Christina Holt
Hobbs News-Sun

Government entities, including the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to give out information and engage with the public.

However, it is important to note these public entities are typically restricted from deleting comments or blocking users from its public social media pages under the First Amendment.

This is exactly what Jason Sanchez of Texas claimed was done to him by LCSO, leading to a lawsuit which ended in a settlement agreement of Sanchez receiving $50,000.

Sanchez filed the lawsuit through his attorney Benjamen Gubernick against Lea County Board of Commissioners in January, claiming his civil rights under the New Mexico Constitution and First Amendment of the United States Constitution were violated.

Sanchez is a former resident of Eddy County and maintains a Facebook page currently called “Eddy and Lea County Exposed.” This page was previously named “New Mexico Exposed” and “Eddy County Exposed,” according to the lawsuit.

The purpose of the page is to “monitor corruption and encourage good government in New Mexico,” the complaint read.

Sanchez used the “New Mexico Exposed” Facebook page to comment on a post in September 2024 made by LCSO regarding how drivers in Lea County should not drive while intoxicated.

The post was an attempt to expose hypocrisy and corruption within LCSO, according to the lawsuit.

“Regular citizens are disciplined for drunk driving while the misdeeds and vices of leaders … are overlooked and swept under the rug,” the lawsuit read.

The comments Sanchez posted did not contain threats or profanity, nor did he disclose personal information of any deputy or LCSO family members, according to the complaint.

After making the comments, Sanchez learned the New Mexico Exposed page was blocked by LCSO and subsequently, his comments were deleted. He then filed his lawsuit and settled in January 2025.

Since the settlement in January, Lea County Manager Corey Needham signed a new social media policy for the county turning off commenting for all posts effective April 1.

“ … social media remains a tool for disseminating accurate and timely information while minimizing the risk of misinformation, inappropriate content, or non-compliant interaction,” the policy read.

The county opted to disable public commenting on all county-run social media.

Since commenting on a Lea County social media posts is no longer an option to ask questions or bring up concerns, the public will have to either call, email or directly message to the post.

Commenting was allowed prior to April 1, as indicated by the “Our Lea County” Facebook page. The comment section was previously open and treated as a designated public forum.

Christina Holt’s email is reporter3@hobbsnews.com.