Texas Department of Public Safety - Arrest of Photojournalist at UT Austin

Dear Adam Steinbaugh:
Your request has been received and is being processed within state law. Your request was received in this office and given the reference number P000779-042824 for tracking purposes.
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Copies of each of the "Multiple videos" referenced by the April 26, 2024 statement by DPS, available at https://x.com/ryanchandlertv/status/1783869710825611274.

2. Copies of any draft (in its native format) of the April 26, 2024 statement.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Adam Steinbaugh

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request will be forwarded to the relevant division(s) to locate the requested information and to determine any costs associated with producing the requested records. You will receive a response as soon as the requested records are available, no later than the tenth business day after your request was received.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you'll receive an email when your request has been completed.


Texas Department of Public Safety


To monitor the progress or update this request please log into the Public Information Center (https://u8387778.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.VEsWrlMiJDg0mXafq1mEXcWyyIcZbRW2MUSaQXXb476R4Uz5WL9-2FNC2ma7VNSqQRYytpv5-2F29venOQGR8nKmDA-3D-3DjJbS_iYrFlKl4t6qXAkOER728VSEfesQgy8X0tjvO2rjo9T7utDx9oz6obniIY37MdPe5jGDjHBpZNO6nALggOErSCPovqojvwu1qwFzUBKbtgs0dRo8soYHCTBpK9Qagd-2FoW5Mh-2BrsX1Bc2aBHtqInNt9-2FmKAOM61s93zzDzLa4ZMgI01QfrRTt3PDsE3-2BkW5rNYboSc0YwpdI1GAGTn9BYQiDKgYmJQt-2BELBHXR9dKlTaY-3D)

--- Please respond above this line ---
RE: Public Information of Reference # P000779-042824 Dear Adam Steinbaugh, The Texas Department of Public Safety received your above-referenced request on April 28, 2024. In order to process your request, we need clarification of your request. To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. Copies of each of the "Multiple videos" referenced by the April 26, 2024 statement by DPS, available at https://x.com/ryanchandlertv/status/1783869710825611274.

2. Copies of any draft (in its native format) of the April 26, 2024 statement.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Adam Steinbaugh

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/ Further clarification is required to complete your request: Any videos are available through social media. Please clarify what you are seeking. Respond to this email with the details requested above. Please clarify what information you are seeking and we will proceed with your request accordingly. In accordance with Government Code section 552.222(d), if we do not receive a written response from you by the 61st day after the date of this letter, your request will be considered to have been withdrawn.  You may submit the response in writing by responding to this email. Below is the statement released by media. On April 24, 2024, a television photojournalist was arrested by a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper during protests at the University of Texas (UT) Austin campus and charged with criminal trespass. Multiple videos – many of which are readily available on social media – show the photojournalist among the protestors as law enforcement officers work to disperse the group. He is seen hitting a DPS Trooper in front of him with his camera before fellow Troopers pull him back and take him to the ground to arrest him. As a law enforcement agency, upholding the laws and freedoms of the people of this state is our number one priority. The department believes strongly in a journalist’s right to cover events of the day in a safe way; however, that does not except a person from following the law or the rules that have been put in place for the safety of others. While the department understands the need to be on-site, it is never acceptable to interfere with official police duties and assaulting an officer of the law – no matter the degree – will never be tolerated. This case has now been turned over to DPS’ Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation. No additional information will be released at this time. For questions or additional information, please reply to this email. Cordially, Christina Lee
Assistant General Counsel