Sheriff's Deputy With History Of Misconduct Attempts To Extort $50,000 From Pulled Over Motorist

from the sold-out-by-his-own-dash-cam dept

Even when law enforcement officers know a camera is watching, some still choose to abuse their power. This isn't good news, especially as more law enforcement agencies are choosing to outfit their officers with cameras and mics (and allowing those officers to tamper, disable or break the equipment without consequence). The technology does have the potential to nudge both cops and citizens into more mutually respectful interactions, but this is being circumvented by officers who like cameras aimed at the public, but not so much at themselves.

In this case, lawyers were able to get ahold of dashcam footage revealing misconduct by a Humboldt County Sheriff's Deputy. This misconduct involved the abuse of asset forfeiture laws -- laws many law enforcement agencies seem to feel gives them permission to seize anything for any reason.

One deputy in particular is being singled out for his practice of pressuring travelers to abandon their money or face losing their cars as well. The I-Team has obtained exclusive dash-cam video from one of these drug interdiction stops. While no drugs were found, that didn't stop the deputy from grabbing the cash.

"How much money you got?" Humboldt County Deputy Lee Dove can be heard asking on the video.

The dash-cam video gives insight into what some say is a pattern of questionable drug interdiction stops by Deputy Dove along I-80 near Winnemucca in northern Nevada.

The out-of-state motorist was stopped for doing 78 mph in an 75 mph zone. Deputy Dove finds $50,000 cash and $10,000 in cashiers checks during a search of the car.
The driver, Tan Nguyen, maintained that he won the money in Las Vegas. Whether or not he did was something the deputy could have made an effort to ascertain, but instead he chose to go down the extortion route.
Deputy Dove: "Well, I'm gonna search that vehicle first, ok?"

Nguyen: "Hey, what's the reason you're searching my car?"

Deputy Dove: "Because I'm talking to you ... well, no, I don't have to explain that to you. I'm not going to explain that to you, but I am gonna put my drug dog on that (pointing to money). If my dog alerts, I'm seizing the money. You can try to get it back but you're not."

Nguyen: (inaudible) got it in Vegas."

Deputy Dove: "Good luck proving it. Good luck proving it. You'll burn it up in attorney fees before we give it back to you."
But Deputy Dove never put his drug dog to work (itself a very iffy practice that often relies on an officer claiming the dog "alerted" when it was, in fact, reacting to stimulus from the officer). Instead, he offered a very shady "deal." Nguyen was free to go if he turned over the cash. If not, Dove was going to seize the car and everything in it.

Dove has refused to speak about the incident, a decision at least partially guided by an ongoing investigation. The sheriff's department has admitted that proper procedures were not followed in a number of seizures, but that admission came after the fact. At the time of the seizure, the sheriff's office posted a photo of Dove with the cash, promoting the fact that the money would be used to help the sheriff's office fight crime. (This being crime located outside of the Sheriff's Department, apparently...)

But this statement seems to be little more than soothing words. Forfeitures are being filed at record rates in Humboldt County.
Twenty forfeiture cases — more than the previous four years combined — have been filed by the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office since March 14, the day the county announced settling two lawsuits over cash seizures that drew media scrutiny.

Of the 20 forfeiture cases filed since last month in Humboldt County District Court, more than four exceeded $10,000 and the majority were filed as a result of Humboldt County Sheriff's Office traffic stops, the county clerk said.
This has prompted one lawyer to consider filing a class action lawsuit. More news of Deputy Dove's pay-to-play "policy" has also surfaced as a result of Nguyen's case.
The class-action lawsuit, yet to be filed as of Wednesday, says Trevor Paine of Wisconsin was stopped for allegedly speeding 84 mph in a 75 mph zone in November.

According to the complaint, Humboldt County Sheriff Sgt. Lee Dove "forcibly searched" the vehicle with a police K-9 because the dog acted as if there were drugs in the car. Dove failed to find drugs, but took $11,000 in cash from a lockbox, the complaint says.
So, there's a clear pattern of abuse, and it looks as though the Sheriff is finally being forced to confront the issue. The bill for deputy misconduct was footed by the citizens, of course, which isn't much of a deterrent for misbehaving officers and those who employ them. And if the number of seizures being filed is any indication, there's a good chance the public will be footing the bill again in the near future.

