Overview
- Cajun Navy 2016 filed a defamation petition in the 19th Judicial District Court on July 24, 2026 naming United Cajun Navy and its leaders Todd Terrell and Brian Thrasher.
- The suit alleges a multiyear campaign of false public statements on social media that discouraged donors, drove away volunteers and interfered with active disaster-response operations.
- Cajun Navy 2016 is seeking monetary damages allowed under state law plus court orders to stop the alleged defamatory posts and to clarify rights and responsibilities between the groups.
- United Cajun Navy responded to reporters by emailing a 2018 news screenshot about founder Jon Bridgers, and a review of court clerk records shows no formal charges from that 2018 matter.
- The case highlights long-running confusion from many groups using the 'Cajun Navy' name and raises practical risks for people needing help during storms because they may not know which volunteers to trust.