Gangsters in Blue

Over a year ago Greenfield, MA mayor William Martin offered to review with me the findings of an investigatory report focused on the actions of individuals employed by the Greenfield Police Department. Despite my numerous calls, emails, faxes and in-person visits I’m still waiting.

Last Friday (August 19th) I tried again. I called Massachusetts State Patrol employee Michael Barrett (Martin had long-ago ceased talking directly to me about the report and had related calls fielded by employees of the MA St Patrol). Barret told me that the investigation was never completed since I had failed to provide his colleague Michael Habel with the necessary information. To be clear: the investigation was already under way prior to my inquiry, so it’s completion should never have hinged on my input (or lack thereof). Also, as is detailed by the documents hyperlined below, I have made contact numerous times over the phone, email, fax and in-person, and in the very infrequent times I ever got a response, no additional information was never asked of me.

So, in an effort to be transparent my conversation with Barrett is posted below in its entirety (in two parts due to YouTube’s 15min limit) and the information he sought (which I mailed to him) is visible through the following .pdf documents: my 4-page letter and supporting Greenfield-Report-emails.

Also posted below – the complaints I filed on July 12th, 2011 and video from that process, in which I’m told that an investigation has already been conducted by the MA St Patrol (of which Barrett claimed to be unaware during our conversation).

Will all this work finally help get me answers? We’ll see…

Greenfield Report Still Undelivered is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

“These people have tried to hide in the shadows. They don’t like being exposed.”
– Michael Allison

Do you know about Michael Allison? You should.

A mechanic and construction worker by profession, 41-year-old Allison just wanted to work on cars he owned that were parked on private property (his mom’s) in southeast Illinois, yet area bureaucrats, citing a local zoning ordinance, demanded that he register or garage each vehicle. Seeing such measures as nothing more than revenue generators, Allison filed suit against the city. They responded not with open conversation but with harassment from their enforcers – those wearing badges.

In a recent phone conversation, Allison noted that though he was caught off-guard the first time they showed-up, he was “ready and documented” their second visit via a digital recorder. He added that at the time his unwelcome guests were fully aware of the recording and didn’t lodge any objections.

Eventually Allison was charged with violating the ordinance and ordered to appear in court. An advocate of transparency, he inquired whether the proceedings would be recorded. Upon learning that it would not be, Allison informed court personnel that he intended to record the proceedings himself.

As he entered the Robinson, IL courtroom on January 13th, 2009, he was immediately approached by the judge who asked if he had a recording device. He replied in the affirmative. The judge then asked if it was turned on. He noted that it was. The judge claimed he had violated her right to privacy and, pointing to an already-opened law book with the statute she claims he violated, informed him that he was under arrest (his first ever) for eavesdropping.

Allison’s recorder was seized. He was held for one hour then released. He was told he’d be re-arrested a week later after a warrant was issued. No elaboration was given despite Allison’s questions. A week passed and he was left unmolested.

Then, five months later, when buying potatoes for his mom at a local grocery store, a man with a badge arrested him on what he claimed was an outstanding warrant stemming from the incident with the judge. When he challenged the arrest (since he hadn’t received the required speedy preliminary hearing within 60days of his first arrest) he was told the first arrest “didn’t count.”

If that’s the case then the seizure of his recorder violated the law since it was done without a warrant, and the content which it contained – Allison’s conversation with the judge and men wearing badges – are what his five charges of eavesdropping are based upon, each of which threatens up to 15-years in a cage.

Allison now faces 75-years in a cage thanks to Tom Wiseman, Crawford Co. state attorney.

As Mark McCoy correctly noted: “That’s up to 75 years in prison for breaking a law Allison did not know existed, and which he violated in the name of protecting himself from what he saw as an injustice.”

On January 13th, 2011 Allison filed a civil suit against the City of Robinson for false arrest and imprisonment. A week before his trial was set to kick-off this past May a pro bono lawyer stepped-up and filed a number of motions, including one that challenged the constitutionality of the eavesdropping statute. The jury was sent home and the judge ordered a continuance to allow for Lisa Madigan, Illinois attorney general, to respond. A hearing date is now scheduled for August 18th.

Along with Maryland, where similar charges against Anthony Graber were dropped and Massachusetts, where a jury recently returned a “not guilty” verdict for myself and Ademo, Illinois has the most-draconian legislation used to target individuals from documenting their interactions with those who work for the government. This clear double-standard caused this quote by Max Stirner to come to mind: “The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual crime.”

Let’s work to make sure the real criminals are held accountable.

