Owner scoffs at idea junkyard is a threat $1 million damage caused during raid by BATFE agents

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | April 18, 2004 | Jim Herron Zamora, Matthew B. Stannard, Chronicle Staff Writers

[Mulder]

The owner of a San Leandro warehouse complex searched by federal agents seeking rocket launchers scoffed Saturday at the notion that he has any links to terrorism or illegal military weapons.

"This is ridiculous -- I'm a junkyard owner, not a terrorist,'' said Harold Chapman, 75, owner of a 25-acre former Kellogg's corn flakes plant that has been converted into warehouse space. "I'm about as much threat to national security as a tired old dog.''

[Mulder]

bang

[Redbob]

"I'm mad because I offered them the keys to every door here, and they just wanted to be cowboys and crash their way in,'' said Chapman, who lives in a trailer at the rear of the site. "We offered to help them, and they just decided to do it their way. They're complete morons. They trashed the place for no reason."

Sounds like a bunch of Janet Reno's jackbooted thugs, nostalgic for the good ol' days in Waco.

[Mulder]

Here's a few more details:

.... Federal investigators said Friday, as they searched the building, that they had no information linking the search to terrorism. The federal search warrant used to conduct the raid was sealed....

.... Chapman said several hundred searchers caused some $1 million damage to his warehouse complex....

...."I'm mad because I offered them the keys to every door here, and they just wanted to be cowboys and crash their way in,'' said Chapman, who lives in a trailer at the rear of the site. "We offered to help them, and they just decided to do it their way. They're complete ....

....Chapman and several of his contractors there were "detained against our will" all day....

....Chapman said they believe that the investigation was initiated by a false tip from a man who had a personal beef with him....

So here's what it looks like happened:

An personal enemy made a false tip to the BATFE, and the Batfags spent 6 months and countless millions investigating Mr. Chapman.

Then they raid his personal business with a sealed federal search warrant, and cause $1 million dollars worth of damage to his private property because they'd rather bust open locks and doors than use the keys that Mr. Chapman offered to them.

Then they illegally detain several of his contractors without arresting them.

This is something than one would expect to see in Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia, not in America.

[Mulder]

Sounds like a bunch of Janet Reno's jackbooted thugs, nostalgic for the good ol' days in Waco.

Don't worry. Once we get a Republican in there, they'll fix it.

[tahiti]

"On Saturday morning, Chapman showed a reporter dozens of doors to warehouses, truck-trailers and the camper he lives in that were crashed open by investigators, using explosives, firearms or brute force."

"I'm mad because I offered them the keys to every door here, and they just wanted to be cowboys and crash their way in,'' said Chapman, who lives in a trailer at the rear of the site. "We offered to help them, and they just decided to do it their way. They're complete morons. They trashed the place for no reason.''

Soldal v. Cook County, 506 U.S. 56 (1992) — State or local officials who stand by or protect an unlawful eviction or seizure are liable for damages under 42 USC 1983

Sue the shit out of them.

[Mulder]

Sue the sh!t out of them.

Better do it before Patriot Act 2 passes.

IIRC, there is a provision in there that exempts feds (and maybe local police also) from personal liability for just about anything they do, so long as they are "just following orders".

[Joe Brower]

[monday]

"They're complete morons. They trashed the place for no reason."

That is an understatement. Why are government agents so stupid? Were they stupid before they started working for the government or is it something about the job that lobotomizes them?

[Mulder]

Why are government agents so stupid? Were they stupid before they started working for the government or is it something about the job that lobotomizes them?

It's arrogance coupled with authority and a complete lack of accountability.

[ServesURight]

Fred Sanford to agents: "How 'bout five 'cross yo' lips!"

[ExGeeEye]

The "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms" needs to be a chain of retail stores, not a government department.

"A case of Coors, a carton of camels, an HK MP-5 with supressor, 6,000 rounds of 9mm hollowpoints...cash, check, or charge?"

[Mulder]

The "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms" needs to be a chain of retail stores, not a government department.

Yeah, it would be like that in a Free country, but certainly not in our quasi-totalitarian police state oligarchy.

[Bryan24]

The only thing actually at issue here is the refusal of the offer to open everything voluntarily. If he offered and they refused, the government should have to pay for all the damages.

On the other hand, do you believe every report you read in the newspaper? You think this might not be fully reported?

[Travis McGee]

"We're from the ATF, and we're here to help."

[Travis McGee]

Nice ID there on Jack Bootthug!

[Indie]

Don't worry. Once we get a Republican in there, they'll fix it.

BWAHAHAHA! Shows fascism knows no party.

[Drammach]

IIRC, there is a provision in there that exempts feds (and maybe local police also) from personal liability for just about anything they do, so long as they are "just following orders".

That's about right..
However, the County Sherrif is another matter..
As the top authority, he should have knowledge, control, and responsibility for any actions taken by law enforcement in his jurisdiction..
Therefore, the County and the Sherrif's department can be held legally responsible.