In November 2023, two lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island by embattled father Joshua Mello, whose story has been previously covered by the Current. Mello alleges that his constitutional rights were violated in criminal proceedings stemming from a 2021 arrest where he was found guilty of disorderly conduct and carrying prohibited weapons other than a firearm. The claims made by Mello are being denied by the defendants, school officials and police officers, who have called for the case to be dismissed.