Judge dismisses city candidate's stalking complaint against activist

Leon County Judge Dawn Caloca-Johnson tossed out a request by City Commission candidate Rudy Ferguson Sr. to issue a stalking injunction against Stanley Sims, a frequent speaker at public meetings, over an incident that happened at City Hall.

Ferguson filed a petition for stalking injunction against Sims on Feb. 22, the day after the two of them had an unpleasant encounter in the lobby outside chambers, where the City Commission was meeting. Ferguson accused Sims of yelling and screaming at him and following him around after he walked away.

"He was aggressive towards and he began to insult me even more with profanity to the point he poked me," Ferguson wrote in the complaint. Ferguson, a pastor, asked the court to prohibit Sims from going within 500 feet of him at City Hall, County Commission chambers or public events hosted by him or his family.

Caloca-Johnson denied the petition because of insufficient evidence after an April 17 hearing in which both Ferguson and Sims were present in the courtroom.

Marie Mattox, a Tallahassee lawyer who represents Sims, said in a Wednesday news release that Ferguson's "failed efforts to abuse the legal system" and block Sims' access to local government and candidates was "wrong and without legal merit."

Sims is a vocal supporter of City Commissioner Jack Porter, whom Ferguson and two other candidates are trying to unseat in the 2024 election. Sims criticized Ferguson for the court action in a statement.

"It's not a good look for someone who wants to lead our community," Sims said. "Everyone has the right to be in City Hall and make their voice heard."

Ferguson told the Democrat on Wednesday that the details of the case and the judge's order "are all documented in the court transcripts. I have no further comments to add."

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Judge dismisses Rudy Ferguson complaint against Stanley Sims