This developing story out of Connecticut has grabbed attention statewide. It involves a retired state police sergeant, a controversial YouTube activist, and a heated confrontation caught on video.
The incident happened in July outside the home of former Sgt. Bryan Fahey of Groton. It ended with Fahey’s arrest months later for allegedly spitting on activist SeanPaul Reyes.
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The case has sparked debate over police accountability, First Amendment activism, and the very definition of assault under Connecticut law.
Confrontation Outside Groton Home Ends in Arrest
According to court documents, Bryan Fahey, 53, was taken into custody Friday and charged with disorderly conduct. Prosecutors in Windham County took over the matter from New London County, maybe to avoid any conflict of interest.
The charge comes from a tense, recorded standoff between Fahey and Reyes. Reyes is best known for his Long Island Audit YouTube channel, where he films encounters with government officials and police.
The July 11 Video Truck Protest
On July 11, Reyes showed up in Groton with a digital billboard truck looping clips of his past run-ins with Fahey. The activist walked up to Fahey’s residence, knocked on the door, and waited outside.
Reyes said he wanted to confront the retired officer about past disputes. Fahey soon came outside with a handgun, ordered Reyes to leave, and then allegedly spit in his face.
Reyes immediately called for police intervention. The whole thing played out on video, adding fuel to the controversy.
Criminal Charges for Both Sides
Fahey now faces a single misdemeanor charge. The July incident also led to Reyes and his cameraman, 20-year-old Tahiem Glover, getting arrested on multiple counts:
- First-degree criminal trespass
- Second-degree breach of peace
- Voyeurism with malice
Police said the voyeurism charge was connected to Reyes entering Fahey’s “curtilage”—the private area around a home—and allegedly recording in violation of privacy. Reyes says the charges are “baseless” and just an attempt to retaliate against his activism.
He’s announced plans to challenge the case in state court and go after a federal lawsuit. Whether that goes anywhere remains to be seen.
Spitting and Connecticut’s Assault Laws
At the scene, Reyes pushed officers to arrest Fahey for assault. Police refused, saying that under Connecticut law, spitting only counts as assault if it causes physical injury.
Without injury, they said, disorderly conduct was the right charge. Critics argue this leaves too much up to police interpretation.
Internal Affairs and Retirement
The Connecticut State Police conducted an internal affairs investigation into Fahey’s actions. The review found he’d engaged in “conduct unbecoming of an officer.”
Fahey had already filed retirement papers in May, and his last day was August 1. Since he’d already left, internal discipline didn’t really matter anymore.
Reyes Questions Leniency
Reyes welcomed the eventual arrest but argued Fahey should face more serious charges like assault. He accused the justice system of going easy on the retired officer because of his long law enforcement career.
Reyes claims that if their roles had been reversed, he’d be facing felony assault and weapons charges. It’s a point that’s hard to ignore.
Wider Implications Across Connecticut
This case has stirred conversations far beyond Groton. People in Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, and Norwalk, along with smaller towns like Stonington and Sprague, have all weighed in.
Residents in Waterbury and Middletown have debated online whether Reyes overstepped his rights or if Fahey’s actions point to a bigger problem with police accountability in Connecticut. No easy answers here—just a lot of strong opinions and uncertainty about what comes next.
Next Steps in Court
With court dates coming up for both Fahey and Reyes, Connecticut legal observers are watching closely. The outcomes could shape how the state views public activism at private homes, free speech limits, and what actually counts as assault if no one gets hurt.
As both men get ready for their legal fights—one heading to criminal court, the other maybe to federal court—Groton stays in the spotlight. The whole thing is a clash between a former officer’s privacy and an activist’s stubborn push for what he calls “government accountability.”
This dispute isn’t even close to finished. How it ends might change how similar run-ins get handled in Connecticut down the road.
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Here is the source article for this story: Ex-CT trooper arrested for spitting in YouTuber’s face during armed confrontation, Groton police say
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