Findlay Woman Seeks Legal Council For Arrest After Constitutional Audit Backfires

July 27, 2025 — Findlay, OH

A recent incident in Findlay has sparked debate about citizen interactions with law enforcement and the growing trend of “constitutional audits.” Haydee Sadler, a former mayoral candidate and vocal citizen journalist, was arrested last week following a parking dispute in downtown Findlay, Ohio. Sadler now says she will seek legal counsel, claiming her rights were violated and the arrest was politically motivated.

According to eyewitnesses and preliminary reports, the confrontation began when Sadler received a parking ticket. When asked by an officer to present her driver’s license, she refused, questioning the legality of the request. The situation escalated when the officer informed Sadler she would be arrested for criminal trespassing if she did not comply or leave the area. Sadler, continuing to film the interaction, allegedly resisted as the officer attempted to handcuff her. She was taken to the ground and detained amid vocal protest, shouting, “This is so horrible, guys.”

Video of the arrest—now circulating on social media—shows Sadler narrating the encounter and expressing outrage over her treatment. In a Facebook post dated July 24, Sadler wrote:

“For the record, I am seeking legal council after Mayor Muryn’s wrongful arrest and illegal prosecution… I was honestly there to ask questions as a Citizen Journalist… I was only in the parking lot for two minutes when the officer ran up on me and tackled me to the ground… There was no reason for a parking ticket to escalate in 1 minute and 17 seconds to a chokehold he held me in.”

Sadler claims she was targeted for her outspoken views and prior association with local nonprofit and religious groups. She also criticized the officer’s professionalism and alleges double standards in the handling of law enforcement interactions, comparing her arrest to separate incidents involving other community members.

Ohio Law: Stop and Identify Statutes

The incident has reignited public discussion about citizens’ rights regarding “stop and identify” laws in Ohio. Under Ohio Revised Code 2921.29, a person must disclose their name, address, and date of birth to a law enforcement officer only if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a criminal offense. Importantly, in the context of a parking violation, the legal obligation to present identification is less clear. While officers may request identification from the operator of a vehicle (ORC 4507.35 requires presenting a driver’s license “upon the demand of a peace officer”), the scope of this authority can be ambiguous when a vehicle is merely parked and the alleged violation is not a criminal infraction but rather a civil one.

However, refusing to comply with a lawful order—such as exiting a vehicle or leaving property—can escalate into criminal trespassing charges under ORC 2911.21, particularly if an individual remains on property after being asked to leave.

“Constitutional Audits” and Legal Misunderstandings

The incident is part of a larger nationwide trend in which so-called “constitutional auditors”—private individuals, often self-styled as citizen journalists—challenge police officers on video, invoking constitutional rights in everyday encounters. Legal experts caution that while recording in public spaces is generally protected, some auditors misinterpret statutory language or create confrontational scenarios to provoke and record dramatic law enforcement responses.

Law enforcement advocates argue that these staged confrontations can rapidly escalate otherwise routine situations and divert police resources. Others counter that public accountability and citizen oversight are critical, especially in light of recent national debates about policing.

Next Steps

Sadler is reportedly seeking legal counsel and has submitted requests for local police records and prior incident reports involving both herself and Officer Ciapowski, whom Sadler accuses of a pattern of aggressive conduct. Findlay city officials have not yet commented on the case.

As the controversy unfolds, community members are divided—some defending Sadler’s stance on civil rights, others expressing concern about the rising tension between police and self-proclaimed auditors.

The case is expected to reach the courts, where questions about the boundaries of citizen journalism, lawful police orders, and individual rights will likely be raised.

Relevant Ohio Statutes:

• ORC 2921.29 (Failure to disclose personal information):
  Requires a person to provide their name, address, and date of birth if the officer “reasonably suspects” a criminal offense is involved, not for all parking violations.

• ORC 2911.21 (Criminal Trespass):
  Prohibits a person from remaining on property after being notified by signage or lawful order to depart.

• ORC 4507.35 (License to be carried and exhibited upon demand):
  Requires presentation of a driver’s license if operating a motor vehicle and requested by a peace officer.

Editor’s Note:
At the time of this writing, no major news outlets have independently verified details of the incident beyond citizen-recorded video and public postings. Legal outcomes may depend on the facts presented and local statutes interpreted in court. The story will be updated should new information become available.

For more on “stop and identify” laws in Ohio, see: ORC 2921.29 – Ohio Laws