Monday, August 01, 2005

Crooked task force commander steals drugs from HQ in crawfish country

Further evidence that drug task force scandals aren't just a Texas problem:

A drug task force commander in Plaquemine, Louisiana was arrested last month for allegedly breaking into the task force headquarters to steal cocaine and attempting to burn the building to the ground. This is another drug task force financed by the federal
Byrne grant program, which the Bush Administration wants to abolish. According to the Baton Rouge Advocate:
Lt. Gerald Jenkins, task force commander and a 20-year sheriff's deputy, was booked with malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice, burglary, theft, attempted arson, attempted arson with intent to defraud, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and placing combustible material in a structure. ...

Iberville Parish Sheriff Brent Allain and Plaquemine Police Chief Orian Gulotta reported that early Monday morning, LEAD Task Force headquarters was broken into. Cash, narcotics and a gun had been stolen, and an attempt had been made to set the building on fire.

The burglary was discovered about 4 a.m. Investigation revealed that entry had been gained through a window. Officers found that interior doors were broken into, a large amount of gasoline had been poured throughout the offices, and several items had been stolen or vandalized.

Jenkins was arrested along with a cousin, who is a previously convicted felon.

4 comments:

bingsy said...

Is it supposed to make us feel better when the state keeping us company is LA?

Gritsforbreakfast said...

Yeah, and when you click through the links you mostly find Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, etc., so not much better. Still, New Hampshire's statewide task force imploded into actual fistfights, and there's a few other Yankees on the list, too. ;-)

bingsy said...

What's weird about the New Hampshire thing is that I was doing some research to support my claim that even Yankee states can be homophobic, and New Hampshire is a state that severely restricts gay parents from adopting.

Anonymous said...

Cops always have the best dope.