UK man faces dystopian nightmare after posting Florida gun photos

A British IT advisor says he has lived a dystopian nightmare after being arrested for posting photographs of himself holding firearms throughout a visit to the US.

Jon Richelieu-Sales space, proprietor and principal of Phoenix Evolution Consulting, informed Fox Information Digital that the issues began after he visited pals in Florida on the Fourth of July to rejoice the vacation and his fiftieth birthday. Through the go to, he stated he was invited to shoot a gun for the primary time.

“They have been taking pictures and so they provided me the chance – as a British one that had by no means dealt with weapons earlier than – to deal with a gun,” he stated.

After returning dwelling to Britain, he posted a sequence of photographs from his journey on LinkedIn. A day or two after he shared the messages, police got here to his dwelling to inform him that somebody had filed a criticism.

Jon Richelieu-Sales space poses with the American flag whereas visiting household pals in Florida on the Fourth of July. (Jon Richelieu-Sales space)

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They warned him to watch out what he posts on-line. About 10 days later, Richelieu-Sales space stated, police returned, entered his dwelling at 10:30 p.m., and arrested him.

He was informed the arrest stemmed from the gun photographs and {that a} separate submit authorities stated amounted to “stalking and harassment.” He was interrogated and held in a single day earlier than being launched.

About seven weeks later, he stated he was arrested once more on expenses of violating bail, which he stated was based mostly on a false criticism. The complaints have been associated to a dispute with a former shopper, Richelieu-Sales space stated.

“I had contracted with this gentleman’s firm to do works for the federal government, and the works have been nonetheless unpaid two years later,” he stated. He defined {that a} enterprise affiliate had taken a photograph exterior the person’s dwelling whereas delivering a closing discover, a transfer he stated was authorized as a result of the picture was taken from a public place.

“The arrest was based mostly on two separate social media posts,” he stated. “One was the image of me with the shotgun, which you’ll be able to see I am scared of. It is the primary time I’ve held it and you’ll see how I am holding it. And the second was my LinkedIn banner on the prime of the web page.”

British IT advisor Jon Richelieu-Sales space poses with firearms whereas on vacation in Florida, July 2025. (Jon Richelieu-Sales space/Richard Wilson)

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“I used the picture my enterprise accomplice took in his constructing because the header picture on LinkedIn, with the intention that he would take a look at it and say, ‘Why is that this man posting that? I higher name him and discover out, as a substitute of avoiding me,’ as he has performed for months,” he stated.

“There was by no means any geolocation or proof that I had been to that handle, but I used to be arrested at it anyway,” he added.

After his launch, he stated he was charged with a public order offense over a 3rd submit from August that authorities stated might trigger “intimidation, concern, alarm and nervousness.” He stated the costs, together with the earlier expenses, have been later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Richelieu-Sales space stated the expertise took a heavy toll, each professionally and personally.

IT advisor Jon Richelieu-Sales space says freedom of expression is below risk in Britain. (AP Picture/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

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“I deactivated my LinkedIn, which meant I misplaced my LinkedIn Premium trial, which I used to search out purchasers,” he stated. “I misplaced the chance to run a Groups present known as Espresso the Hashtag Man, which I run to assist different contractors. I misplaced the chance to go networking. I used to be very scared and ashamed. I hid from everybody. I felt ignored by my neighbors, my neighborhood. I hid from the world for just about the whole interval and contemplated suicide.”

He’s contemplating taking authorized motion towards West Yorkshire Police.

“Free speech in Britain? That does not exist,” he stated. ‘No means. Persons are being locked up due to tweets and memes. It is embarrassing. It is George Orwell, it is ‘1984.’ That wasn’t a handbook.”

Richelieu-Sales space stated he not feels protected in the UK and has been pondering extra significantly about transferring to the US.

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“I misplaced my mother and father in a automotive accident in 2023,” he stated. “On one horrible day, my complete household was gone. My American adoptive household was very welcoming and it made me assume extra significantly about America… You’ve the First Modification, the Second Modification, it is the land of alternative, and I do not really feel protected in Britain anymore.”

“If I have been to maneuver to America and if that’s God’s plan for me, I’d welcome it,” he added.

His story obtained worldwide consideration after the Yorkshire Post first reported it.

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Elon Musk additionally participated on Xwriting, “For this reason we have now the First and Second Amendments in America.”

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police stated Richelieu-Sales space was charged with a public order offense following a criticism concerning the LinkedIn posts earlier than the case was dropped.

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“Police obtained a criticism of stalking involving critical alarm or concern, partially associated to social media posts, a number of of which included pictures of a person posing with a wide range of firearms, which the complainant perceived as a risk,” police stated in an announcement to Fox Information Digital. “Police investigated and charged a person with a public order offence, however the case was subsequently dropped by the CPS.”

Fox Information Digital has contacted Crown Prosecution Companies for remark.