Help Allison on the ground:

• For those in/around St. Louis: get a copy of his case and share it online (Allison admits he’s not too tech-savvy and specifically requested this). The 112-page document can be obtained at the U.S. District Court – Southern District of Illinois Division – East St. Louis. Copies are $0.08/page, for $8.96 total. The first person to upload the document (and let us know) will be reimbursed by CopBlock.
• Join him on the ground on Aug 18th. 2nd Judicial Circuit Court, Crawford County, 1 Court St., Robinson, IL. Allison noted that the Copwatch crew from nearby Charlestown, IL have been present at previous proceedings with signs. Just imagine the message it’d send were they to be reinforced with activists from nearby Louisville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, or Chicago! FACEBOOK EVENT

Help Allison from afar:

• Share his story (this post or any related content) with others. Help win in the court of public opinion. The last thing those responsible for Allison’s harassment want is for their actions to become more well-known.
• Find an attorney to take on his civil case. His case, if you or your lead has access to Pacer, is 11-CV-43-MJR-PMF. Did the judge violate Allison’s right against self-incrimination when she acted in an executive capacity rather than judicial?
• Contact Tom Wiseman, Crawford Co. state attorney, and tell him to drop the five felonies he’s levied against Allison:
  Crawford County Courthouse
  105 Douglas St.
  Robinson, IL 62454
  phone: 618.546.1505
  fax: 618.544.4912
  email: twiseman@crawfordcountrycentral.com

For more:
Chicago State’s Attorney Lets Bad Cops Slide, Prosecutes Citizens Who Record Them by Radley Balko at HuffingtonPost.com
Valley Man Faces 75 Years In Prison For Recording Law Enforcement by Patrick Fazio at MyWabashValley.com
The War on Cameras by Radley Balko at Reason.com

75 Years for Recording Public Officials On Duty!? is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

We’re still working on the footage from our trial, hopefully we’ll be able to publish it later today, but we wanted to give folks a sneak peak. Below is a playlist created by Jason Talley, of Talley.tv, consisting of live updates  taken from the trial.

Thanks again to Talley.TV, NeverTakeAPlea.org and FreeKeene.com for teaming up with us to highlight this injustice.

Live Updates From Pete and Ademo’s Greenfield, MA Trial is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

On Sept 20th 2010 Oliver Rich was driving from Greenfield (MA) to his home in Hatfield (MA), this short drive ended up changing his life. Not only did Oliver suffer permanent damage to his nervous system but he’s also lost/spent thousands of dollars and continues to get the run around.

It all started, as Oliver explains in the video above, when he decided to stop for two hitchhikers (that he recognized from his area). While making room for the traveling musicians Oliver noticed a police car behind them. At first he was told he was stopped for ‘unsafe backing’ but it quickly escalated. The officer claimed Oliver was driving on an expired licenses and when Oliver questioned it, as he was at the DMV earlier that day, the officer (who already called for backup – but unsure why?) pulled his taser. It wasn’t long before 4 or more cops were on scene and Oliver was tased a number of times. Again, it all started because Oliver is a nice guy who wanted to offer some locals a ride and some bully cop didn’t like being questioned.

More to come from Oliver later, as we’ll be following his court proceedings in the upcoming months. There is so much to this case we couldn’t possibly cover it this week, stay tuned.

Oliver Rich – Another Victim of the Greenfield Police and Judicial System is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Last July Pete and myself, of CopBlock.org, were arrested while attempting to film the bail process of two of our friends. After a year of court room proceedings, consisting mostly of us asking questions, we’re slated for trial on July 18th at 9 am in Greenfield District Court. Together Pete and I face felony wiretapping, trespassing, resisting and disorderly conduct charges – Pete is also being charged with vehicle manipulation and felony ammunition charges.

Before we get the chance to clear our names in court we’ll be spending the week in Greenfield to raise awareness (hopefully you’re here because you’ve met us or received one of our fliers/CD’s) about the Greenfield PD’s actions.  What will we be doing in Greenfield this week? We’d like to meet and connect with as many folks who are willing to share their experience or thoughts on the Greenfield police department. We’ll be hanging out in the downtown area a lot, most Replay’s on Main Street – great music store – but if you see us or MARV (the RV) please don’t hesitate to stop by and chat with us. We’ll also be holding a rally/conference at some point this week, details to come, as well as interviewing those responsible for this continued burden on our lives. After all, we’ve harmed no one and broke no laws. Heck, the police (or state) was filming us at the same time they arrested us for filming!

For those who are unfamiliar with our case, please watch the video below and click on some of the related post listed.

