Posted on 08/05/2006 4:41:38 AM PDT by WKB
Shocking allegations of police corruption out of the Delta tonight. Two top cops are busted for allegedly shaking down drug dealers in Ruleville. The Police Chief and Assistant Chief are out on bond Friday night.
The Federal indictment reveals Rulevilles top cops allegedly took thousands during shake downs of people they thought were crack cocaine dealers. There was little comment at the Police Department as the investigation continued. According to one Office at the station, " I'm just devastated. We asked if he thought the charges are true? His reply, "No, I don't." The indictment alleges on two separate occasions Chief Ronald Robinson allegedly pockets 6 -grand in payoffs. Assistant Chief Larry Mitchell is accused of taking hundreds. In turn, would-be crack dealers could set up shop in tiny Ruleville. Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Jackson FBI office told us, " The protection allowed the individuals cooperating with our office to operate without fear of impunity by the authorities there in Ruleville."
Ruleville is in the heart of the delta...on the streets pockets of poverty are clearly evident. There are hints of gang activity. Town reaction to the arrests of top lawmen was mixed. Patricia Holder said, "It's sad to think they are supposed to be protecting us and getting drugs off the street." Mamie Caldwell said, "He's a nice man, I don't believe he done nothing like that." But word on the street has it, the Ruleville cops were on the take. We found a group of teenagers who told us they had heard allegations of the police taking bribes from dealers in exchange for protection.
Many here find it ironic that officers who took an oath to uphold the law, even a Chief who crusaded against drugs, are accused of partnering and protecting the bad guys.
Robinson and Mitchell are suspended without pay. Both made bond after their initial appearance in Federal Court. Ruleville Mayor Shirley Jean Edwards said she didn't have any comment on the case because it was still under investigation. The FBI said Robinson and Mitchell were arrested about 6:30 a.m. Friday in separate locations near Ruleville. Officers with the FBI, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and Deputies from the Bolivar and Sunflower Sheriff's Departments conducted the arrests.
The FBI said Robinson is charged with one additional extortion-relatedcount and four counts of attempting to aid in the possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. The indictment names Mitchell in one additional extortion count andtwo counts of attemmpting to aid in the possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. If convicted, both face a maximum of 40 years in a federal prison and a $2 million dollar fine on the most serious charge.
See Lee how easy that is.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.