Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Under Arrest for Being Latino


I'll keep this post nice and simple, according to Court House News:

A Texas sheriff threw two Latino men into jail for 39 days "with no charges, no hearing, and no probable cause" and seized the $14,000 they had saved up to buy a new car, the men claim in Federal Court.

"The trooper provided no traffic violation information or reason for the stop to the plaintiffs," the complaint states. "The trooper requested driver licenses from both plaintiffs, which he then took to his patrol unit. Upon returning, he requested to search the vehicle. Consent was given, and he then brought out his dog. After a search, the dog was put in its kennel. No drugs or drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle or on the plaintiffs.

"There was simply no indication of wrongdoing. Nevertheless, Trooper Clary seized the money and waited for backup. After 20 minutes, the plaintiffs were taken to another squad car and were told they were going to be interviewed where it was quiet. Even though there was no sign from the K-9 and, therefore, no probable cause, the arriving officers tore apart the vehicle looking for money or drugs that did not exist.

"At the Hill County Sheriff Department, the plaintiffs were never handcuffed, never Mirandized and never told they were under arrest; rather, they were asked where they were from. The money was counted, and they were then booked into Hill County Jail for what jail documents call pending charges pursuant to 'money laundering.'"

"Plaintiffs had no opportunity to appear before a judge to seek release or to learn the reason they were deprived of his liberty. Plaintiffs had no opportunity to post bond."

I.E. These two men were arrested for being Hispanic with too much money on them.  These two cops wanted to figure out one way or another to confiscate this money because they were jealous.  They see someone that they consider a lesser person than them carrying so much cash, and well its their rights as officers to take that money from said lesser individuals and find a reason to justify it.

Just imagine how many other people out there are sitting in a jail cell with no idea why they are there, no charges being filed against them, no face time with a judge, nothing.  We speak about medieval torture chambers and dungeons as if they are a thing of the past.  We talk of kings and dictators who imprison people for whatever reason they please as if we live in a better time period and place than them.

Wake up America.

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