Ohio-based rap artist Joseph Edgar Foreman, recognized by the identify Afroman, is being sued by seven officers with the Adams County Sheriff’s Workplace for utilizing footage of their 2022 search on his house to make and promote new music. The officers accused Foreman’s use of their photos and likeness as a “malicious” act that tarnished their fame and humiliated them, based on a criticism. 

The lawsuit stems from a search of Foreman’s house on Aug. 21, 2022, which was carried out with a “lawfully issued search warrant,” based on a March 13 criticism. A photo of the warrant shared by the native Fox affiliate however has not been independently verified by CBS Information reveals that the search was for proof of marijuana and drug paraphernalia associated to drug possession and trafficking, in addition to kidnapping.

Foreman, recognized for his tune “As a result of I Received Excessive,” was not at his house in the course of the search, however his spouse was current and recorded components of the search on her cellphone. His home additionally had a number of safety cameras that recorded the search. 

Following the raid, the seven members of legislation enforcement concerned – deputies Shawn Cooley, Justin Cooley, Shawn Grooms and Lisa Phillips, in addition to sergeants Michael Estep and Randolph Walters Jr. and detective sergeant Brian Newland – say that Foreman used these video recordings to make music and music movies in regards to the search. There have been “dozens” of movies and pictures throughout quite a few social media platforms, they mentioned, that “clearly painting” their photos and likeness. 

They’re suing him for the unauthorized use of particular person’s persona, invasion of privateness by misappropriation and invasion of privateness by false gentle publicity, amongst different issues. The officers have demanded a trial by jury. 

Movies posted by Foreman present police breaking down his door as they entered the house wielding weapons. He since has posted a number of movies exhibiting the officers’ motion by means of his house. 

A kind of clips seemingly grew to become the supply of inspiration for his new tune “Lemon Pound Cake” and was closely used within the official music video. Within the clip, officers are seen strolling by means of his kitchen and one of many officers is seen wanting a number of instances at a pound cake being saved on a cake stand on the counter. That officer rapidly grew to become referenced as “Officer Poundcake” by Foreman on social media, a nickname that Foreman additionally began utilizing on merchandise. 

The opposite officers concerned had been additionally singled out in posts by Foreman. 

“Defendants’ actions had been willful, wanton, malicious, and executed with acutely aware or reckless disregard for the rights of Plaintiffs,” the criticism says, including that he was not approved to make use of their personas for industrial functions.

The officers additionally declare that the posts led to them being “subjected to ridicule,” and that it is “made it harder and much more harmful” for them to do their jobs, saying that they’ve since acquired dying threats. 

“Plaintiffs have suffered damages, together with all earnings derived from and attributable to Defendants’ unauthorized use of Plaintiffs’ personas, and have suffered humiliation, ridicule, psychological misery, embarrassment, and lack of fame,” the criticism says. 

Foreman has posted in regards to the lawsuit on Instagram, saying that the search itself was primarily based on a “false warrant” that “put the Adams county sheriff able to try to kill me.” He additionally accused the officers concerned of stealing his cash, saying that doing so took away their “proper of privateness.” 

“My video footage is my property. … I’m a law-abiding taxpaying residents who was violated by criminals camouflaged by law-enforcement,” he mentioned, including in an announcement from his lawyer that reads, “We’re ready for public information requests from Adam’s county we nonetheless haven’t acquired. We’re planning to counter sue for the illegal raid, cash being stolen, and for the simple injury this had on my purchasers household, profession and property.”