The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Clarke and the man, 24-year-old Dan Black, had a brief verbal exchange aboard an American Airlines flight in January. Clarke claims that Black asked him if he was Sheriff Clarke.

Clarke’s claims come as a response to a lawsuit filed by Black against Clarke, Milwaukee County and several unnamed deputies, according to the Journal Sentinel.

After Black and Clarke’s exchange, Clarke sent a text message to Captain Mark Witek telling Witek what to do with Black.

“Just a field interview, no arrest unless he becomes an asshole with your guys,” Clarke wrote. “Follow him to baggage and out the door.”

“Question for him is, why he said anything to me,” Clarke continued. “Why didn’t he just keep his mouth shut?”

Black says he was detained, interviewed and escorted out of the Milwaukee airport by six deputies after the incident, according to the report.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/335275-sheriff-david-clarke-directed-officers-to-hassle-man-after