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Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #488)
Drug War Issues

Marijuana gone missing from the evidence room, a sheriff pleads guilty, a cop gets arrested for leaking an investigation, and a trooper gets oral sex but loses his job. Just another week of prohibition-related police misbehavior. Let's get to it:

In Nashville, a Tennessee state trooper has been fired for dropping a drug charge against a porn actress in exchange for oral sex. Trooper James Randy Moss was fired May 25 over the May 7 incident, which began when he pulled over 21-year-old Justis Richert, known professionally as Barbie Cummings. According to a citation issued by Moss, he pulled her over for speeding. But in a post on her blog that has since disappeared -- but not before someone reported it to police -- Cummings wrote that Moss discovered her illegal prescription drugs, she told him she was a porn star, they adjourned to his vehicle where they looked up web sites featuring her performing, he threw away the pills, and she provided him with oral sex. Moss faces possible charges for destroying the drug evidence as well.

In Richmond, Virginia, the former Henry County sheriff pleaded guilty May 24 to lying to authorities about widespread corruption in his department. Former Sheriff H. Franklin Cassell and 12 current or former deputies, as well as seven other people, were indicted last fall on charges they sold guns and drugs they had seized. All but three have pleaded guilty to charges including racketeering conspiracy, narcotics distribution, and weapons counts in a conspiracy that lasted from 1998 until last fall's arrests. Cassell was not charged with participating in the conspiracy, but with ignoring it and lying to federal investigators about it. He pleaded guilty to making false statements and is expected to serve six to 12 months in federal prison.

In Fort Sumner, Texas, marijuana has gone missing from the police department evidence room. Chief Wayne Atchley reported that he spotted a trail of dried marijuana leaves leading out of the evidence room on May 10, and that an unknown portion of a 2,500-plant seizure was missing. There were no signs of forced entry, suggesting it could have been an inside job. It is unclear how many people had keys to the building. Atchley added that it appeared the thieves knew the marijuana was there because it was the only thing taken. He has asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to investigate.

In Hollywood, Florida, a fifth city police officer has been arrested in Operation Tarnished shield. Lt. Chuck Roberts, a 23-year veteran, was arrested at his home May 24 on charges he leaked word of the investigation, which has so far resulted in the guilty pleas of four other Hollywood officers on drug conspiracy charges for offering their services to protect drug shipments in an FBI undercover sting. According to an FBI affidavit, Roberts was told of the sting by a senior commander. He then told another officer, who told one of the officers being investigated, thus bringing the operation to a premature end. Roberts then allegedly lied to the FBI about it. He was charged with making false statements to the FBI. Roberts and two other officers were suspended two weeks ago because of their links to the leaks, but the other two have not been charged.

Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.

Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

What a "sick" world i live in.No matter which country i visit...there always "big brother" controlling the population. Really, who has the right to control & destroy plants,and herbs which are natural to the planet earth and free to all mankind? Not because "big brother" has your best interests in mind,because "big brother" will "sell" you alcohol and tobacco,which are the worlds #1 killers."Big brother will "sell" you "prescriptions"So its ok to buy "drugs" as long big brother gets his cut. What a rip-off ! That would make big brother the worlds biggest drug dealer. Whats really sick is that these world governments know the real facts about these harmless,non-addictive--plants,yet dispense lies to the populations they control.I don't percieve these big brother ,facists,governments are going to end thier "drug war" anytime soon because of all the money the "illegal" side of this "drug war" generates for their fat , greasy pockets...I really see no alternative but to topple these dominating , greedy,corrupt,lying,cheating and plunderous thief tyrant governments...Like bloody jawed wolves,they point thier blood stained hands at me...because i smoke flowers

Sat, 06/02/2007 - 9:14am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your reply is concise, and oh, so true. In fact you used words and phrases I use myself when discussing the truth about the drug war.
It isn't a war except in the sense that our people have been split and one side is oppressing the other.
Any claim to helping us get off those horrible drugs or reducing the counts or the court costs of drug use or avoiding outlandish claims about drugs or drug cures are propaganda for the purpose or solidifying their positions and therefore their jobs.
These black hearted gov types have very little knowledge of our situations; all they have to worry about is that untaxed income that is put in various bank accounts, pockets, drawers...and voting as their criminal bosses tell them.
Gotta keep those prices up, donchaknow...?

Wed, 06/06/2007 - 6:40pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

How can law enforcements treat you inhumane when someone is caught with something they do theirs self. Both of these men will ruin your family, pride. It really doesn't matter what you do. If they have it in for you, THATS IT!! When they can high-five each other, because you got caught and they didn't. Just want to know how they are read "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham.......GREAT BOOK, HIT THEM RIGHT IN THE JERKS RIGHT IN THE ASS.

Wed, 06/13/2007 - 6:05pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Cops in fort wayne are dirty, come find out, they like to break laws and cover than up. Quote, We make the reports, who can call the police against the police.

Mon, 10/13/2008 - 2:57pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

As warped and sick as this town is, I know Wayne didn't call ANYBODY in Texas. Get your stories straight. How can I prove corruption in this burg if I can't find credible references?

Thu, 01/08/2009 - 1:59am Permalink

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