Tag: James R Watson Jr.

Florence County Case 2023CP2101574: A Fight for Equal Access to Justice

Florence, SC – A legal battle unfolding in Florence County’s Court of Common Pleas under case number 2023CP2101574 has drawn attention to a pressing question: Does the South Carolina court system provide equal access to justice regardless of financial status?

At the center of the dispute is James R. Watson Jr., a Florence resident, who claims he has been repeatedly denied the ability to move his case forward because of filing fees he cannot afford. According to Watson, his requests for a fee waiver — based on documented financial hardship — have been rejected multiple times, effectively blocking him from pursuing his claims.

The Allegations

Watson alleges that the repeated denials amount to economic discrimination within the judicial system. He argues that such practices undermine the principle of equal justice under the law, particularly for those unable to pay the “going rate” for court access.

In filings and communications with the court, Watson has stated:

“Because of these denials, I will not be able to seek justice to the highest extent… this is systemic, creating discrimination in the system.”

He is seeking reimbursement of filing fees and $30,000 in damages for pain and suffering, plus double the amount for every denial of his filing rights.

Constitutional Angle

The dispute may also raise constitutional issues under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal statute that allows individuals to sue for violations of constitutional rights by state actors. Watson has indicated his intent to file in federal court, naming Judge H. Steven DeBerry, IV, the presiding judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit, as a defendant, alongside state disciplinary bodies.

The central claim: that the denial of filing fee waivers violates the Equal Protection Clause and the right of access to the courts.

Wider Implications

Legal observers note that while filing fees are a routine part of court operations, states are required to provide alternatives — such as in forma pauperis (IFP) status — for indigent litigants. If proven, systemic denial of such accommodations could raise serious constitutional concerns.

“This case could set an important precedent for South Carolina and beyond,” said a Columbia-based civil rights attorney not connected to the case. “Access to the courts is a cornerstone of democracy. If financial barriers are applied unevenly, the system risks disenfranchising its most vulnerable citizens.”

Next Steps

Watson has signaled his plan to escalate the matter:

• State Court: Continuing to seek relief in the Florence County Common Pleas system.

• Federal Court: Filing a § 1983 complaint seeking monetary damages and policy reforms.

• Public Awareness: Drawing attention to the issue through press outreach and documentation of every denial.

For now, the docket for 2023CP2101574 remains active but stalled, with no hearing scheduled until the filing fee dispute is resolved.

Editor’s Note:

The Florence County Clerk of Court’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding their fee waiver policies or the specific case.

Meta Platforms Inc. Accused of Enabling Foreign Exploitation and Ignoring American Users

South Carolina Resident Urges Federal Investigation After Six-Year Ordeal With Hacked Instagram Account and No Support from Meta

Florence, SC – [July 1, 2025] — In a compelling new statement, South Carolina resident James R. Watson Jr. is calling for a federal investigation into Meta Platforms Inc., alleging the tech giant is operating a “billion-dollar deception machine” that ignores consumer complaints, enables foreign manipulation, and hides behind fake customer support channels.

Watson, who had his Instagram account hacked over six years ago—allegedly by foreign actors—claims Meta has failed to provide any real assistance. Despite multiple attempts to recover his account, he says Meta’s system offers only automated responses, fake representatives, and a closed-loop support system designed to frustrate rather than help.

“Meta Platforms has built a machine that protects itself, not its users,” said Watson. “I was forced to escalate the matter to the California Attorney General just to reach a live person. Even Meta’s legal front, CSC Global, offered nine ‘agents’—eight of whom appear fake. I spoke with one person, only to be redirected back into a cycle of silence.”

Watson’s concerns go beyond personal frustration. He warns that Meta’s platforms are overrun with hacked accounts, fake profiles, and foreign-linked pages, some of which may be tied to terrorist organizations or foreign propaganda networks. He believes Meta knowingly allows this, benefiting from increased user activity and ad revenue—regardless of the source.

“Meta is running a ‘Paid-to-Play’ system,” Watson states. “When real users are hacked or silenced, they’re pushed to make new accounts, which inflates Meta’s numbers. Whether the accounts are real, fake, or operated by foreign actors, Meta profits.”

He criticizes Meta’s repeated announcements of billion-dollar investments in artificial intelligence and the metaverse while allocating nothing toward real customer service or fraud prevention infrastructure.

“If even a fraction of that money went toward hiring U.S.-based customer service teams, we could create thousands of jobs and actually protect users,” Watson said. “Instead, Meta chooses automation, AI auto-replies, and third-party firewalls like CSC to dodge accountability.”

Watson’s Demands Include:

  • A federal investigation into Meta’s customer service and legal support practices
  • Mandatory U.S.-based customer support teams for high-risk accounts
  • Transparency into the number of fake, hacked, and foreign-controlled accounts
  • Legislative reform addressing negligence under Section 230
  • Fines or penalties for companies profiting from inaction and fraud

Watson says his case represents millions of Americans facing similar neglect. “If this were a bank or public utility, it would be shut down. Meta must be held to the same standard.”

About James R. Watson Jr.
James R. Watson Jr. is a resident of Florence, South Carolina and a vocal advocate for digital consumer protection and tech accountability. He is currently seeking legal and public support to push for regulatory change across Big Tech platforms.

Media Contact:
James R. Watson Jr.
843-687-1264
jwattslive@gmail.com

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