Man behind anti-police YouTube.com videos has history of harassing people on the Internet, records show
A man who can be heard on YouTube.com videos praising shootings of local police officers is a convicted sex offender who has a history of using the Internet to harass people, Washtenaw County court records show.
His past behavior prompted a brief standoff with a SWAT team, a bomb scare and a judge to approve five personal protection orders against him in one day, records show.
The man heard on videos under the “NatTurnersArmy” and “HATEWASTENAWSHERIFFS” YouTube.com accounts is 38-year-old Madison Tristan Mealing of Superior Township, Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Derrick Jackson confirmed Thursday.
Jackson said at least one Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputy visited Mealing’s home on Oct. 7, as Mealing claimed in a video.
This screenshot shows one of the earlier videos posted on YouTube.com.
“An officer did go out to his house,” Jackson said. “It wasn’t to make an arrest. It’s more just reaching out to him to find out what’s going on.”
The content in the videos and profiles associated with the two accounts appears to be protected under the First Amendment, Jackson said. Mealing declined a request for an interview with AnnArbor.com in May and did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday and Thursday.
He gained the attention of police officers in the region and across the country in May after he could be heard on a YouTube.com video praising the fatal shooting of a Detroit police officer. The video was titled, ”5 Detroit police officers shot this morning, 1 dies. Next killing spot? Washtenaw County P.D." In another video, Mealing praised the shooting of an off-duty county sheriff's deputy.
In May, the sheriff's department alerted other area agencies about the videos on the "NatTurnersArmy" account, which has been suspended. Ann Arbor police put out information about the videos as an officer safety caution.
AnnArbor.com recently reviewed dozens of pages of court documents, police records and numerous YouTube.com videos that reveal new details about Mealing.
He was born William Earl Standfield II and changed his name in 1998, saying he didn't like it and wanted to be named after a relative, records show. According to court and county records, Mealing formerly operated a vending company out of his home and has a medical marijuana card.
The videos show he is frustrated with being a felon, blaming the sheriff's department because he can't get a job.
Mealing is no stranger to law enforcement. His criminal record dates to 1996, with felony convictions for possessing child pornography, assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful posting of a message. Mealing has a misdemeanor conviction for possessing a firearm in a car.
It's unclear why he's not listed on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry website. Michigan State Police Sgt. Chris Pascoe said Friday the process to register Mealing on the website is underway.
On Dec. 16, 1999, a judge granted five personal protection orders against Mealing after five of his former co-workers at an Ann Arbor debt collection agency alleged he advertised them for sex on the Internet, records show.
In one PPO application, a former co-worker wrote he asked Mealing to pick him up from work one day so they could talk about Mealing recently quitting.
“At that time, we were still friends,” the man wrote. “About five minutes into the ride home, he pulled out a semi-automatic weapon” and mentioned hurting the company's owner.
“I spent the whole time trying to talk some sense into him," the man wrote. "I thought I had, when we started getting a lot of obscene phone calls and e-mails directed to certain employees.”
In another PPO application, a former co-worker wrote Mealing set up profiles on the Internet, advertising the business as an "S&M Company."
She said her name and those of other employees were posted online, advertising them for sex and phone sex. She included some of the advertisements in the application as evidence for the court.
"This has also caused other men from the Internet to contact me at work, and to fax nude pictures of themselves," she wrote.
Eight people in the county have applied for PPOs against Mealing, records show, and six applications have been granted.
In 2004, a female family member obtained a PPO against Mealing after she alleged he ran her off the road, vandalized her car at work and came over to her house at 3 a.m. with a gang of people in a threatening manner.
According to Mealing's FBI Identification Record, his first arrest was in 1992 in Detroit, where he was picked up on a drug charge. The outcome of that case is unclear.
In 2000, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies arrested Mealing after a brief standoff with a SWAT team at his home following a domestic dispute. Court records show he allegedly assaulted a female relative, leaving her with a black eye and threatened a deputy with a shotgun. Explosives-related materials were found in his home, records show.
Mealing pleaded no contest to assault with a dangerous weapon and was sentenced in 2001 to a year in jail followed by three years probation, records show. Several months into Mealing's probation term, his probation officer recommended Mealing "not be allowed to use the Internet" because he was allegedly harassing family members.
In 2004, Mealing pleaded no contest to possessing child sexually abusive material and was sentenced to three years probation, records show. Days before being arraigned on charges in that case, deputies say Mealing sparked a bomb scare during a traffic stop in Ypsilanti Township. A bomb-sniffing dog indicated explosive material was in a suspicious package in Mealing's car, and a bomb squad ultimately detonated the package, records show.
