Speculations of what went down between Jacob Blake, 29, and Kenosha, Wisconsin police have run rampant as we await the details of the investigation. In the meantime, some are adding their unconfirmed two cents, saying the victim threatened police, claiming he had a gun, and also brandished a knife.
However, USA Today acted quickly to conduct a fact check and found there was no gun. But, because the state doesn’t require responding officers to wear body cameras, it can’t be confirmed if Blake actually said he had one. A search of his vehicle located a knife on his floorboard, but not actually on Blake, which defuses claims that he brandished the weapon.
Reuters also disputed the false claims that Blake, the black man who was shot in the back 7 times by a white police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, had an arrest warrant for having sex with a minor.
Apparently, social media shared court documents that suggested Blake was a pedophile and had a warrant for third-degree sexual assault charges against a minor. However, the claim is partially true, he does have a warrant for third-degree sexual assault, but it’s not with a minor.
Photos of Blake’s record were combined with Rhode Island’s law definition, however, the definition of the offense is not applicable for Wisconsin, where his charges were originated.
According to the court record from the Wisconsin Circuit Court, the charges come from a domestic abuse incident that took place on May 3. The offenses cited are criminal trespass to dwelling, third-degree sexual assault, and disorderly conduct.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature, sex with a minor is not defined by third-degree sexual assault as it is in Rhode Island.
It seems someone either inadvertently or intentionally switched the laws around, and then it circulated all over social media. But just so we are clear, the claims that Blake is wanted for sex with a minor are false.