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Filed Under: cash, dash cam, extortion, humboldt county, lee dove, police, seizure


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  • icon
    That One Guy (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 2:38am

    And unofficial crime syndicates everywhere ask themselves: 'Why didn't we think of that?!'

    Commit extortion without a badge?

    Do not pass 'Go', do not collect $200, go straight to jail.

    Commit extortion with a badge, and on camera?

    Keep the money, keep the badge, use money to defend shake-downs and wait for the heat to die down, knowing no judge or state prosecutor has the guts or integrity to actually do anything.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Ninja (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 3:12am

      Re: And unofficial crime syndicates everywhere ask themselves: 'Why didn't we think of that?!'

      Judge Dredd approves it!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 6:36am

        Re: Re: And unofficial crime syndicates everywhere ask themselves: 'Why didn't we think of that?!'

        Dredd's more honorable than this scum masquerading as a police officer.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous, 8 May 2014 @ 4:40pm

      Re: And unofficial crime syndicates everywhere ask themselves: 'Why didn't we think of that?!'

      The government commits extortion every day. they call it taxation.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 3:51am

    Highway robbery thugs.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 3:59am

    The cop(s) need the book thrown at them...armed robbery, color of law, extortion, grand theft, etc. Personally, I'm for public execution of oath-breakers.

    What the class-action suit should do is go after every jurisdiction with asset forfeiture, force them to return the stolen money with interest (go ahead and get it from the officer's pensions) and remove the legal ability for government officials to 'legally' take other people's properties again.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 4:19am

    And the tech connection is?...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      compgeek (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 4:45am

      Re:

      it's their blog. they can write what they want.
      if you don't like it, feel free to write your own articles on your own site.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
        identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 10:29am

        Re: Re:

        It's Mike Masnick's blog and he's paid to write articles that further the interests of tech companies. If Tim Cushing wants to write about his pathological hatred of the police, why doesn't he start his own blog?

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          AnonyBabs, 8 May 2014 @ 11:41am

          Re: Re: Re:

          ...beeeeecause Mike has welcomed Tim to write about whatever he wants? Nice of you to defend Mike against his will, tho.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          zip, 8 May 2014 @ 12:22pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          Tim Cushing's police-abuse articles appear to be highly popular among Techdirt readers. It's his passion and he covers the subject quite well. It was, of course, an issue so important to the drafters of the US Constitution that they devoted a whole section to it. And when the authorities we trust to follow the Constitution instead violate it, it's the right, if not the duty of each of us to fight such abuse any way we can. (even for people who live outside the US, since the policies and trends set here tend to trickle down to the rest of the world) Technology has made the situation far worse than it ever was, or ever could have been.

          The difference between the people who live inside prison and the people who live outside prison is gradually diminishing, and not in a positive way. Complacency and indifference will serve to accelerate that trend.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          John Fenderson (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 12:43pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          "his pathological hatred of corrupt police"

          FTFY.

          Unless you're actually asserting that all police are corrupt, of course. I've never seen Tim write an article criticizing police that weren't acting in a corrupt manner.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 1:54pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            He doesn't write articles about the good things police do. Every day.
            Which also happens to be the vast majority of interactions that occur with the hundreds of thousands of police officers that work in the United States.

            Let's not pretend Tim Cushing doesn't have some sort of mental problem with the police. Because he quite obviously does.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              John Fenderson (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 2:10pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              "He doesn't write articles about the good things police do."

              True, but irrelevant and meaningless.

              "Because he quite obviously does."

              It's not obvious at all. What is obvious to me, though, is that you do.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              nasch (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 3:36pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              He doesn't write articles about the good things police do. Every day.

              What exactly do you think that proves?

              link to this | view in chronology ]

              • identicon
                Anonymous Coward, 9 May 2014 @ 2:31am

                Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                You're confused.

