Sheriff Clarke Had Staff Hassle Plane Passenger Who Didn’t Like Him

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke directed his staff to hassle a fellow passenger on his Jan. 15 flight, after the man had a brief exchange expressing his distaste for the controversial lawman, federal records show. “Just a field interview, no arrest unless he become an asshole with your guys,” Clarke texted one of his captains while sitting on the tarmac at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, heading back to Milwaukee. “Question for him is why he said anything to me. Why didn’t he just keep his mouth shut.” He added: “Follow him to baggage and out the door. You can escort me to carousel after I point him out.” The man in question, Dan Black, 24, allegedly stopped by Clarke’s seat to ask if he was indeed the sheriff. And when he received an affirmative response, Black simply shook his head in what was perceived as expressing dislike for the sheriff, best-known for his frequent and fiery appearances on Fox News. When Black arrived at his gate in Milwaukee, exiting shortly after Clarke, a half-dozen sheriff’s deputies allegedly detained, questioned, and escorted him out of the airport. In a new response, the sheriff claims Black stood over him in a “threatening” manner. The incident drew the attention of federal investigators, as Black claimed he was unlawfully detained. The feds, however, ultimately declined to file charges for civil-rights offenses. Clarke—who presides over a jail where four people, including a baby, have died—has said he will be joining the Trump Department of Homeland Security, though the agency itself has said no such announcement is imminent.