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May 6th, 2009
01:48 PM ET
Video: Cops accused of highway robbery
Program Note: Tune in tonight for an update on Gary Tuchman's piece on AC360° at 10 p.m. ET.
CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on drivers who say they have pulled over and robbed by cops.
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Filed under: 360° Radar • 360º Follow • Crime & Punishment • Gary Tuchman |
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While this behavior is egregious, it was inevitable given the 'forfeiture laws' on the books. Think about it – the state can confiscate your property on the mere accusation of guilt? that's just begging for abuse. And it's probably happening all over the country.
I am in no way defending these cops actions. However, the piece Tuesday night reflected pretty much what I believe to be the Federal policy regarding consent forfeitures. I believe these policies allow for the individual to sign a "waiver" and consent to forfeiture in exchange for no criminal charges being brought. As to the use of the funds, I do not believe it was proper to write the check out to the policeman individually, but as to buying a popcorn machine, the argument can be made that the machine was going to be used say, for instance, at a "say no to drugs" rally. Just as frightening are the cases where large amounts of cash are consent forfeited in exchange for no charges and you clearly have a criminal drug dealer on your hands. These small towns would rather have the money and let a drug dealer go loose. Something wrong with this picture.
How can this happen? How can people be taken into "detention" for driving 1 -2 miles over the speed limit? This is truly outrageous and dispicable, and I hope the lawyers rip these guys a new one, take everything from them, toss them in jail, throw out the keys, and let them rot. Just unbelievable!!!
I remember reading about this a few months ago in the LA Times. Hopefully that, and CNN's power, and the new Obama administration, and use their forces to the good of this country.
This is 2009, and we really need to move beyond this kind of backwards thinking. But we can't ignore it either, because it is a REAL problem.
Stay on top of the AC! You are the only one I know covering this.
Take a look at why the Tenaha & Timpson Sheriff Dept won't investigate a case of one of their own with 20 starving horses and dogs on his family's property!! Ginger Sweeny and Scott Sweeny. Dead animals laying around the place. The Sheriff Dept officers have been there to investigate and done NOTHING.
While CNN is out here, take a look at the real depth of the corruption of law enforcement here, it's bone deep! Call the Dallas SPCA – they are getting the complaints reported now for this case too, begging for help for these animals. These are felony animal cruelty & neglect cases if the law will actually investigate and do something.
God bless you on this story
I hate it when Cops cross the line an take advantage of hard working people.
And the administrators spend there money on stupid stuff how obserd! Maybe they wont get away with this because of your story!
Thanks for careing CNN
The police officer Barry Washington worked Carthage, Panola County Texas before Teneha. He did the same there for years. Barry always seem to know when the drug shipments were coming through, talk was he caught the small stuff and was paid to let the big stuff go on through....for sure he stopped and stole from many more.He was a highway patrol officer at that time. Had been for years. Wonder way he was let go??? How much revenue did he bring Panola County?
Barry had a fancy home, hundreds of head of cattle, and lived way beyond his means. You want a real story check out Panola County , right next door to Shelby County. Judge Terry Bailey is his buddy, Danny Buck Davison is the district attorney, they know..........the rest of the story.
I am 78 years old and this is not my email address...I just asked the person to send this to you.
Congratulations to Gary Tuckman for his report on U.S. 59 "cops." Should we be surprised? Do a media history on the area and compile the facts. What about the false rape accusation out of Conroe,TX (near Route 59) of a black high school janitor some years ago. Unfortunately, those blacks who were formerly victims of the system have (seemingly) joined the ranks of their former tormentors. Furthermore, why shouldn't we expect the "system" not to use prosecutorial coercion to intimidate those they tried to extort? Let's see where the federal government stands on this issue.
Those dashboard cameras should be utilized all the time.
What about giving traffic tickets for infarctions that never happened?
I've experienced that situation.
What's up with Texas cops? I reported about the El Psao Officer who went over the edge on a news crew and about the Humble Police Dept. Now this guy! Oh, by the way, KVIA -ABC7 broke news this morning about the EP Officer being demoted due to his actions on a Nov. 2008 incident. The news crew's incident is still under investigation.