Afroman Sues Ohio Police Officer Who Filed Failed Defamation Lawsuit: ‘Malicious Prosecution’

Rapper Afroman has filed a new lawsuit against Ohio police officer Brian Newland, one of seven officers who unsuccessfully sued him for defamation over music videos mocking a botched 2022 raid on his home. The move comes months after a jury rejected the officers' case in a March trial widely seen as a free speech victory, and it marks an unusual reversal in which Afroman is now accusing a former plaintiff of malicious prosecution.

The complaint, filed in Ohio court, claims Newland's original defamation lawsuit "lacked legal merit" and was brought solely to harass Afroman, causing him emotional distress and reputational harm. Afroman is seeking at least $25,000 to cover legal costs, and described the suit on Instagram as a "birthday present" to himself. The dispute stems from an August 2022 raid in which deputies seized over $5,000 in cash on suspicion of drug trafficking, though no charges were filed and the money was returned; Afroman responded with mocking music videos using his own surveillance footage, prompting the officers' since-dismissed defamation claim. It is unclear why only Newland, and not the other six officers, is being targeted in this new action.