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Law Enforcement: This Week's Corrupt Cops Stories

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #512)
Drug War Issues

Bad cops cost cases in one Georgia county, a bad cop gets popped in another Georgia county, a bad cop gets several breaks from his colleagues in Michigan, and a bad cop goes to prison in Texas. Let's get to it:

In Aiken County, Georgia, prosecutors are expected to begin dismissing drug cases this week in the wake of the firing of the four officers who made up the Aiken County Sheriff's Office drug squad. The four were fired after they got jacked up on booze and went on a bar-to-bar joyride in a county vehicle with a woman who engaged in sex acts with them. Aiken County Solicitor Barbara Morgan said some 300 drug cases are now in jeopardy.

In Marietta, Georgia, a Marietta Police officer was arrested Tuesday as Gwinnett County authorities swept up 31 people indicted in an international ecstasy distribution bust. Officer Isaac Saleumsy, a two-year veteran of the force, was reported to be currently sitting in the Gwinnett County Jail and will presumably face ecstasy possession and distribution conspiracy charges. Saleumsy has been suspended pending his upcoming termination.

In Detroit, a previously indicted Flat Rock police officer was jailed by a federal judge after several traffic incidents where fellow law enforcement officers provided him with the "professional courtesy" of not ticketing him for alcohol or drug-impaired driving. Former Flat Rock Officer David Dewitt, 37, had been indicted for his role in an illegal prescription drug ring in which two people died, but had been free on bail pending trial. In court papers filed Monday, the FBI said police in Woodhaven and Flat Rock had looked the other way as Dewitt accumulated six traffic stops that appeared to be drug or alcohol related. In one case, where Dewitt hit another vehicle while driving the wrong way on an I-75 exit ramp, officers failed to conduct a sobriety test, didn't write him a ticket, and gave him a ride home. Things came to a head for Dewitt Saturday, when he got nailed twice in one day for driving under the influence of drugs. Dewitt was a threat to public safety, the judge said in revoking his bail.

In McAllen, Texas, a former Elsa police officer was sentenced November 21 to seven years in federal prison after being caught in an undercover bribery and drug sting. Herman Carr, 46, had earlier pleaded guilty to taking $5,000 in August 2006 to provide protection for a vehicle he believed was carrying 11 pounds of cocaine. The drug dealers were actually FBI agents. Carr is the second former Elsa officer to go down in the sting: In May, Ismael Gomez, 27, got an eight-year sentence for taking $2,500 to protect a supposed 22 pound coke shipment.

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)

The City of Angels has one of the largest and most corrupt police organizations ever to operate in these United States. Why aren't there any stories from Los Angeles?

Fri, 11/30/2007 - 7:57pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

Oh really? And who died and made you god? You wouldn't know a corrupt copy if you met one. Do you always make all encompassing, blanket statements against an organization you obviously know nothing about?

You are another mindless nimwit who has bought into the all cops are corrupt attitude because you either got a ticket or got busted with dope!

Sat, 12/01/2007 - 11:11am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

maybe not actually corrupt but....consider this....anyone that wants to be a police officer should be considered mentally unqualified....what kind of person is it that needs a badge, gun and uniform to be somebody? catch 22 for power-trippers

Sat, 12/01/2007 - 2:19pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You must be another nimrod - based on your mindless comments the same could be said about our SOLDIERS fighting in Iraq? After all what nut case would join (theres no draft) the military except for the guns and uniform and desire to kill people?

GOOD PEOPLE join the police department and the military to do the right thing and to DEFEND idiots like yourself so you can make mindless comments about those who would SERVE WITH HONOR!

Fri, 12/28/2007 - 9:26am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

drug war makes cops go bad .to much temptation legalize then lets help everyone learn to say no thanks.arresting people is just a merry go round .it just aint gettin it done

Sat, 02/16/2008 - 8:58pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

you know there are still some good people that don on a badge .and some are really for the commuinity and beleive and do what is right .These are stressful jobs .what greater love right? It is a shame that a percentage would don on uniform and dishoner the Spirit that this job inspires .I know from my own experience that there are a few I say few because I really hope and believe that the good honest officers will be able to show clearly that there are good officers that don't abuse their power .there are officers that can actually understand there responsibility to that authority .It is not an easy task to work a job that has all types of life threatening hazards you don't know where it is safe .you really can't figure out who is your enemy or someone your protecting sometimes .I don't think all cops are bad but in reality there are some....

Fri, 07/10/2009 - 11:05pm Permalink

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