                I'm not trying to convince you, nasch, of anything. I steer random readers in the direction of what this blog's true motives are. It's assisted transparency. Then the comments from the regulars do the rest.

                link to this | view in chronology ]

                • icon
                  nasch (profile), 9 May 2014 @ 6:20am

                  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

                  You're confused.

                  OK my mistake. I assumed you were thinking that statement of yours had some meaning or significance. Glad to see you are aware it doesn't.

                  link to this | view in chronology ]

            • icon
              That One Guy (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 4:04pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              He doesn't write articles about the good things police do. Every day.

              Probably because that would be utterly pointless. When things are working correctly, then who cares, there's nothing to worry about, and nothing to report on.

              When things break down however, when the system fails, when someone in power is abusing their authority, then there's something to report on, and it's important to bring such breakdowns and abuses to light so that they can be known, and hopefully fixed.

              Let's not pretend Tim Cushing doesn't have some sort of mental problem with the police that abuse their power and authority. Because he quite obviously does.

              Add a few words and I'd agree with you, though that's not saying much, as other than corrupt thugs with badges, and perhaps a politician or two who can find use for their 'talents', I'm not sure who wouldn't have a problem with police abusing their positions and authority.

              There's also authoritarians I suppose, those people who believe that anyone in a position of authority is automatically right and just by virtue of their position, but those bootlickers look up to anyone with power over them, not just the cops.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous, 8 May 2014 @ 4:42pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            Know how to find a corrupt cop? Call the police station. It doesn't matter who answers.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Keroberos (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 5:21am

      Re:

      Once again...Dash Cam.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Bt Garner (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 5:48am

      Re:

      The constant surveillance that we all hate can, sometimes, be used to defend the folks that are 'under suspicion.'

      Still you have to admire the cahones of a guy who *knows* he is being filmed to do such acts. It does not make them right, but wow, this guy has more confidence than a hooker at a Comic con.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Baron von Robber, 8 May 2014 @ 7:47am

      Re:

      "And the tech connection is?..."

      Well let's have a look Mr Gumby.

      1)"...exclusive dash-cam video from one..."
      2)""How much money you got?" Humboldt County Deputy Lee Dove can be heard asking on the video."
      3)"The dash-cam video gives insight..."
      4)"Nguyen: (inaudible) got it in Vegas."" Here I'll help you with this one...see that '(inaudible)' part? That kind of infers that something was record onto stone tablets. No wait, maybe something..*gasp* tech! /playominousmusic4beatsonly

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Who Me, 8 May 2014 @ 9:40am

      Duh... Here is a clue

      Well, for one, video recording.

      Jeeze.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 4:26am

    Property isn't a person

    Property doesn't have the same constitutional/judicial rights as a person, thus property is guilty until proven innocent -- which gives LEO a lot of power to seize it without any worry of recourse.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      compgeek (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 4:46am

      Re: Property isn't a person

      not according to the fourth amendment, which applies to a person and their property.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 5:26am

        Re: Re: Property isn't a person

        There is the question if the search was legal, thus the 4th would apply. But now the property was seized, it is deemed guilty of a crime until it is proven innocent of that crime. So, now it becomes the effort of the innocent person to prove his property is not guilty instead of the LEO proving the property (and said person) was involved in a crime.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 5:32am

          Re: Re: Re: Property isn't a person

          Heh, and I thought you were attempting humor.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          compgeek (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 7:24am

          Re: Re: Re: Property isn't a person

          are you really suggesting that inanimate objects can be innocent or guilty of a crime? an inanimate object does nothing on its own. that is like saying a spoon makes you fat or a pencil misspells words. also the 4th amendment protects against SEIZURES of property as well.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 7:33am

            Re: Re: Re: Re: Property isn't a person

            Corporations are people under the current law.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        me@me.net, 8 May 2014 @ 8:34am

        Re: Re: Property isn't a person

        bullshit, this is just robbery hiding behind a badge.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 3:51pm

        Re: Re: Property isn't a person

        Well, in reality, no property was seized... just some correspondence written by the US government -- in the form of IOUs, and some more correspondence written by some bank -- also in the form of IOUs.

