‘They’re trying to shut him up’: Activist arrested after social media posts
A vocal government activist in Tarrant was arrested Tuesday night over accusations he defamed a local police officer in Facebook posts.
Chuck Winborn, who is a member of the citizen-led Tarrant Crime Commission, turned himself in after a warrant was signed for his arrest.
The arrest stems from a video Winborn posted online in late 2023 that shows an officer going into the empty office of Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major after he was suspended.
The officer entering Major’s office in the video was former police Sgt. Derrick Williamson. He said Winborn illegally obtained the footage and used it to defame him by accusing him of breaking in.
Winborn denies the allegation.
“The Tarrant Community Crime Commission, who answer to Police Chief Wendell Major, are not above the law,” Williamson said. “Although I accept constructive criticism, I will not accept blatant false statements of fact to the public to characterize me as a burglar or thief.”
Winborn’s social media postings do not name Williamson. But Williamson said the footage includes identifying information that points to him.
The charges made against Winborn are a class B misdemeanor offense in the state. Alabama Code 13A-11-163 prohibits people from making false claims of a felony against private citizens.
Winborn’s lawyer, Scott Morro, called his client’s arrest an attempt to silence him politically.
“He speaks, and it’s not always pleasant,” Morro said. “He’s very critical of the mayor and many of the mayor’s associates who are helping the mayor to, what he believes is ruining the city of Tarrant.”
Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton declined to comment on Winborn’s arrest. In the meantime, Winborn’s bail was set at $500 and he was released several hours later.
This latest legal drama underscores a series of political battles that have resulted in arrests, civil and criminal cases involving citizens and elected leaders.
Williamson and Winborn are on opposite political sides. Williamson is an active supporter of Newton and posts frequently in his defense while Winborn supports Newton’s opponents, which include the city’s police chief and members of the city council. Winborn also blames Newton for the city’s dysfunction.
Questions remain about how social media posts led to an arrest and a criminal charge.
In a report to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office obtained by AL.com, the investigator told Williamson that his complaint was a civil matter. However, he was able to obtain the criminal warrant from a county magistrate.
“I never saw a defamation criminal case, so we’ll deal with it,” Morro said. “I’m certainly not going to tell Chuck to be quiet, because what they’re trying to do is shut him up and keep him from talking.”
Winborn’s arrest is the second incarceration of a high-profile activist and critic of the mayor.
A 79-year-old woman was arrested in early 2024, a day after she accused the mayor of corruption and argued with a city employee during a council meeting.
Novillee Williams was arrested for harassment and disorderly conduct but was found not guilty. She was later applauded by council members when she was appointed to the city’s crime commission – the same board that Winborn serves.