Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman has thrown out the cyberstalking charges against investigative journalist Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, who also happens to be the former campaign manager for Michelle Morrow, a candidate for North Carolina‘s superintendent of public instruction.
The allegations against Rachmuth were deemed utterly baseless, originating from a moment in a Kroger store where she snapped a photo of a woman she labeled a ” “Hamas Sympathizer” and shared it on her X account (formerly Twitter).
Went to @HarrisTeeter in Holly Springs and saw this Hamas sympathizer.
When I asked her why she was wearing a keffiyeh, the store manager told me to leave!! pic.twitter.com/T4iOxozdX8
— Sloan Rachmuth (@SloanRachmuth) October 31, 2024
In a statement regarding the dismissal, DA Freeman clarified, “Described conduct does not meet elements of the offense,” effectively putting an end to the unfounded claims.
Despite the clear distinction between sharing a photo online and actual cyberstalking, the Holly Springs Police Department still made the decision to arrest Rachmuth at her home in front of her children and neighbors last Sunday (Nov.3).
Wake County DA Lorrin Freeman called Rachmuth about dismissing charges
The North Carolina Beat managed to catch up with Rachmuth on Tuesday morning, where she revealed that DA Freeman personally reached out to her, assuring her that after reviewing the case, she would instruct the Holly Springs police to drop the charges.
“I received a phone call from Lorrin Freeman and she informed me that she reviewed my case and there’s nothing to it and said she’d be directing the Holly Springs Police Department to drop these charges,” Rachmuth said.
