Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.
King Police Respond to Assault Call
As per body cam video of the assault Mr. Hewett can be heard telling Mr. Shouse that he just hit him with his truck and Eric Pavlic (eye witness) can
also be heard confirming that he, “saw it.” Mr. Shouse is seen leaving the scene of the assault which is also a motor vehicle accident and can be
considered a Hit and Run. North Carolina state law requires the individual to stay at the scene of an accident, yet Mr. Shouse leave the scene.
King Police Officer Dula responded to the 911 call arriving at the American Legion Post within minutes and backed up by Officer Hunter. Mr. Hewett
explained what had happened and attempted to show Officer Dula the video on the camcorder but didn’t want to chance the erasure of the
evidence and later provided the officer with a copy of the assault video.
Officer Dula and Hunter took multiple statements from those present. Most of the statements come from Legion members who were there and of
course their statements are one-sided to give the best possible light that Mr. Hewett was the instigator and caused the incident. However, when
you read of their statements it is clear that Mr. Shouse was the individual who started yell and denigrate Mr. Hewett’s military service. If Mr. Shouse
had said nothing and not willfully and wantonly run his truck into Mr. Hewett you would not be reading this now nor the aftermath of these events
that have transpired over the several years.
Witness Statements
Here we will evaluate each of the witness statements and just what was really said in those statements. Many will make it this appear that Mr.
Hewett was at fault yet some just arrived to see the assault and clearly make up what “they “ want to appear to be as fact. But in many of the
statements, even from Legion members themselves, we can see that Ronald Shouse instigated the confrontation and then assaulted Mr. Hewett.
Steven Hewett’s statement to the Police:
Eric Pavlic (eye witness, standing with feet of Mr. Hewett): Mr. Pavlic is unknown to Mr. Hewett and only met him at the polling
precinict. Mr. Pavlic can be heard in the video when Mr. Shouse hit Mr. Hewett with his truck say, “I saw it . . . I saw it” as well as
later telling Mr. Hewett that he saw Mr. Shouse hit him with his truck.
Ronald Champney (Post 290 Member): Mr. Champney’s statement sheds light into Ronald Shouse’s mental state at the time, “. . .
had noticed a sign that read “Veterans against Trump.” We all stood around and Ron Shouse one of our members started out. We
Stopped him and said that this was upsetting, it was to all of us. After a few words were exchanged nothing was going on until he
the person with the sign started to exchange words with Mr. Shouse.”
There are a several points that Champney brings up in his statement and that shows Mr. Shouse was upset with the political sign
being held Mr. Hewett, but also to all those who were there standing with Mr. Shouse. Again, Mr. Hewett had ever right to be
politicking for and against candidates that day.
Let’s take note:
1) “Ron Shouse one of our members started out” - Apparently Mr. Shouse wanted to go and confront Mr. Hewett about his
sign.
2) “We Stopped him” - So the other members who were there had to “Stop” Mr. Shouse from going and personally
confronting Mr. Hewett about his political sign.
3) “said that this was upsetting” Mr. Shouse was emotionally upset with Mr. Hewett’s political sign.
4) “it was to all of us.” All the Legion Members gathered there were emotionally upset with Mr. Hewett’s political sign.
5) “words were exchanged . . . with Mr. Shouse.” Mr. Shouse engaged Mr. Hewett.
It is evident by Mr. Champney’s statement that Mr. Shouse was upset with Mr. Hewett’s displaying a political sign he obviously didn’t
agree with and that he started out towards Mr. Hewett to confront him in some way but had to be restrained in some manner by
other Legion members! The other Legion Members were also emotionally upset with Mr. Hewett’s political signage as well. This will
be apparent in a statement that Commander Holland will make later to the news media.
Ronald Shouse (Post 290 Member) (the attacker): In Mr. Shouse’s statement to the police he tries to put himself in the best
possible light blaming Mr. Hewett for the incident. Here he states, “. . . he kept trying to instigate a confrontation, he flipped up us
the Bird several times . . .” Here Shouse confirms that words were exchanged, “Don’t remember exact words we used, but
something like get the Hell out of here.” He further states, “As we were leaving he was standing in the middle of the street.”
Clearly, Shouse is attempting to make it appear that it was Mr. Hewett who instigated the incident. We do know that the entire
incident that Mr. Shouse instigated was on video and that all comments where recorded and can be heard. Please refer back to the
“Assault Page” and review the video and clearly you can hear it was Shouse who started yelling at Mr. Hewett and even Mr. Hewett
telling Shouse that he was crossing a line in his actions at a polling station.
