Law Enforcement: Snitch in Deadly Atlanta Raid Case Sues

Submitted by Phillip Smith on (Issue #514)
Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy

A man who made a career out of snitching on his neighbors for profit is suing the Atlanta Police Department and the city, claiming he lost his job after the November 2006 drug raid that left 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston dead. The professional informant, Alex White, claims police held him for hours against his will, hoping he would help them cover up their misdeeds in the fatal raid.

Atlanta narcotics officers told a judge a confidential informant had told them cocaine was being sold and stored at Johnston's residence, but no such informant existed. They went to White after the fact to try to cook up support for their fable.

A frightened White instead went to the FBI and spent seven months in protective custody while working with federal prosecutors building a case against the three officers involved. All three officers were charged in the case. Two have pleaded guilty to state manslaughter and federal civil rights charges and are set to report to prison this month. A third awaits trial.

White, 25, had made up to $30,000 a year snitching on drug offenders, his attorney, Fenn Little, Jr. told the Associated Press. He is seeking compensation for lost wages as well as punitive damages. White's life has been "essentially ruined" because of the case, and he will now have to find a new line of work, Fenn added.

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Comments

Anonymous (not verified)

If you run with the dogs - they just may turn on you some day! I have little sympathy for the snitch - he bought into the drug war for many years. Now he gets his due...

Fri, 12/14/2007 - 9:52pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

How many people are undeservedly rotting in jail because of this man? How many families' had their lives ruined? How many children grew up without one or both parents being raised under the cold hand of state wardship? I honestly hope he never has another happy day in his life, unless by some miracle he finds a way to redeem himself for all the pain and agony he caused.

Fri, 12/14/2007 - 11:08pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I BET HE HAS TO LOOK OVER HIS SHOULDER THE REST OF HIS LIFE. HE HAD TO BE A CONMAN TO BE A SNITCH. I BET HE CONTINUES.

Sat, 12/15/2007 - 11:55am Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

You've got to be kidding me! Did he have a "job security" contract?

Sun, 12/16/2007 - 12:02pm Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

A drug deal went bad btwn 2 sellars on my block and they open fired thru the whole neighborhood 2 girls walking home were fatally shot for being in the wrong spot, everybody dipped out, no one got caught and no one said anything. F*ck that, call me a snitch, if mugs think its ok to kill innocent random folks because of thier lifestyle, its bad enough i cant get revenge myself,,,,,im dropping dimes on you....,

Wed, 05/07/2008 - 3:51pm Permalink

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Source URL: https://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/2007/dec/14/law_enforcement_snitch_deadly_at