Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for September 4, 2006 WRONGFUL ARREST

For campaign literature placed in a mail slot/box? Wonder if they will arrest his opponent now?

From the WSIL Channel 3 website...

"Street Preacher" Upset With Wrongful Arrest

CAIRO, Ill – The race for the Alexander county commissioner is surrounded by Controversy after police took the democratic candidate into custody.

Duane Lyon- also known as the street preacher stopped in at the Cairo post office to mail some bills.

“The officer approached me in the post office and said you need to come next door, it's of criminal nature, which alarmed me because I was with my daughter,” said Lyon. “Charges were criminal trespass and harassment by mail.”

The situation deals with a political flyer placed in the mail slot at the home of Cairo police officer Danny Brown.

“The problem is I didn't put a flyer in his mailbox or on his door,” said Lyon. “It said please don't vote for Lyons. The flyer was an indictment on me by my opponent.

Brown is on injury leave from the police force. He found the flyer at his residence and reported it to police. Brown says he saw Lyon's name on the flyer and assumed it was from him.

“The reason I am here is so people know this isn't a political thing for Mike Caldwell, it was just a big misunderstanding,” said Brown.

Mike Caldwell is Lyon's republican opponent in the race.

Even though police dropped the charges, Lyon says the damage is done.

“Everyone in this county knows I was arrested,” said Lyon. “What candidate wants to be arrested 70 days before the election?”

Lyon says his main concern is the impact the ordeal will have on his young daughter.

“I am upset more- elections come and go- but my nine-year-old daughter- that makes me very upset,” said Lyon.

Danny Brown says he did apologize to Lyon for the mistake. Lyon is also asking for an apology from the city.