Darrell Adkins (Post 290 Member): Mr. Adkins is a member of Post 290 and a member of the Honor Guard. Mr. Adkins was
standing in the group with Mr. Shouse and was seated in the passenger seat of the truck Mr. Shouse was driving. So Mr. Adkins had
a front row seat as to what actions Mr. Shouse was taking that day. In Mr. Adkins statement he makes a few important notes, one
being that, “a few word’s cross” and we can take this to mean that Mr. Shouse and Mr. Hewett were in some type of exchanging of
words. Then he goes on to state, “. . . we the Legion started to leaf when Mr. Shouse drove toward the older man and stop in
front of him . . .”
It is important to note the Mr. Adkins stated, “when Mr. Shouse drove toward the older man [Hewett].” In another statement by Post
Commander Don Holland he stated, “I noticed Ron [Shouse] was not behind me . . .” (If you watch the video of the assault is it clear
that Mr. Hewett is [not] standing in the middle of the street but at the edge of the parking area) that Mr. Shouse was following
behind Don Holland’s vehicle and by Mr. Adkins account, “Mr. Shouse drove toward the older man.” This would mean and as the
video shows Mr. Shouse had to change his direction of this travel from following Commander Holland and change his direction of
travel towards Mr. Hewett. Clearly you see Commander Holland drive by Mr. Hewett and he was not standing in the middle of the
roadway. If Mr. Shouse had stayed behind Commander Holland and not changed his direction of travel he would have driven right
by Mr. Hewett as well.
Command Don Holland (Post 290 Member): statement by Post Commander Don Holland, “I was first in line and drove around the
curve, I noticed Ron was not behind me so I stopped and waited on him.” Here we can read that Commander Holland was first in
line of the vehicles and that Mr. Shouse was following behind him. It is also important to see what was [not] in Commander
Holland’s statement that differs from Mr. Shouse’s statement and that’s Mr. Hewett was not in the middle of the street as claimed by
Mr. Shouse and as per the video it is fact that Mr. Hewett was never standing in the middle of the street since vehicles can be seen
passing in front of him including Commanders Holland’s vehicle. Again, if Mr. Shouse had stayed behind Mr. Holland then nothing
would have happened.
An important note that in days to come Commander Kilby makes a claim that Mr. Hewett was in the middle of the travel lane taking
pictures of Commander Holland’s and other legion members license plates. How could this even be possible unless Mr. Hewett was
the fictional character The Flash. He would require the speed of light to have run behind Commander Holland’s vehicle take
video/pictures of the license plate and then run back in time so that Mr. Shouse could then run into him with this truck. It’s just
amazing that Commander Kilby believes his version can to be true in any sense of the word!
Commander Holland was interviewed by Amanda Dobson a reporter for The Stokes News about the incident. Commander Holland
in his official capacity and representing the American Legion made the following comments, “Hewett’s sign and actions didn’t reflect
the views of the legion.” Holland went on further to comment, “He has every right in the world to display what he wants, but in front
of an American Legion building with a sign like “Veterans against Trump” doesn’t belong there.”
Stokes Co. Democrat Party Chairman David Dalton expressed that, “Holland’s words express a gross, malignant, and intimidating
misunderstanding of the Constitutional, legal, and political principles that govern American elections . . . no voter of any party should
be required to enter such a hostile environment to exercise the right to vote or express completely reasonable political views with
words or signs.”
First let’s emphasize that the Stokes County Board of Elections had rented the main building as a polling station, use of the parking
area in front of the building and this was an election location where all people had the right to be at politicking for and against
candidates. There were many political signs at this location and Mr. Hewett was exercising his right of freedom of speech! This is
exactly where the sign he was carrying belonged on election day regardless whether Commander Holland or other members of Post
290 who were present that day disagreed with it or not!
Mr. Hewett was exercising his personal views and opinions of candidates in opposing Trump and promoting Clinton, he was not
promoting Post 290 or the American Legion’s political position. In Commander Holland’s statement to the news media he was is
giving an opinion that the American Legion was endorsing Trump for President, something that the American Legion can not do as
per it’s a non-political non-partisan organization. For Commander Holland to make such a statement is a violation of the American
Legion Constitution and By-Laws.
We can certainly see by later actions of Commander Holland and other Legion members that they had it out for Mr. Hewett.
