Aldin Hamdy, a 30-year-old TikTok comedian from Santa Fe, has filed a lawsuit against the New Mexico State Police and the state Department of Public Safety, alleging that the agencies retaliated against him for creating satirical videos and violated his civil rights.
Hamdy, known for his TikTok channel Get the Stick, posted several videos in February 2024 wearing a uniform resembling a state police officer’s. In these clips, he humorously mocked police culture, including jokes about “free bloos from the evidence room” and sneaking “burner phones” to inmates. The videos quickly gained hundreds of thousands of views.
Shortly after the videos went viral, the state police charged Hamdy with misdemeanor “unauthorized wearing of a uniform or badge,” alleging the clips were filmed at the dry cleaning store where he worked. However, Hamdy’s lawsuit claims the investigation was a targeted attempt to suppress his speech.
According to the complaint, officers conducted an “intimidation and harassment tour,” questioning employees at the dry cleaner and his family members, including his parents at their antique shop. Statements from officers during the investigation suggested their goal was “to punish speech, not to enforce any valid law.”
One officer told Hamdy during a home interview that the videos were “upsetting” and did not align with the department’s values. Officer Amanda Richards, who filed the charges, stated in court documents that the uniform is a source of pride for the department.
The misdemeanor case against Hamdy was dismissed by a Santa Fe County Magistrate Court judge, who ruled the charges were based solely on the content of Hamdy’s speech. Although prosecutors initially appealed, they later dropped the case.
Hamdy’s attorney, Israel Chávez, said the lawsuit highlights a broader problem of police abusing their power and disregarding constitutional rights. The prosecution, Chávez added, caused significant harm to Hamdy’s health, reputation, and livelihood.
Hamdy seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress, loss of liberty, reputational harm, and economic losses, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.
