British IT Consultant Arrested Over Social Media Photo
A UK IT consultant recounted a troubling experience after being arrested for sharing a photo of himself with a firearm during a trip to the United States.
John Richelieu Booth, the director of Phoenix Evolution Consulting, explained that his troubles began after visiting a friend in Florida for Independence Day and his 50th birthday. He was offered the chance to shoot a gun for the first time and, feeling curious, he accepted.
Upon returning home, he shared several vacation photos on LinkedIn. Shortly after posting, police appeared at his residence, informing him of a complaint lodged against him.
They warned him to be cautious about his online activity. About a week later, the police returned to his home, forcibly entered at 10:30 p.m., and arrested him.
The charge stemmed from a photo he posted, which was described by a postal official as “stalking and harassment.” He was questioned and held overnight before being released. Then, around seven weeks later, he was arrested again, accused of violating bail related to a complaint he attributes to a past disagreement with a client.
Richelieu Booth elaborated on the situation, mentioning previous unfulfilled contracts and a situation where a photograph was taken while delivering a final demand letter. He insisted the photo was taken from a public location, making it legal.
“The arrest was based on two social media posts,” he stated. “One shows me holding a shotgun for the first time, and the second is just my LinkedIn banner.”
He further clarified that there was no geolocation evidence connecting him to where the complaint originated, yet charges were still made against him.
After his release, police issued public order charges linked to another post, alleging it could lead to “harassment, fear, alarm, and distress.” Ultimately, these charges were dismissed by the Crown Prosecution Service.
This whole episode has deeply affected him on both personal and professional levels. “Since I deactivated LinkedIn, I lost a valuable tool for networking and finding clients,” he reflected. “I withdrew from socializing and even had thoughts of suicide due to shame and embarrassment.”
He is contemplating legal action against the police due to these events.
The consultant expressed a stark view on freedom of speech in the UK, saying it appears non-existent. He lamented that people face legal repercussions for their online expressions and likened the situation to Orwell’s “1984.” Now, he is seriously considering relocating to the U.S., where he feels the First and Second Amendments may offer more protection.
“After losing my parents in a traffic accident, my American adoptive family has made me contemplate moving. If that’s where I’m meant to be, I’d be open to it,” he said.
His story has gained some international attention, initially reported by local media.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police confirmed Richelieu Booth’s charge stemmed from a complaint regarding social media posts. They noted that the investigation had concluded and charges were eventually dropped.
