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Jury Clears Afroman in Deputies’ Defamation Case Over Raid Videos

The verdict affirms that his satirical use of home-surveillance footage from a fruitless 2022 police search was protected speech.

Overview

  • An Adams County, Ohio jury found the rapper not liable on all claims, delivering a full defense verdict after a three-day trial.
  • Seven sheriff’s deputies sought roughly $3.9–$4 million, saying viral songs and videos like “Lemon Pound Cake” defamed them and caused emotional distress.
  • The defense argued the lyrics and visuals were parody and social commentary rather than factual assertions about public officials, and jurors agreed.
  • The raid that supplied the footage was conducted under a warrant for drug trafficking and kidnapping and led to no charges.
  • Deputies testified the posts brought ridicule and threats, while Afroman cited property damage and $400 he said went missing, which officials later attributed to a miscount.