Michael Lane: Works at Calvary Baptist Church in King and make reference that he witnessed Mr. Shouse hit Mr. Hewett with his
truck stating, “the man in the truck did barely touch Mr. Hewett with is truck.” Again, we have another witness who confirms
that Mr. Shouse did indeed assault Mr. Hewett.
Jimmie Rosamond (Post 290 Member): Mr. Rosamond was not standing in the group of other Legion members but about twenty
yards to the left of them under his porch. For some reason he thinks Mr. Hewett was speaking to him, which was not the case.
Rosamond stated, “Huett gave all of us Vets the finger and said, “bring it on.”
What is important to note is the Rosamond will change his statement multiple times to fit his narrative for the actions the Post
members need to bring charges of “Disorderly Conduct” and to expelling Mr. Hewett from Post 290 and the American Legion.
Phil Holt (Post 290 Member): Holt’s comments are nothing more than to make Mr. Hewett appear to be the one who started the
incident and makes reference to his political signage, “Veterans Against Trump” with a “Hillary” sign attached.”
Dwayne Bryant: Bryant’s comments that, “I saw the gentleman who claims to have been hit, . . . a car, and actually got close to the
man, but it didn’t look like he was hit to me, . . .” Bryant later interviewed on video by the police changed his story to that if Mr.
Hewett was hit it was light. So he contradicts himself, he doesn’t even know for sure, “it didn’t look like” and then later “if Mr. Hewett
was hit it was light.”
Gary Thomas (Post 290 Member): Doesn’t really say anything other then, “gave us a middle finger on two occasions.”
Darrell Calloway: Mr. Calloway is the leader of the local Stokes Co. Militia and has had a history with Mr. Hewett in lying about why
Mr. Hewett brought the lawsuit against the City of King. Mr. Calloway went on national Fox radio and spread lies about Mr. Hewett
as to some type of fight over a alleged illegal business that Mr. Hewett ran out of his home. This was all made up and contrived by
Mr. Calloway to disparage Mr. Hewett in the community. Take note that Darrell is the son of Carl Calloway who is featured in this
documentary as lying and making false documents for the American Legion to become Movant Intervener in the case hewett v city
of king. So apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, in fact, it falls right under the tree with both of them making up and
lying about their knowledge of Mr. Hewett. You can read more about Darrell Calloway on this website under, Stokes County Militia.
As for his statement, looking at both the videos from the body cam and the vehicle cam Calloway could not see the assault since
Commander Holland’s vehicle was directly in front of Mr. Calloway blocking his view. Let’s say for arguments sake he could see the
assault, he confirms that Mr. Shouse pulled up to confront Mr. Hewett, “One member pulled up in a truck to confront him about it . .”
We can infer from his statement that Mr. Shouse was confronting Mr. Hewett about his political signage.
It is acknowledge by Mr. Hewett that he did exchange words with Mr. Shouse after he started to harass him and disparage his military service, he
has always acknowledged that he flipped Mr. Shouse off after Mr. Shouse started flipping off Mr. Hewett. It’s obvious from the statements by the
American Legion members that they leave out any reference to Mr. Shouse or other members present flipping off Mr. Hewett even though the video
shows him doing so. Even Commander Kilby confirms (which we will address this remark later) that several American Legion members who were
there were flipping Mr. Hewett off as well.
The Police Report
King Police Dept. Officer Dula, OCA File No. 161108100201
You can read the report, however, we will make reference to several of the comments and observations made by Officer Dula.
1) Page 3 - “While watching the video, I observed Mr. Shouse rapidly accelerate through the public vehicular area of the American Legion
with clear disregard for the safety of the pedestrians walking through the public vehicular area. I observed that Mr. Shouse
appeared to stop within inches of Mr. Hewett. I also reviewed the video that was recording in Mr. Hewett’s truck and could partially observe
the truck driven by Mr. Shouse speeding through the public vehicular area of the American Legion.
2) I advised Mr. Shouse that I would need to fingerprint and photograph him. Mr. Shouse cooperated fully during my interaction with him
and was very apologetic, visibly shaken, and stated several times that he was sorry that it happened.
3) Page 4 - Mr. Shouse stated that he did not intend to strike Mr. Hewett or anyone else.
As you can read in the report that Mr. Shouse denies his actions that day and members of the Legion try to paint Mr. Hewett as being the aggressor
and instigator of the incident. However, the video clearly shows it was Mr. Shouse who started the incident and assaulted Mr. Hewett with no
charges being issued by the police against Mr. Hewett.