        If he'd actually confiscated the car etc. there'd be a case here.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 7:42am

      Re: Property isn't a person

      Hmmm... I wonder if he can invoke Citizens United and claim that his money is not property, but speech, and that his First Amendment rights are being violated.

      Oh, that's right; I forgot. Money is only speech for rich people. For everyone else it's property.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 7:49am

        Re: Re: Property isn't a person

        Actually, the physical cash is and always will be owned by the Gov. Therefore, if it has cocaine residue on it, the federal gov is the biggest drug trafficker in the world and is forcing all of us to hold on to their stash.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          nasch (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 9:30am

          Re: Re: Re: Property isn't a person

          Actually, the physical cash is and always will be owned by the Gov.

          Citation?

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 4:34am

    Intent to possess wealth while not being wealthy.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    me@me.net, 8 May 2014 @ 4:45am

    that was nothing more than road piracy

    the badge is irrelevant here, the deputy is guilty of robbery and should do time accordingly.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 8 May 2014 @ 4:52am

      Re: that was nothing more than road piracy

      Robbery at gunpoint and impersonating a law officer.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 9:01am

        Re: Re: that was nothing more than road piracy

        It would be interesting if the driver pulled his legal concealed weapon and made a citizens arrest. Maybe even using the cops radio to call it in.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          nasch (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 9:33am

          Re: Re: Re: that was nothing more than road piracy

          It would be interesting if the driver pulled his legal concealed weapon and made a citizens arrest.

          That would not end well. The driver would quite possibly end up full of holes, or at best serving a long prison sentence if he "won" the confrontation. I put "won" in quotes because there is absolutely no way the officer would stand down and submit to the arrest, so the only way for the citizen to prevail would be to actually shoot the cop.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Tubal (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 5:18am

    Don't depend on Cops' dashcams, Make your own recordings

    I use the App AutoGuard to record both video and frequent GPS pings. The video and the GPS pings are useful to counter assertions of possible (likely) lies cops state for stopping a car in the first place. The video and GPS data can be used in a motion to suppress evidence that they may use based on bullshit stop.
    The app routinely discards the data, which is has little value outside of any incident.
    The App has an auto upload feature but the upload is to YouTube. I don't see any value in that, and I believe the GPS data would not be included. However, I would be interested in an automatic upload to a private and secure cloud locker. Security would be very important in preventing the data being used for possible self-incrimination purposes (the GPS data would establish speed).
    As an aside, people should be aware that most cars have some version of a black box recorder (to be required in the future), the data from which can be used against you.
    Complying with various evidence authentication requirements would also be a feature that AutoGuard should put some thought into.
    In any case, at present, the publicity value of being able to catch cops in lies probably trumps the nitty gritty legal details.
    Unfortunately, in some jurisdictions (thankfully not my state) you must be wary of two-party disclosure requirements for recordings where there may be an expectation of privacy. If such laws do apply I would not recommend verbal disclosure to a cop but instead would place a sticker on my bumper or back window of the car - something like "monitored by AutoGuard" - to counter any asserted expectation of privacy.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David, 8 May 2014 @ 5:34am

      Re: Don't depend on Cops' dashcams, Make your own recordings

      "expectation of privacy" will apply when a cop takes a leak or buys a cup of coffee. It's perhaps so-and-so when a cop is on patrol duty. As soon as he swings into interaction as a cop with a citizen, we are not talking about anything protected by privacy from getting entered into evidence.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Geno0wl (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 5:57am

      Re: Don't depend on Cops' dashcams, Make your own recordings

      There is no legal expectation of privacy for an LEO interaction in a public space(like a traffic stop), so your worries about admissible evidence shouldn't be there.
      Doesn't mean corrupt cops won't try to fight against you on that, just means that they will lose.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    George, 8 May 2014 @ 6:13am

    If cop testifies video is wrong that he was only soliciting donations for the PBA the judge will disregard the video and release & the acquit the cop AND let him keep the money.Cops can do no wrong in the eyes of Judges!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 6:53am

    This quote makes me angry

    "Hey, what's the reason you're searching my car?"

    "Because I'm talking to you ... well, no, I don't have to explain that to you."