Mealing was convicted of violating probation in the case after he allegedly failed to complete a sex offender treatment program, swore at a sex offender therapist and used drugs, records show. He was sentenced to four months in jail.
In many videos, Mealing curses at police officers, wishes horrible things upon them and their families and uses racial slurs to describe individuals. But Mealing also can be heard on videos under the YouTube.com account, "DrBigBudz" presenting himself in a different light.
In those videos, he talks about his dog, mentions his wife and discusses methods to grow medical marijuana.
In one video, he celebrates that 100 people have subscribed to his YouTube.com channel. He says there's no place on his channel for racism and other hateful messages.
"In all, I’m just a peaceful person, you know what I’m saying?"
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and e-mail at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Concerned Citizen
Mon, Nov 8, 2010 : 11:12 a.m.
Just to make the public aware, not only does this convicted felon also have the right to threaten and target those sworn to protect us, he seems to also own a gun and claims to carry it with him where ever he goes. Which if correct me if I am wrong, but I thought convicted felons lost their right to bare arms let alone carry concealed firearms? http://www.youtube.com/drbigbudz#p/u/0/BjdOUHJCf2w
Cora
Sun, Oct 24, 2010 : 11:12 p.m.
I was unfortunate enough to date Mr. Mealing several years ago. It really does not surprise me that he pulled something like this. He is bipolar with schizophrenia and is known for bouts of anger and threats of violence when he is not on his medication. It seems that posting obscene ads on the internet is his way of revenge, as he did that to me too after we broke up and I had moved out of state. I did report him to YouTube and the Michigan State Police. Before I moved,he was texting threats to kill me and I had also filed for a PPO against him. Knowing that he is escalating further into violence and violent threats, I would say it is time to lock him away before something more tragic happens. I think there is a great potential for harm to happen if he isn't taken in.
Matt Cooper
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
Hey Mark A., I have a few emails directly from Mealing in response to a comment I left on his videos. Come on over (you know who I am, Karen's brother) and I will gladly show them to you. I would post them here but for the sexually graphic content contained in his emails.
Salinemary
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.
Thanks for informing the public about this man.
Terrin
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 12:14 a.m.
The guy clearly is not a prince, but it seems to me the only reason the guy is making the news is because of his feelings towards police. Wishing the police dead is free speech provided he doesn't threaten to play a part in their deaths. Free speech is about protecting the speech you like the least not speech you agree with.
d_a2
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.
@catmi nobody is saying it wasn't well researched. I even mentioned in a posting that Lee Higgins writes the most detailed articles out of the whole annarbor.com staff.
catmi
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
I believe the headline shows the point of this article. Sheriffs in our county are under a threat that involves the taking of life. We care about them and their safety, why shouldn't we be allowed to know when their lives are threatened? I believe everyone knows you don't kid about this sort of thing, especially on a public site, unless at least some part of you wants this to take place. And I just want people to remember.. "AnnArbor.com recently reviewed dozens of pages of court documents, police records and numerous YouTube.com videos that reveal new details about Mealing." This was not pulled together quickly, this was researched deeply and all items are public record. I respect Lee's work and his goal.
Mark A.
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
Concerned Citizen, am I supposed to believe Jackson just because you do? We have only heard one side of the story in this article.
d_a2
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 2:53 p.m.
@lee higgins and i'm not trying to bash your work. I think you're one of the best reporters they have at this "newspaper" with some of the most detailed and relevant articles.
d_a2
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
@mark a i completely agree with you. I understand a small article about the youtube videos when it was relevant but to dig into this man's entire past and put it out on the internet is a little strange. There have been articles written on this website profiling positive members of society that haven't had this much detail in them.
d_a2
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 2:46 p.m.
what is this a biography? sheesh
Concerned Citizen
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 2:39 p.m.
Mark A. Your comments are contradicting to the story and your own view points. Both Lee Higgins and the Washtenaw Sheriff's department have made attempts to see both side of the story and hear Mr. Mealing's case, while he continues to hide behind youtube and a camera. An officer did go out to his house, Jackson said. It wasnt to make an arrest. Its more just reaching out to him to find out whats going on. Inciting violence and harm to government officials in one video (even teachers) and then in another video claiming there is no room for hate. Yes I agree this sounds like a deeply disturbed individual that needs as much help as possible and is part of a failing system both to protect the innocent and himself. However you also may have missed the fact that attempts to assist Mr. Mealing have also fallen short due to his own resistance towards help. "Mealing was convicted of violating probation in the case after he allegedly failed to complete a sex offender treatment program, swore at a sex offender therapist and used drugs, records show. He was sentenced to four months in jail." I would like to know why serving jail time is a substitute for rehabilitation. This is obviously a deranged individual with psychiatric issues that uses first amendment rights and youtube in order to hide behind while spreading racism, hate and violence towards others. If he isn't willing to discuss his side of the story then it's in the publics best interest for the AnnArbor.com to unveil the person behind the hateful messages of which first amendment rights protect him from should be no different than the same protections afforded to the AnnArbor.com.
