Free Rob
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The December 4th NY Times headline read: "Florida Man Charged With Drawing School Shooting on Student’s Homework" Similar headlines with the same story appeared in most major news outlets and social media sites, as far away as the UK and the far east.
Rob was arrested In the small town of Port St. Joe, FL at his workplace by deputies who were almost apologetic when they picked him up. “Don’t shoot the messenger,” said one. When they told him that he was being arrested for a drawing on the corner of his step child’s homework, he retorted with his famous quip "are you kidding me right now?" After being given time to gather his stuff and close up the shop, he was brought to the sheriff’s office (unrestrained) and booked. He signed a written confession that he had indeed drawn the doodle assuming that it really wasn’t a huge deal, and was told that he would appear before a judge in the a.m. and be out shortly thereafter.
But the following Saturday morning the judge set bail at $150K even after the sheriff’s office said that they didn’t consider Rob a threat or that he had any intention of carrying out the “threat” that they were charging him with. The public defender evidently put up little fuss at the bail hearing, since the entire local public defender’s office subsequently recused themselves from defending his legal rights. He has been sitting in the county jail ever since.

A post was put up on the Sheriff Department’s Facebook page just two hours after the arrest, where it went viral in the court of public opinion around the world. “He should be shot in the face.” “Looks like he spent half his life in prison already, so good riddance.” Some including those who know Rob stood up for him, but most judged him by the sensational headlines, enlarged illustration and his tattooed face mugshot. First Amendment be damned. Ironically, the story caused serious, real threats to Rob and his loved ones yet he is the one in jail.
Based upon his appearance he’s not who you want your daughter to bring home to dinner. I’m the first to admit my prejudices ran deep when I first met Rob. Must be a gansta - has tattoos on his face . . .
Then I got to know him. Long story short, he’s been through a lot. Grew up in a rough environment. But underneath those face tattoos lies a handsome, caring, generous, loving, engaging, extremely nice man. This is the guy you want in the foxhole with you.

He has lived through things most of us can’t even imagine. You have to be tough to survive and I guess the tattoos on his face and body make him look tough, or maybe they are just covering the pain. He’s a tattoo artist and a damn good one. Personally, I don’t do tattoos but I’m an old guy. He has drawn literally thousands of illustrations and tattoos in his life, an extremely skilled artist. Many might seem disturbing, but we live in America, not China. Political prison is not supposed to happen here. Yet here he is, in prison, for a stupid 2” stick-figure doodle. Poor judgment maybe, but a threat? Mickey Mouse is a bigger threat. Isn’t the First Amendment supposed to protect us from tyranny?

I have a dog in this fight. Rob is the guy our daughter did bring home to dinner. They are in it together for life and now have a new baby girl on the way very soon. Rob will be lucky to see the birth of his child, and their beautiful family will lose most of their meager belongings fighting this accusation. They could literally lock him up and throw away the key without a good attorney that they cannot afford. We just hope and pray that justice will be served and the charges will be dropped. The only thing he is guilty of is being an artist, even if his accusers don’t care for his art. Personally, I don’t care for “art” that shows the president’s bloody, decapitated head held by a hollywood jerk. Yet Rob is the one charged with a “written threat to do bodily injury.” For God’s sake, his kids go to that school. He would be the first one to throw himself in harm’s way to protect kids.

