Aug 20, 201

by Ezra Van Auken

After 26-year-old, Brandon Raub, was detained by federal agencies last Friday for “terroristic” Facebook posts, many Americans were struck with the reality of what can happen in an expanding police state. Being held in a mental hospital, John Randolph Behavioral Center, Raub awaited Monday before a judge while family sat in the guest room and supporters protesting outside, anticipating what would happen next.

Since the incident occurred, there has been a lack of mainstream media coverage on the story although social media sites including Facebook have Raub supporters seeking the needed answers reporters have yet to touch; with many pages containing thousands of individuals.

The three-hour hearing for Brandon Raub ended with Raub’s family leaving the hospital empty handed of their loved one. According to reports the Rutherford Institute will release an official statement for the family that will address some questions many listeners have at this time. Attorneys have advised the closest around Raub to not answer any questions due to the serious nature of this case.

Official statement from Nathan Cox, attending the event outside of John Randolph and partnered withwww.CopBlock.org, “Brandon Raub’s hearing is over. An official statement is being released by the Rutherford Institute later today. All we know is that brandon did not come out of the hearing with the family, and we can only assume that he is still being held. the family has been advised by their attorneys not to answer any questions about the hearing and that’s why the rutherford institute will publish an article later today.”

http://spreadlibertynews.com/three-hour-hearing-at-hospital-resulti...

Update:

Update: Rutherford Institute’s official statement

“CHESTERFIELD, VA— The Rutherford Institute has come to the defense of a former Marine, 26-year-old Brandon Raub, who was arrested, detained indefinitely in a psych ward and forced to undergo psychological evaluations based solely on the controversial nature of lines from song lyrics, political messages and virtual card games which he posted to his private Facebook page. Although the FBI and Chesterfield County police have not charged Brandon Raub, a resident of Chesterfield County, Va., with committing any crime, they arrested Raub on Thursday, August 16, 2012, and transported him to John Randolph Medical Center, where he was held against his will due to alleged concerns that his Facebook (FB) posts were controversial and “terrorist in nature.” In a hearing held at the hospital, government officials disregarded Raub’s explanation that the Facebook posts were being interpreted out of context, sentencing him up to 30 days’ further confinement in a VA psych ward. In coming to Raub’s defense, Rutherford Institute attorneys are challenging Raub’s arrest and forcible detention, as well as the government’s overt Facebook surveillance and violation of Raub’s First Amendment rights.

For government officials to not only arrest Brandon Raub for doing nothing more than exercising his First Amendment rights but to actually force him to undergo psychological evaluations and detain him against his will goes against every constitutional principle this country was founded upon. This should be a wake-up call to Americans that the police state is here,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. “Brandon Raub is no different from the majority of Americans who use their private Facebook pages to post a variety of content, ranging from song lyrics and political hyperbole to trash talking their neighbors, friends and government leaders.”

Brandon Raub, a former Marine who has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained by FBI agents and police officers at his home in Chesterfield County based upon the nature of content posted to his Facebook page in recent months. Like many Facebook users, Raub uses his FB page to post songs lyrics and air his political opinions, as well as engage in virtual online games with other users. On Thursday, August 16, police and FBI agents arrived at Raub’s home, asking to speak with him about his Facebook posts. They did not provide Raub with a search warrant. Raub was cooperative and agreed to speak with them. Without providing any explanation, levying any charges against Raub or reading him his rights, law enforcement officials then handcuffed Raub and transported him first to the police headquarters, then to John Randolph Medical Center, where he was held against his will. Outraged onlookers filmed the arrest and posted the footage to YouTube. Law enforcement officials have stated in press reports that Raub was not arrested. However, as attorney John Whitehead points out, if the police have put handcuffs on you and you’re being held against your will, that qualifies as an arrest. In a hearing before a judge on August 20, government officials again pointed to Raub’s Facebook posts as the sole reason for their concern and for his continued incarceration. Ignoring Raub’s explanations about the fact that the FB posts were being read out of context and his attorney’s First Amendment defense, the judge agreed that Raub should be incarcerated at a VA hospital for up to 30 more days. Rutherford Institute attorneys are working to challenge Raub’s detention and the highly unconstitutional nature of the government’s actions.

The Rutherford Institute, a nonprofit civil liberties organization, provides legal assistance at no charge to individuals whose constitutional rights have been threatened or violated.”

http://spreadlibertynews.com/three-hour-hearing-at-hospital-resulti...