Renton, WA- The prosecutor wants to send a cartoonist to jail for mocking the police department.

RENTON, Wash. - The Renton City Prosecutor wants to send a cartoonist to jail for mocking the police department in a series of animated Internet videos.

The "South-Park"-style animations parody everything from officers having sex on duty to certain personnel getting promoted without necessary qualifications. While the city wants to criminalize the cartoons, First Amendment rights advocates say the move is an "extreme abuse of power."

Only KIRO Team 7 Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne holds a key document that really lays bare the city’s intent. The document was quietly filed in King County Superior Court last week. It’s a search warrant accusing an anonymous cartoon creator, going by the name of Mr. Fiddlesticks, of cyberstalking (RCW 9.61.260). The Renton Police Department and the local prosecutor got a judge to sign off as a way to uncover the name of whoever is behind the parodies. Halsne talked with three nationally respected legal experts who believe the use of the cyberstalking statute is likely stomping on the constitution.

A criminal court document, uncovered by Team 7 Investigators, not only shows how badly the city of Renton wants to “out” the cartoonist (who goes by the name MrFiddlesticks), but states some of the fake character’s lines discuss real life incidents.For example, the search warrant says one cartoon statement “discussed a past incident that has already been investigated…..regarding a dating relationship (a female detective) had with a suspect.”

A criminal court document, uncovered by Team 7 Investigators, not only shows how badly the city of Renton wants to "out" the cartoonist (who goes by the name MrFiddlesticks), but states some of the fake character's lines discuss real life incidents.

For example, the search warrant says one cartoon statement "discussed a past incident that has already been investigated…..regarding a dating relationship (a female detective) had with a suspect." An embarrassing revelation; yes, but criminal?

We asked attorney Venkat Balasubramani to review several parody videos and the court documents. He's an expert in cyber-law and constitutional issues.

“The cyberstalking angle doesn't pass the laugh test," Balasubramani told KIRO-TV. "It's a serious stretch and I'd be surprised if somebody looked at it and realistically thought these acts actually fit the statute and we could make somebody criminally liable."

Court Filing(Search Warrant):
http://www.scribd.com/doc/61571607/Renton-Parody-Doc1-8?secret_password=11bi0tf3vcpw81ynrnhe

To view all nine videos go to this YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc6-vlJG1W0

Kirotv has posted six videos:
Job Tips Parody
http://www.kirotv.com/video/28776480/index.html

Promotion Parody
http://www.kirotv.com/video/28776990/index.html

Reprimand Parody
http://www.kirotv.com/video/28776583/index.html

Lawyer Parody
http://www.kirotv.com/video/28776835/index.html

Locker Room Parody
http://www.kirotv.com/video/28756245/index.html

Jail Parody
http://www.kirotv.com/video/28756506/index.html

Links: http://www.kirotv.com/news/28758502/detail.html
http://www.theagitator.com/2011/08/04/prosecutor-dangles-cyberstalking-charge-for-online-cartoons-that-mock-police/