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LinkedIn Gun Photo Leads to Arrest — Charges Against West Yorkshire Man Later Dropped

Charles Oliver|Reason.com
08:13 PM, 12/10/2025
LinkedIn Gun Photo Leads to Arrest — Charges Against West Yorkshire Man Later Dropped
ID 11645196 © Garren King | Dreamstime.com

West Yorkshire Police arrested Jon Richelieu-Booth after a complaint about a LinkedIn photo showing him legally holding a firearm while on holiday in Florida. He spent the night in custody and initially faced charges including possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear and stalking, but those were withdrawn. A later public order allegation linked to another social-media post was also dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service after several months. The story underscores how lawful actions abroad can prompt criminal complaints when shared online.

Jon Richelieu-Booth was arrested at his home by West Yorkshire Police after someone complained about a LinkedIn photo showing him lawfully holding a firearm while on holiday in Florida. He spent the night in a police cell following the arrest.

Allegations and Legal Outcome

Officers initially cited allegations including possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and stalking. Those charges were withdrawn shortly afterwards. Police later linked him to a separate public order allegation tied to a different social-media post, but authorities did not publicly identify which post was involved. After several months of legal proceedings, the Crown Prosecution Service also dropped that charge.

Context

The photograph in question reportedly showed Richelieu-Booth holding a firearm legally while on holiday in Florida. The case highlights tensions around social-media posts, cross-jurisdictional perceptions of firearms, and how online images can trigger criminal complaints even when the conduct occurred legally abroad.

This piece first appeared on Reason.com.

Note: All charges mentioned in public reports were ultimately dropped by prosecutors.

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