A Texas woman who drew the ire of local law enforcement over an expletive-laden bumper sticker aimed at President Donald Trump has added yet another name to her controversial truck display.
Resident Karen Fonseca made a few adjustments to the sticker this week, adding “F–k Troy Nehls and F–k You for Voting for Him” after being arrested by the Fort Bend County sheriff on an unrelated, outstanding charge, local station Click 2 Houston reported.
Fonseca, 46, walked out of the Fort Bend County Jail with her husband on Nov. 16, after she was released on $1,500 bail. Her arrest prompted state Rep. Ron Reynolds to hold a press conference Monday to address the injustices suffered by the local woman.
“We have to protect people’s First Amendment Right to Free Speech,” Reynolds said. “A difference in political views does not give Sheriff Nehls the right to target citizens. These actions by Sheriff Nehls could be an abuse of his law enforcement authority.”
Fonseca’s bumper sticker gained notoriety after Nehls posted a photo of it on his personal Facebook page, showing the rear of her white pick-up and the words “F–k Trump, and f–k you for voting for him,” plastered across the back window in large letters. The sheriff said he wasn’t really surprised by the sticker but thought it was “disgusting.”
“I have received numerous calls regarding the offensive display on this truck as it is often seen along FM 359,” he wrote in the photo caption. “If you know who owns this truck or it is yours, I would like to discuss it with you. Our Prosecutor has informed us that she would accept Disorderly Conduct charges regarding it, but I feel we could come to an agreement regarding a modification to it.”
The post was shared more than 10,000 times, but mainly garnered negative reactions from critics who blasted Nehls for his blatant disregard for the constitutionally protected right to free speech. Nehls ultimately deleted the post after it went viral, and the Fort Bend Police Department later issued this statement:
“The Sheriff made the post on his Personal page. The objective of the post was to find the owner/driver of the truck and have a conversation with them in order to prevent a potential altercation between the truck driver and those offended by the message.”
“Since the owner of the truck has been identified, the Sheriff took down the post,” it added. “Due to the hate messages he has been receiving towards his wife and children, the Sheriff will not be commenting on the matter further.”
Fonseca was arrested at her home that Thursday on a charge of charge of fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, Click 2 Houston reported. She told the news station she was completely unaware of the allegations until the cops showed up to her door saying there was a warrant for her arrest.
The fraud case was reportedly filed in July 2017. The Texas woman and her husband believe the sheriff’s disdain for her sign was ultimately the motive behind her arrest.
“I guess this sticker is causing a lot of problems,” said Fonseca’s husband, Miguel. “But as I said yesterday, it’s going to stay up there, no matter what.”