We need your help fighting for this good man’s freedom and constitutional rights. Help him get home to see the birth of his daughter. They have a good attorney in line but need help paying for him and help paying for their family’s well being since they have taken away Rob’s livelihood and fatherhood. Even the smallest donation is tremendously appreciated.
If you know Rob’s family, please do not disclose their identities as they are concerned for their safety due to threats resulting from the ridiculous media storm. Thank you so much.
GoFundMe.com has asked for further clarification regarding this campaign. All donations are to help cover legal fees for Robert Edwards of Mexico Beach, FL. in conjunction with the aforementioned arrest that has been highly publicized. The GoFundMe account is set up in his name with his account info accordingly. His loved ones’ identities are being withheld due to safety concerns resulting from threats due to the sensationalized press and social media coverage of his arrest as outlined in the onset of this story.
Rob was arrested In the small town of Port St. Joe, FL at his workplace by deputies who were almost apologetic when they picked him up. “Don’t shoot the messenger,” said one. When they told him that he was being arrested for a drawing on the corner of his step child’s homework, he retorted with his famous quip "are you kidding me right now?" After being given time to gather his stuff and close up the shop, he was brought to the sheriff’s office (unrestrained) and booked. He signed a written confession that he had indeed drawn the doodle assuming that it really wasn’t a huge deal, and was told that he would appear before a judge in the a.m. and be out shortly thereafter.
But the following Saturday morning the judge set bail at $150K even after the sheriff’s office said that they didn’t consider Rob a threat or that he had any intention of carrying out the “threat” that they were charging him with. The public defender evidently put up little fuss at the bail hearing, since the entire local public defender’s office subsequently recused themselves from defending his legal rights. He has been sitting in the county jail ever since.
A post was put up on the Sheriff Department’s Facebook page just two hours after the arrest, where it went viral in the court of public opinion around the world. “He should be shot in the face.” “Looks like he spent half his life in prison already, so good riddance.” Some including those who know Rob stood up for him, but most judged him by the sensational headlines, enlarged illustration and his tattooed face mugshot. First Amendment be damned. Ironically, the story caused serious, real threats to Rob and his loved ones yet he is the one in jail.
Based upon his appearance he’s not who you want your daughter to bring home to dinner. I’m the first to admit my prejudices ran deep when I first met Rob. Must be a gansta - has tattoos on his face . . .
Then I got to know him. Long story short, he’s been through a lot. Grew up in a rough environment. But underneath those face tattoos lies a handsome, caring, generous, loving, engaging, extremely nice man. This is the guy you want in the foxhole with you.

He has lived through things most of us can’t even imagine. You have to be tough to survive and I guess the tattoos on his face and body make him look tough, or maybe they are just covering the pain. He’s a tattoo artist and a damn good one. Personally, I don’t do tattoos but I’m an old guy. He has drawn literally thousands of illustrations and tattoos in his life, an extremely skilled artist. Many might seem disturbing, but we live in America, not China. Political prison is not supposed to happen here. Yet here he is, in prison, for a stupid 2” stick-figure doodle. Poor judgment maybe, but a threat? Mickey Mouse is a bigger threat. Isn’t the First Amendment supposed to protect us from tyranny?
I have a dog in this fight. Rob is the guy our daughter did bring home to dinner. They are in it together for life and now have a new baby girl on the way very soon. Rob will be lucky to see the birth of his child, and their beautiful family will lose most of their meager belongings fighting this accusation. They could literally lock him up and throw away the key without a good attorney that they cannot afford. We just hope and pray that justice will be served and the charges will be dropped. The only thing he is guilty of is being an artist, even if his accusers don’t care for his art. Personally, I don’t care for “art” that shows the president’s bloody, decapitated head held by a hollywood jerk. Yet Rob is the one charged with a “written threat to do bodily injury.” For God’s sake, his kids go to that school. He would be the first one to throw himself in harm’s way to protect kids.
We need your help fighting for this good man’s freedom and constitutional rights. Help him get home to see the birth of his daughter. They have a good attorney in line but need help paying for him and help paying for their family’s well being since they have taken away Rob’s livelihood and fatherhood. Even the smallest donation is tremendously appreciated.
If you know Rob’s family, please do not disclose their identities as they are concerned for their safety due to threats resulting from the ridiculous media storm. Thank you so much.
GoFundMe.com has asked for further clarification regarding this campaign. All donations are to help cover legal fees for Robert Edwards of Mexico Beach, FL. in conjunction with the aforementioned arrest that has been highly publicized. The GoFundMe account is set up in his name with his account info accordingly. His loved ones’ identities are being withheld due to safety concerns resulting from threats due to the sensationalized press and social media coverage of his arrest as outlined in the onset of this story.
Organizer
Robert Edwards
Organizer
Port Saint Joe, FL
