
Colin's Fight for Justice and Fair Trial
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My name is Colin, and I am currently being held in solitary confinement at Wilson County Jail for 23 hours a day, I turned myself in-willingly. I've cooperated at every turn. And still, I'm being treated like a violent threat. I'm not.
I refused a TB shot during booking for personal and medical reasons, but the jail already had proof from an X-ray that I'm TB-Clear. Instead of honoring that, they threw me into lockdown. I'm not sick. I'm not a danger. I just didn't want an unnecessary injection. For that, I've been isolated like an animal.
Because of this ongoing mistreatment and abuse of power, I've started a hunger strike on May 20, 2025-to demand my constitutional rights: a fair bond and a chance to go to court and speak the truth. My Sixth Amendment right to a speedy, fair trial is being violated. I don't want special treatment. I just want my rights restored.
To make it worse, I informed the jail staff of a scheduled court date in Gallatin. They acknowledged it but chose not to transport me. My Power of Attorney appeared on my behalf, but as she began to speak, she was cut off mid-sentence by the judge who said, “I know where he is. It’s still an Failure to Appear,” and immediately moved on to the next case. No hearing. No acknowledgment of the situation. No due process.
This is personal now, but it’s also political and systemic. The same Gallatin court ignored my Habeas Corpus filing, my request for the officers' badge numbers and oaths, and more. When I tried to defend myself in court, I was held in contempt. Even a deputy told me, “The judge was having a bad day.”
I’ve had lies stated about me resisting arrest and failing to ID. I have a valid license, insurance, and legal ID. I’m in compliance with everything the state requires. This is about control, not justice.
Some of these issues stem from Millersville, where a number of officers were illegally deputized by the fire chief—a matter the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) was aware of and investigated. Some officers were fired or reassigned. None faced charges, even though impersonating an officer is a felony. Meanwhile, I am confined, charged, and targeted for far less.
One of the officers involved used explicit racial slurs, including the N-word, when referring to me. He stated that he was going to “clean the scum out of the neighborhood,” then later told one of the neighbors, “He got that boy good.” This is not law enforcement—it is hatred protected by a badge.
At one point, I chose to represent myself in court. The court-appointed attorney, rather than honoring my right, stood next to me in open court and said loud enough for the entire room to hear, “Why are you being such an asshole?” That moment was public, demeaning, and wholly unprofessional. I had every right to decline representation, and I was berated for it in front of the courtroom.
The harassment extended beyond court. After I had already been transferred from Sumner County to Wilson County Jail, two Sumner County officers came to my home, demanding to be let in. The individuals inside the household informed them I was already in jail. They refused to believe it. They continued to harass and intimidate the household, insisting I was hiding inside. Only after about 20 minutes of confrontation did one of them call in and confirm I was indeed in custody. Yet even then, the same officer said, “So let me in the house so I can see if Colin’s in there.” His partner looked confused and replied, “You just said they had him.” The officer laughed—and they finally left. This was not a lawful inquiry; it was targeted harassment.
Now I sit here again facing new charges of FTA, when I turned myself in and they refused to let me attend my court date.
That’s why we’re launching this GoFund Me. I need help. I need a legal team that can fight this properly and publicly. I need to expose what’s happening, not just to me—but to countless others who don't have a voice or platform.
If you can donate, thank you. If you can’t, please share this. We need media eyes, legal backup, and people who care about human dignity to stand up.
I’m still here. I’m still standing. I’m not backing down.
Thank you for believing in the truth,
Colin
Organizer and beneficiary
Colin Herrera-Sadler
Organizer
Gallatin, TN
Ginger Zastrow-Fund Manager
Beneficiary