The Arrest
November 8, 2016 Ronald Shouse was charged with - Assault with a Deadly Weapon & Careless and Reckless Driving.
No Charges were filed against Mr. Hewett by the King Police Department.
We also would like to point out that this is not Ronald Shouse’s first brush with the law. Shouse’s is a convicted sex offender who took indecent
liberties with a minor. He served time and probation for this felony conviction. It’s appalling for someone who served in the Marines sworn to
protect, defend and serve our nation who would take advantage of an innocent child for his sexual perversions and satisfactions.
American Legion Post 290 Members Retaliate
Even though the King Police Department did a thorough and meticulous investigation - conducting eyewitness interviews, complying witness
statements and reviewing videos of the incident the American Legion members who were present took it upon themselves to bring charges against
Mr. Hewett the following day for “Disorderly Conduct.” Mind you the King Police saw no reason what-so-ever to bring any charges against Mr.
Hewett.
That day Legion members spoke with Clif Kilby and this charge was then brought by the American Legion members was in retaliation for charges
being brought against one of their own. There is speculation that the American Legion members consulted with one of their Auxiliary Members who
happens to be an attorney and were advised to take out cross (counter) charges to make it appear Mr. Hewett was at fault and instigated the
incident. They knew they had to take liability off of the American Legion and Post 290 for Mr. Shouse’s unlawful actions at the post that day.
When you review the affidavits that these four signed each just copied the other. The only problem with these is that Mr. Hewett never said what
they claim him to be saying. If you review the video it is Ronald Shouse who says, “come over here.” No where will you here Mr. Hewett say, “Y’all
come on over here.” This is a fabrication and all out lie, since it was done under oath with the penalty of perjury these individuals by all appearances
they did just that, perjured themselves!
The Outcome of the Hearings
Since American Legion Post 290 members presented false evidence to a magistrate to get the charge against Mr. Hewett he had to hire an attorney
to represent him in court on November 30, 2016. The Legion members were at the court in uniform as representatives of the American Legion, not
as individuals. An attorney who was later identified as Marylin Massey a Post 290 Auxiliary member as well as Commander Kilby somehow gained
access to ADA Miller and what appears to be and attempt to interfere in the judicial proceedings of the court. Commander Kilby has stated he was
allowed to look at Mr. Hewett’s evidence and he gave his opinion to ADA Miller concerning it. (We will address this in more detail at later date since
there is currently an active lawsuit against Mr. Kilby) But by all appearances this appears to be an interference in a judicial proceedings by two
American Legion members who were not part of the actual incident that day as well as Attorney Marylin Massey which has yet to be determined
what her status was for being there as well and requesting to see the evidence that Mr. Hewett’s attorney had to present to the court. It was the
State who was prosecuting Mr. Hewett as per the charges that the Legion Members brought against him. Both Kilby and Massey had no business
requesting to see the evidence in the case. There will be much more written about this as more information comes to light.
As for the charge against Mr. Hewett it were dismissed. With some type of back door dealing or interference with the judicial proceedings Mr.
Shouse’s charges were also dismissed. It was ADA Tom Langan who dismissed Shoues’s charges which is interesting to say the least. Mr. Hewett
was never notified of this action and didn’t find out until the day of court when he went to testify against Mr. Shouse. Come to find out ADA Langan
was going to run for District Judge and what better way to get local political support from the American Legion than to dismiss charges against Mr.
Shouse.
An important note which was hand written by ADA Langan on the dismissal that was, “/No injuries to victim.” In order for there to be a victim
there must be a crime and that crime as we know is what Mr. Shouse did to Mr. Hewett with his truck. This was without a doubt a miscarriage of
justice by the District Attorney’s Office and ADA Langan. Btw, he won his election for District Court Judge, now we know the type of Judge we have
on the bench.
This case and events set in motion American Legion Post 290 making disparaging comments and vilifying Mr. Hewett by American Legion Post 290
members, bringing false and malicious accusations against him by Jimmie Rosamond and Commander Cliff Kilby as well as Post members in taking
out their revenge for the removal of the Christian Flag and Kneeling Soldier Cross at the Veterans Memorial as well as railroading Mr. Hewett out of
the Post and the American Legion.
To this day no actions by the American Legion have been taken against Mr. Shouse, Don Holland, Jimmie Rosamond and they remains a member of
Post 290 and the American Legion.
Honor - Integrity - Personal Courage Documentary
King Police Investigation