Tag Archives: Search and Seizure

Lazy Cops Make a YouTube Video About Wrongfully Arresting a Janitor

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Two police officers in Asheville, North Carolina, violently arrested a beloved local 63 year-old janitor after receiving a false report from the local Subaru dealership that one of their cars was being used without authorization. Louis Searles, the janitor, sees the officers looking at a car outside the building where he works. He had observed the woman who was driving the vehicle, so he walked up to the officers and told then where the woman was (in a local business called “Thrive,” which is in the building where he works as a janitor. Instead of going and locating that woman, they decided to violently arrest the janitor.

Here’s the video the cops made.

Here’s the 4th Circuit case discussed in the video, Milla v. Brown:

USCOURTS-ca4-21-01379-0Download

When Cops Stop the Wrong Black Man

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Derrick House was returning home from a trip to Costco, headed to make dinner with his family. An unmarked car comes speeding up from behind him, suddenly blocking him in. Cops jump out and start pointing their pistols at him, threatening to shoot him in the face. What did he do wrong? Apparently he was just a black male driving a Volkswagen. Even though it was the wrong make, color (and license plate number) the cops figured it was close enough.

Here’s the complaint:

001-COMPLAINTDownload

Here’s the press release:

PRESS RELEASE January 17, 2025 LawsuitDownload

Sheriff Busts In Home (NO Warrant) Arrests Mom and Son For “Revving Engines”

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In Sharp County, Arkansas, Sheriff Shane Russell showed up at a family’s front door, following allegations from a neighbor that they had been revving their engines earlier (on their own property). Sheriff Russell, flanked by other police officers, did not have a warrant. But he didn’t let that stop him. 

The original video here.

Two Drunk Cops Assault Trucker | But Only One Resigns

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A special agent with the Lake County Narcotics Agency has resigned following an internal investigation into an incident of alleged unlawful detention at a Medina County Township bar in April. Daniel Lajack, 48, submitted his immediate resignation on Dec. 2, just weeks after being notified of potential disciplinary action for his involvement in a controversial encounter with a legal immigrant. Lajack also served as a federal task force officer for the Drug Enforcement Agency, before being removed shortly after the April incident became public.

My Video Made the TV News in Utah – the Police Respond

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My last video, about the Special Olympics Medalist who was followed, and then violently arrested, by a Clearfield, Utah police officer, made the TV news in Utah. A reporter actually went to the bar and interviewed Shawn, as well as the bartender, and others, which was fantastic. The Clearfield Police Department responded. But is their response adequate?

Bully Cop Assaults Special Olympics Medalist (and his supervisor helps cover it up)

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In Clearfield, Utah, Officer Fratto of the Clearfield Police Department violently arrested (and injured) a local long-time Special Olympics medalist. Shawn was just trying to walk home from his favorite karaoke bar, but Officer Fratto thought Shawn looked suspicious, so he began to follow him (and scare him) as he was walking home. Shawn had committed no crime. No crime had been observed or reported.

Fratto eventually jumped out of his police cruiser and detained Shawn, claiming he saw him illegally jaywalk. He demanded Shawn provide his “ID.” However, Shawn answered all questions asked by Fratto, who never asked Shawn his name or date of birth. Shawn knew that he was being harassed and did not want to provide his ID to Fratto, who continue to bully him and escalate the situation. Fratto chose violence and took Shawn to the ground, injuring him. Fratto’s supervisor showed up and helped coverup the misconduct.

Luckily, Shawn had a friend from the bar who helped him get the bodycam footage and communicate to the prosecutor and judge in court, resulting in the bogus charge being dismissed. But unfortunately, the incident has had a lasting negative effect on Shawn.

Screenshot excerpts used in the video:

Cop Follows Man Home After Traffic Stop, then Tases Him Repeatedly | 14 Other Victims | FIRED!

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In Warrenton, North Carolina, bodycam was recently released showing now-fired police officer Mark Oakley following a black man home from a traffic stop and then repeatedly tasing him in his driveway. Dwayne Hicks was originally pulled over for a minor traffic violation. Finding a pickup order in the system for Mr. Hicks’ license plate, the officer got a screwdriver and pulled the plate off Hicks’ vehicle. Then he told Hicks that he was “free to leave,” and encouraged him to leave the scene. The officer even waved as he drove away from the scene. Instead, former officer Oakley followed Mr. Hicks home and performed another traffic stop – this time in Mr. Hicks’ driveway. The encounter quickly escalated into violence.

Oakley’s statements about the incident:

Media report here.

When Cops Ask to Come Inside, DON’T do what This Guy Did!

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This involves the Moweaqua Police Department and happened in Macon County, Illinois. This man was being investigated for allegedly making a threat on social media. Police officers showed up at his door without a warrant. They asked to speak with him. He was apparently lawfully armed at the time. He invited them in. Once inside, they wanted to disarm him. Not being agreeable, he asked them to leave. They refused. It all went downhill from there. This all could have been easily avoided.

Original full video, with explanation, is here.

Idaho Cop Gets Violent with Innocent Kids | Justified, or no?

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A retired California police officer moved to Idaho and began working at the Meridian (Idaho) Police Department. In June of this year, a 16 year old kid crashed his dirt bike about a mile from his home. Later, when his brothers went to retrieve the bike for their brother (who was in the hospital), they were approached by Officer Bradley Chambers. Encountering the least bit of resistance from the boys, who had just struggled to load the bike into a truck, Officer Chambers chose violence.

Original video that was age restricted (probably due to the dirt bike wreck footage):

UPDATE Video, Sept. 24, 2024:

Police Report:

This shows the wreck scene, with police present at the scene. Two of the brothers who were later involved in the arrest incident are also at the scene at the time. The dirt bike had already been removed by one of the homeowners:

The dirt bike crash video (filmed by kids down the street):

RAW footage angle 1:

RAW footage angle 2:

How Cops Scammed my Client and Took an Innocent Guy to Jail (and got sued)

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DJ was driving to the store to get feed for his numerous farm animals. He was driving his crappy little “farm car” that did not have a valid inspection sticker. He was pulled over for that reason by the Martinsburg (WV) Police Department. Instead of being issued a warning or citation for the inspection issue, within seconds he ended up being arrested. Despite having committed no crime, other than the inspection sticker violation, he ended up being taken to jail in handcuffs and charged for being a drug dealer. All charges were subsequently dropped. A lawsuit was filed.

Here’s my first video on this incident, from about a year ago.