Mark A.
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
Mr. Ed, I think you were selectively reading. The article said that he declined an interview back in May, about what, who knows. Regarding this article, it was written that Mealing "did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday and Thursday". I write for some media sites, and people often don't respond, and usually not in a timely manner. It doesn't cause me to write one sided articles on them based on hearsay. This is poor journalism, meant to incite hate and alienate someone in his own neighborhood. I'm glad to know that you fell victim to the propaganda. This situation obviously requires intervention, not escalation. I dare Higgins to be responsible enough to offer to help Mealing mediate his problems through open and peaceful calls to action.
Rockii
Fri, May 25, 2012 : 10:42 p.m.
I know that this is a very old article, however I'm inclinded to say that the writer of this particular article doesn't even know half of what makes Mr.Mealing the leper of the family that he is, that being said he's one of the reasons why I wouldn't move back to ypsilanti!
Mr. Ed
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
Mark A Thanks for stepping up to help this man re-adjust to society. We need more men like you. Mark in the story it says "Mealing declined a request for an interview with AnnArbor.com." I do believe AnnArbor.com tried to speak with him. Oh yea and Mark here is more information from the story. "At that time, we were still friends, the man wrote.About five minutes into the ride home, he pulled out a semi-automatic weapon and mentioned hurting the company's owner." Mark let me know how it works out for ya.
Cash
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.
His history as you report it sounds as though he has a drug problem and anger issues for sure. But there are some issues I'm wondering about.... "deputies say Mealing sparked a bomb scare during a traffic stop in Ypsilanti Township....bomb-sniffing dog indicated explosive material was in a suspicious package in Mealing's car, and a bomb squad ultimately detonated the package, records show." Does it say what that package really was? Because apparently he wasn't charged with anything. If he sparked a "scare" it sounds as though there were no explosive devices. "Explosives-related materials were found in his home, records show." What were those explosive materials? gas? matches? Obviously he wasn't charged with any bomb-type charges.
Mark A.
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.
He's obviously served his time for the things that he's done that were illegal or has cases pending. I do wonder why anyone would want to make an article that to me has no purpose other than to escalate the situation by posting every opposing viewpoint on the situations that have made Mealing angry and not his own viewpoint. I also question how responsible it is to announce that Mealing has a marihuana registry ID card and may be in possession of marijuana. I would ask that someone try to help the man adjust to society instead of trying to force him out of his home from public pressure. I highly doubt that if you wave and say "Hi" to him as your neighbor, that you'll have any problems.
djm12652
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 10:03 a.m.
Perhaps this person just hasn't been able to realize that he is, imo, serving no useful purpose in society. Just put him away already, as a habitual offender.
Heardoc
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.
I think that this was good work done by the reporter. Now, can we have this kind of journalism occur when the look at our public officials -- including the police ( Washtenaw county Sheriff dept, Ann Arbor police etc). Then we would have an outlet that is doing the community good. In this case, with this individual, annarbor.com was spot on. Let's do a little scrutiny of the far left radicals that are in our community in abundance -- we need to be protected from these people as well......
Concerned Citizen
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:31 a.m.
Looking at subscriptions in his youtube channels it looks like there is another one he has "NEWNEW" with the same about me and same voice in the videos as "natturnerarmy". http://www.youtube.com/user/NEWNEW time for due diligence and to flag these types of videos to youtube.
halflight
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 8:49 a.m.
Thank you for publishing this information. Even though Mr. Mealing is a private individual, his strongly anti-social behavior needs to be publicly known, so that others can protect themselves.
jcj
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 7:42 a.m.
I can't imagine he has a wife! I bet his relatives were the happiest people on the planet when he changed his name!
pawky
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:38 a.m.
This menace belongs behind bars.
Jimmy McNulty
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:27 a.m.
"It's unclear why he's not listed on the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry website." He's also not in the OTIS website under either his current or former names. "In all, Im just a peaceful person, you know what Im saying?" No, I don't know what you're saying.