FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE · October 24, 2026
Released by Sevilla Local Media on behalf of Tommy Sevilla
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Tommy Sevilla is continuing his pursuit of civil rights accountability in Sevilla v. Ross, No. 3:25-cv-03528, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. Representing himself, Sevilla describes his Christian faith, sustained prayer, and commitment to a fair hearing as the foundation of his perseverance.
Giving Jesus Christ All Praise, Honor, and Glory
Sevilla gives his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all praise, honor, and glory for the strength to continue this demanding legal fight. He approaches the case with deep prayer, seeks guidance from the Lord, and credits Jesus with sustaining his courage and resolve as he advocates for accountability through the judicial process.
For Sevilla, Jesus Christ is his Advocate and source of wisdom. That faith shapes his determination to speak truthfully, remain steadfast, and pursue justice with purpose. He views the progress he has made as a self-represented plaintiff facing institutional defendants and experienced legal counsel as a reason for gratitude to God and continued reliance on the Lord.
The Civil Rights Allegations
As summarized in the court’s September 29, 2026 Order and Report and Recommendation, Sevilla alleges that he experienced retaliation after reporting student-safety and disability-related concerns and submitting complaints to school administrators and federal authorities. The allegations include exclusion from school property, lockouts, the handling of complaints and related records, and termination of his coaching position.
The operative pleading asserts First Amendment retaliation, retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and a civil rights conspiracy theory. Sevilla seeks accountability for conduct he alleges violated his own rights. The allegations remain disputed and must be resolved through the court process.
Defendants Identified in the Court’s September 29 Report
The report identifies Lexington-Richland School District Five; Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr.; Kaaren Hampton; Mansa Joseph; Amanda Neal; Aaron Brand; Paul Calvert; Jinni Friend; Tamara Turner; Reggie Wicker; Gary Stephens; Deputy Albert Lyons; Deputy Christian Forero; Amanda Taylor; Jonathan Colon; Nashuanda Walters; Joel Deason; Randall Ingram; and John Does 1–20. The report addresses the District defendants’ motion; the separately represented law-enforcement defendants have a different procedural posture.
Current Procedural Status
The September 29 Order and Report and Recommendation, ECF No. 253, recommended granting the District defendants’ dismissal motion in part and denying it in part. It did not recommend dismissal of the First Amendment retaliation claims against Paul Calvert, Kaaren Hampton, Aaron Brand, and Jonathan Colon. It also recommended that the ADA and Section 504 retaliation claims against the District proceed to the extent they seek equitable relief.
The report recommended dismissal of other claims and denied leave to file a further amended complaint. Sevilla filed specific objections, docketed as ECF No. 258, seeking district-judge review of the adverse rulings and recommendations. The District defendants opposed those objections in a reply filed October 21, 2026, ECF No. 261. They dispute Sevilla’s position and seek the relief recommended in the report.
The latest public docket entries reviewed for this announcement include the October 20 reassignment to Magistrate Judge Everett E. McMillian and the October 22 notice changing the case suffix to 3:25-cv-03528-JDA-EEM. District Judge Jacquelyn D. Austin remains the district judge. The reviewed docket shows the objections and dismissal recommendations awaiting district-judge resolution. These pleading-stage recommendations do not determine whether the disputed allegations are true.
Allegations of Retaliation, Student Safety, and Public Accountability
Sevilla maintains that his reports concerning alleged physical harm to students, disability accommodations, and athletic safety were made in good faith. He alleges that certain school district personnel and Lexington County law-enforcement personnel responded with retaliation or indifference rather than adequate investigation. Those are Sevilla’s allegations, disputed in the litigation; they are not judicial findings.
Sevilla further alleges that conduct involving the South Carolina High School League damaged his children’s opportunities to compete for state wrestling championships. He asserts that threats, alleged physical confrontations, and alleged harassment have impaired his family’s confidence in the safety of attending their zoned schools. He identifies these matters as subjects of his complaints and sworn submissions; the Court has not adjudicated these contested assertions. This release intentionally does not identify the children.
Sevilla has called upon South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver to address the complaints and investigate how the underlying student-safety concerns were handled. He characterizes what he considers inadequate official responses as a dereliction of public responsibility. This paragraph reports Sevilla’s criticism and request for oversight; it does not state that either official has been found to have violated a duty or is a defendant in this action.
Sevilla also strongly objects to public resources being directed toward continued litigation while, in his view, the underlying reports concerning vulnerable students remain inadequately addressed. He regards deliberate indifference to children’s safety, if established, as intolerable, and calls reliance on litigation rather than truth-seeking a moral abomination. This is his moral and religious judgment, not a finding that any particular defense expenditure was unlawful.
Faith, the Holy Spirit, and the Duty to Protect Children
Sevilla explains that he seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit through prayer, obedience, worship, and faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gives Jesus Christ all praise, honor, and glory for his deliverance, perseverance, and resolve. He does not describe a human spiritual adviser as directing this case; he believes God’s Word provides the standard for truth and justice.
His guiding biblical references include Proverbs 17:15, Isaiah 1:17, Psalm 37:28, and Matthew 18:6. Proverbs 17:15 (King James Version) declares: “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” Sevilla cites these passages as statements of his faith and moral conviction, not as findings against litigants or public officials.
“I have done nothing but report what I know and believe to be true, and I will continue seeking the truth, lawful accountability, and protection of children,” Sevilla states. “God is Truth. My confidence is in Jesus Christ, not in the power, position, or legal resources of those opposing me.” He remains committed to testing disputed claims through evidence and the court process.
A Continuing Commitment to Justice
Sevilla remains committed to pursuing his claims through the lawful court process. His message is one of faith, perseverance, and accountability: keep praying, seek the Lord’s guidance, and continue working toward a fair determination on the record.
This announcement intentionally omits all minors’ names, identifying details about children, and private evidence. Its case update is limited to the public procedural record.
Public record references: ECF No. 190, operative complaint; ECF No. 253, Order and Report and Recommendation, September 29, 2026; ECF No. 258, Plaintiff’s specific objections; ECF No. 261, District defendants’ reply, October 21, 2026; ECF Nos. 260, 262, and 263, reassignment, case-number notice, and mailing entries. View the public case docket.
Media contact:
Tommy Sevilla · Sevilla Local Media
tommy@sevillalocalmedia.com
(951) 289-1710
SevillaLocalMedia.com