Bandit Gang Writ Large

Indianapolis police Officer David Butler gets 8-year sentence on robbery, official misconduct charge

"Suspended Indianapolis police Officer David Butler received an eight-year sentence Friday after he was found guilty earlier this month of two counts each of robbery and official misconduct. A jury determined that Butler targeted Hispanic men for traffic stops and then robbed them. In one incident in 2011, Emiliano Vasquez said Butler took his wallet and made him stand by the officer's car during a traffic stop at a gas station. Vasquez was not ticketed, but when he returned to his car and examined his wallet, he found his money was gone. Some of that stop was captured on surveillance video. In all, there were three victims in three separate traffic stops." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIndianapolis police Officer David Butler gets 8-year sentence on robbery, official misconduct charge

New Orleans Plainclothes Cops Caught on Tape Taking Down Innocent Man

"A few questions: 1. What would have happened if the young man’s mother had not arrived so quickly? 2. What would have happened if she had not been a police officer herself? 3. What would happen if these undercover officers tried to swarm on a person who was carrying a firearm? The police often remind us that they must make split-second decisions. True. But note that this tactic gives the citizen only a split second to decide if he’s being attacked by thugs or whether it’s a police stop." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Orleans Plainclothes Cops Caught on Tape Taking Down Innocent Man

2nd trial begins for officer accused of robbing motorists

"A suspended Indianapolis metro police officer accused of robbing motorists during traffic stops went on trial Monday. David Butler, 53, is standing trial for the charges for a second time, after jurors failed to reach a verdict the first time around. Butler is charged with three counts of robbery and three counts of official misconduct. He is accused of robbing three Hispanic men during traffic stops. In opening statements, prosecutor John Kieffner sharply criticized Butler, saying he took advantage of his power and his badge to serve himself instead of serving the public." Continue reading →

Continue Reading2nd trial begins for officer accused of robbing motorists

Cop who coerced woman into sex in East St. Louis only one of many public-sector criminals

"A former East St. Louis police officer who lied to federal agents about demanding sex from a traffic violator was vilified in federal court here Thursday as a prime example of poor law enforcement that fosters rampant crime in his community. Carpenter did more than violate and degrade a woman by using the threat of an arrest to intimidate her into giving him oral sex in an isolated, closed park, they said. As part of the sentencing process, prosecutors listed police officers, politicians, businessmen and others who had lied, cheated, robbed taxpayers, threatened witnesses and committed other serious felonies." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop who coerced woman into sex in East St. Louis only one of many public-sector criminals

Cop charged with stealing from home he was sent to check on

"A 12-year veteran of the Northbrook Police Department charged with felony counts of residential burglary and official misconduct has been put on unpaid administrative leave, officials said this morning. The charges were announced Thursday after investigators allegedly caught Patrol Officer Enrique Guzman on video stealing jewelry from a home he had been sent to check on. Northbrook police and the FBI recorded Guzman, 34, stealing a fake diamond ring from a Northbrook residence where he had been told that a door had been left open Wednesday afternoon, according to court documents." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCop charged with stealing from home he was sent to check on

Honesty is Not a Job Requirement for Police Officers

"If you lie to a police officer, you can be charged with a crime. When – not if—a police officer lies to you, he’s carrying out a legitimate function of his job. That’s what former prosecutor Val Van Brocklin explained in an essay. Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper estimates that the typical police officer will lie several times during his daily duty shift. In a 2009 ruling, the Washington State Supreme Court upheld a decision by an arbitrator reversing the termination of Kitsap County Sherriff’s deputy who had been fired for lying and other misconduct. The court agreed that honesty was not an essential function of a law enforcement officer’s job." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHonesty is Not a Job Requirement for Police Officers

The Type of Man Who Wants You Disarmed

"A lawmaker brandished an AK-47 on the floor of the House of Delegates in a wild stunt aimed at rallying support for tougher gun laws. Del. Joe Morrissey, D-Highland Springs, pulled the weapon out shortly after the day's session got underway. Morrissey was disbarred and lost his law license in 2003 after attacking a man — beating him with a large ring around his finger. According to legal brief filed on behalf of the victim, Morrissey shouted, 'I’m going to kill you. I’m going to beat your head in,' and then attempted to make good on his promise. When the man attempted to escape his beating, Morrissey 'smashed his head into the corner of a brick wall.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Type of Man Who Wants You Disarmed

Officer Claims Cops Sell LAPD Guns to Civilians and Dealers

"Los Angeles police officers bought and sold guns from the police armory for profit, and told the lieutenant in charge of the armory to 'watch his back' after he reported it, the 25-year LAPD veteran claims in court. Armando Perez sued the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department in Superior Court. Perez, who joined the LAPD in 1987, claims he was retaliated against, suspended and threatened after he discovered, through his job as 'Officer in Charge of the Armory,' that officers in the Metropolitan Division were buying and reselling guns to other officers, civilians and gun dealers." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingOfficer Claims Cops Sell LAPD Guns to Civilians and Dealers

Former Denver cop Hector Paez gets 8 years for assault, kidnapping

"Former Denver Police officer Hector Paez has been sentenced to eight years in prison for sexual assault and kidnapping, the Denver District Attorney's Office announced Friday. Paez, now 33, was in uniform May 16, 2010, when he came in contact with the victim, a 36-year-old woman, and ran a background check on her, finding an outstanding arrest warrant out of Jefferson County. Paez then took the woman to an isolated area and coerced her into 'performing a sexual act to avoid being taken to jail,' the DA's office said when charges were filed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Denver cop Hector Paez gets 8 years for assault, kidnapping