Fort Worth police officer warns Christian street preachers of possible citations for 'offensive' speech

Trespass/Disorder — Fort Worth, TX — reported 2026-07-15

SUMMARY

A Fort Worth police officer warned Christian street preachers that they could be cited for disorderly conduct if their speech was deemed 'offensive'.

KEY FACTS

• Incident type: Trespass/Disorder
• Location: Fort Worth, TX
• Date reported: 2026-07-15
• Suspect: not stated

REPORTED DETAILS

• The incident occurred on June 27 at the Trinity Pride Fest event in Fort Worth, TX.
• Officer Sarah Stogner warned Christian street preachers that they could be cited for disorderly conduct if their speech was deemed 'offensive'.
• Under Texas Penal Code § 42.01(a)(1), prosecutors must prove that the words would be so inherently inflammatory that their utterance would incite an immediate breach of the peace.
• The Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division sent a letter to the Fort Worth Police Department warning of possible 1st Amendment violations by Officer Stogner.
• The DOJ demanded answers from City of Fort Worth officials after a viral video showed Officer Stogner warning Christian street preachers that they could be cited for 'offensive speech'.