Six men face criminal charges after forcibly removing a woman from an Idaho town hall meeting, reigniting debates about free speech and security overreach at public events.
At a Glance
- Six men, including five security guards from Lear Asset Management, face misdemeanor charges for battery and false imprisonment after forcibly removing Teresa Borrenpohl from a legislative town hall in Coeur d’Alene
- The February 22 incident at Coeur d’Alene High School was captured on video, showing guards dragging Borrenpohl out without identifying themselves
- Lear Asset Management has had its security license revoked following the incident
- Borrenpohl has filed a tort claim notice indicating her intent to sue Kootenai County officials
- The altercation occurred during a discussion about abortion at a town hall hosted by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee
Town Hall Confrontation Leads to Legal Action
A chaotic scene unfolded at Coeur d’Alene High School on February 22 when security personnel forcibly removed Democratic legislative candidate Teresa Borrenpohl from a town hall meeting attended by approximately 450 people. The meeting, hosted by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, turned contentious during Republican state Rep. Tony Wisniewski’s remarks about abortion. Video footage shows Borrenpohl being confronted by security guards who proceeded to physically remove her from her seat without identifying themselves, despite her repeated questions asking who they were.
According to witnesses, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, who was in plain clothes at the event, initially asked Borrenpohl to leave before the private security personnel intervened. During the removal, Borrenpohl can be heard in video recordings asking, “Excuse me, Sheriff Norris? This gentleman is assaulting me. Is this your deputy?” The security guards, who were not in uniform and did not identify themselves as required by law, proceeded to drag her from the building while she protested.
Criminal Charges Filed Against Security Personnel
Following an investigation by the Coeur d’Alene Police Department, five men associated with Lear Asset Management now face criminal charges for their roles in the incident. The charges include misdemeanor battery, false imprisonment, and violations of security agent duties and uniform requirements. A sixth man, Michael Keller, who is not affiliated with the security firm, also faces a misdemeanor battery charge in connection with the event. The security company’s license has been revoked as a result of the investigation.
“Town halls are intended to foster conversation and discourse across the aisle, which is why I am deeply alarmed that private security dragged me out of the public meeting for simply exercising my fundamental right of free speech,” said Theresa Borrenpohl.
Court documents related to the case have not been made public, and the prosecutor’s office has declined to comment further on the pending legal matters. Kootenai County Undersheriff Brett Nelson has announced that an “complete and independent investigation of the incident conducted by an outside agency” would take place, emphasizing that no county sheriff’s personnel were involved in Borrenpohl’s removal.
Potential Civil Lawsuit and Public Response
Beyond the criminal charges, Borrenpohl has taken the first step toward filing a civil lawsuit by submitting a tort claim notice against Kootenai County officials. This legal maneuver signals her intention to seek damages for what she describes as a violation of her civil rights. The incident has sparked significant public outcry across Idaho and nationally, with many viewing it as an alarming example of suppression of free speech at a public forum.
“[These charges are] reinforcing to me the importance of demanding accountability in my own case,” Borrenpohl stated in a press release following news of the criminal charges.
Videos from the event show it was already tense before the physical altercation, with audience members engaging in both cheers and jeers during the presentations. Witnesses report that Borrenpohl had been involved in shouting during the event, though many attendees have questioned whether her behavior warranted physical removal, especially by unidentified security personnel not wearing proper identification. The case has raised serious questions about proper security protocols at public events and the boundaries of free speech in community forums.
