Senior Deputy Constable Scott London conducted an extensive investigation against three school librarians in Granbury, Texas, accusing them of providing obscene literature to children. His two-year effort included issuing subpoenas, filing public records requests, and drafting criminal complaints. London aimed to charge the librarians with distributing harmful material to minors, which could lead to severe penalties.
Despite London's efforts, including reading and highlighting passages from the targeted books, District Attorney Ryan Sinclair declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence. This decision marked the end of the investigation, which stirred significant controversy and fear among librarians.
The investigation spotlighted the broader conservative movement to ban books related to racism, gender, and sexuality. London, associated with the anti-government constitutional sheriff's movement, targeted several books deemed obscene, including:
"The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
"This Book Is Gay" by Juno Dawson
"Gone" by Kathleen Jeffrie Johnson
"Fade" by Lisa McMann
Three titles from "A Court of Thorns and Roses" series by Sarah J. Maas
Throughout the investigation, librarians faced immense pressure and fear of criminal charges, resulting in at least one librarian leaving the district. Legal experts expressed concerns over the chilling effect on the profession, emphasizing the risks posed by such investigations.
Ultimately, the case ended without charges, with the district attorney highlighting the lack of evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations for misdemeanor charges. The incident underscores the ongoing debate over book bans and the role of law enforcement in school library content.
Link: NBCNews
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