    NEIN NEIN NEIN NEIN!

    Hell, I would have called 911 and said that someone's trying to rob me at gunpoint.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      WinneGal (profile), 9 May 2014 @ 3:48am

      Re: This quote makes me angry

      If you watch the full video, which is on youtube, you will see the officer will not let him use his phone. He says it's an officer safety issue.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        John Fenderson (profile), 9 May 2014 @ 9:23am

        Re: Re: This quote makes me angry

        Well, it is. That phone might have a gun hidden inside it!

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          That One Guy (profile), 9 May 2014 @ 9:51am

          Re: Re: Re: This quote makes me angry

          Forget gun, he's likely more worried about the 'cop-killer' camera it might have built in, or perhaps the lawyer it might put his mark in touch with.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous, 11 May 2014 @ 7:24pm

          Re: Re: Re: This quote makes me angry

          That gives me an idea...

          link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    stryx, 8 May 2014 @ 6:55am

    TV Trope

    This is ripped from the back catalog of The Good Wife

    http://doglawreporter.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-good-wife-2012-and-dragnet-1969.html

    A dog's nose is like 10000x stronger than yours, so the fact that our currency is contaminated is a sure win for the local enforcers

    http://www.snopes.com/business/money/cocaine.asp

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 7:36am

    I live in this area and unfortunately these types of stories are VERY common. There isn't much anyone is willing to do about it since it seems most of the victims are from out of state (not many people want to live here on a permanent basis).

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 7:51am

    We desparately need Batman on the case

    If only Batman was real, he would sort out these corrupt cops and terrify the Dickens out of them as well.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Just Another Anonymous Troll, 8 May 2014 @ 7:52am

    "promoting the fact that the money would be used to help the sheriff's office fight crime."
    So I can commit crimes all I like as long as I donate the money to charity? Awesome.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Zonker, 8 May 2014 @ 4:32pm

      Re:

      More like donating the money to your employer, who pays your salary and gives out bonuses, promotions, or military weapons/vehicles in recognition of your contributions.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Htos1 (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 8:02am

    Standards/sauce for the goose

    Those with access to the buttons,levers, and software of law making MUST be held to much higher accountability threshold than you or me. I favor a punishment of 25-life for even a minor, 1st offense, even "fixing" a ticket for buddies/families.
    Oh, and asset forfeiture of homes, possessions, bank accounts, and the loss of being able to work in/around/for gov't agencies for life.This should quickly weed out the wankers, psychopaths, and crooklyns.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 8:37am

      Re: Standards/sauce for the goose

      Do you REALLY want to live in a country of 350 million Americans where there are 5 cops who have to race from East to West Coast once a week solving crimes?

      If you get rid of the corrupt cops that's what'll happen!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        sorrykb (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 8:46am

        Re: Re: Standards/sauce for the goose

        Do you REALLY want to live in a country of 350 million Americans where there are 5 cops who have to race from East to West Coast once a week solving crimes?

        I think we have a good start on a spinoff series for "The Amazing Race"...

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    sorrykb (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 8:13am

    Hmm...

    Applying the authorities' logic to this:
    1. This deputy's actions seem criminal.
    2. This deputy is part of a larger operation.
    ... so, obviously,
    3. The Humboldt County Sheriff's Department is a criminal enterprise.
    ... which of course means
    4. Their assets are the proceeds of a criminal enterprise.
    ... and so we can logically conclude
    5. We can take all the Sheriff Department's money!

    (That's how it works, right?)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 8:17am

    Armed robbery plain and simple. The media is hesitant to report it, but citizens are already starting to fight back against police all over the country. It's obvious that police (and anyone with a badge for that matter) are being encouraged to behave this way on a national level, so the question is why? Whatever the reason, too many police are enjoying being criminals themselves. When the straw finally does break, that shiny badge that protects them will quickly become a nice target. The Bundy incident shows what a few citizen snipers and others that refuse to accept corrupted "authority" can accomplish. Albuquerque is another one to watch.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      nasch (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 9:40am

      Re:

      The Bundy incident shows what a few citizen snipers and others that refuse to accept corrupted "authority" can accomplish.

