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Florida Sheriff Who Threatened Arrests at Hurricane Shelters Is Sued

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said he would not be changing the policy.

The Florida sheriff who tweeted that he would jail anyone with an outstanding warrant seeking shelter from Hurricane Irma is now being sued over the policy, the Orlando Sentinel reported Monday. The man filing the suit claims that he was denied entry to a shelter unless he underwent a criminal background check. The suit claims the policy is discriminatory and violates Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said he would not be changing the policy, which is meant to prevent registered sex offenders from entering shelters. He said Sunday that 43 sex offenders in the county are being sheltered in jail, but are not in custody or behind bars.