James White was arrested on Jan. 10, 2017 | Morton County Sheriff's Office
James White was arrested on Jan. 10, 2017 | Morton County Sheriff's Office
On this Date in 2016, Morton County State's Attorney's Office announced charges against two individuals in connection with an incident involving the assault of three journalists at a protest camp on October 18, 2016. James White and Kareen Lewis were charged with felonious restraint.
The incident occurred while the journalists were conducting interviews with protesters, the Morton County Sheriff's office reported. During the exchange a protester, identifying himself as security, attempted to seize a reporter's microphone.
“The journalists made their way back to the vehicle. However, protesters blocked them in by surrounding their vehicle with people and vehicles. Individuals are seen pounding on the journalist’s vehicles and rocking it. Protesters demanded the journalists turn over their video footage. Numerous times the journalists pleaded with protesters to ‘let them leave,” Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said on the incident.
Emergency services were contacted, prompting law enforcement to respond to the scene. Officers observed vehicles blocking the journalists' exit and, following directives from Lt. Glen Ternes, the protesters eventually allowed the journalists to leave the camp.
White and Lewis are accused of knowingly restraining the journalists under intimidating circumstances, particularly when White stood in front of their vehicle, shouting and refusing to let them pass. Felonious restraint is classified as a Class C felony.
Lewis, a Manistee resident, returned to Michigan and continued to participate in protest efforts. She was quoted in a Michigan NPR article in December of 2016 regarding a protest she joined against Chase Bank in Grand Rapids.
“We’re trying to bring awareness to divesting from anybody who is supporting that Dakota Access Pipeline,” Lewis told reporters. The bank had security officers outside as well as local police presence who refused the protestors access to the bank. The group stayed on the sidewalk outside the bank and chanted “Can’t drink oil! Keep it in the soil!”
White was also charged for his actions in a separate incident on October 14, 2016. Charges included reckless endangerment, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, and reckless driving. Law enforcement witnessed White driving recklessly in a pickup truck, with unrestrained passengers in the vehicle's bed.
White turned himself in to the Morton County Sheriff's office on January 10, 2017 for all charges stemming from his actions on October 14 and 16.
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