Sheriff's Arrest

[SHERIFF]

Just an update, since it was an issue here 2 months ago. I should be allowed to clear my good name.

The criminal portion of this "false arrest" is over. Sheriff went to court on April 25, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. The prosecution put their case on. The judge immediately dismissed the criminal charge without one word of defense having to be spoken. They could have held the trial without my or my witnesses even being present. :)

Nothing in the case matched me or my Crown Victoria. The suspect was a 25-year-old 5'8" 140 pound hispanic male, with black hair and no mustache. I am a 5'11' 51-year-old white male, 220 pounds, graying hair, and have had a mustache every day of my life since age 19. The "victim" seemed to know his cars and described the suspect's vehicle as a dark blue pre-98 Crown Victoria without the newfangled "bubble tail lights" (his words). I obviously own a light blue Crown Victoria with the newfangled "bubble tail lights".

The "victim" was not a "61-year-old retired police officer" as the media reports would make one think. He was a 61-year-old person who left law enforcement at the age of 36 due to a disability. He had not been in active law enforcement for 25 years.

Stuff like this is NOT suppose to happen in America.

[bigslim]

Glad you are still here. Afterall, who else will get on our nerves? Who else will we slam with insults?

[SHERIFF]

Who else will we slam with insults?


Any of my other 17 personalities. :)

[Donny Carlson]

http://www.patfromjersey.com/kiddielights.mpg

[Gunslinger]

http://www.patfromjersey.com/kiddielights.mpg

:laugh: Good one Donny!

[Mike Poore]

[QUhttp://www.mustangmods.com/data/843/sws1973.jpgOTE=SHERIFF]Any of my other 17 personalities. :) [/QUOTE]
Hey! That's not a Crown Vic. :rofl:

[Haggis]

Glad you are still here. Afterall, who else will get on our nerves? Who else will we slam with insults?
Hey, give the man a break, after all they found OJ inocent. :shot:

[RoyLPita]

Glad to see that things got cleared up.

Just my .02 and then some.

[wsmylie]

[QUhttp://www.mustangmods.com/data/843/sws1973.jpgOTE=SHERIFF]Any of my other 17 personalities. :) Hey! That's not a Crown Vic. :rofl:[/QUOTE] That looks to be a 1973 Fury 1 police pursuit.... horrible cars as I recall; big, slow and clumsy with "smog" motor V8. Preferred the quicker and more nimble Satellite. Nice car photo though...havn't seen one of those in years.

[SHERIFF]

1973 Fury 1 police pursuit.... horrible cars as I recall; big, slow and clumsy with "smog" motor V8.


It is indeed a 1973. I have to disagree with you though. They would run 150 mph right off the delivery truck. :)

[MarauderMark]

Good to see you feel better to want to clear your name here..It made no difference to me anyway..also glad you held your head up high throughout the :bs:. we all know the news is ABSOLUTLY 100% ACCURATE about everything reported ! no 2 ways about that:up:. i would never do that to anyone here because i am not the kind of person as it seemed that most here are the same . That kind of :bs: is out the door with me as you all are my friends , especialy after what ya'll have done for me there's no better site on the WWW!!!!!.so sorry if it sounds corny but thats how i feel ..

[SHERIFF]

we all know the news is ABSOLUTLY 100% ACCURATE about everything reported !

Well, actually, the media only printed and broadcast what the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department told them. And what Alexandria said in front of their TV cameras. The really questionable part now is Alexandria won't admit they made a mistake and warn people that the real imposter is still roaming the streets. He will strike again. And it could be somebody's wife stopped in the dark next time. Warn your family members not to stop for a dark blue pre-98 unmarked Crown Victoria under any circumstances. Or at least until a 2nd or 3rd marked police unit shows up. If they get charged for failing to stop for a police officer look me up and I will provide your defense attorney with all the facts about this imposter and his car still running the loose on the streets.

[Mike Poore]

It is indeed a 1973. I have to disagree with you though. They would run 150 mph right off the delivery truck. :)
Correct me, but didn't those cars have 440 4V engines?

I have a great story about one of my friends who was a Maryland State Trooper. He drove his newly issued 440 Plymouth/Dodge (forget the year) from Pikesville to Frederick, and on the return trip ....ran out of gas! :eek:

[SHERIFF]

Correct me, but didn't those cars have 440 4V engines?



Only ones I ever drove in 1973 had the 440 Magnum, yes. There was probably another option available though I'm sure. Probably a 318 and/or 383.

[wsmylie]

Never drove any of the 440 C.I. Fury sleds....ones we had a lot of were mostly 318's with only a handful of them running 383's. Sorry... I still remember the 1973 318 Fury squads as big, underpowered dogs. The 318 and 383 equipped Satelites and Coronets of the 73-74 vintage were alot quicker and certainly felt like an overall better balanced package. Although the Furys were roomier and more comfy they seemed to get more banged up in a much shorter period of time in urban use than the mid-sized units.
Only ones I ever drove in 1973 had the 440 Magnum, yes. There was probably another option available though I'm sure. Probably a 318 and/or 383.

[BigMerc]

Just think of it as partial payment on all the things you got away with over the years.

[SHERIFF]

Just think of it as partial payment on all the things you got away with over the years.


Quite the contrary actually. It was one of the most interesting cases I have ever seen. Based on the prosecution's case...... the Criminal Justice System in this country is broken and needs fixing very badly. Your suspect, based on the victim's statement, is a 25-year-old 5'8" 140 pound hispanic male with black hair and no mustache....... and you go 120 miles away to arrest a 51-year-old 5'11" 220 pound white male with salt & pepper hair and a mustache since age 19.

Compounded by the fact the witness know cars and specified it was a pre-98 model dark blue Crown Victoria without "bubble tail lights" (victim's words). But you arrest the owner of a much newer light blue Crown Victoria which does have the "bubble tail lights".

Somebody skipped class during Investigations 101. :D

[Donny Carlson]

Quite the contrary actually. It was one of the most interesting cases I have ever seen. Based on the prosecution's case...... the Criminal Justice System in this country is broken and needs fixing very badly.
With all due respect, your credibility has been brought into question and you have done nothing but present us with an uncorroborated version of the court hearing. It would serve you well if you would link to a news story that backs up your claim, or some other reliable source (like a court website).

Until then, I refuse to believe that the Alexandria VA police department would waste limited resources to chase down a misdemeanor offender without just cause.

[DEFYANT]

With all due respect, your credibility has been brought into question and you have done nothing but present us with an uncorroborated version of the court hearing. It would serve you well if you would link to a news story that backs up your claim, or some other reliable source (like a court website).

Until then, I refuse to believe that the Alexandria VA police department would waste limited resources to chase down a misdemeanor offender without just cause.
^^^^^^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[merc406]

Just an update, since it was an issue here 2 months ago. I should be allowed to clear my good name.

The criminal portion of this "false arrest" is over. Sheriff went to court on April 25, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. The prosecution put their case on. The judge immediately dismissed the criminal charge without one word of defense having to be spoken. They could have held the trial without my or my witnesses even being present. :)

Nothing in the case matched me or my Crown Victoria. The suspect was a 25-year-old 5'8" 140 pound hispanic male, with black hair and no mustache. I am a 5'11' 51-year-old white male, 220 pounds, graying hair, and have had a mustache every day of my life since age 19. The "victim" seemed to know his cars and described the suspect's vehicle as a dark blue pre-98 Crown Victoria without the newfangled "bubble tail lights" (his words). I obviously own a light blue Crown Victoria with the newfangled "bubble tail lights".

The "victim" was not a "61-year-old retired police officer" as the media reports would make one think. He was a 61-year-old person who left law enforcement at the age of 36 due to a disability. He had not been in active law enforcement for 25 years.

Stuff like this is NOT suppose to happen in America.





As far as I know your innocent intill proven guilty, people seem to forget that here in America, they would rather believe what they hear or read which in most cases has holes the size of mellons in most of what is reported.

[bigslim]

Well, actually, the media only printed and broadcast what the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department told them. And what Alexandria said in front of their TV cameras. The really questionable part now is Alexandria won't admit they made a mistake and warn people that the real imposter is still roaming the streets. He will strike again. And it could be somebody's wife stopped in the dark next time. Warn your family members not to stop for a dark blue pre-98 unmarked Crown Victoria under any circumstances. Or at least until a 2nd or 3rd marked police unit shows up. If they get charged for failing to stop for a police officer look me up and I will provide your defense attorney with all the facts about this imposter and his car still running the loose on the streets.
Of course he will strike again. You are still free. :P

[SergntMac]

Although the Furys were roomier and more comfy they seemed to get more banged up in a much shorter period of time in urban use than the mid-sized units.
Turning radius...You needed a freaking football field to pull a u-turn!

[martyo]

...and you go 120 miles away to arrest a 51-year-old 5'11" 220 pound white male with salt & pepper hair and a mustache since age 19....



A few pages from my "If I were Clarence Darrow" fantasy book:
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Your Honor, I have just a few more questions before this witness steps down.

Just out of curiosity Mr. Sheriff, why do you suppose they drive all the way out of their way just to come find you then? (Yeah, yeah, I know calls for speculation - objection over ruled the witness is directed to answer the question).

Are you aware that you are on a list of suspects for crimes of this nature?

Do you have any prior arrests?

Have you ever been accused of this sort of conduct before? (Again, objection over ruled. Relates to prior conduct and the fact that witness may fit a particular profile).

Thank you Judge. I have nothing further for this witness.
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Hey, I never said that lawyer fantasies were normal!

[SHERIFF]

Until then, I refuse to believe that the Alexandria VA police department would waste limited resources to chase down a misdemeanor offender without just cause.

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArt icle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031782383477&path=

[SHERIFF]

Turning radius...You needed a freaking football field to pull a u-turn!


And even with a football field, you might tap your front fender on something if you aren't real careful. :)

[twolow]

LOL, I see a TV movie coming :popcorn:

[SHERIFF]

LOL, I see a TV movie coming :popcorn:


Believe it or not, you are closer to the truth than you realize. I was just about finished the draft on the 1997 to 2003 events...... when this latest foolishness arose. It will now be included.

[martyo]

A few pages from my "If I were Clarence Darrow" fantasy book:
.
.
.
.
Your Honor, I have just a few more questions before this witness steps down.

Just out of curiosity Mr. Sheriff, why do you suppose they drive all the way out of their way just to come find you then? (Yeah, yeah, I know calls for speculation - objection over ruled the witness is directed to answer the question).

Are you aware that you are on a list of suspects for crimes of this nature?

Do you have any prior arrests?

Have you ever been accused of this sort of conduct before? (Again, objection over ruled. Relates to prior conduct and the fact that witness may fit a particular profile).

Thank you Judge. I have nothing further for this witness.
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Hey, I never said that lawyer fantasies were normal!

If you are doing a movie, make sure I get credit when the above dialog is used in a scene! Or, is that going to be part of the "Sheriff: The Untold Story"?

[Bradley G]

Sheriff ,

Barney Fife wants to know what you are doing with his car?:D
Bradley G

Believe it or not, you are closer to the truth than you realize. I was just about finished the draft on the 1997 to 2003 events...... when this latest foolishness arose. It will now be included.

[twolow]

Why would they arrest someone who doesn't match the description in the least. Isn't there a line up you stand in or is that just in the movies?

If there was no line up, I still think it should make its way into the movie :popcorn:

If Engineer Scotty wasn't dead, he could play the role as "Sheriff" in the movie too, dang...

[SHERIFF]

"Sheriff: The Untold Story"?


Hey, that's a pretty good title there! Do you mind if I use it? :D

[SHERIFF]

Why would they arrest someone who doesn't match the description in the least.
Extremely good question. Go back and read the news report link I posted. You will find your answer. :D

[Macon Marauder]

Why would they arrest someone who doesn't match the description in the least. Isn't there a line up you stand in or is that just in the movies?

If there was no line up, I still think it should make its way into the movie :popcorn:

If Engineer Scotty wasn't dead, he could play the role as "Sheriff" in the movie too, dang...
NO! Say it ain't so! Scotty's dead?

[MarauderMark]

Steve why don't you take the thread that was on this site copy it and use that as well .i would think this would also be to your benefit as well the other sites on the web ..Maybe you can upgrade that caddy to a rolls royce..:up:

[Petrograde]

Shifflett said Tuesday that he is considering another lawsuit, possibly against Charlottesville police officers.

Get 'em dude!

I'm glad I didn't bash you too hard when the news came out, I figured I'd wait for the verdict.

So,.. good luck with those bastages!

[merc406]

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArt icle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031782383477&path=




You know I wondered about you Sheriff for awhile after reading a few of

those posts over at that other site, but after reading this article I can see

why you are how you are, I believe you have been through some kind of

hell, that I would not wish on anyone. Hope you get what you need to

overcome this and to get back on track with a somewhat normal life.

[Donny Carlson]

http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArt icle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031782383477&path=
Okay, Steve. This backs you up. I'm puzzled why the Alexandria police did what they did, but apparently they targeted you for some reason instead of investigating the facts as the witness reported.

I owe you an apology, and regret making light of your situation.

[Donny Carlson]

NO! Say it ain't so! Scotty's dead?
James Doohan is not dead. Yet.


http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/dnames-nf/Doohan+James

[klmore]

James Doohan is not dead. Yet.


http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/dnames-nf/Doohan+James Wow he will be a good pick for my 06 dying for dollars list. :)

:hijack:

[SHERIFF]

Steve why don't you take the thread that was on this site copy it and use that as well .i would think this would also be to your benefit as well the other sites on the web ..Maybe you can upgrade that caddy to a rolls royce..:up:


True.

And, nah, I love my DTS!!! :D :D

[SHERIFF]

You know I wondered about you Sheriff for awhile after reading a few of those posts over at that other site, but after reading this article I can see why you are how you are, I believe you have been through some kind of hell, that I would not wish on anyone. Hope you get what you need to overcome this and to get back on track with a somewhat normal life.


Thank You. My wife and daughter are the ones who have been through hell. My daughter has lived with this foolishness for 8 years, ever since she was 4 years old. During the original traffic stop and false arrest back in 1997, she was 4 years old, and left completely unattended in my car for 45 minutes. She was absolutely terrified. First time in her life she had been left alone. When they finally realized they had left her in the car by herself she had cried so long and so hard she was physically exhausted to the point she was whimpering like an injured dog. She had nightmares for years after this in 1997.

By the way, the original false arrest in 1997 for impersonating a police officer.... I was a sworn deputy sheriff in Greene County, Virginia. The rookie refused to believe me after HE asked the question.

[hitchhiker]

Bahwahhhhhhhhhh!

:P

[SHERIFF]

Okay, Steve. This backs you up. I'm puzzled why the Alexandria police did what they did, but apparently they targeted you for some reason instead of investigating the facts as the witness reported.

I owe you an apology, and regret making light of your situation.


No problem, Donny. I should have posted a link in the first place. My Bad.

I can't really discuss everything that has been discovered in this second false arrest. Obviously, because the totality of the 2nd case if far from over even though the criminal charge has been dismissed. Like I told somebody else, if you read the link again real carefully you will see what really took place. Your assessment is not that far off. :D

[SergntMac]

Okay, Steve. This backs you up. I'm puzzled why the Alexandria police did what they did, but apparently they targeted you for some reason instead of investigating the facts as the witness reported.
My bet is that there is more than one "Inter-nut" on the Alexandria PD detective squad working this case, who presented "his facts" to the prosecutor, believing what he read on the web was real in the real world. End result, "inter-Nutz". A specific "personality" emerging today, with predicitable behavior and decidely different opinion about what is real, and what is not.

Misinformation and misdriected focus (as honest as it seems presented at times) is difficult to manage. I have over 90 sworn officers on my staff daily, 260 every 24 hours, and all have web access, and are waiting to tell me what they "found on the web" every morning. "Line forms on the right", some are very web savy, others are "babes in the woods" and as dumb as they come. In all fairness, some are champion marksmen on the range, others can sniff out a stolen car at 100 yeards. Few of them are websmart, get me? Cops come in all sizes, shapes, and talents, and I'm running short of websmart cops. They know the toys, but they never caught on.

Why don't we all cut Steve some slack here? A Court of valid jurisdiction has vindicated him, vacated the charges against him. However he came to stand before this Court to begin with isn't the point anymore. A judgement has been returned and Steve has been cleared of charges against him. 'Nuff said?

As a professional LEO with 29+ years of service, 15 years as a command officer, I admit that I am not comfortable with the end result of this investigation. IMHO, I feel the investigator did not collect, or, review his data before presenting that to a prosecutor, who prepared this case for trial. I also know, again from experience, how the "smell of blood" and "victory" for this "team" of investigator and prosecutor, often smell alike, and how odor taints other "common" senses, which is to say that both could not hold their water, and they took their best shot.

Maybe Steve "slipped through the cracks" of the criminal justice system here, maybe not. Maybe these cracks have become too wide today, and allow this, maybe not. Maybe Steve has local juice with the Court, maybe not. Anyway you slice it, so be it. And, so what...

Among us, the man has been as good (and as bad) as any of us have been towards each other. So, what is our MM.Net point here? Y'all diss him as someone who we don't want hanging around with us, but the truth is, is that Steve has been as good as the rest of us while interacting with us. I have no problem with him hanging here, and I'll be the first to give him crap when he earns it. But, none of us have treated each other any better than Steve has treated us, so, why do we impose this latent standard of conduct upon him? Beats the crap out of me why...

I'll pat him on the back and I'll swipe at his knees with a baseball bat, both when he deserves it. But, until he earns it, Steve's got 'nutz a lot bigger than most of us. Get up off him, eh?

[gpfarrell]

My bet is that ....

Beats the crap out of me why...

I'll pat him on the back and I'll swipe at his knees with a baseball bat, both when he deserves it. But, until he earns it, Steve's got 'nutz a lot bigger than most of us. Get up off him, eh?

Very well put.

I don't believe the plymouth did 150 mph though. might have been the speedometer's opinion, but I just don't that box ran that fast.

[Mike Poore]

My bet is that there is more than one "Inter-nut" on the Alexandria PD detective squad working this case, who presented "his facts" to the prosecutor, ......
This just confirms why SergntMac was my new best friend, and why I'm happy he got the George Foreman Grill I won in the contest. :)

[David Morton]

I think it all started with the "Dirty Harry" culture rising in America.

Brother, it sounds to me like you are being targeted by the police state because of that 1997 incident.

There used to be limits to police power in America, but incessant reports of "outrage" by the media, aka, "Axe murderer free on technicality" have put politicians in power that have eroded the hard won civil rights that had been put in place to keep the police from abusing the almost absolute power a free society has to give them so that they can function as keepers of the peace.

I am no longer proud of the land of my birth. It has become like the Germany of 1933, a fascist state operating under a facade of democracy propagated by the state run media that promulgates the propaganda that our economic and military strength depend upon unity of opinion amongst the citizens, especially unquestioning authority, and that anyone who criticizes the politicians in power, the corporations or the police are "America Haters".

And I don't think that the latest wave of "christian values" in American politics is helping. Not for a minute. It's what was behind the "Dirty Harry" crap from the beginning. And I don't forget what Frank Herbert wrote in "Dune". "When religion and politics ride in the same cart, the whirlwind follows."

Theeeere's a Bad Moon on the rise.

And that's my 2 cents.

Oh, and Sherrif, about your reputation...

"Sherrif is an unknown quantity at this point"

... it hasn't changed. :D

Then again, neither has mine. :o

[SHERIFF]

SgtMac, that's probably one of the best replies I've seen on Al Gore's Internet for a long long time.

Thank You.

[mcb26]

Hope everything works out ok. I know some of what your going thru. I had a Deputy mess with me for a few years in the early and mid 70's. Pulled me over whenever he saw me. sat in my driveway at night. My neighbors got to where they wouldn't even talk to me, because he would pull them over too. All because he didn't want "Some long haired hippy living in HIS county." I had to work late one night, had my boss write me a note to please excuse Jeff for comming home late signed and dated. Sure enough he pulled me over. I gave him the note. I think he would have shot me if an aux hadn't been riding with him. I tried to keep a sence of humor about the whole thing. He was busted a short time after this for some conspericy charge involving the Sheriff of a neighboring county.

[Mike Poore]

...Misinformation and misdriected focus (as honest as it seems presented at times) is difficult to manage. I have over 90 sworn officers on my staff daily, 260 every 24 hours, and all have web access, and are waiting to tell me what they "found on the web" every morning. "Line forms on the right", some are very web savy, others are "babes in the woods" and as dumb as they come.
Let me make sure I understand what you're saying, or implying, Mac. Do you think people were reading the flames and comments on this, but most importantly, some of the other forums, which had Sheriff guilty, convicted and incarcerated, without due process? Fairness or accuracy aside, were the people who brought the warrant reading the posts on various sites and using those, as a basis for the charges made against him?

It gives one pause to think that an internet campaign, whether intended or not, against any individual, corporation, or organization, for whatever reason, can lead to such devastating results. Since I have no historical reference; perhaps some of the barbs were disserved, and maybe Sheriff is not a good person; but I'm thankful for Logan's intolerance of improper behavior that makes this site the only place you'll see posts from me.

[Dr Caleb]

Steve, I've never met you, but reading what you've written here, you seem like a pretty straight up guy. You seem ready with a quick joke, and I like that sort of person.

Like Sarge is his always cool and focused manner said, someone out there may just be out to get you to cover up thier own bad judgement or out of a sense of bad or false information.

The tradition up here is; if a judge sees fit to 'expunge' something, then it never happened. Out of respect for that judgement, the incident should never be mentioned again.

I've been on the short end of a constables' focused attention, so I can relate.

[SHERIFF]

I think all of you are subconsciously overlooking something in the news report. Let me import it here.....

"I think there are some hard feelings between him and some in Charlottesville," Sheriff's attorney said. "I think that is why his name surfaced in Alexandria."

"Alexandria authorities were given "false and misleading information in the Charlottesville area" by a police officer, Shifflett said, declining to give the officer's name."

If you want to hear some of this false and misleading information, go this link and click on the video under my picture.....

http://www.wusatv.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=3748 2

[Mike Poore]

http://www.wusatv.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=3748 2


This is beyond bizarre. How can everyone be so wrong? :confused: I guess Steve sees something in the report that's misleading. I look at the TV report and believe they've got their man. And the Officer making the statement, he's so sincere, official, and, and, right. Y'know?

One of my colleagues had a sign in his lab:

"You can be sincere, and still be stupid."

[SergntMac]

Let me make sure I understand what you're saying, or implying, Mac. Do you think people were reading the flames and comments on this, but most importantly, some of the other forums, which had Sheriff guilty, convicted and incarcerated, without due process? Fairness or accuracy aside, were the people who brought the warrant reading the posts on various sites and using those, as a basis for the charges made against him?I canont say what investigators knew for a fact, Mike, but I believe that the Internet is largely responsible for Steve's arrest and charging.

Many people believe what they read on the Internet, and they believe it more than truth even after you have proven otherwise. Many know of "Sheriff" without surfing the many sites he visits. I believe some declared him guilty only because he was questioned, and I believe he was questioned only because of his web popularity.

If the investigators were to tell me they knew nothing of "Sheriff" and came to identify and later charge Steve exclusively by other evidence, I would feel lied to. The answer is in the description of the suspect, the officers and prosecutor must have been blind, or, blinded by a brighter light. I believe that brighter light was a chance to bag "the infamous Sheriff", and I've seen cops do this before hundreds of times.

You get so close to your target, you see nothing else, including little inconsequential thingys like race, hair and eye color, height, weight, you know, details that keep mucking up a cop on the trail of a suspect he knows is guilty, if he could just catch a break...Hey, Steve does own a blue ford, does the year matter? Nah...

[wsmylie]

Mac...I don't really know much about the departments involved in this situation, but, where was the check and balance system that's supposed to exist via the first line supervisor and the C.O. (mid-mgt)? Even if the troops start to get off-track on some mis-guided investigative path it's up to the Det. Sgt. and Lt. to keep an eye on things and make sure everything is more or less on the "up and up". Like you I've been in L.E. for several decades with a large dept as a supervisor and C.O., mostly dealing with vehicle theft investigations. If this really was a false arrest/vendetta type situation, somebody above the officer/det rank should have caught wind of it and given it the scrutiny it deserved. Did Steve ever file an I.A. report on this? If the "facts" these guys based their arrest decisions on were so weak, how did it get past the next step in the check and balance process, the prosecutor's office?
I canont say what investigators knew for a fact, Mike, but I believe that the Internet is largely responsible for Steve's arrest and charging.

Many people believe what they read on the Internet, and they believe it more than truth even after you have proven otherwise. Many know of "Sheriff" without surfing the many sites he visits. I believe some declared him guilty only because he was questioned, and I believe he was questioned only because of his web popularity.

If the investigators were to tell me they knew nothing of "Sheriff" and came to identify and later charge Steve exclusively by other evidence, I would feel lied to. The answer is in the description of the suspect, the officers and prosecutor must have been blind, or, blinded by a brighter light. I believe that brighter light was a chance to bag "the infamous Sheriff", and I've seen cops do this before hundreds of times.

You get so close to your target, you see nothing else, including little inconsequential thingys like race, hair and eye color, height, weight, you know, details that keep mucking up a cop on the trail of a suspect he knows is guilty, if he could just catch a break...Hey, Steve does own a blue ford, does the year matter? Nah...

[merc406]

Very well put.

I don't believe the plymouth did 150 mph though. might have been the speedometer's opinion, but I just don't that box ran that fast.




Give it enough road 150mph, or anything near it, should not have been any problem for a 440 or 383 with the gears cop cars have.

[Badger]

Of course one could argue that by being such a controversal figure Sheriff has attracted the very attention he claims he does not want.

There are some people who go through life being victims....

[twolow]

I'm still asking this question:

Does anyone REALLY do lineups anymore or is that just in the movies?

[merc406]

I can't believe he was fired in the first place from what I read. Most courtrooms are boring as hell unless it's an OJ trial or somethin.

[merc406]

Of course one could argue that by being such a controversal figure Sheriff has attracted the very attention he claims he does not want.

There are some people who go through life being victims....




Ever been dumped on, it happens all the time. And I suspect it will happen to you someday.

[SergntMac]

Mac...I don't really know much about the departments involved in this situation, but, where was the check and balance system that's supposed to exist via the first line supervisor and the C.O. (mid-mgt)? Even if the troops start to get off-track on some mis-guided investigative path it's up to the Det. Sgt. and Lt. to keep an eye on things and make sure everything is more or less on the "up and up". I agree, I've seen investigations "get personal" before, and I've stepped in and called for caution while watching progress. Maybe because this case was about police impersonation? This may have affected some decisions, but I just can't see how this case came to charges on such weak evidence, and I too would like an answer.

[SHERIFF]

Ever been dumped on, it happens all the time. And I suspect it will happen to you someday.


You're absolutely right. What goes around comes around.

BThomp fabricated total unadulterated BS and offered it to the the Alexandria Police department..... see Exhibit below

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/843/bthomps.gif

[SHERIFF]

......but I just can't see how this case came to charges on such weak evidence, and I too would like an answer.

The rest of the story, as Paul Harvey says, is forthcoming. But it won't be for 2 or 3 years unfortunately. The case is far from over. If you were to see the little girl who investigated this thing and obtained the warrant, I think you would understand a little better. Her skills would best be served as an actor on Reno 911, IMHO. :D

[SHERIFF]

....... had my boss write me a note to please excuse Jeff for comming home late signed and dated. Sure enough he pulled me over. I gave him the note.


Now that's funny! I don't care what the Cable Guy says! :D

[SHERIFF]

I can't believe he was fired in the first place from what I read.


Actually, I was. I had worked for 5 previous sheriffs before a new one came in. The new one and I had a very problematic personality conflict. He was looking for a reason to fire me.

He suspended me based on an allegation I fell asleep in court. When I filed a grievance complaint on his suspending me without cause, he rovoked our access to the Grievance Procedure and fired me then.

Even if I had fallen asleeep in court........ I had just sat up for a month with my father dying a miserable death from cancer. He wanted to die at home and we granted his last wish.

Before I was fired though, I had 4 days prior already been sworn in as a deputy sheriff in another department. This is when the county police rookie stopped me and charged me with the first charge of impersonating a police officer back in 1997. ~~HE~~ asked me if I was a deputy sheriff. I told the truth and got arrested, imagine that! He simply would not believe me. My sheriff confirmed my identity 4 hours before the rookie testified in front of a local magistrate in order to obtain the warrants. A week later he attempted to speak to me while I was walking into the Magistrate's Office one day... I refused to talk to him more or less and told him "it's not over yet!" He interpreted that as a death threat and swore out a warrant for "stalking". Two city police officers were present and would have testified they perceived my comment as nothing more than a promise that a lawsuit was in the works. And it was of course.

During my first arrest in 1997, the rookie used taking my 4-year-old daughter home as an excuse to enter and search my home. My wife had no idea she didn't have to let him in. He saw Motorola two way radios on my desk, and I was charged with stealing one of them from the Charlottesville Police Department. The radio, and all the others, were mine. The judge threw the case out before the investigting officer got to say one word whatsoever.

So, what do we have? 6 criminal charges in 8 years, 1997 to 2005. A guilty party does not walk away from 6 judges and 6 charges unless they are truly innocent. In one particular case, the judge seperated the police officers into two groups. He commended one group as truly hard working decent individuals. He called the other group a pack of liars to their faces. It was an embarrasing day for law enforcement in my community.

[DEFYANT]

As one of the many who believed "Sheriff" was guilty, I am very surprised by all of this. Sarge, I'll follow your lead on this. A court of law has exonorated Mr. Shifflett and his name should be cleared. From what I have read on this case, I can not believe 1. the case was investigated like this and 2. it ever made it to trial! Leave it to the media to put a good spin on things.

Sheriff, if you truly are innocent in this case then to you I offer an apology. As a police officer, I dont arrest or charge innocent people. Nor have I ever know any officer who has. My gut may tell me a suspect is dirty, but w/o evidence enough to prove a case to a jury, I let it go. Credability is a commodity I (or any officer) cant live without. If you have been unfairly targeted by the charging officer then that person should be removed!

Sometimes the system fails us. We know through DNA testing that innocent people have been in prison for many years. We also know of cases where the guilty walked free over a technicality. It's not perfect, but it's the best one we have.

[SHERIFF]

As one of the many who believed "Sheriff" was guilty, I am very surprised by all of this. Sheriff, if you truly are innocent in this case then to you I offer an apology.


Thank You!

The official Alexandria Police press release on their web page and the TV interview of Alexandria Captain Crawford both tried and convicted me the day of the false arrest. Alexandria didn't call me a "suspect", they said with 100% certainty that I was in Alexandria and that I committed the crime. All of the other news media outlets, including the Internet, also tried and convicted me immediately. I walked into the courtroom a guilty person. The burden was on me to prove my innocence.

And surprisingly, the "victim" was my best witness. I did not have to utter one word whatsoever. The judge immediately threw the case out of court.

One of the things I and my attorney did not know as we entered the courtroom came to us a total surprise. The "victim" knew the Crown Victoria models and the Grand Marquis models quite well. He testifed the suspect was driving a pre-98 dark blue Crown Victoria with elongated tail lights, and specifically said it did not have the "bubble tail lights" like the 98+ Crown Victorias do. The Crown Victoria Alexandria claimed I was driving was a light blue 2001 with the "bubble tail lights".

I hate to make light of the situation, because it was a very serious thing that happened to the "victim". But the charge and trial really was a 3 ring circus.

And Logan, if you are reading any of this, I really do appreciate you allowing us the space here to discuss the event. :)

[SergntMac]

As one of the many who believed "Sheriff" was guilty, I am very surprised by all of this. Sarge, I'll follow your lead on this. A court of law has exonorated Mr. Shifflett and his name should be cleared. From what I have read on this case, I can not believe 1. the case was investigated like this, and 2. it ever made it to trial! Leave it to the media to put a good spin on things.
I admire your courage, sir, and I thank you for speaking out.

Everyone is going to decide for themselves, and decide in part on how they interpret what they read here, or, elsewhere across the 'web, which was precisely my point ^ there. Our "court of opinion" doesn't require any education, degree, or, license to practice. No "rules" to speak of, and a lot of "no fear". People should remember that they are responsible for what they post anywhere on the web today, and that posting is the same as painting a roadside sign, or, mailing a hand written note through the post office.

I never cared enough about Steve's situation to decide his guilt. I never met the man, probably never will, and I figured that if this case was his doing, it's his problem. I do recall reacting to all the press this case got, in particular, a press conference where a command officer discussed undefined "evidence" while also naming a suspect before the case was concluded, or, a warrant issued. The way I heard it, it made me wince. It was delivered with a pure arrogance of certainty, "we got him". I wondered what the hub bub was about, why all this crap was a heater case needing a press conference? Who's dead? Anyone with the last name of Kennedy involved? WTF?

I felt something was out of scale here, because this case wouldn't get one second of air, or, print time in Chicago, without something sensational attached to it. The Sheriff isn't sensational, unless you want him to be sensational. IMHO, looks like the local cops took their local case to the local press and public, so, what local Judge in his right mind who wants to be reappointed next year, would not sign off on a warrant, just to get the favored suspect into his local court, and to move the local cameras away from him?

Defyant, you know what I am about to say is the truth, so will other LEOs and maybe some of the lawyers among us.

Public service and working inside the criminal justice system can be very frustrating. The objective is to protect people from crime, and to protect the quality of life as it is, on your beat. It's chock full of bureaucratic rules, regulations, policy, proceedure, and burried in systematic process. The challenge for the LEO is to wade through all that, and it's daring, daunting and relentless. Opportunity for win seems lean, more accidental than the result of skill. It's too easy for cops to seek out, find, and take shortcuts that minimize bureaucratic frustration, cut through red tape, and get the bad guy behind bars ASAP.

Sorry, Defyant, I HAVE seen it, and when I hear one of my crew say anything that sounds like "I know he's dirty, and I'm going to get him", I know it's time for a sit-down, maybe some vacation time.

Despite good intentions, things get perverted. One shortcut leads to another, and it's not long before the cop himself becomes the criminal. It's sad, but it happens. No sense in fibbing about it. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often. It appears that this time, it was caught on tape and this is sad to see too. Still, it's better to see it, than not.

Steve...You gotta stop hanging a target on your back, you're as obsessed with being a victim of the system, as much as those who pursue you appear obsessed with taking you down.

Why not find another screen name and just be Steve for a while? Even bus drivers take a cab once in a while. You really are a pretty funny guy when you don't venture into your "the system is corrupt" voice. Take some vacation time from your personal war on criminal justice incompetence, we know it's there and we'll be okay while you rest. We are an older crew here, and we all know what's up in the real world. We talk about real world stuff here too. Even just among us it gets heated, because we don't like getting slapped in the face with reality. That dries out the fun, and dried out stuff doesn't stretch well under tension, it snaps.

[BigMerc]

This guy has been arrested 6 times in 8 years!!!! Where there is smoke there is fire. regardless that he got away with this one, this guy has some serious personality type disorders.

He thrives on attention, good or bad. he is only known for being arrested and being a total A$$ on several sites. before you start saying what a great guy he is you may wanna look closer.

[SergntMac]

You're going to have to explain to me why I need to look closer. Looking closer means you want me to pass judgement on Sheriff, look at facts, evidence and draw a conclusion whether Sheriff is a psycho, or, beat the system 6 times in 8 years by shear luck. That would mean that I should care, when I don't.

All Sheriff is, is a screen name here. He's not trying to sell me anything, borrow money from me, or, date my sister, so, tell me why should I give a ***** how and where he spends his free time. As long as he treats me with respect on this board, I'll return my respect. I'll laugh at his jokes and respond to his questions, and I would not care one bit if he did all that from inside stateville, or, bellvue.

Gee...Wonder if we got any convicted felons here?

[Tallboy]

Gee...Wonder if we got any convicted felons here?
Convicted?

No.

[Petrograde]

Convicted?

No.

:rofl:
arraigned,.. but acquitted! :P

[Tallboy]

:rofl:
arraigned,.. but acquitted! :P
They couldn't prove a thing.;)

[hitchhiker]

You're absolutely right. What goes around comes around.

BThomp fabricated total unadulterated BS and offered it to the the Alexandria Police department..... see Exhibit below

http://www.mustangmods.com/data/843/bthomps.gifBawaaaaaah!

Why does Logan put up with this :censor:

Desperate for attention and not one redeeming quality whatsoever.

:D

[SHERIFF]

This guy has been arrested 6 times in 8 years!!!! Where there is smoke there is fire........


Nobody has said any such thing, until you. 5 of the silly charges all took place at the same time in 1997. Some cops like to pile up charges when making an arrest, they think it makes their case stronger. :D

6 charges in 8 years, not 6 arrests in 8 years!

[SHERIFF]

Why does Logan put up with this :censor:



Logan is welcome to close this subject now. It has served it's intended purpose.

Thanks for the space to clear my good name, Logan!

[Gunslinger]

All Sheriff is, is a screen name here. He's not trying to sell me anything, borrow money from me, or, date my sister, so, tell me why should I give a ***** how and where he spends his free time. As long as he treats me with respect on this board, I'll return my respect. I'll laugh at his jokes and respond to his questions, and I would not care one bit if he did all that from inside stateville, or, bellvue.
I'm with SergntMac, lets get back to Buttermilk and Superchargers!