Raw Footage Shows Sgt Fahey With A Gun In His Hand Spitting Journalist

Outrage Grows as Bodycam Footage Reveals Key Details in Journalist's Arrest and Alleged Police Misconduct

Groton, CT — July 13, 2025

Outrage continues to mount after independent journalist Seanpaul Reyes released video evidence of his controversial confrontation and subsequent arrest by Groton Police—an incident now fueling renewed debates about police abuse, First Amendment rights, and accountability for law enforcement.

Bodycam and Eyewitness Footage Support Reyes’ Claims

In a new video (uploaded today Sunday July 7, 2025), Reyes, known for his “Long Island Audit” channel, shares raw footage as he approaches the residence of Connecticut State Police Sergeant Bryan Fahey to question him about alleged fraudulent overtime compensation. The video, corroborated by Reyes’ cameraman and further supported by cell phone and police body camera footage, shows how Fahey confronting Reyes with a gun in his hand and spitting in Reyes’ face after repeated requests that he leave the property.

“You spit in my face; you’re going to jail now!” Reyes can be heard saying in the footage, highlighting the tense exchange in the sergeant’s driveway. Despite Reyes and his cameraman’s insistence that they were peacefully leaving, Fahey, still brandishing his firearm, calls 911 and accuses Reyes of threatening to kill him—an accusation both men deny.

Police Investigation Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

Groton Police arrived on the scene with multiple units responding “Code 3”—lights and sirens. Officers questioned both parties and reviewed some available video. Despite Reyes’ demand for Fahey’s arrest for what he called a clear case of assault, officers told him the law only classifies spitting as an assault when directed at police officers, not civilians. Instead, both Reyes and his cameraman were arrested for breach of peace, criminal trespass, and—controversially—voyeurism, while Fahey was not detained or charged.

The law’s apparent double standard left Reyes—and many watching the incident unfold online—furious. “So he can spit on me and that’s not a crime, but if I spit on an officer, I’d be in jail? That’s not justice,” Reyes said, calling the decision “corruption at the highest levels.”

Bond Increased and Charges Pile Up

After being transported, Reyes and his cameraman were initially told they could bond out for $10,000 (with the cameraman only required to sign a promise to appear). That quickly changed. “Because it involves a Connecticut State Trooper, people up high on the food chain called, and my bond was raised to $75,000, and my cameraman’s to $50,000,” Reyes recounts in his video. The two spent approximately five hours in custody before a bail bondsman secured their release.

In a particularly shocking moment, Reyes revealed that police not only increased the bond but also charged both men with voyeurism—a charge advocates and legal experts call dubious, given the circumstances.

Continuing Fight for Accountability

Reyes has announced his intention to file federal civil rights lawsuits against both Sgt. Fahey and the Groton Police Department, alleging retaliation, unlawful arrest, and violations of his First Amendment rights. “I will not back down,” Reyes said, vowing to FOIA all bodycam footage, 911 calls, and police reports related to the incident, and to make them public.

With millions of social media views and mounting public support, Reyes is demanding not only that charges against him and his cameraman be dropped, but also that Fahey be held criminally accountable for assault and for filing a false police report.

Public and Experts React

First Amendment advocates have slammed the police’s handling of the episode as “blatant retaliation against lawful journalism.” Legal experts also question the justification for criminal trespass and voyeurism charges, given established press rights and the absence of prohibited signage at Fahey’s residence.

“It’s deeply troubling that police are using these charges to silence those investigating credible claims of public corruption,” said a lawyer with a national civil liberties group contacted for comment.

What’s Next?

Reyes and his supporters are calling for widespread media coverage and federal intervention. As the fallout intensifies, the spotlight is on Groton Police, Connecticut State Police, and the state’s legal system to account for a decision that many see as a dangerous affront to press freedom.

“Let the cameras and the facts speak for themselves,” Reyes told his viewers. “This fight isn’t just for me—but for every American’s right to ask hard questions without fear of police retaliation.”

The full video, including police and personal footage, is available on Reyes’ YouTube channel. Reyes has pledged to release further evidence as it becomes available.