Related Post:

• Meta Post – Complete overview of every post published about Greenfield and this case.
• “They’ve Done Something Really, Really Wrong in Arresting those Guys.” – Penn Jillette – Penn’s Penn Point on Pete & Admeo’s ridiculous charges
• Massachusetts Wiretapping Case (for filming police) Headed for Trial – a video (with summary) and analysis of our court proceedings the day prior by Ademo
• CopBlock.org Contributors Attend Greenfield, MA Public Safety Commission Meeting – In this video and blog post Ademo talks about the lack of accountability he and Pete have suffered thus far and outlines ways he plans to use both the system and public pressure to clear their names of their charges
• Greenfield, MA Documents - the documents (police statements, motions, mug shots, etc.) that we’ve been given have been created since our arrest

They’re Back!!! Pete and Ademo Return To Greenfield, MA is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Narcs get rowdy at a narc convention and a pair of cops who couldn’t keep their paws off the pills. Let’s get to it:

In Hyannis, Massachusetts, a group of men attending the New England Narcotics Officers Association is accused by a Cape Cod DJ of twice attacking him at a bar after he tried to non-violently intervene on behalf of a woman being harassed by one of them. The narcs were in town for a convention. Duane Alves, better known as DJ Alvzie filed a report with Barnstable Police after the incident in which he said one of the men dumped a drink on his head, then punched him. The man’s comrades joined in the beating. Alves also said that the men then blocked the exits from the bar and attacked him again when he tried to leave. The second attack resulted in serious injuries, including broken bones around his right eye and a damaged nasal cavity. Alves managed to grab a cell phone of his attackers dropped, and Barnstable Police confirmed it belonged to someone who attended the narc-fest, but would not identify the owner. Barnstable Police continue to investigate.

In Napoleonville, Louisiana, a former Assumption Parish sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty May 24 to a whopping 438 malfeasance and drug charges for using seized drugs to feed his own habits. Louis Lambert, 48, had been the evidence room technician for seven years when deputies discovered missing drug case evidence in April 2010. Lambert was arrested in June 2010 and fired and indicted in October. He copped to 336 counts of malfeasance for evidence tampering, 35 counts of pot possession, 24 counts of cocaine possession, 11 counts of prescription drug possession, one count of Oxycodone possession, one count of steroid possession, once count of Alprazolam possession,10 counts of drug paraphernalia possession, 14 counts of possessing a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs, four counts of firearms theft and one count of theft under $300. Charges against about 20 drug suspects had to be dropped because of the missing evidence. He faces up to 1400 years in prison when sentenced July 6.

In Yorkville, Illinois, the Yorkville Police deputy chief was arrested last Friday on charges he stole pain relieving pills from the department’s drug collection program.  Deputy Chief Dave Delaney is charged with possession of hydrocodone and theft of government property. Yorkville Police had become suspicious that some of the drugs turned in were missing and contacted the Illinois State Police, who conducted a week-long investigation. They marked some of the hydrocodone pills, then confronted Delaney and found he had several on him. He faces up to three years in prison on each count.

This Week’s Corrupt Cops Stories is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Narcs get rowdy at a narc convention and a pair of cops who couldn’t keep their paws off the pills. Let’s get to it:

In Hyannis, Massachusetts, a group of men attending the New England Narcotics Officers Association is accused by a Cape Cod DJ of twice attacking him at a bar after he tried to non-violently intervene on behalf of a woman being harassed by one of them. The narcs were in town for a convention. Duane Alves, better known as DJ Alvzie filed a report with Barnstable Police after the incident in which he said one of the men dumped a drink on his head, then punched him. The man’s comrades joined in the beating. Alves also said that the men then blocked the exits from the bar and attacked him again when he tried to leave. The second attack resulted in serious injuries, including broken bones around his right eye and a damaged nasal cavity. Alves managed to grab a cell phone of his attackers dropped, and Barnstable Police confirmed it belonged to someone who attended the narc-fest, but would not identify the owner. Barnstable Police continue to investigate.

In Napoleonville, Louisiana, a former Assumption Parish sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty May 24 to a whopping 438 malfeasance and drug charges for using seized drugs to feed his own habits. Louis Lambert, 48, had been the evidence room technician for seven years when deputies discovered missing drug case evidence in April 2010. Lambert was arrested in June 2010 and fired and indicted in October. He copped to 336 counts of malfeasance for evidence tampering, 35 counts of pot possession, 24 counts of cocaine possession, 11 counts of prescription drug possession, one count of Oxycodone possession, one count of steroid possession, once count of Alprazolam possession,10 counts of drug paraphernalia possession, 14 counts of possessing a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs, four counts of firearms theft and one count of theft under $300. Charges against about 20 drug suspects had to be dropped because of the missing evidence. He faces up to 1400 years in prison when sentenced July 6.

In Yorkville, Illinois, the Yorkville Police deputy chief was arrested last Friday on charges he stole pain relieving pills from the department’s drug collection program.  Deputy Chief Dave Delaney is charged with possession of hydrocodone and theft of government property. Yorkville Police had become suspicious that some of the drugs turned in were missing and contacted the Illinois State Police, who conducted a week-long investigation. They marked some of the hydrocodone pills, then confronted Delaney and found he had several on him. He faces up to three years in prison on each count.

