impacted my life.”
“We’ve been stalked and harassed by this group of people for over a year,” Terrell tells Daily Report. “We’ve had to back out of some things, it’s prevented us from fundraising, and it’s scared our volunteers and their families.”
Antwine was unable to be reached for comment prior to this morning’s deadline.
The goal of tomorrow’s hearing, says Terrell, is to extend the temporary protective orders the nonprofit has against the eight individuals to permanent restraining orders, a move Terrell says will ensure the safety of group volunteers. He is being represented by attorney Josh Melder of Akers and Melder.
Judge Tim Kelley will preside over the hearing, which is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. in Room 10 of the 19th JDC in Baton Rouge.
