
Legal Expense Fund for Scott Gust
Donation protected
On Jan 2nd 2023 at approx 1130a. (Huge shoutout to Lackluster and We the People University)
I was having an argument ON THE PHONE at my home in Prescott AZ and apparently, the next door neighbor could hear the argument and proceeded to call Prescott PD. Three officers arrived (2 at the front door and one hiding around the side)
They explained they had received a neighbors call that indicated a domestic disturbance. I live with my 82 year old mother to help take care of her, we both answered the door and explained to the police that no crime had been committed and that the neighbor was simply hearing a telephone argument. The police insisted on MY ID, then later insisted on me "telling them my name and birth date" which I refused to provide them as no crime had been committed.
I requested the officers name and badge numbers and all officers present refused to give me their information.
The officers then told my mother to go out in the cold and speak to them individually which she did out of fear of retaliation. I told them I had nothing to say to them and tried to close the door at which time one of the officers put his foot in the door blocking me from closing it despite the cold. I asked the officer repeatedly to remove his foot from the door as he now knew no crime had been committed and had my name and birth date and for them to leave but the officers repeatedly refused to remove his foot from the door and refused to leave.
The officer that stayed at the door with me continued to insist it is a crime for me not to ID myself to which I responded "I do not answer questions and will not comply." My mother later
presented them with my name and birth date at my behest but the officers disregarded the info and continued to insist ( 'I' give them my info) which I again refused. The officers told my mother they would be contacting the prosecutors office due to my "unlawful" withholding of my identification (even though my name was acknowledged and verified in the officers and my mothers presence) After my fearful mother answered the officers questions to their satisfaction the officers then left. Nearly 4 months later I received notice from the prosecutors office that charges of Disturbing the Peace and Obstruction: Failure to ID (class 1 and 2 misdemeanors) are being charged against me. I have had to secure a lawyer for $4k and this is just the beginning if I have to go to trial or have to pay fines and court fees for the absolutely ridiculous "crime" of being too loud on the phone in my own home?!
I thank the community in advance for any help they can as I am an Artist and have very little funds. My father passed away 6 months ago and my brother and I take care of my 82 yr old Mother who is on a fixed income. A special thank you to Lackluster and We the People University who covered this incident on their YT channels (vid links below)
Thank you in advance,
Scott Gust
Links to vids of the incident from Lackluster and We the People University:
Lackluster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpJ5K7Ykp9Y&t=2s
We the People University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8-WXbNdpfw&t=183s
Organizer
Scott Gustke
Organizer
Prescott, AZ