Help a Disabled Father Fight Retaliation by Arizona Judge an

Hello, my name is Joseph Lathus. I’m a father of five children, a cancer survivor, and a disabled resident of Apache County, Arizona. For years, I’ve been fighting for my family’s right to live safely and freely on our land — but when I stood up to local corruption, I was retaliated against in the worst way.

In May 2024, I filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Apache County, the Round Valley Justice Court, and multiple local officials for violating my ADA rights, falsifying charges, and interfering with property rights. I believed in our justice system — but instead of protecting me, the very court I sued turned around and punished me.

In October 2024, Judge Butch Gunnels issued a contempt charge against me, accusing me of lying about my disability — despite the fact that I had permanent medical impairments after mouth cancer surgery. He refused to accept my medical records and claimed he was a "good judge of character" — essentially diagnosing me from the bench with no medical training or evidence.

Worse, my legal appeal was blocked, my accommodations ignored, and my sentence was increased without notice — all while I was undergoing recovery with a family to support.

This led to a chain of events that displaced my family, threatened our income, and forced us to live in crisis conditions. My wife was pregnant. We had no clean water. We were cut off from resources.

Now, I’m fighting back — in federal court, representing myself pro se. I’ve submitted over 60 pages of legal responses, discovery requests, and constitutional arguments showing clear retaliation, jurisdictional abuse, and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

I need help to continue this fight. I’m not asking for much — just enough to help with:

Legal printing, postage, and service fees

Gas for court-related travel

Emergency support for our children

Expert declarations and documentation fees

Every dollar helps us stand up to the people who think they’re above the law — and every share helps us shine light on this kind of abuse.

What You’re Helping Us Fight:

Denial of ADA accommodations

Judicial retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights

Contempt charges issued based on a judge’s personal opinions, not law

Increased criminal sentence with no hearing and no notice

Suppression of appeals and access to higher courts

Targeted intimidation by county actors after filing suit

Want Proof?

I’ve uploaded:

Federal filings showing ADA violations

A complaint proving Judge Gunnels acted without jurisdiction

Evidence that local officials blocked due process

PACER Case #: 3:24-cv-08233 – Lathus v. Round Valley Justice Court

Why This Matters:

This is bigger than me. If they can do this to a disabled cancer survivor with five children — just for filing a lawsuit — they can do it to anyone.

Help me make sure that no judge, no sheriff, and no official in Apache County — or anywhere — is above the Constitution.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

— Joseph Lathus & Family

COMPLAINT