      One, that remains to be seen, and two, I assume by "citizen snipers" you mean "men who confront cops by hiding behind their women".

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 2:30pm

        Re: Re:

        "I assume by "citizen snipers" you mean "men who confront cops by hiding behind their women"."

        No, like this guy, Eric Parker, a Bundy supporter who famously aimed his rifle at Federal (paramilitary) agents from between the cracks of concrete road partitions. It's people like him who may have made the feds think twice before shooting the protesters they were aiming their guns at for hours.

        http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/534db531eab8eacf1caab272-1200-924/bundy-ranch.jpg

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          nasch (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 3:37pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          It's people like him who may have made the feds think twice before shooting the protesters they were aiming their guns at for hours.

          You think if it hadn't been for him and the other guys with guns, the feds would have just massacred everyone there?

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      WinneGal (profile), 9 May 2014 @ 3:56am

      Re:

      Actually, there is an error in the article. It was the media, and not lawyers, who got this dash cam and released it to the public. And they had to fight the government to get it. Also, this site only knows about this incident because the media broke the story and has been all over it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 9:12am

    Consistency

    Whether the costume consists of dark glasses and a hoodie or a cop-suit, armed robbery deserves the same reply.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 9:44am

    You can thank the assholes at the Supreme Court for enabling seizures under in rem jurisdiction, and for allowing the use of drug dogs despite questionable reliability. Their myopia makes these kinds of abuses possible, and perhaps even legal.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Having a wonderful time... Send money!, 8 May 2014 @ 9:54am

    Life in a crooked society

    Laws that allow the seizure of assets are nothing more than an invitation for abuse and should be regarded as criminal under color of authority.

    Unfortunately, the deck is stacked, or the courts, against basic elements of constitutional guarantees explicitly designed to prevent abuse of authority.

    So, what is to be done, when looking at the barrel of a gun, that is pointed at you?

    No fun in the sun, son.

    Not today.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 9:54am

    i suppose it was the accused persons fault for having all that cash in the car with him!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    zip, 8 May 2014 @ 9:59am

    Albuquerque

    I'm glad to see that people are finally starting to fight back against the police state, as in Albuquerque, which made headlines yesterday when a city council meeting turned into a near-riot.

    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/albuquerque-city-council-meeting-descends-into-chaos/

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 11:56am

      Re: Albuquerque

      You know it's going to be a good city counsel meeting when someone brings a bullhorn.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 8 May 2014 @ 12:29pm

        Re: Re: Albuquerque

        A bullhorn serves as an equalizer in a system where one side controls the microphone.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    scotts13 (profile), 8 May 2014 @ 11:07am

    We need an organization to enforce the law...

    Perhaps collect a little money from every citizen, to hire armed agents to protect our interests, and make sure our property isn't stolen from us by OTHER armed individuals. The could patrol in cars, on the lookout from wrongdoing.

    I vaguely remember it having been tried at one point. Whatever happened to that experiment?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Colonel Sanders, 8 May 2014 @ 1:09pm

    Not Surprised.

    These armed gang members have been doing this for years.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rekrul, 8 May 2014 @ 3:29pm

    This story seems to imply that this cop was just "one bad apple" doing this and seizing money from people. The truth is that this is going on in many areas, carried out by many cops. Ever since the government cleared the way for property to be seized without a conviction or even charges being filed, local police departments have viewed it as an easy way to supplement their budgets.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Daemon_ZOGG, 8 May 2014 @ 5:49pm

    ""How much money you got?" Humboldt County Deputy Lee Dove can be heard asking on the video. "

    PIGS. God Damn PIGS. This is a prime reason why covert encrypted audio recording via smartphone is so critical when interacting with so-called law enforcement officials. You never know whose law their trying to enforce. The Govs or their own. PIGS.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    robert spano, 9 May 2014 @ 9:36am

    settlement funds

    All settlement funds to pay for police misconduct of any sort should come out of Police Pension Funds not taxpayer money.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 10 May 2014 @ 8:16am

    now, why would you think that?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 15 May 2014 @ 8:35pm

    this is govt by the people for the people?

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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