Indictment: Crooked deputies sold guns, drugs to public (VA)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/02/sheriff.indicted/index.html

A Virginia sheriff covered up a scheme in which a dozen of his deputies sold seized guns and drugs to the public, a federal indictment alleges.

The indictment names Henry County Sheriff Harold Franklin Cassell, known locally as "Frank," and 17 others.

They were taken into custody on Thursday morning, the Drug Enforcement Administration said in a statement.

"It is disgraceful corruption," said U.S. Attorney John L. Brownlee. (Watch how the good guys allegedly became bad guys -- 2:13 )

"These were drugs and guns that were seized as part of their law enforcement duties that were then stolen from the property room and put back out on the streets."


Frank Cassell, the sheriff in Henry County, Virginia, allegedly covered up corruption in his department.

[havocmom]

1. They can all look to bushco for jobs.

The bush/cheney junta seems to like loose arms controls. Good for profits when the war keeps rolling along...

[Pirate Smile]

2. I just heard the story on CNN. They were selling the guns and drugs they

seized back to the public - cocaine, the date rape drug, etc.

Horrible.

edit to add:

"Among the schemes alleged in the indictment:


- The theft of drugs and firearms in the custody of the sheriff's department


- Distribution of cocaine, marijuana and a date rape drug


- Money laundering


- Obstruction of justice

The DEA said 13 of the 18 charged are either current or former employees of the Henry County Sheriff's Office, located in southern Virginia's Piedmont region.

Officials allege Cassell was advised by authorities of drug transactions going on in his department but took no action. Authorities also allege the sheriff covered up several illegal activities by lying to federal investigators.

Cassell was elected sheriff in 1992. The department employs 122 people, 96 of them as sworn law enforcement officers.

"Today's indictment serves as a clear reminder that no one -- not even a senior member of law enforcement -- is above the law," Brownlee said.
"

[saigon68]

3. More Thugs in Uniform

Just a few 'Frat Pranks"

</sarcasm>

[varun]

4. they are probably good "god fearing" republicans too...

eom

[Blue_Tires]

12. no doubt they also tout the 'tough on crime' label

which of course begs the question: how many people are in jail just because they couldn't give up enough loot to the cops?

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Law' n'order types, m'am. Yes m'am, we're her to pertect y'all, m'am

[Megahurtz]

6. Indictment: Crooked deputies sold guns, drugs to public (Crooked Cops)

From Kevin Bohn
CNN Washington Bureau
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Virginia sheriff covered up a scheme in which a dozen of his deputies sold seized guns and drugs to the public, a federal indictment alleges.

The indictment names Henry County Sheriff Harold Franklin Cassell, known locally as "Frank," and 19 others.

All but two of those indicted were taken into custody on Thursday morning, the Drug Enforcement Administration said.

"It is disgraceful corruption," said U.S. Attorney John L. Brownlee. (Watch how the good guys allegedly became bad guys -- 2:13 Video)

"These were drugs and guns that were seized as part of their law enforcement duties that were then stolen from the property room and put back out on the streets."

Brownlee added, "You have law enforcement risking their lives to take these guns off the streets and then a very few members of law enforcement putting them right back out there."

He acknowledged that the arrests would affect the department's ability to carry on day-to-day operations. Virginia state police are being sent to ensure safety, Brownlee said.

Among the schemes alleged in the indictment:

# The theft of drugs and firearms in the custody of the sheriff's department

# Distribution of cocaine, marijuana and a date rape drug

# Money laundering

# Obstruction of justice

More:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/11/02/sheriff.indicted/index.html

>>>>>>>>snip<<<<<<<<<<<<

Well this is certainly nothing new, right lol! :shrug:

[Jed Dilligan]

7. I would put my money behind

this happening to some degree in every city and town in America.

[NOLADEM]

11. Safe money

It happens everywhere. Cops are crooks with badges.

I live in New Orleans and used to live in Texas. Crooked cops are how things get done in small town Louisiana, where I grew up.

There is a saying in New Orleans regarding the low pay of cops. It is said they tell new recruits: "The first $18,000 is on us, the rest is up to you."

The bust cops here regularly for shakedowns of hookers, suspects, drug dealers, etc. They have pulled me over in my youth, searched me, taken items, and left. I have been on a camping trip, had a cop show up, demand everyone produce their drugs (he saw us smoking) and left with the drugs and a threat.

[Jed Dilligan]

13. I used to drink with a group of blue-collar guys

All construction workers, pretty high-paying, but it didn't explain the MOUNTAINS of cocaine they would snort every weekend. (Don't ask why I was hanging out with these dudes--my best answer is misguided populism).

I found out later that it all came from the evidence room of our local PD. Basically, it was white guys stealing black guys' dope and selling it to other white guys at a deep discount.

[teryang]

8. 19 is a few?

Give me a break.

[Megahurtz]

9. Oops....

Dupe, sorry! I looked for one but I didn't see it until now.

[Jax]

10. The racist 'war on drugs'

has created a lot of thugs with guns and badges.

The Seattle P-I did a great expose on the King County Sheriff's department, and it's 'rogus cops'.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/conductunbecoming/

Then Tacoma had that monster Chief of police David Brame.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/projects/david_brame/story/5277676p-4789229c.html

Just a couple stories more from 2 more cities.

Thanks for posting this.

[High Plains]

14. This drug war-related law enforcement corruption is an everyday

occurrence. I write about it every week in the Drug War Chronicle--www.stopthedrugwar.org. Look for the "Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops" story each week. There are always four or five or more.