Judge: Man behind anti-police videos can't use YouTube
Mealing
Judge David Swartz ordered a probation condition that Mealing, who was behind various anti-police videos in the past, stay away from certain popular websites.
Swartz said that Mealing is “not to have access to social networking sites, such as YouTube,” where the controversial videos were posted.
The stun gun was found while deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the home of Mealing’s relative in Superior Township on Nov. 23, 2010. The investigation had to do with the videos Mealing posted on YouTube.
Before sentencing, Mealing passionately addressed the court.
“Let’s stop with the lies,” he said during his three to four minute-long speech against the court.
One of the issues Mealing touched on is that he feels bullied and harassed by police.
“I can’t call your police, because they don’t like me,” he said.
Mealing made allegations that he was being discriminated against because of his race and that his dealings with the police and courts have affected his ability to earn a livelihood.
“I’ve gone from making $50,000 a year to picking up cans,” he said.
Mealing has previously been convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing child sexually abusive material. Some of the other probation conditions issued by the court on Thursday included registering as a sex offender, not possessing child sexually abusive material, staying away from schools, drug testing and not having contact with Det. Kevin Parviz, of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, who he has sent threatening emails to in the past.
Mealing pleaded guilty to possessing the stun gun in March.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
tinkerbell
Mon, May 21, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
He was receiving SSI benefits the last time he was on probation. Maybe there should be a fraud investigation if he actually earned $50,000. Did he pay taxes on this income?
Terrin Bell
Sat, May 12, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.
I too am confused why a guy's right to free speech is taken away as a condition of his parole. I saw some of the guys videos. The guy was expressing his dislike of police and wishing them harm. The purpose of the first amendment is to protect the speech you like the least.
clara
Sun, May 13, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
He is a convicted felon. You loose some of your rights after a conviction. The state and federal courts have all supported the idea that you loose rights after a conviction. Sometimes that right is your freedom (i.e.: prison/jail)
Concerned Citizen
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
"I can't call your police, because they don't like me," he said. He has a history of brandishing a gun in videos, threatening police officers with physical harm and death, is a convicted felon of felonious assault on a police officer and he complains that he can't call "your" police because they don't like him. That is the most idiotic "passionately addressed" comment I have ever heard. If this douche wants to change things then he needs to get off his whiny arrogant butt and do something with his life rather than keep playing the woe is me racist card I can't get ahead because the man keeps putting me down bs. We all know that will never happen. I wonder how long it will be until we hear more about Mr. Mealing. My guess is well within the year.
The Black Stallion3
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
Great post and so very true !!!
The Black Stallion3
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
I think he should be thankful he is not in prison and stop feeling sorry for himself. I see a very bleak picture of him in the future.
nickcarraweigh
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
The conviction rate for trials before a jury versus before a judge is actually a pretty good bellwether of law enforcement in any community. When people have confidence in the system, jury trials result in convictions at a very high rate. However, when their personal experience and beliefs have caused people in the jury pool to lose faith in law enforcement, jury trials result in exonerations at a very high rate. OJ's acquittal is but one example.
dontworryaboutit
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 4:05 a.m.
This is shameful. Dont the A2 cops have anything better to do then pick on minorities? And hes not the only one being picked on by cops. I've been over fined in the past, wrongfully arrested, and then at my hearing the officer lied to the judge and procecuter. Then s/he watched the video of what really happened and then continue to say that the camera in the cruiser was positioned in such a way so that it distorts what is really seen. Then after the whole thing was over, I heared that the officer had a reputation of lying on the stand. Makes me sick! And watch, maybe I'll get a visit and be banned from all social networking sites.
The Black Stallion3
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 1:24 p.m.
And now we know the rest of the story.........are you kidding?
a2roots
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
@dwa...Mealer certainly sounds like an upstanding citizen. No doubt all the charges and convictions were set up and wrong. Let me think, believe Mealer, you or the police? Easy decision.
lisasimpson
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 4:54 a.m.
I think it was all the Washtenaw Sheriff's Office actually.
Ray Flower
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 3:58 a.m.
Glad I don't have to deal with the corrupt police in Michigan.
a2roots
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
We are also glad you are not here.
bobslowson
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.
Then why would you be here even reading this story if your not in MI.?
Ron Granger
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 3:57 a.m.
I guess they shut him up! It reads like they didn't like his videos so they searched his residence for an excuse to take his rights away.
Terrin Bell
Sat, May 12, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
Bingo. That is exactly what happened. The police didn't like the guy exercising his first amendment rights because they spoke negatively about the police, and they came into his house and found a reason to take his rights away.
lisasimpson
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 4:55 a.m.
I believe he showed a weapon in a youtube video that was he was not allowed to have per his probation.
Tru2Blu76
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 3:19 a.m.
Guy has a smart lawyer, he got a bench trial instead of a jury trial. Juries convict at higher rates and levy stronger sentences than judges do. I see no mention of counseling or any attempt to help Mealer resolve his anger. Just probation, with a prohibition on the one way he had of venting his anger. Hmm. Nothing more useful can be said about Mealer here - for more information on this kind of anger based profile, it can be found in published sources. Unless Mealer moves out of the area entirely, it's a good bet that we'll be reading more about him in AnnArbor.com's Crime section.
julieswhimsies
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 3:13 a.m.
Aw. The poor guy was bullied by police?
trespass
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 11:42 p.m.
So if you are convicted of having a stun gun (which is now legal since Gov. Snyder signed the right into law earlier this week) you get your free speech rights taken away? What does the punishment have to do with the crime? Isn't possession of child sexually abusive material already a crime, so why does it make any sense to make it a condition of probation?
Ricebrnr
Fri, May 11, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
Incorrect, stun gun s are not now legal and the legislation signed this week was expressly written to exclude them. Therefore it has no bearing on this case whatsoever. The legislation signed this week was for TASERs or other similar devices but require "training" and a Concealed Pistol License to purchase and carry. All the same stipulations regarding CPL carriers apply. There is a significant difference between the two.
UlyssesWrong1
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
I actually remember watching some of this guy's YouTube videos a long time ago. Sounds like he's still mad, and I probably would be too since it must be tough to find a job with all those convictions and the stuff about him existing online. Moral of the story: If you want to put controversial stuff online, at least try to add some anonymity.
Ann English
Thu, May 10, 2012 : 10:52 p.m.
Anonymity, absolutely. I'd rather not think that he's descended from Percy or Robert Mealing, who both used to teach math at Washtenaw Community College. I doubt very much that Mike Mealing is his father; am I glad Mike Mealing didn't become the subject of this kind of article. Good job parenting Mike, Percy.