Attorney alleges criminal police misconduct
Mike Cruz and I have a story about a local attorney calling on Chief BIlldt, the FBI and the DA's office to open up an outside, independent investigation of Sgt. Bradley Lawrence.
This represents the second separate case in which defense attorneys are hinging their client's prospects in part on allegations of misconduct by Sgt. Lawrence.
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By Robert Rogers and Mike Cruz
Staff Writers
SAN BERNARDINO -- A top department narcotics officer engaged in a string of felonious conduct in arresting a suspected drug dealer in September, a local attorney alleges in four-page letter obtained by The Sun.
The letter, dated Aug. 16, is addressed to San Bernardino Police Chief Michael Billdt and copied to the FBI's Riverside field office. The District Attorney's office confirmed receipt of the letter Tuesday, while an FBI spokeswoman could not confirm receipt late Tuesday.
Gary Wenkle Smith, a lawyer representing 29-year-old Gregory Parker, alleges in the letter that his client was illegally detained "on ice," by San Bernardino police before they burglarized his home in search of evidence for which they had no warrant.
Smith said Sgt. Bradley Lawrence helped illegally detain Parker and then led his narcotics team to Parker's Rialto home for an unauthorized search.
San Bernardino Police Chief Michael Billdt declined comment because the case is a personnel matter.
In a telephone interview, Smith said he wrote the letter to alert officials to the depth of the situation and prompt action.
"These are allegations of criminal conduct," Smith said. "It is my expectation that the department must go to an outside agency for investigation."
Smith said police maintain that a woman at Parker's home granted permission to a search which ultimately yielded a large cache of marijuana.
But in his letter, Smith paints a picture of pervasive, rogue policing.
"Unfortunately, it appears that this conduct of Sgt. Lawrence is not an isolated incident. Apparently, he and some of your other officers have made this kind of conduct practice," Smith wrote.
Assistant District Attorney Dennis Christy confirmed receipt of Smith's letter.
"The Police Department will investigate the allegation, and if they believe there is any criminal conduct involved, they will refer the matter to us for our review, as is the practice," Christy said. "That's done in every case."
Smith writes that Parker was detained by Fontana police late Sept. 18 for driving with tinted windows. He said police handcuffed Parker and seated him in a squad car for four hours. At some point, Smith writes, Lawrence picked up Parker and took him to San Bernardino's police headquarters where he was detained for several hours without charge.
Fontana Police Sgt. Jeff Decker confirmed that Fontana officers stopped Parker before the case became San Bernardino's.
A booking log obtained by The Sun lists Parker as being held "on ice" on the alleged date.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 19, Smith writes, Lawrence and several other officers searched Parker's home without a warrant or probable cause.
Lawrence has gained notoriety in recent weeks. On July 3, another officer lodged a complaint against him for allegedly illegally detaining suspected drug dealers without charge while he waited for a search warrant. On Aug. 7, Lawrence was placed on paid leave when a second complaint was lodged against him.
Smith said his client had no criminal history prior to his arrest for marijuana with the intent to sell and receiving stolen property.
Parker is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 21 in Fontana.
"This guy Lawrence was not operating alone," Smith said.
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
When the officers inside the SBPD are welcoming an outside investigation what does that tell you? Why don't they have confidence in their leaders to oversee the investigation? Shouldn't this be a wake up call to our city council?
Everything and then some is true. I am so glad that people are finally coming forward. These Narcotics officers have terrorized who-ever they want to for years....guilty or not.
I know, I have personal experience with these "Mad Men".
They call what they are doing "Working their Magic".Which in effect means, Intimidation, threats of destroying everything you own if you don't let them in to search and threats of bogus charges if you don't "Work for Them".
Another fine little tactic of theirs is "Give me 3, than your free", which means, give me 3 people who I can bust and convict then I won't press charges on you.These Narcotics teams and their "Street Teams"
( Informants ) "Working off their debt" are terrorizing and being terrorized and Setting (innocent)people up to be busted.Are the Informants selling drugs and committing serious crime while "Working" for these Narcotics officers....YES and YES again.Are they "Allowed" to commit serious crime, Yes and Yes again.
