MARION, KANSAS: The police chief behind a widely criticized "Gestapo"-style raid on a small-town newspaper was, in fact, the focus of an ongoing investigation by the paper's reporters for alleged sexual misconduct.
Gideon Cody, along with every officer from the Marion Police Department, executed a search warrant at the offices of the Marion County Record on August 11, confiscating several computers and servers.
Who is Gideon Cody?
Gideon Cody, 54, is the police chief of the Marion Police Department, Kansas. He assumed the position of chief of in late April, having previously left the Kansas City police amid accusations of sexual misconduct, per Daily Mail.
Why did police raid newspaper offices in Kansas?
Cody was under investigation by the local newspaper over allegations of sexual misconduct, before he ordered his entire department to raid the newspaper offices on Friday, August 11.
The police department stated that the raid was conducted due to concerns of "identity theft" after the newspaper acquired evidence suggesting a potential violation of a liquor license. However, the news operation was convinced that the raid was a result of their investigation into Cody.
How did Joan Meyer die?
The raid on the newspaper offices extended to the home of the paper's editor and publisher, Eric Meyer, and his mother and co-owner, Joan Meyer, who died the following day on Saturday, August 12 at the age of 98.
Joan Meyer's son Eric Meyer blames authorities
She died due to "shock and grief," as Meyer explained, per the NY Post. She was stressed and unable to sleep after the police seized her computer, smart speaker, her son's cellphone, and even his router. She had allegedly opened the door, assuming it was her Meals on Wheels delivery.
"She tearfully watched during the raid as police not only carted away her computer, but also dug through her son Eric’s personal bank and investments statements to photograph them," the outlet said.
Meyer said the message to his newspaper was clear, "Mind your own business or we’re going to step on you."
"She had not been able to eat after police showed up at the door of her home Friday with a search warrant in hand," the outlet stated. "Neither was she able to sleep Friday night."
Meyer, 69, declared his intention to seek legal action against the City of Marion and those associated with the raid. He mentioned that legal experts consulted by the paper agreed that the city had broken federal laws and violated the Constitutional rights of his team.
"Our first priority is to be able to publish next week," Meyer said, "but we also want to make sure no other news organization is ever exposed to the Gestapo tactics we witnessed today."
In addition to Joan's passing, the newspaper reported that one of its reporters sustained an injury when an officer forcefully took her cell phone from her hand.
Statement by the Marion Kansas Police Department
In a statement issued on Saturday, Cody's department referred to a criminal investigation in response to numerous inquiries regarding an ongoing probe.
"The Marion Kansas Police Department believes it is the fundamental duty of the police is to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of all members of the public," the department wrote on Facebook.
"This commitment must remain steadfast and unbiased, unaffected by political or media influences, in order to uphold the principles of justice, equal protection, and the rule of law for everyone in the community."
"The victim asks that we do all the law allows to ensure justice is served. The Marion Kansas Police Department will do nothing less."
