A Texas man says a routine walk through La Grange turned into an armed standoff, jail confinement, and a federal civil-rights lawsuit after Fayette County deputies responded to two 911 calls reporting nothing more than a person legally carrying a firearm.

Jayce Gilliam filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on December 30, 2025, naming Fayette County, Deputy Seth Daniel Nagel, and Sergeant Ron Naumann over what happened on July 13, 2024. The filing states Gilliam was walking near 680 East LaFayette Street with a rifle on a sling and a concealed handgun when law enforcement arrived, even though he was holding only a camera and never touched or pointed either firearm. 

Deputies Arrived With Weapons Drawn

According to the court filing, Deputy Seth Daniel Nagel approached Gilliam with his handgun drawn and pointed at him despite La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath already being on scene and not having his weapon out. Gilliam was ordered to lie face-down on the ground while Nagel kept his gun trained on him. When Sergeant Ron Naumann arrived moments later, the lawsuit says he also pointed his handgun at Gilliam even though Gilliam’s rifle was pinned beneath his body and inaccessible. Gilliam complied with every order and tried to explain that he was lawfully exercising his rights. 

What 911 Callers Actually Reported

The filing states that only two people called 911 and neither reported threats, pointing a weapon, or illegal behavior. Both calls simply described a man carrying a firearm. Deputy Nagel later wrote that he saw “a white male in a green shirt with an AR-15 rifle strapped to the front of his body.” Sergeant Naumann wrote that dispatch described “a white male with long hair and eye glasses wearing a green shirt, had a rifle walking in the area of 680 E. LaFayette St.” Naumann also recorded that Gilliam said he was “exercising his 2nd amendment rights.” 

Comments From the La Grange Police Chief

Chief David Gilbreath asked Gilliam “what the hell are you doing,” according to the filing. Gilliam asked what crime he had committed. Gilbreath responded that Gilliam “scared the hell out of several people.” The lawsuit notes that Texas law contains no offense for frightening people while lawfully carrying a firearm and that neither 911 caller claimed Gilliam was threatening anyone. Gilliam later reached an out-of-court resolution with Chief Gilbreath and the City of La Grange, which is why they are not part of the federal case now pending. 

Placed in a Patrol Car After Stating His Rights

Immediately after Sergeant Naumann wrote that Gilliam said he was exercising his Second Amendment rights, La Grange officers placed Gilliam into a patrol car while Fayette County deputies remained on scene. Gilliam asked for the deputies’ names and badge numbers, but the filing says they did not provide them. Naumann then told Deputy Nagel “good job,” according to the complaint. 

Jail, Strip Search, and Dismissed Charge

Gilliam was jailed for more than 13 hours on a charge of disorderly conduct involving a firearm. While in custody, he says he was stripped naked for refusing to answer questions, placed in a small cell, and left without a blanket. A magistrate later dismissed the charge after finding there was no probable cause for the arrest. 

How Fayette County Is Tied to the Incident

The lawsuit says Fayette County’s training and supervision contributed directly to what happened. Sergeant Naumann allegedly told Chief Gilbreath and Deputy Nagel, “we just had training on this last week,” referring to open carry and then said, “oh well.” The filing argues this reflects a county practice of treating lawful firearm carry as something to confront rather than respect. 

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