Are the undercover cops getting high and also committing crime, commanding the "Street teams". Yes and Yes again.
Once you say Yes to these guys...you are never free.If you try to "Get-out of this thug Street team gang" the "Street team comes after you and extortion, home invasions and threats of raping your wife/girlfriend and death becomes your option.
I am so glad that this is coming to light.Its about time.People in SB and the east valley should start asking for oversight into all of the police stations by the FBI.These are multi-agency teams.
One of my biggest questions has been when these "Street teams open shop", wheres the money going?
Thank God for the courageous people who are turning on the light for all to see how corrupt these guys are.
Their was an event in DC where the city council closed down the police station because the police corruption and crime was so bad.....maybe they should take a closer look at San Bernardino. The very least that should happen is the FBI getting involved. The murder rate is sky high, drug and drug crime is sky high.Thefts are sky high....The 'street teams" should be dismantled and those folks given rehab. Every Undercover Narcotics officer should be drug tested and their financials looked into.These men don't deserve to wear badges.
I also believe with operation Phoenix that the policy of "Gentrification" should be looked at.
From Wikipedia:
Gentrification, or urban gentrification, is the change in an urban area associated with the movement of more affluent individuals into a lower-class area.[2]The area experiences demographic shifts including an increase in the median income, a decline in proportion of racial minorities, and a reduction in household size.[3] More households with higher incomes result in increased real estate values with higher associated rent, home prices and property taxes. Industrial land use can decline with redevelopment bringing more commercial and residential use. Such changes often result in transformation of the neighborhood's character and culture.
I believe OP was a ruse for re-development, with the poor being "arrested Out". OP called for a SURGE in police in the targeted areas.Im so glad that this "Plan fell apart. I think the message is loud and clear....Deal with the poverty and crime in a "Compassionate way". Stop putting the kids in foster care and the parents in jail. Re-invest with the residents that make these "Targeted areas home". Stop pushing them out for the rich developers.
San Bernardino needs to be cleaned-up, lets start with the leaders who have created these mess's for personal or political gain.
I wonder if comments can be posted anonymous? I would love to be part of a group that has had personal experiences with the judicial insanity, police corruption and " the win at whatever the cost" D.A.'s office in San Bernardino where the cops, the judges and our elected politicians become the criminals and the citizen's become victims.I,too, have had years of experiences with San Bernardino that have resulted in the loss of home,health and,almost, loss of faith.A fter a living hell of 8 years caught up in the courts and law enforcement it was discovered,indeed, many mistakes had been made,and charges were all dismissed.This town has a recipe for manufacturing crime and my heart goes out to all the people who have had ruined lives and losses of families,homes,etc. because of greed and insanity of the cops,judges,politicians in this area.
Actually, Robert and Andrew have it figured out. They report the facts...and we get to read between the lines and say what they can't.
The Narcotics officers scandel will be a deep rabbit hole indeed. Operation Phoenix is a new practice/program for SB and pretty well monitored by "The Sun" since conception. These street teams have been operating for years. Lots and lots to uncover.I really hope San Bernardino is ready, because its going to get deep.
I really want to support openness about this. I believe many people have been victimized by these guys. People are beginning to come forward, but, they really need the support of the community. Everyone is so ready to call someone a criminal just because the police say its so....well, as I think many will learn, that is not the case in SB.
Serenah,
You can be angry...its just sometimes clouds the issues. Believe me...I am talking from experience!
Go find the paper work to back yourself up....The freedom of information act is a federal law that says anyone that works for the public has to make the records public. If that doesn't work...go to the FUNDERS of the non-profits and ask to speak to the board. If the taxpayer is funding these programs the records have to be made public!Build a case and don't stop until its complete. Start a letter writing campaign with the people you are helping, start a petition....Keep Making Noise!
Do the research for Robert and Andrew!
Pray for the light to illuminate the "Bad guys".
I salute you for wanting to expose these corrupt people....I too have bad guys I want the light to shine on. My quest has taken about 2.5 years and it aint over yet!
It takes people like us (determined) to see that no stone is unturned.
Its all in the presentation!