January 21, 2026
WACO, Texas — A federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Waco Division, unanimously found in favor of Pacific Justice Institute clients Monica Johnson, Clifford Jones, Brandolyn Jones, Praiyer Jones, and Addai Jones in their First Amendment retaliation case against Defendants Marlin Independent School District, former Marlin ISD Superintendent Darryl Henson, and Marlin ISD Chief of Police John Simmons.
The jury awarded the five plaintiffs a total of $7,546,465 in damages, including $4,008,199 in punitive damages against Dr. Henson and Chief Simmons. The verdict followed a week-long trial and represents a sweeping repudiation of unlawful retaliation by school officials against parents and students who spoke out.
Brandolyn and Clifford Jones, parents of Praiyer and Addai Jones, expressed gratitude following the verdict.
“We are extremely grateful for the jury verdict. Justice could not have been served without God, our attorney Janelle Davis, and Pacific Justice Institute standing up for our children and our parental rights,” the Joneses said. “No parent or student in Texas should ever experience what we did. God loves justice and truth, and justice prevailed.”
Monica Johnson emphasized the broader implications of the case for school accountability.
“Retaliation for the exercise of constitutional and parental rights is against school policy, and anyone who violates it should be held accountable,” Johnson said.
The plaintiffs’ claims were brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal civil rights statute that allows individuals to sue government officials who violate constitutional rights.
Their claims centered on violations of the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Addai Jones also brought claims under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in federally funded programs.
The case stems from Marlin ISD’s cancellation of the Class of 2023 graduation just three days before it was scheduled to take place. On May 22, 2023, Dr. Henson claimed only five seniors were eligible to graduate and announced that the ceremony scheduled for May 25 would be postponed. Graduation requirements in Texas are governed by the Texas Education Code.
That decision drew national attention and community backlash.
When Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their son publicly criticized the decision, and when Ms. Johnson created a petition calling for Dr. Henson’s removal, school officials began engaging in retaliatory conduct against the Jones and Johnson families.
Those retaliatory actions included removing Ms. Johnson from a public meeting without cause, issuing a criminal trespass warning barring her from all Marlin ISD property for one year, lowering Praiyer’s and Addai’s grades after the school year had ended, and refusing to allow Ms. Johnson’s daughter, Class of 2023 valedictorian Me’Kia Mouling to deliver her valedictorian speech at the postponed graduation. School officials also changed Me’Kia’s class rank and repeatedly taunted Ms. Johnson about it during a public meeting.
Both Ms. Johnson and Mrs. Jones were served “cease and desist” letters threatening litigation if they continued speaking publicly about their experiences with Dr. Henson and Marlin ISD, raising core concerns about the protection of political speech and public criticism of government officials.
When Ms. Johnson and the Jones family filed grievances regarding these actions, they were forced to present those grievances directly to Dr. Henson for investigation and resolution.
At trial, jurors heard testimony confirming that nearly the entire senior class had been eligible to graduate on time, contradicting assertions that only five students met graduation requirements.
The jury found in favor of the plaintiffs on all claims, awarding nominal and compensatory damages against Marlin ISD, Dr. Henson, and Chief Simmons, along with punitive damages of $254,762 against Chief Simmons and $3,753,437 against Dr. Henson.
“This verdict sends a clear message that public officials cannot use their authority to silence parents or punish students for speaking out,” said Janelle Davis, lead attorney for Pacific Justice Institute. “School districts are entrusted with educating children, not intimidating families who demand accountability. The Constitution protects the right to challenge government misconduct,
and this jury affirmed that principle.”
PJI Founder and President Brad Dacus praised the verdict as a major step forward for constitutional rights in public education.
“This is a powerful victory for parents and students across America,” Dacus said. “When school officials abuse their power to retaliate against families for speaking the truth, they undermine the very foundations of our democracy. This jury stood up for the First Amendment and reminded every school district that the Constitution is not optional.”
The jury’s decision reinforces that public school officials are not above the law and will be held accountable when they violate the constitutional rights of parents and students.
