Jeff Gray’s federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Waveland, Mississippi settled on June 9, 2025, and was dismissed with prejudice on June 20, 2025. The financial terms were not made public, but reporting on the resolution indicates Waveland agreed to rescind trespass citations previously issued to Gray and to provide First Amendment training for its officers, alongside undisclosed monetary compensation.1Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit — Then Bans Free Speech2PACER Monitor. Gray v. City of Waveland, Mississippi et al
What Happened Outside Waveland City Hall
Gray is a Florida-based Army veteran who runs the YouTube channel “Honor Your Oath Civil Rights Investigations.” On May 30, 2023, he stood on the public sidewalk outside Waveland City Hall holding a sign that read “God Bless the Homeless Vets.” The head of the city’s Utilities Department called police after employees said they felt “scared and uneasy,” and Mayor Jay Trapani later confirmed he had directed officers to respond.3Seacoast Echo. Update: Waveland Mayor Comments on God Bless Homeless Veterans Video
Sgt. Joseph Joffrion arrived and demanded identification. When Gray said he was on a public sidewalk engaged in constitutionally protected activity, Joffrion replied, “Correct. But I’m letting you know you’ll go to jail, no questions asked.” Gray was not arrested, but the roughly four-minute encounter was recorded and posted online, where it drew wide attention and public records requests. Residents protested outside City Hall on June 2, 2023. Trapani said the matter was “in the process of being further reviewed” and declined further comment pending an internal investigation.4WLOX. Activist Claims Rights Violations After Encounters With Police at City Halls in Waveland, Ocean Springs3Seacoast Echo. Update: Waveland Mayor Comments on God Bless Homeless Veterans Video No public discipline of Joffrion has been reported.
The Federal Lawsuit
Gray filed suit on May 29, 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The case, Gray v. City of Waveland, Mississippi et al., Case No. 1:24-cv-00158, named the City of Waveland, Sgt. Joseph Joffrion, and Officer Williams Andress. Gray was represented by Michael R. Martz of Freeland Martz, PLLC. The defendants were represented by Gregory Todd Butler and Sonya Chen Dickson of Phelps Dunbar, LLP. Andress was dropped from the case on October 16, 2024 by stipulation; the record does not explain why.2PACER Monitor. Gray v. City of Waveland, Mississippi et al
How the Case Settled
A settlement conference was held on June 9, 2025 before Magistrate Judge Bradley W. Rath. The parties reached agreement that day, and Chief District Judge Halil S. Ozerden issued a final judgment of dismissal. The defendants filed a formal stipulation of dismissal on June 18, 2025, and the court entered an agreed amended judgment of dismissal with prejudice on June 20, 2025, closing the case permanently.2PACER Monitor. Gray v. City of Waveland, Mississippi et al
The dollar amount has not been publicly disclosed. Gulf Coast Wire reported that Waveland was one of four Mississippi cities, along with Ocean Springs, Hattiesburg, and Forrest, that reached what the outlet called a “blanket resolution” with Gray. According to that reporting, each city agreed to rescind trespass citations previously issued to him and to provide First Amendment training for law enforcement, in addition to the undisclosed financial terms.1Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit — Then Bans Free Speech
The Ordinance Waveland Passed After Settling
After the settlement, Waveland adopted a new ordinance titled “Policy Governing Conduct on City Property.” It prohibits posting or distributing pamphlets, handbills, or fliers on city-controlled property unless “government-authorized,” and bars solicitation of donations. Gulf Coast Wire characterized this as the city banning free speech shortly after settling a free-speech lawsuit.1Gulf Coast Wire. City Settles Free Speech Lawsuit — Then Bans Free Speech
The Parallel Ocean Springs Case
Gray had a similar confrontation the same week in May 2023 at Ocean Springs City Hall, where police cited him for trespassing while he held the same sign on the front lawn.4WLOX. Activist Claims Rights Violations After Encounters With Police at City Halls in Waveland, Ocean Springs The resulting federal suit, Gray v. City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Case No. 1:24-cv-00150, was filed on May 17, 2024 and settled at the same June 9, 2025 conference before Judge Rath, then dismissed with prejudice on June 20, 2025.5CourtListener. Gray v. City of Ocean Springs, Mississippi Gray had initially proposed a $1,791 donation to a homeless veterans charity plus procedural reforms; Ocean Springs City Attorney Robert Wilkinson rejected that offer and defended the city through more than a year of litigation before settling on undisclosed terms.6Gulf Coast Wire. City Attorney Rejected Small Settlement, Benefited From Prolonged Lawsuit
Where Waveland Fits in Gray’s Litigation Record
Gray travels to government buildings around the country, holds his “God Bless the Homeless Vets” sign, films his interactions with law enforcement, and sues when he believes his rights were violated. He has been represented in several matters by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). Prior settlements include:
- Blackshear, Georgia (2023): the city revoked the ordinance under which Gray was cited, paid $1,791 to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (a figure keyed to the year the First Amendment was ratified), and committed to regular First Amendment training for police.7UGA First Amendment Clinic. Gray v. Wright
- Port Wentworth, Georgia (2023): a case over Gray’s arrest for refusing to leave an area outside city hall, settled in November 2023.8Fox 5 Atlanta. Alpharetta to Train Officers on Free Speech After Lawsuit Over Veteran Arrest
- Alpharetta, Georgia (2024): the city paid $55,000 in damages and attorneys’ fees, agreed to prohibit officers from falsely claiming panhandling is unlawful, banned trespass notices from open public spaces, and committed to annual First Amendment training with quarterly reports to FIRE for three years.9FIRE. Victory: Georgia City Overhauls Panhandling Policies and Pays After FIRE Defends Man Holding Sign
Against that record, the Waveland resolution fits a familiar shape: rescinded citations, mandated officer training, and a monetary component the city has chosen to keep confidential.