Lafayette, Louisiana — In a stunning development that raises serious questions about law enforcement influence over the federal judiciary, United States Magistrate Judge Carol B. Whitehurst has formally recused herself from the federal prosecution of journalist Matthew Reardon, following a ruling that concluded an objective observer could question her impartiality due to behind-the-scenes communications initiated by the U.S. Marshals Service.
The ruling, issued on November 12, 2025, grants Reardon’s Motion for Recusal and orders the case to be reassigned within the Western District of Louisiana.
Judge Whitehurst’s own written analysis acknowledges that a deputy U.S. Marshal circulated an internal warning email about Reardon on June 24, 2025, including photos, narrative reports, and characterizing him as a “suspicious individual” prior to any alleged offense now charged in the case. The email was sent directly to Lafayette Division judges—including Judge Whitehurst herself.
According to the Court:
“An objective and reasonable observer could believe the undersigned is predisposed to find Reardon guilty of the offense later charged… the determinative factor is one of appearance.”
The Court further held:
“Avoiding the appearance of impropriety is as important in developing public confidence in our judicial system as avoiding impropriety itself.”
Reardon, an investigative journalist known for First Amendment audits and government accountability reporting, was arrested on August 25, 2025, at the John M. Shaw Federal Courthouse. He has consistently maintained that the charge—based on a low-level property regulation—is a retaliatory attempt to silence his coverage of law enforcement misconduct.
Today’s ruling validates those concerns.
A Federal Judge Confirms the Marshals Created the Appearance of Bias
In its 6-page memorandum ruling, the Court distinguished this case from ordinary courthouse interactions, making clear that the U.S. Marshals’ unsolicited email alert—issued two months before Reardon’s arrest—created a unique and unacceptable risk of perceived partiality.
Judge Whitehurst wrote:
“The email and the attached reports depicted Reardon as a suspicious individual of which judges and their staff should be aware… As such, an objective and reasonable observer could believe the undersigned is predisposed to find Reardon guilty.”
She emphasized that recusal was necessary to preserve the integrity of the judicial process, citing controlling precedent from Liljeberg, Jordan, and the Seventh Circuit’s influential In re Nettles decision.
Reardon Responds
Reardon issued the following statement:
“This ruling proves exactly what I’ve said from day one: the U.S. Marshals staged a coordinated campaign to paint me as a threat and poison the judiciary against me. I was reporting on government misconduct, and they tried to flip it into a criminal case. A federal judge has now confirmed that their actions tainted the appearance of impartial justice.”
He added:
“This is not just my victory—it’s a warning. When law enforcement can precondition judges with prejudicial alerts about journalists, everyone’s rights are at risk. Transparency won today.”
National Civil Rights Implications
Legal experts note that this ruling could have broader implications for:
- First Amendment retaliation claims
- Judicial integrity and ex parte communication policies
- Misuse of BOLO- or watch-style alerts on journalists
- Cross-agency surveillance and preemptive labeling of media as security threats
Reardon’s defense team is expected to file additional motions challenging the lawfulness of prior rulings issued before the recusal, as well as the underlying conduct of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Case Reassignment Pending
The Clerk of Court has been directed to reassign the case to another division within the Western District of Louisiana.
Further updates will follow as new filings are made.
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