“Fighting Corruption in Polk County: Help Me Stand for Justice”
My name is Micheal Charles Callender, and I am standing up against wrongful arrest, police misconduct, and county-wide corruption in Polk County, Texas.
On June 18, 2024, I was the victim of a false 911 call and a fabricated arrest by Deputy Trent Jones, assisted by two sergeants and a lieutenant. They came to my home without a valid reason, ignored the law, damaged my property, and violated my civil rights. I was charged with false crimes — including marijuana possession that was later dismissed — and forced to fight for my freedom.
After nearly a year of battling, both charges against me were dismissed on June 6, 2025. But my fight isn’t over. I am now preparing a federal civil rights lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 to hold Deputy Jones, his supervisors, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department accountable for:
Retaliatory false arrest
Illegal search and seizure
Excessive force and property damage
Fabricated evidence and perjury
County-wide corruption and abuse of power
This isn’t just about me — this is about making sure no one else in Polk County is silenced, framed, or abused by those sworn to uphold the law.
Unfortunately, justice isn’t free. Filing and pursuing this lawsuit comes with legal fees, court costs, and records expenses. The Sheriff’s Office has already tried to bury me in delays, ignored Attorney General rulings, and even demanded hundreds of dollars for bodycam footage they were legally required to release sooner.
I am asking for your help to level the playing field. Every donation will go directly toward:
Legal filing fees and court costs
Evidence preservation and bodycam footage fees
Research and document preparation to strengthen the lawsuit
Travel costs for court appearances and filings
And everyday living expenses
This fight is bigger than me. By helping me stand up to corruption, you’re sending a message that no one is above the law — not even the Sheriff.
Please consider donating what you can, and sharing this campaign with others who believe in justice and accountability. Together, we can hold Polk County accountable and stop this abuse of power.
My wife and I have been fighting to expose corruption and civil rights violations in Polk County, Texas. After a wrongful arrest and months of legal battles, we’ve spent nearly $10,000 just to clear charges that should never have been brought. On top of that, I lost my job (unrelated to the case), which cut our income by a third. Between the financial toll of defending myself, the costs of filing a federal civil rights lawsuit, and keeping up with everyday bills, we’ve fallen behind and are struggling to stay stable.
We are asking for support to help us cover the costs of pursuing justice and holding those responsible accountable. Every donation helps us move forward and ensures that what happened to us does not happen to anyone else.
Thank you for standing with me in this fight.
– Micheal C. Callender
Organizer
