Posted on 11/22/2004 7:13:58 PM PST by Sybeck1
Federal agents arrested three Memphis police officers. FBI agents Sunday arrested officers David Tate, Billy Scott, and John D. Vaughan. They are accused of providing protection for clubs, transporting prostitutes and methamphetamine to high-rollers at Tunica casinos.They appeared in federal court Monday afternoon. Larry Godwin, Director Memphis Police Dept. said, "Acts of this nature, it tarnishes the images of the law enforcement profession."
The U-S Attorney's office unsealed documents that show criminal complaints against officer David Tate...and investigation that started earlier this year. The complaints say he established a relationship with Memphis strip clubs...and would warn them of vice raids in exchange for a bribe. Court papers also allege Tate recruited officers Billy Scott and John D. Vaughn to help protect and transport prostitutes to high-roller gamblers in Tunica. Along with transporting those prostitutes the officers are charged also with distributing ecstacy and meth. "It's always a solemn duty when we have cases that involve officers of the Memphis Police Department or any law enforcement agency."
All three officers are also accused of providing security to a drug dealer from Missouri. That dealer was really an undercover FBI agent. A civilian, not associated with the police department, April Veach was also charged. The complaint alleges Veach and the officers planned to burglarize a home in east Memphis to steal 200-thousand dollars. April Veach, a woman who does not work for the police department, was also charged. That complaint alleges Veach and the officers planned to burglarize a home in east Memphis to steal 200-thousand dollars.
David Tate joined the Memphis Police Department in 1986. He was assigned to the K-9 unit. Tate resigned. Billy Scott joined the force in 1998. He works at the Central Precinct and is suspended with pay. John D. Vaughan was hired in 1999. He works with the special traffic enforcement unit at the West Precinct. He is also suspended with pay.
The officers were arraigned in federal court Monday. They are all still in jail. They will have another court appearance on Wednesday.
Personnel records show a history of charges leveled against all three officers. The most serious belong to David Tate. Officer Tate was suspended for one day, and given an oral reprimand for an incident that happened in April 1989. Tate pointed his service revolver at a citizens head then lied about it to internal affairs. Also in 1989, Tate was suspended for four days for using excessive force on a suspect who was restrained. He hit the suspect in the head, then lied to internal affairs. He was written up in 1991 for illegally parking his truck at the then public library on Peabody and McClean with expired tags. Then he was suspended for five days for using excessive force for elbowing, kneeing, and hitting a robbery suspect who was already on the ground being held and handcuffed by other officers. Most recently, Tate received an oral reprimand for leaving the city limits while on duty without notifying a dispatcher. The charge says he went to see his estranged wife at a Millington Trailer Park.
Officer Billy Scott was charged with rough handling of city property for cruiser accident that happened in December 2003. He received an oral reprimand. Scott was given oral reprimands twice---once in August 2000 and again December 2001 for abusing the sick leave policy. And he was recently given a written reprimand for failing to complete official police reports.
Officer John D. Vaughan received one oral reprimand for failing to notify his supervisors he would be late to work because he overslept.
Sounds like Tate didn't belong as a police officer to start with. All too often the police unions make it nearly impossible to fire the bad apples in the group.
They are toast here in Memphis. Wrong race to get off easy.
"The complaint alleges Veach and the officers planned to burglarize a home in east Memphis to steal 200-thousand dollars. April Veach, a woman who does not work for the police department, was also charged. That complaint alleges Veach and the officers planned to burglarize a home in east Memphis to steal 200-thousand dollars."
Callers into Rock 103 this morning are saying the house considered for theft belongs to WWF wrestler and local celevrity Jerry Lawler, which to some contains a jukebox with 200K in it. Also the report that the home was empty every Monday night, which is Lawler shcedule.
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