Courtney Mallery arrested by El Paso County law enforcement on February 6, 2023. Photo credit: Blackfarmlandownersmatter Instagram

Matters escalate for Colorado Black ranchers, Courtney Mallery gets arrested

2 mins read

Couple says that an officer’s “lies” led to husband’s arrest for a warrant issued after they continued to report ongoing harassment, threats and surveillance from residents and even law enforcement.

On Monday, Black rancher Courtney Mallery was taken into custody by El Paso County deputy sheriffs. The detainment occurred while Mallery and his wife, Nicole, were live-streaming a succession of videos on Instagram near a Starbucks in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Mr. Mallery explained that he was preparing to turn himself in. Though he thought he had more time, he discovered the arrest would occur “sooner than [he] anticipated.” Minutes later, another live stream showed him in a state trooper’s patrol car. While Mrs. Mallery broadcasted the arrest, she requested the public to phone the local sheriff’s office.

“Let’s flood these lines to make sure that Courtney Mallery is not harmed while he’s in custody,” directed an upset Nicole to those who watched the stream. 

For over two years, the couple has been in an intense political and legal battle with law enforcement and some residents in their predominantly white town. The town is located in El Paso County.

| READ: Get Out: Black Colorado ranchers face domestic terrorism by local whites who they say are trying to steal their land. Pt. 1

The Mallerys’ allege that they have been targeted because they are Black ranchers in a predominantly white locale, where residents reject them living there. Subsequently, they have been subjected to ongoing harassment, property damage, surveillance and other racialized attacks. At the heart of their allegations is Emory Ray Gerhart, a local El Paso County officer. His wife is Shannon Gerhart, a Colorado judge who sits on the 4th Judicial Branch.

Mr. Mallery told Ark Republic that Gerhart had repeatedly threatened to file charges against them for their multiple complaints over the years. Before his arrest, Mr. Mallery explained that the warrant was a “result of [Gerhart’s] lies and false charges.” At one point during her husband’s detainment, Mrs. Mallery yelled, “Gerhart is a liar, he’s a racist.”

In response to Ark Republic’s previous reporting, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department emphasized that they “remain committed to fostering safety for our community and our neighbors while ensuring Constitutional and civil rights are upheld regardless [of] race, color, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic.”

Documents obtained by Ark Republic show a mailed notice was signed by Gerhart on December 12, 2022. The charges are stalking, tampering with a utility meter and petty theft. The charges are felonies and can lead to jail time.

| Get Out: ‘I stood naked with my shotgun.’ Black ranchers say white residents terrorize their Colorado farm to push them off of their land. Pt. 2

“I’m not well, but this is part of it,” soberly stated Mr. Mallery as he was handcuffed in the state trooper’s car. According to the couple, one of the officers at the scene, Deputy Sheriff Ronnie Hancock, is an ally of Gerhart. The couple refers to the officer and those complicit in local department as “Gehart’s goons,” because they have allowed the targeted actions against the Mallerys to persist.

While on the livestream, Mrs. Mallery accused Deputy Hancock of refusing to provide information during Mr. Mallery’s arrest. Shortly thereafter, he and other officers at the scene began to detail where Mr. Mallery would be taken and the process involved in bonding him out. Mr. Mallery’s bond is set at $2,000. 

Ark Republic reached out to El Paso County Sheriff’s communications office for a comment. At press time, they have yet to release a statement about the warrant or arrest. However, a statement by Sheriff Royball requested that the Black and Latino Coalition Leadership Council coordinate a meeting with the Mallerys’ “to address ongoing concerns” raised by the couple and the onslaught of social media distribution of the issue.

Art Douglas Blacksher of “The Black Round Business Round Table” contributed to this article.

Kaia Shivers covers news, features and the diaspora.

[give_form id=”7786″]

We’re raising money for Ark Republic and Black Farmers Index.  We need your help to keep the wheels churning and the stories flowing. Please donate to organizations committed to keeping you informed with rich, robust stories and great connections to empowered people.

[give_form id=”7786″]

 

8 Comments

  1. It is irresponsible to report this. Did you do any research into the Mallery’s past? They are riddled with sham non-profits and tax issues. You’re hurting legitimate farmers who do actually get harassed. These people are thieves not farmers.

  2. I’m black from NYC now living in Atl and I own land there. I’m bringing a drive in concert to El Paso County featuring old school R&B and Hip Hop. I’m calling them first thing in the morning.

  3. terrible story. ridiculous bias. i read expecting to hear atleast one side of the story. you fail to mention in detail anything regarding if the man DID what he’s charged for, besides quoting the wife’s name calling towards him. seems like he DID those things for whatever reason and Sheriff just used them as the reasons.

    What terrible reporting all in the sake of dividing people. ye waders will not leave with a greater understanding of either side to this story.

  4. Deeply disturbing that something like this could still happen in America. I am a white rancher and I would jump at the chance to befriend new, fellow ranchers. Whatever is happening there sounds downright evil.

  5. You WP; YOU’SE HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT THE MALLERY S HAD WHEN THE LAND WAS in FORECLOSURE.I THINK YOU’RE DIRECTING Your ANGER
    IN THE WRONG DIRECTION .IT SHOULD BE AMONGST YOU IF YOU DON’T ANYONE ELSE THERE.YOU PROBABLY DON’T EVEN OWN WHERE YOU LIVE . THAT’S THE REASON YOUSE ARE RAISING A LOT OF HELL!!!!!!

  6. TBC:Be CAREFUL HOW YOU Treat YOUR NEIGHBOR.
    SLAUGHTERING LIVESTOCK COULD HAVE FED HOW MANY FAMILIES ACROSS COUNTRY.
    I PRAY YOU HAVE A CHURCH OF CHRIST THERE FOR SALVATION

  7. RACISM: IS A GROWN-UP DISEASE,, DON’T USE YOUR CHILDREN TO SPREAD IT
    AlONG WITH YOUR COMMUNITY,START THINKING FOR YOURSELVES,!!!
    (HOW LONG WILL THIS GO ON)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

Response to El Paso County Sheriff’s Office press release on Ark Republic’s reporting on Colorado Black ranchers

Next Story

Activated. Colorado food justice activists rally around Black ranchers who say they have been living a nightmare in a predominantly white town

Latest from Race and Ethnicity