: He was sentenced to a suspended six-month term at the Correction Center of Northwest Ohio and one year of active probation .
: Eklund pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of simple assault (a first-degree misdemeanor), amended from original counts of aggravated menacing. seth eklund gofundme updated
Beyond the criminal case, a civil lawsuit was filed by Gaston and his wife, seeking compensation for "severe emotional and psychological distress" and lost wages. Gaston, who was a defensive tactics instructor, alleged that the encounter was racially motivated—a claim Eklund's supporters strongly deny, asserting he was simply following training. : He was sentenced to a suspended six-month
: When Gaston refused, citing his inability to leave a service weapon unattended, Eklund drew his firearm. Surveillance footage captured Eklund pointing the gun at Gaston’s back as the deputy attempted to leave and eventually trying to take him into custody at an elevator. Gaston, who was a defensive tactics instructor, alleged
: His probation mandated mental health counseling, a gun safety class, and a prohibition on owning a firearm during that period. The Civil Suit and GoFundMe
While a was launched by supporters to assist Eklund with legal fees and lost income following his termination, many similar campaigns for this specific case are now inactive or closed. Current searches for "Seth Eklund GoFundMe updated" sometimes yield unrelated campaigns for individuals with the same name, such as a 2025 fundraiser for a program called the "18 Inch Journey".
: Eklund's defense maintained he was adhering to federal law regarding weapons in federal buildings. Conversely, Gaston’s representatives argued that Eklund’s actions were an unlawful attempt to detain a law enforcement officer who was already attempting to depart. Court Rulings and Sentencing The legal case reached its conclusion in February 2020: