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Pasco Deputy Accused Of Using Cruiser To Steal Money
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Published: March 17, 2008
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Pasco County sheriff's Cpl. Don Riggans used his patrol vehicle to help steal $25,000 in drug money last week, a criminal complaint states.
Don Riggans
Riggans, a patrol deputy, was arrested on federal drug charges about 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Cpl. Rodney Philon, a jail deputy, was arrested about noon Sunday after a standoff at his house with SWAT members.
Riggans and Philon will be released from jail today on signature bonds of $50,000 each.
Riggans and an unnamed detention deputy – identified today in court as Philon by Assistant U.S.
Attorney Anthony Porcelli – were involved with people who stole and sold hundreds of thousands of prescription drug tablets including hydrocodone, a criminal complaint states.
From December through March 14 in Pasco and Hillsborough counties, Riggans and two other men – Kevin Massimino and Robert Caddick – conspired with one another and others to possess hydrocodone with intent to distribute it, the complaint states.
A judge today delayed a probable cause and bail hearing for Caddick and Massimino until Thursday.
Rodney Philon
According to the complaint:
In December, Massimino approached a confidential source seeking help stealing 100,000 hydrocodone tablets from a pharmacy warehouse. Massimino told the source that "Bob" would help Massimino get in the warehouse and that Massimino would pay "Bob" for help.
That source met with Massimino and a person named "Don," who later was identified as Donald Riggans. Massimino inferred that another deputy and Riggans would help with illegal activities. The source saw Massimino give Riggans $2,000 during that meeting.
On Jan. 17, Massimino introduced the source to Caddick. Massimino told the source that Caddick could make tablets of varying sizes and strengths. The source told Massimino that his customer in Miami would pay $3.25 for every tablet he could get. At the conversation's end, the source asked Massimino what they were going to do. Said Massimino: "Make me some money, bro!"
On Feb. 13, the source met with Massimino and the unnamed detention deputy. The source proposed a scheme, as directed by law enforcement.
The source said a courier working for his Miami customer would drive to Tampa with money to purchase hydrocodone. The deputy and/or Riggans could use a police vehicle, seize the money and let the courier go, the source suggested. The source then could force the Miami drug customer to pay a second time.
The unnamed deputy told the source that the courier would have to be in Pasco County for the plan to work. The source said this wouldn't be a problem. The deputy later said they would need Riggans' patrol car for the job.
On Feb. 18, the source met with Riggans in a men's restroom in New Port Richey. Riggans searched the source for a recording device and spoke quietly. During a conversation Feb. 28, Riggans said he didn't want to get fired and expressed concern that the courier might call the sheriff's office to complain. Riggans also suggested a Winn-Dixie on Moon Lake as a good location for the operation.
On Tuesday, Riggans stopped the vehicle Massimino and the source rode in, which had the drug money inside. He did so during a time when the alleged courier could see what was going on.
Philon, 38, is charged with distributing the anabolic steroid dianabol. Riggans, 34, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Tampa.
Both were fired as soon as they were arrested by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
Philon was hired in December 1998 and Riggans in April 1999. Philon worked in booking at the Land O' Lakes Jail; Riggans worked in booking for six years before moving to patrol duty.
Riggans has no disciplinary action listed in his file. Described in a 2007 review as an example to his peers and having good investigative-observation skills, he had many letters of praise in his personnel folder from supervisors.
Philon had no disciplinary action against him from his hire date to 2007 and was described in reviews as a "go getter" with good leadership qualities.
Philon is accused of giving the steroid to a confidential source for the Drug Enforcement Administration on Saturday in Pasco County. According to the criminal complaint affidavit, the source met Philon through Massimino and participated in a weightlifting workout with both Massimino and Philon.
Massimino told the source that Philon had provided him steroids, and the source asked Philon whether he or she could purchase some, the complaint states.
Philon initially said he had just completed his own cycle and was taking a week off and would provide the drugs to the source when he resumed. The source asked whether he or she could start earlier, and Philon said he would try to get the steroids, the complaint states.
The source made arrangements to meet Philon at a Publix supermarket on State Road 54 in Pasco County. There Philon gave the source a plastic sandwich bag with 10 pink tablets of dianabol, the complaint states. Philon told the source how to use the pills.
The arrests ended a three-week investigation that involved the DEA, Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the Tampa Police Department, Pasco Sheriff Bob White said.
The DEA also arrested two men linked to a Tampa pharmacy the agency had targeted in November 2006.
Massimino, 32, of 11234 Blacksmith St., Tampa, and Caddick, 51, of 1007 Egans Creek Court, Oviedo, were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute hydrocodone, an opiate nearly equivalent to morphine for pain relief. They are being held without bail at the Orient Road Jail.
The U.S. attorney's office said Riggans conspired with Massimino and Caddick to distribute hydrocodone. In the patrol vehicle incident Tuesday, Riggans received $9,000 for his assistance, according to the criminal complaint.
Public records show Caddick has been a registered agent for two companies – Medipharm-RX in Tampa and Medcenter in Lakeland – that were searched by DEA agents in November 2006.
At the time, a DEA spokeswoman said the companies' certificates of registration were being suspended, meaning they could not buy or sell controlled substances.
Agents removed more than 600,000 pills from Medipharm, most of which were hydrocodone and alprazolam.
Massimino listed Medipharm as his employer after a June arrest on charges of driving under the influence and domestic battery, jail records show.
According to the criminal complaint:
A separate confidential source was introduced to Massimino in late 2005 and bought about 100,000 pills including Xanax and hydrocodone from late 2005 to late last year.
Massimino said the source of supply was "The Fat Man," or "Fat Bob," later identified as Caddick. Caddick steals drugs from Medipharm and "cooks the books" to conceal the shortage, Massimino told the source.
In late 2006, the source drove to a Wal-Mart on Dale Mabry Highway. Massimino told the source to get tablets from Caddick's Mercedes once he and Caddick walked into the Wal-Mart. Caddick would leave the Mercedes unlocked, Massimino told the source. The source took the pills home.
Massimino arrived at the source's home about half an hour later and helped remove labels from tablet containers. Massimino left with 10,000 tablets to give a customer at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 Orient Road.
The source received $4,000 for storing the rest of the tablets for a week; Massimino picked them up as needed and sometimes had the source deliver the tablets to Tampa area customers.
During a brief court hearing this morning, Philon shook his head no when the charge was read.
U.S. Magistrate Thomas B. McCoun appointed the federal public defender's office to represent him.
Porcelli, the assistant U.S. attorney, told McCoun that he was concerned about Philon's actions on Sunday, when agents tried to arrest him. Agents arrived at his home about 6:45 a.m., and Philon was not arrested until about noon, Porcelli said.
Philon didn't answer his home or cell phone, despite repeated efforts. At one point, the defendant's stepdaughter told agents he was fishing. At another point, Philon talked to agents on his cell phone, and he was "disingenuous," Porcelli said, telling agents he was driving on Gandy Bridge.
Porcelli told U.S. Magistrate Mark Pizzo that law enforcement officials were concerned about Riggans' state of mind. He asked the judge to order psychological evaluation and treatment, if deemed necessary, as a condition of being released.
Riggans' attorney, Lori D. Palmieri, told Pizzo her client feels fine, except for the normal stress of the circumstances.
Although Palmieri said Riggans' father-in-law was prepared to put up a piece of property he was purchasing to secure his bond, Pizzo said that would not be necessary. The judge allowed Riggans' release with a signature bond to be co-signed by his wife and father-in-law, agreeing to be responsible to pay $50,000 if Riggans fails to show up for court.
Riggans' wife was present in court today but would not talk to reporters.
Porcelli said in court that the investigation is continuing and that more charges could be filed.
Porcelli said the evidence against Riggans is "overwhelming. All his participation has been either on video recorded in this case."
News Channel 8 reporter Claudia DoCampo contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7691. Reporter Elaine Silvestrini can be reached at esilvestrini@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7837.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( northfla ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, don't that just make you feel safe and secure.
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Posted by ( Gladiator ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Must resist temptation. I am sure the code of ethics were covered in training.In this economy why would anyone risk their job ? Some people just dont get it.
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Posted by ( GONASA ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:52 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Forget the friggin book, throw the LIBRARY at him!!!
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Posted by ( johnmowerpc ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ive got one word to say about those cops involved in illegal stuff. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
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Posted by ( Reegor ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Pasco is a lot more corrupt than it appears. This is just more high profile.
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Posted by ( Zipnby ) on March 17, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
WOW!
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Posted by ( flsbdude ) on March 17, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Riggans and Philon will be released from jail today on signature bonds of $50,000 each.
Why are they being released? Are they not criminals? Are there different rules/laws for ex-cops & good old fashioned criminals?
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Posted by ( ebb ) on March 17, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
florida is infested with dirty cops !
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Posted by ( 5thGenTampaBay ) on March 17, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
good times.
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Posted by ( beatcowboy ) on March 17, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
He should have spoken to Heather Mills. She did the same thing legally. She Loves Your Money, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
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Posted by ( dakota ) on March 17, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
God Bless our Florida Law Enforcement Officers, and they have to be put into jeapordy, by a Judas, amongst them.
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Posted by ( MyNameIsJob ) on March 17, 2008 at 2 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Don't taze me bro! I mean, make me some money bro!
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Posted by ( neeldlandolakes ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:21 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( kimbo ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Tip of the ICEBERG
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Posted by ( Melody07 ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Guess it wouldn't be fair to keep their butts in the pokey in solitary confinement (that's what they do with cops). The general population don't take too kindly to them... This way the boys can get together & make sure they get their stories straight & not have to miss the Easter Bunny.
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Posted by ( rickjamezb ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
don't tase me bro! lol
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Posted by ( ron ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
And I thought that ALL LEOs were honest as the day was long. I amsure that this two outstanding fellows were setup and they did nothing wrong.
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Posted by ( RobKay ) on March 17, 2008 at 2:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
kimbo, I hope you're wrong but I have a sneaky suspicion this is just the beginning. There appear to be way too many red neck cops down here that think they got the keys to the city when they got their badges.
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Posted by ( TheWhiskeyDiaries ) on March 17, 2008 at 3:02 p.m.
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Posted by ( motorist ) on March 17, 2008 at 3:16 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
(The Whiskey Diaries)AMEN....
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Posted by ( bigpete ) on March 17, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
A lady on another page go jail without bond because she was growing pot and these guys get bonded??? WHAT ///??? I just don't get it. Yes Whiskey I also agree with you.
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Posted by ( lolalove222 ) on March 17, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
neeldlandolakes~ Did you seriously just try to blame 2 dirty cops on the entire democratic party? You are so sad.
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Posted by ( northfla ) on March 17, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It was either the democratic party, Andy Taylor, or Cher, I'm not sure which.
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Posted by ( erikuscs ) on March 17, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
flsbdude and bigpete, Do you two know what the bail system is for? It is a insurance policy for the court to ensure you show up. If you hire private counsel and they do not feel you are a flight risk, you can be released at a lower amount.
The lady growing pot may have had an extensive record and a short term fixed address. These dirty cops were established in the community and the AUSA did not feel they were a flight risk.
Federal Bail is COMPLETELY different than State. If you are not a threat to the safety of the community, by federal law there will not be pretrial detention.
Sounds like Rampart division in Los Angeles. "Training Day"
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Posted by ( Camm ) on March 17, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Sirs, I will give you the benefit of the doubt until for now, but know this:
If you are convicted, you deserve full and complete sentences and you deserve to rot in jail with the other inmates you got into bed with. You are no better than them.
If you are guilty, you have brought shame and humiliation on everyone that carries that badge and wears that uniform with pride. Shame on you for even bringing that kind of suspicion around. Shame.
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Posted by ( ghpjerry ) on March 17, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
The sad part is that there were only 2 caught, there are many more dirty cops out there. Every city & every state has dirty cops & unless they are caught red handed they will continue their inexcusable behavior. How many innocent people have these 2 cops put in jail & destroyed their lives? How many more will go to jail & be wrongly convicted by other bad cops? They are held in the highest regard but they are human & humans make mistakes. The sad ending is when they make a mistake it costs someone their freedom, when I make a mistake I have an unhappy customer. MAJOR difference!!!! These 2 should be a "bed buddy" to a bunch of angry innocent inmates (all of the people they put away?).
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Posted by ( ebb ) on March 17, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I notice all the cop lovers are more quiet these days.I guess they ran out of excuses.
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Posted by ( DennyPCrane ) on March 17, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ron we are not all honest as the day is long. We are human beings. Just like any other occupation we are subject to corruption. But after 23 years I am happy to say I only ran into one who was subject to corruption. And I would not like him ever working side by side with me again. All occpupations are subject to corruption. But thankfully police officers are rarely corrupt. The fact that when one is corrupt is news is not as interesting as a plumber or a doctor being corrupt. We rely on our brothers to save our lives if necessary, that is not so in any other occupation. But would I like these two to be by my side? Hell no. They deserve what they reaped and should be held to the same moral standard as any individual. Don't put us all down because of the actions of the few.
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Posted by ( DennyPCrane ) on March 17, 2008 at 8:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ebb I am not being quiet now, am I?
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Posted by ( ebb ) on March 17, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Denny - your not being quiet- but your different, I notice you dont try to cover for your buddies when they act like criminals. I just think people that arrest others for the same thing they do should be put away forever. I understand we need cops, but I think a lot of cops nowdays are in it for the wrong reasons.Too many of the new breed cops are rude and think they dont have to act like peace officers.
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Posted by ( wanderer ) on March 17, 2008 at 11:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Rarely comment, been in law enforcement 32 years...hope they spend a lot of time with Bubba.
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Posted by ( GONASA ) on March 18, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
No ebb, we are just drowned out by the thug-lovers.
Which by the way, when you do what these punks did - you cease being a cop and start being a thug.
But you're too blinded by your issues with police to understand that.
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Posted by ( whasup ) on March 18, 2008 at 1:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
DennyPCrane...I do believe you are an honest cop. Please please ask the FEDs to target ALL of the Gyms where there are groups of cops that work out. I believe you will find many instances of illegal steroid use amongst cops. I truly believe these are the ones that act in abhorrent ways. Their judgement has been corrupted and egos make decisions. Tasers come out before common sense and it brings shame to all departments. Good luck to you and thank you for your dedication.
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Posted by ( joeyg ) on March 18, 2008 at 2:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
It's ridiculous that people jump on the ANTI LAW ENFORCEMENT band wagon just because a couple of bad seeds. I can't think of one type of job or one industry that has a smaller percentage of bad seeds. Percentage wise, there are WAY more bad doctors, politicians, general contractors, and even clergy.
Most of the people knocking LEO's are losers, criminals, or on the pro civil rights bandwagon (thinking they are helping America when they are in fact, hurting her badly).
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Posted by ( Plunder ) on March 18, 2008 at 4:20 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by ( tjamison_2001 ) on March 18, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Well, at the least the sherrifs dept fired them on the spot when they were arrested so they can't collect a pension.... unlike tampa police dept....
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Posted by ( MrShrek ) on March 18, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Help Wanted: Pasco Co. is now seeking 2 Deputies. Must have a God Complex and believe you are above the law. If this is you , please contact Sheriff Bob White for details.
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Posted by ( vinney ) on March 18, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
to protect and serve. I wonder what that means.protect who ? and serve who? not me they want my donkey for every mistake I make . a simple tail light that just went out . hey I got you now boy . it's only like a few hundred dollar's. put their donkey in with the rest of the thug's. my problem with the LEO's is, they are always justified
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Posted by ( ghpjerry ) on March 18, 2008 at 10:44 a.m.
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Posted by ( Melody07 ) on March 18, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
These 2 cops will be prosecuted to the fullest and it is what they deserve. They royally screwed up.
I feel bad for their innocent wives & children who will be without their income & pension. They knew nothing about this crap. At least they're out long enough for their wives to B-TCH at them non-stop 24 hours a day till they get locked up for good.
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Posted by ( MrShrek ) on March 18, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
ghpjerry...My Bad. If anyones interested in becoming a Pasco Co. Deputy , please refer to above posts to determine required criteria. If this is you , c'mon in.
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Posted by ( GONASA ) on March 18, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Plunder - I am former law enforcement and if you read my previous post - I said the same thing.
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Posted by ( GONASA ) on March 18, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
DogOnHouse - well they both look like morons if that's what you mean.
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on March 18, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
And we are suppose to respect and trust these people, please, they are just like every other person trying to make a quick buck the illegal way, respect police, heck no, trust police, heck no. To heck with all of them. It's every man for himself.
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on March 18, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To Ebb, I agree with you, all those LEO lovers were all out making excuses for them, oh they have to deal with drug addicts and drunks, my, my, my, what a tangled web we weave once we pratice to deceive. They are no better than anyone else, but I bet I were treated with kid gloves in booking, right this way sir, sit right here sir, it's sickening.
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on March 18, 2008 at 10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To Camm, wake up and smell the dougnuts baking, cops are dirty, not all of them, but not everyone who is arrested doesen't deserves to be treated badly either, that was my arguement with you last week. I hope you see now, it's coming out more and more, almost everyday you hear about another bad cop. So at least now we can agree, not all cops are bad, and not everyone who is arrested is trash, do you concur?
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Posted by ( marymcq ) on March 18, 2008 at 10:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
To Plunder and Dennypcrane, yes, when they started this illegal activity they ceased to be real cops, however, they were still working in that capacity, being hippocrites, I can hear them now, and yes, there is corruption in every profession, but every profession doesn't judge your behavior like law enforcement, that is why so many people are talking about this, and Joeyg, your the only scumbag on this blog, everytime you post something, it is always something stupid and offensive, I have yet to read one thing from you that made sense. Take two bullets and call me in the morning.
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Posted by ( 111111111111w ) on March 19, 2008 at 2:57 p.m.
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Posted by ( Camm ) on March 19, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
marymcq...Are you confused about what we spoke about? I didn't say to beat them or abuse them in any manner. I don't believe they resisted arrest or acted up in booking. I said they should share the cell with the common criminals that they are.
I said to treat them like everybody else. Re-read my post. And yes, these two ARE trash. There are hundreds of thousands of police officers across the country and to make the statement that a lot of them are dirty is just plain ridiculous and stupid. I've never done a "dirty" or immoral thing in my entire career. I work in an agency with thousands of other police officers. In your business, can you say that NOBODY has ever dont anything wrong....probably not. You can't judge everyone by the actions of a few. But the facts bear this out...when we find a corrupt officer, we get rid of those who bring shame on us. That is all we can do. We dont want to work with them either.
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Posted by ( equaljustice ) on March 20, 2008 at 6:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
What's new Pasco County has been corrupt for over 100 years. The good of boys club is alive and well, just look who is in office and how they use their influence in land deals, banks and other ventures. The Dade City good old boys are selling out the citizens with the Dade City landfill deal and something stinks and its not the garbage. The cops are just trying to get their share too.
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