Christopher Key, the Alabama activist behind the “Vaccine Police” website, has been arrested or cited at least twice in connection with his anti-vaccine activism: a April 2021 citation for third-degree criminal trespassing at a Whole Foods in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and a January 4, 2022 courtroom arrest in Jefferson County after a judge revoked his bond for refusing to wear a mask and refusing to stop recording during his hearing. He also has an older 2010 trespassing arrest tied to his prior sports-supplement business and is subject to a 2013 permanent injunction issued by an Alabama court barring him from several industries in the state.
Who Christopher Key Is
Key founded “Vaccine Police,” which despite its name is not a law enforcement organization but a website and social media presence that aggregates anti-vaccination content. He rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the vaccines the “worst bioweapon” he had ever seen and traveling the country to stage confrontational protests at pharmacies, school board meetings, and other venues.1Forbes. Vaccine Police Founder Claims Drinking Your Own Urine Is COVID-19 Antidote He holds no science degree.2Sports Illustrated. Strange Lab Lured Numerous Athletes
The Whole Foods Trespassing Citation
In April 2021, Key was cited for third-degree criminal trespassing after he refused to wear a mask and refused to leave a Whole Foods store in Cahaba Village Plaza in Mountain Brook, Alabama.3AL.com. Christopher Key Recently Arrested Alabama Anti-Vaxxer Falsely Claims Urine Cures COVID That citation is the criminal matter that has driven his later court appearances.
Jailed at the Jefferson County Courthouse
When Key appeared in Jefferson County court on January 4, 2022 to face the Whole Foods charge, he again refused to wear a mask, claimed a “medical/religious exemption,” and refused to stop recording inside the courtroom. District Judge Katrina Ross revoked his bond and ordered him taken into custody. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail that afternoon and held without bond, then released the following day.4The Daily Beast. Christopher Paul Key Flamethrower-Brandishing Antivax Leader Jailed for Trespassing
Motion to Dismiss and Planned Appeal
Key’s attorney, William McGowen, later filed a 41-point motion to dismiss, arguing that the trespassing matter belonged in civil court rather than as a criminal case. In February 2023, Judge Kandice Pickett denied the motion, noting that the defense “offered no argument or case law and chose to stand on their filing.” Key announced plans to appeal the criminal charge to the Supreme Court of Alabama.51819 News. Vaccine Police Man Plans to Appeal Criminal Charge to Supreme Court After Motion to Dismiss Denied in Whole Foods Trespassing Case Available records do not show how that appeal was resolved.
The Springfield Walmart Pharmacy Confrontation
In August 2021, Key and roughly half a dozen followers walked into a Walmart pharmacy on Sunshine Street in Springfield, Missouri, where Key shouted at employees for about 30 minutes. He called the administration of COVID-19 vaccines “crimes against humanity” and told staff that “if they do not stand down immediately, then they could be executed.”6The Independent. Walmart Vaccine Police Threat Staff barricaded themselves behind the pharmacy counter during the tirade.7The Washington Post. Walmart Christopher Key Anti-Vaccine No criminal charges from this specific incident appear in available records.
Reporting during the same period described Key traveling the country with weapons, including a flamethrower and high-capacity firearms, and threatening to perform citizen’s arrests of Democratic governors. His activities were also cited in a National School Boards Association letter documenting threatening behavior toward school officials during central Alabama school board meetings.4The Daily Beast. Christopher Paul Key Flamethrower-Brandishing Antivax Leader Jailed for Trespassing
The Earlier S.W.A.T.S. Arrest and Alabama Injunction
Key’s legal history predates his anti-vaccine work. He was a central figure at S.W.A.T.S. (Sports with Alternatives to Steroids), a Fultondale, Alabama company run with owner Mitch Ross that sold holographic “performance chips,” “negatively charged” water, and deer-antler spray marketed to professional and college athletes. Key used parlor tricks involving cell phones and balance to convince athletes the products worked.2Sports Illustrated. Strange Lab Lured Numerous Athletes
In 2010, Key was arrested for trespassing after providing chips and light-beam treatments to an LSU player in a hotel room at the Senior Bowl. Those charges were dropped, but he was permanently banned from the hotel.2Sports Illustrated. Strange Lab Lured Numerous Athletes
The bigger legal blow came in 2013, when the Alabama Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section sued the company in Jefferson County Circuit Court. Judge Caryl Privett found the defendants in violation of 263 counts of the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act and issued a permanent injunction barring both Ross and Key from doing business in Alabama or participating in the sports supplement, general nutrition, athletic training, and pain management industries.8Alabama Attorney General. AG Announces Final Order Against Sports Performance Company for Unsupported Dangerous Health Claims
Urine as a Claimed COVID “Antidote”
In early 2022, Key drew additional attention by promoting the drinking of one’s own urine as a COVID-19 “antidote.” In a video posted to his Telegram account, he declared that “urine therapy” was supported by “tons and tons of research” and was effective even for vaccinated individuals.1Forbes. Vaccine Police Founder Claims Drinking Your Own Urine Is COVID-19 Antidote The claim is not connected to any charge against him, but it is why many people first encountered his name.