The anti-ICE protestor who was arrested by Columbus police believes an obstructing official business charge was filed separately after the night of the incident.

He’s also been offered a plea deal. Prosecutors will drop the initial charges filed against him if he pleads guilty to obstructing official business, according to his public defender.  

Kevin Logan, a northwest side activist and former foster kid, was arrested by Columbus police at the hotel ICE was staying at in the days leading up to Christmas.

What makes the obstruction of official business charge alarming is it could be based on how he was protesting ICE – very vociferously and enthusiastically to say the least. He utilized a bullhorn on the first two nights protesting.

On the third night, and as soon as Logan pulled into the hotel’s parking lot, four Columbus police cruisers with lights flashing suddenly appeared behind his vehicle. A large Columbus police presence was at the hotel each night, and Logan believes he was targeted by certain elements within Columbus police who support ICE’s fascist-like tactics.

“I literally just stepped out of the car and said, ‘What’s the problem boys?’” said Logan whose vehement opposition to ICE comes in part from years in the foster care system and sharing those challenging times with many kids of color.

Columbus police officers immediately moved to put Logan in cuffs. The 40-something Logan is an imposing figure who stands well over six-foot. And when police tried to put his arms and hands behind his back, they popped one of his shoulders out of its socket.

“I was not defiant in any way. I was yelling that my shoulder is locked in place and won’t go back further than it was. I never gave a false name or attempted to resist them. I drove in and was immediately jumped. There were four vehicles with lights going when I stepped out as I parked,” he said.

After they manhandled him into the back of a police van, he was taken to the parking lot of a nearby Home Depot, set up as a staging area for Columbus police. Where one officer referred to him as the “ringleader” of the anti-ICE protestors, and Logan is requesting bodycam footage to prove this. One charge given to him was squealing the tires of his vehicle, a misdemeanor. He insisted to the Free Press he never did this.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther has ordered Columbus police officers not to assist ICE with immigration enforcement. But Logan’s arrest raises new questions about how much influence and control Mayor Ginther, City Council, and even Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant has over the Columbus Division of Police or certain units within the Division.

The Free Press has been reporting on rogue elements within the Division for decades, and they have plenty of support outside the Division and City Hall. Ohio Congressman Bernie Moreno stated on social media that Ginther and Bryant “should be aware that impeding federal law enforcement efforts is also a crime.”

Logan spent a night in jail, and days later he looked up his charges on the Franklin County Municipal Court website. There was a new charge – obstructing official business. The Ohio Revised Code states: “No person…shall do any act that hampers or impedes a public official in the performance of the public official’s lawful duties.”

The question is, was the charge due to obstructing ICE from doing their (un)lawful duties?

“There wasn’t any time for me to obstruct anything,” says Logan, president of the Olde Sawmill Civic Association who also recently participated in a polar plunge to raise money for Special Olympics. “There’s still no explanation from them or the police report about what that is or means. Obstruction of justice is an ‘M1’ meaning it’s a misdemeanor pretty high on the chart so I could really get spanked for that if they wanted to.”

Certainly, there is no comparison to what jailed anti-ICE protestors face compared to those immigrant who have been sent to one of Ohio’s ICE-contracted detention facilities – such as the infamous Butler County jail run by Sherrif Richard Jones, often referred to as Ohio’s “mini-Trump.” 

But going forward, and in anticipation of ICE’s next surge into Columbus, could Logan’s obstruction charge be something Columbus police or other law enforcement use to arrest future protestors?

Even after his arrest Logan refuses to cease protesting against ICE and is helping out where needed. 

“I’ve been asked to run security for a group of moms delivering food to people that can't go out. They say they’re being followed by the feds and these women are scared,” he said. “They were delivering food for a good three weeks and everything was fine and now it’s pretty obvious that they’re being followed so they have to stop either for the day or somewhere in between but they're terrified. These are soccer moms.”

When his public defender asked whether he would take the plea deal, Logan had a simple answer.

“Of course I turned it down. I won’t take a plea if it comes with a million dollars.”

This is a developing story, and the Free Press is seeking answers from the Franklin County Prosecutor’s office.