Shannon D. Jackson: Woman Arrested For Facebook "Poke"

"Poking" someone on Facebook may sound like a naughty double-entendre, but generally speaking it's a perfectly harmless (and totally G-rated) way of getting in touch with an online pal.

The arrest of a Tennessee woman for "poking" an acquaintance on Facebook suggests it can be more sinister -- and pose serious repercussions.

According to the Tennessean, Shannon D. Jackson,from Hendersonville, TN, was arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection.

According to the affidavit filed in Sumner County General Sessions Court, Jackson is accused of using the "poke" option on Facebook to contact a Hendersonville woman, thus violating the terms of the order of protection, which stipulates "no telephoning, contacting or otherwise communicating with the petitioner."

Violating an order of protection qualifies as a misdemeanor, and can carry a sentence of up to one year in jail, as well as a maximum fine of $2,500.

Switched has a compilation of Facebook-related arrests, such as a shoplifter who posed with her stolen merchandise. See it here.

Comments

[KarateKid]

07:30 AM on 10/12/2009

I stopped using Facebook because it was kind of creepy getting emails from complete strangers who wanted to be my "friend". In fact, I don't know why this site has joined up with them. While I find it convenient to see responses to my comments without having to surf the list, and to follow what my "friends" are commenting on, I see no other benefit.

[Madmac]

07:31 PM on 10/11/2009

A very expensive poke

[Ghost803]

02:05 PM on 10/10/2009

Wouldn't she have had to be friends with her to poke her?

[pakaal]

02:39 PM on 10/10/2009

As a matter of fact, yes. Strange the other person didn't de-friend Jackson after getting a protection order out against her.

[LCLA]

01:03 AM on 10/11/2009

Not everyone pays much attention to Facebook.
I have a Facebook account, but do not go out of my way to acquire "friends". Nor do I spend significant time maintaining the account.
I wish HuffPost would quit nagging about "You're not yet a HuffPost Social News member." One or two notices would do, but they post it every time.

[jmar829]

09:35 AM on 10/12/2009

Technically, you can poke anyone on facebook as long as you have an account. You don't necessarily have to be someones friend.

[gettingitright]

02:00 PM on 10/10/2009

Good, show these perpetrators that the court means business! Defendants in domestic violence, assault, etc. always try to find a way to get around an order of protection. It's their way of intimidating and telling the victim, "I don't care what the judge says; I can still get to you. " Judges have to be explicit for these smart-alecks; tell them "no facebooking", etc.

[ignorantwillyharper]

01:31 PM on 10/10/2009

I thought they were talking about Gus in Lonesome Dove...getting a poke.

[Monica Vale]

08:35 PM on 10/09/2009

What's misleading?

[11907281]

08:02 PM on 10/09/2009

Misleading headline.

[Monica Vale]

08:38 PM on 10/09/2009

Umm can''t the Hendersonville woman Block Shannon D??? You can block anyone you want.

Let's blame the Hendersonville woman for keeping Shannon D on her list. There are ways of keeping people from contactin you.

[moutonnoir]

10:53 PM on 10/09/2009

There is also ways of blaming the victim... What is wrong with you?

[skunky93]

06:32 PM on 10/09/2009

well...she shouldn't have poked!