This Week’s Corrupt Cops Stories is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Last week the Liberty On Tour crew was in Greenfield, MA to get accountability from those who had wrongfully arrested them almost a year ago. Daniel McCarthy repeatedly interrogated me for his information, following the crew several times in his cruiser (which is stalking), and then trying to issue a ticket to me for jaywalking as he himself, jaywalked across the street to issue the citation.  Soon after, a few other officers appeared on the scene, all armed, and one even armed with a camera.  As quickly as the officers appeared on the scene, all of them, minus McCarthy scurried off to the cop shop, leaving the original stalker to continue his seemingly endless harassment.

For more information on the Greenfield police click here.

Greenfield Police Harass CopBlock.org Bloggers is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Perverted probation officers, greedy jail guards, and a perjury plot backfires. Let’s get to it:

In Portland, Oregon, a former US probation officer pleaded guilty April 28 to coercing sexual favors from female defendants, including drug offenders, under his supervision. Mark John Walker, 52, admitted to violating the victims’ constitutional rights to bodily integrity while acting under color of law. In one case, Walker forced the victim to have sex with him against her will when he visited her home as part of his official duties. In other cases, he kissed victims or touched their breasts, buttocks, and inner thighs without their consent. Under the plea agreement, both sides have agreed to recommend a 10-year prison sentence when he is sentenced June 18.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, a Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department sergeant was arrested Monday on drug charges after allegedly receiving cocaine from an undercover state trooper. Sgt. Michael Dell’Isola, 51, is charged with trafficking cocaine. He went down after the sheriff’s office received an anonymous tip last month and ended up setting up a sting. Dell’Isola, who worked at the Cambridge Jail, took cocaine and $500 cash from the undercover trooper, and was arrested on the spot. The 28-year veteran was being held pending a bail hearing.

In Detroit, a former Inskster police officer was sentenced Tuesday for his role in a perjury scheme in a 2005 cocaine trafficking trial. Robert McArthur was sentenced to 90 days in jail for misdemeanor willful neglect of duty. He could have faced up to life in prison on felony perjury charges, but accepted a plea bargain that includes his testifying next month against one of his co-defendants, retired Wayne County Judge Mary Waterstone. McArthur, Waterstone, another Inkster police officer, and Wayne County’s former top drug prosecutor were all charged with perjury for letting a paid police informant testify without revealing that he was a key participant in the operation. Former prosecutor Karen Plants and former Inskter Police Sgt. Scott Rechtzigel have also take plea deals in the case and received short jail sentences. Waterstone has turned down all plea offers and faces trail June 7.

This Week’s Corrupt Cops Stories is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"

Pete and I were arrested last July by Todd M. Dodge (of the Greenfield Police) for filming inside the Franklin Co Jail, even though officers on scene couldn’t provide or recite any statue, law or policy that would limit such activity, and charged us with 3 Felonies and 5 Misdemeanors.  Since then we’ve been at the mercy of the state. Required (by force) to attend several courtroom hearings, learn the legal process, file motions and forced to jump through every hoop at the states demands. (See this playlist to follow our 10 month legal fight or this post for all related blogs.)

We’ve been waiting three months (wonder what would happen to us if we made the court wait 3 months?) for judge William F. Mazanec to rule on our two previous motions. Yet, it took another trip to Greenfield to ask him why he was 60 – 90 days over due on his ruling for him to actually rule on them. For those who don’t recall, we put in two motions, one was to dismiss all charges because there was no victim. The other was to dismiss the felony wiretapping because we weren’t secretly recording anyone. In fact several of the police even commented in their reports that they were informed of filming prior to their arrival.

This week I receive a letter from the ‘judge’ denying our motions — see here. This is a huge disappointment because I thought for sure the judge would grant ONE of these motions. Especially the wiretapping motion which the state claims took place via a cell phone, that only one person can possess, yet we both of us are charged with wiretapping (a penalty that carries 5 yrs in prison).

There are so many things wrong with how this case is being handled by the state that I’m pretty much done with the legal process. I’ll show up for court in July and do my part to help the jury realize I’ve done nothing wrong. At the end of the day it’s obvious I can’t get justice inside their walls, so I’m going to tell the truth and hope it sets me, and my best friend, free. If not, then I’ll go to jail.

Pete is about to file a motion to deem the wrongful search of his RV illegal, so stay tuned for that and I wish him the best of luck.

There is a letter writing campaign going on in our behalf, thanks to Shaun Lee, more details here and we hope as many people as possible can make it for the trail on July 18th, 2011. It will be one for the books.

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Greenfield, MA Justice System Falls Short Again! is a post from Cop Block - "Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun"