Lawsuit Alleges Members of CDFW and Mendocino County Sheriff’s Dept Conspired to Steal Marijuana, Guns, and Cash
According to the suit,
The suit details a number of individual instances of officers being involved in crimes. In one particular instance, the suit alleges that MCSO Sgt. Bruce Smith and Officer Joseph Huffaker of the Rohnert Park police (RPDPS) pulled over Zeke Flatten on December 5, 2017. Flatten’s allegation that law enforcement had stolen three pounds of Humboldt County marijuana that he was transporting south became national news.“The complaint alleges a long-standing and continuing RICO conspiracy involving law enforcement officers in Mendocino County and surrounding jurisdictions conducting the affairs of an enterprise including the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Department and the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office through a pattern of racketeering activity consisting of extortion to obtain marijuana, guns and cash from victims in possession of marijuana by unlawfully searching their residences, stopping, detaining plaintiffs and hundreds of other victims, committing robbery, obstruction of justice, money laundering, tax evasion and structuring currency transactions to evade the currency transaction reporting requirements. . . .
The suit states,
On or about February 11, 2018, an investigative reporter, Kym Kemp, published two articles about the events related to the seizure of marijuana from Victim 5 on a website called “Redheaded Blackbelt” that covers news stories in Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties…Both articles state that Victim 5 had contacted and been contacted by the FBI. Both articles also state the ATF began an investigation into the matter…Prior to February 13, 2018, TATUM told Commander J.T. that there was a female reporter up north writing articles linking a stop to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s office and the Hopland Tribal police. TATUM clarified that it was actually an interdiction stop conducted by RPDPS and that he wanted to correctly identify the law enforcement agency responsible for the stop and asked J.T. if he could issue a press release. Commander J.T. agreed that it was appropriate…TATUM issued a press release from RPDPS claiming responsibility for the stop of a white SUV in December 2017 near the Sonoma- Mendocino border and stating it was a lawful stop that was done by RPDPS officers.
It was not until on or about February 20, 2018, after the news articles described above reported federal investigation into the seizure from Victim 5, that TATUM wrote an Incident/Investigation Report regarding Victim 5’s traffic stop and seizure, which occurred on December 5, 2017… [T]here is probable cause to believe that TATUM falsified a report for the undocumented stop and seizure of marijuana from Victim 5 in order to…deflect negative media attention. As a result, there is probable cause to believe that he falsified a record or document with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the investigation…
This story eventually led to large settlements for Flatten and several other victims. Now Flatten is once again a plaintiff bringing suit this time against MCSO’s Bruce Smith and CDFW’s Steve White. But there are three other plaintiffs with him in alleging that members of MCSO and other Mendocino County agencies as well as CDFW worked together in a loose conspiracy under the cover of the law.
According to declarations in the lawsuit, law enforcement used “a privately maintained criminal intelligence network known as “Black Asphalt Law Enforcement Network” maintained by a “private law enforcement intelligence network known as “Desert Snow,” a “for-profit entity specializing in interdiction training for police officers” to gather information on “what automobiles to intercept, even though the drivers of those automobiles had committed no crimes to justify a detention.”
In March, after an investigation by the FBI, the US Attorney’s Office filed suit against the two officers originally named in a lawsuit by Flatten and other plaintiffs. According to a press release issued the Northern District of the US Attorney’s Office, the officers seized cash and marijuana from victims and “made no reports of the seizure, did not submit the marijuana or assets into evidence, and sought no destruction orders for the marijuana. These seizures were completely undocumented by the officers, contrary to policy, but were captured in audio and video footage from the officers’ body-worn cameras.”
The entire law suit with a number of interesting alleged interactions is shown below:
8-9-2021 21CV00588 - Complaint filed (1)Earlier Chapters:
- Former Undercover Officer Involved in Developing Cannabis Products Accuses Hopland Tribal Police Chief of Theft, Corruption, and Civil Rights Violations
- Outraged: One Man’s Two Month Quest From the FBI to the ATF to Expose What He Says Are Corrupt Police Officers in Mendocino County
- Rohnert Park Police Officers Being Investigated Following Two Incidents Where Humboldt County Cannabis Was Seized Under Suspicious Circumstances
- ‘Highway Robbery’: Drivers Allege Rohnert Park Police Illegally Seized Cannabis, Cash
- What Happened to 800 Pounds of Marijuana Seized by Rohnert Park Police?
- City of Rohnert Park Hires Police Practices Expert to Address Corruption Allegations
- Former Rohnert Park Police Sergeant Faces Credibility Questions as He Testifies in Court This Week
- Rohnert Park Police Officer Accused of Misconduct in Case Involving Pounds of Humboldt County Marijuana Agrees to Resign for $75,000
- City of Rohnert Park Settles for $415,000 in Lawsuit Alleging Its Officers Stole Cannabis From Travelers Just After a Second Suit Alleging More Corruption Was Filed
- Another Settlement in Case First Reported Here of Rohnert Park Officers Illegally Seizing Cash and Cannabis
- Two Rohnert Park Police Officers Named in the Case Involving Theft of Humboldt County Marijuana Indicted in Federal Court This Morning
- US Attorney’s Office Brings Charges Against Two Rohnert Park Police Officers in Story We Broke Here
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There should be a blacklist for people involved in this stuff so they can’t just move to another city or department. You hear way too often how these people continue the same patterns of behavior when they move to other police departments. Of course this is assuming these people aren’t in jail… which in this case they should be. God bless you Mr flatten in your fight for justice.
Bruce Smith is so dirty. He busted so many people in Mendocino county, stole their stuff, and trashed their houses. He probably has more assets then he can claim on his tax report too. I hope this brings out the truth. I have been hoping Internal Affairs would plant a officer in Mendocino County’s COMMET program for years.
I would not mess around with Bruce Smith.
Cool 3rd grade humor on a real story that clearly matters to a large segment of the readership
What the heck is your problem?
You can’t deal with an unlicensed reproduction of an NFL play, but you’re fine with an awful knockoff of Scooby-Doo?
Pretty sure it’s supposed to be, “meddling kids,” not, “nosy kids.” You’re probably a Dan Marino fan.
NO ONE asked you to!!!
RE: PUBLIC CORRUPTION THREAT AND THE FBI.
I’m not one to call 911 myself but, there are concerns about what’s been happening here in Mendocino coming from the highest of law enforcement entities, such as the FBI and DOJ. I believe that Mendocino County has been under surveillance for quite some time now. If you been ripped off by a Public Official, give them a call. Especially those of you who were victims of Eyster and Allman’s “Mendocino Shakedown”.
FBI, This Week: Public Corruption Threat Emerges in Marijuana Industry
Audio Transcript
Mollie Halpern: As an increasing number of states change their marijuana legislation, the FBI is seeing a public corruption threat emerge in the expanding cannabis industry.
States require licenses to grow and sell the drug—opening the possibility for public officials to become susceptible to bribes in exchange for those licenses.
Supervisory Special Agent Regino Chavez…
Regino Chavez: We’ve seen in some states the price go as high as $500,000 for a license to sell marijuana. So, we see people willing to pay large amounts of money to get in to the industry.
Halpern: The corruption is more prevalent in western states where the licensing is decentralized—meaning the level of corruption can span from the highest to the lowest level of public officials.
As recreational marijuana becomes more widespread, Intelligence Analyst David Kirschner says states should expect the corruption problem to increase.
David Kirschner: It’s our role as the FBI to help to ensure that the corruption doesn’t spread in this new industry.
Halpern: If you suspect a dispensary is operating with an illegally obtained license, or suspect public corruption in the marijuana industry, contact your local FBI field office. With FBI, This Week, I’m Mollie Halpern of the Bureau.
https://www.fbi.gov/audio-repository/ftw-podcast-marijuana-industry-corruption-081519.mp3/view
Marmon
Or just contact Zeke’s attorney. You can stay anonymous if you want.
[email protected]
“For the past forty years half of Mr. Cohan’s practice has been devoted to litigating federal civil and criminal white collar cases, conspiracies to defraud investors and/or the United States, money laundering, tax and related criminal charges, including searches and seizures, forfeitures, grand jury proceedings and summons enforcement litigation; civil litigation of business and property disputes accounts for the remaining half of Mr. Cohan’s practice.”
http://williamacohan.com/william-a-cohan/
Why steal a measly 3 pounds of weed? Doesn’t make sense.
If you steal 3 pounds 10 times a day from 10 people well now you’ve got 30.pounds per day it adds up over time
This made my morning, you will be know held responsible some of your crimes Bruce.
This idiot got away with chipping a whole legal crop on the ground. COMMET claimed they requested information from Cal Cannabis but never did.
I hope he is put behind bars.
https://mendovoice.com/2021/03/mendocino-co-seeks-dismissal-of-suit-filed-by-skunkworx-owner-says-grower-cant-be-compensated-for-federally-illegal-plant/
Here is the story
Remember when that huge water bladder out Island mountain was mysteriously Vandalized and drained during those raids by Mendocino County? And Mendocino County claimed it happened after the raid?
I Guarantee these 2 guys were there.
Crooked ass scumbag criminals! Don’t drop the soap piggly wigglies!
https://www.safeaccessnow.org/allegations_of_police_misconduct_in_marijuana_raids_spark_legal_action
Mendocino County has been acting illegal for years
Lmao like tom allman did? 😂😂
I’d wager that most of them are finished in law enforcement and face incarceration, if convicted of these felonies, of abusing their power for personal gain.
ATTENTION;
Now is the time to come forward on this forum with your stories of theft, extortion harrassment that you have regarding the Mendocino County MAJOR CRIMES TASK FORCE which is Made up Of Mendo County Sheriff Deputies and Police Officers From the Cities of Willits, Ukiah and Fort Bragg! Any stories Calfire stealing or selling weed on the Black Market…. now I know there are many! These two departments are made up of some very interesting characters with a foot and hand in both worlds and markets. Lets stop glorifying them when they rob and steal from our communities. Tell your stories in the comments below!
Captain Kendall covered of the assaults on 8th people including two pregnant women and then framed Michael Marlin for murder by going into the evidence room two days after shooting and tampering with evidence, falsifying reports, tampering with audio recording, tampering with transcript
Mendocino county sheriff-coroner case c o r o 7 – 390 FBI us attorney please investigate!
Lets not forget those Lead Sheriffs Who allowed this to happen for years; Tony Craver; Jim Tuso, Tom Allman and Matt Kendall who Tom recently handed over power after another sexual scandal in the Sheriff Department before Tom took a early retirement and huge pay cut to work up North for HCSO in Humboldt. These scumbags just keep covering their tracks. Closets full of dead bodies, cover ups, merchandise they stole, money they stole, gold they stole and jewelry and weapons they stole and allowed their deputies to steal and cover up for oneanother. Its like a Sheriff Department cult where no one can leave cause everyone has doodoo of illegal deeds on eachother. Thats why this Sheriff Department had cult like orgies and subsequent strange deputy suicides where other Sheriff Deputies were present… there is a huge illegal racket and a coverup going on along with extortion racketeering and murder in the MCSO department which is supposed to keep us safe. The temptation of free marijuana, free drugs and free money have polluted their minds with greed! They do not even solve or bother with any other crimes where they can not still or pillage in Mendocino County. They threaten extort and intimidate our Board of Supervisors for more money every year to go after us, THE PEOPLE OF MENDOCINO COUNTY WHILE THEY STEAL AND ROB FROM US AND THREATEN TO KILL US IF WE COMPLAIN OR GO PUBLIC!
FBI PLEASE INVESTIGATE!
Not scared of these Scumbags! We fought them, took em to Federal court! Skunkworx pharms will see them go down.
Not scared to tell the truth! We were not an illegal farm. We were farmers who had to get behind a computer and learn how to become legal, licensed, and compliant with the county and state of California. Law enforcement wasn’t supposed to be involved in any of these agencies yet they took matters into their own hands and decided that we weren’t legal and licensed (they stole our licenses and said look, no more licenses) and took it upon themselves to destroy Everything! Even busting in our door jams, breaking dishes and busting the place apart! I love telling my story because it shouldn’t have happened, and we want everyone to know what happens when you become legal. It also didn’t help that Calcannabis put up everyone’s addresses, who were licensed, it made it easier to come up and “rob” us.
DA must bea good part in this to.
Probably got paid to keep his mouth shut
Is this the real reason Sheriff Tom Allman “retired” 1 year into a 4 year candidacy after being elected only to hand over reigns to Matt Kendall before taking a substantial pay cut to work for Humboldt County Sheriff Department. Cant wait to see who the John Does 1-50 are. I read all 59 pages. Its a whose who of a filthy stream of corruption from the Top From the District Attorney and Lead Sheriff to his deputies and henchmen and the large scale black market dealers who are working with the cops in the middle of down town Willits selling this stolen pot
Mendocino Sheriff Department Sex Cult; Wife Swapping, mysterious deputy suicides, money laundering, racketeering, homicide, jail beatings and murder, rape, drunk on duty, jail “deaths” = $4million dollar hush-hush settlements…. the actions of the Officers in the MCSO have cost us Mendocini County Tax payers millions and yet the shit-ahow of theft, robbery and extortion continues agai st the community by the very officer who swore an oath to uphold the law and protect us. This Department needs a thorough sweeping out! Defund, fire and rehire from the top on down:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/mendocino-deputy-who-reported-wife-swapping-settles-lawsuit/&ved=2ahUKEwjB8MGfnrPyAhURHzQIHfh4DjYQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2ZSHeYhfsdqOsgPDPw5X-g
Mendocino County jail death results in $5 million settlement
The Jail Murder by MCSO Staff of
Steven Neuroth
The brother of a Mendocino County man who died while being restrained at the jail has settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $5 million in an agreement that requires two law enforcement agencies to provide new training procedures for handling people in crisis; https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/mendocino-county-jail-death-results-in-5-million-settlement/?artslide=5
Download, save, read and share this Legal Claim for Damages. It reads like a corruption crime mystery from the days of the Italian Mob. Lets hope these dirty law enforcement officers including Tom Allman and District Attorney David Eyster all go to Prison for extended stays! FBI; Please do your job and look into these allegations as well as the rest of the tips on this page to discover the cabal and network which is funneling this stolen cannabis out of the area into the interstate commerce network.
Here is the link to download the lawsuit. We are watching and waiting. The filthy Willits Black Market MARIJUANA syndicate sits in the middle of this entire corruption case selling upwards of 5k lbs a month of confiscated and stolen marijuana utilizing a local well known dealer real estate agent.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13fKPSceZyb3O8LJ0MDK2yOOkDoucJA1E/view
Do you know of a good real estate agent in willits you can refer. I’m in need of one. Thanks.
Jake McFadden is the one all the LEO’s use around Mendo, he will happily help you. COUNT YOUR MONEY and Watch out for the broken money counter
This has been going on for decades. Mendocino county sheriffs have no Internal Affairs officers. None. I’m really glad to hear the criminals in uniform are being investigated.
This shit is for real and they will literally try to destroy every facet of your life if you don’t oblige… They don’t even see the citizens of mendocino as people…they refer to us as “dogs, cats, deer, skunks etc…extorted me out of everything I own because I wouldn’t date ones daughter. The doj needs to crack down the fee officers that do uphold the law are tortured for doing the right thing
There is. When someone calls from another department to hire him, someone will drop a dime on him. He’s finished as a LEO…
Tip of the iceberg, glad for Ms. Kemp’s hard work.
yeah its funny its the fish police and the tree cops that are the most corrupt up there. The regular cops are just mildly corrupt 🙂
The Forest Service Practive act is also unconstitutional and absurd…. One reason for all the fires. Basically Antifa with a badge.
[edit] liked searching young boys… for example
Antifa is ANTI FACIST
police are the epitome of FACIST
Get of your dead horse
Anti-fascist in name. How about in action and desires?
Antifa is a violent communist terrorist group hellbent on the destruction of middle class America and small businesses owners and any non rich white American.
You just described the state of California. LOL
Communist? Please explain.
Sounds like the Modern Republican Party, the largest domestic threat to the USA. I guess you missed the 1/6 tapes. That was Trump-inspired terrorists in case you missed it. Tucker (rhymes with . . . .) Carlson is sucking’ up to Hungary’s fascist-leaning Orban which is a set-up for turning America into a sham Potemkin Village fake “democracy” after they take over our election “certification” process. Coming soon to a country near you, if they can get enough States corrupted.
Not to be disagreeable, Auntie, but the police are not the epitome of Fascism. Just about every organized community worldwide has some form of organized group for law enforcement. They aren’t all Fascist, are they? Maybe in countries with a Fascist political system, like Fascist Italy or Nazi Germany. What you got here are just very corrupt cops in rural Northern California. Doesn’t make all the police in the departments where Bruce Smith worked Fascist. Doesn’t even make Bruce Smith Fascist. By the way, I don’t have a horse, living or dead.
Antifa is a communist terrorist organization hellbent on the destruction of the middle class of the United States. Contrary to many claims of their communist supporters they are well funded, well organized and have support from the highest levels of government, the tech industry and of course the academic establishment elite.
Ahhh. Okaayyyyy. Who told you that? I’m anti-facist and not the least bit communist or socialist beyond Constitutional AMERICAN. But certainly hope the last administration doesn’t get a foothold again. THEN you’re going to see true facism – when a party worships an individual liar for the benefit of the liar and his ego and pocketbook and friends (in that order), screw the Constitution. I think America is focked.
The first successful American Anti-Fascist group on earth is the US MARINE CORP. they are not communists. Your wild ideas only prove how successful MAGA misinformation campaigns are. Turn off you tube, Facebook, newsmax, and Fox. Communism has been defeated. It’s not a threat to America. Is China maybe; but they depend on western trade for their existence. Go back to school. Pay attention this time.
Police merely enforce our laws, which isn’t fascism…Fascism: a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.
GySgt Hartman is spot on…
THis is a good definition of it. The best definition of Fascism is from Italy’s Don Benito Moussalini:
“Fascism is the merger of large corporations and government”
In America’s current “corporate fascism” variant, big tech and large monopolies completely control the narrative, the media, and the movements that oppose them.
Antifa is like Goldstein in 1984, but then again so is Alex Jones on occasion… All a ruse to keep us fighting eachother.
100% accuracy, our system of laze faire capitalism is in fact fascist by definition , where as the capitalism of the mid 40’s – 70’s ( the hieght of the middle class ) was more of a social construct that sought To elevate our society over that of communist U.S.S.R. , once the wall fell the attack on the middle class began with the 1980’s everyone for themselves mentality that led to the attacks on public education, that has led us into the mess we have today of 35 years of dumbing down the society to the point that the majority of the left & right are in fact morons .
cool. agree with you. I kind of like the far right and far left (libertarians and civil libertarians) but I guess that makes me a moderate. The corporate middle is on another planet.
Again, you describe Donald John Trump and the Modern Republican Party in their active attempt to overthrow the election of Joe Biden. All the legal attempts failed, so they have an insurrection to overthrow American democracy. Part and parcel to fascism. Trump as dictator. The merger of business and gov’t to overthrow democracy. Don’t leave the last part out. The Trump dead-Enders are killing American democracy.
Right Lost Croat, WHO is forcing vaccine mandates, corrupted our election, and turned their back of Afghanistan, not to mention putting ex CEO of MONSANTO our ‘ag czar”, is in big tech and big pharmas pocket,denies his sons sex videos are online(they ARE) along with pictures of him with his corrupt business partners from Russia and China, pedophile who denies Americans are currently trapped and being beaten in Afghanistan, and doesn’t even know what day it is???? Hint: its not Trump WAKE UP
| antifa with a badge
Wasn’t that the combined Allied forces in WW2?
No
Yes. America and our allies fought fascists in Italy and across the Continent and Japan in the Pacific. Truth is tough, I know. Ref: fascism in Italy.
To protect and serve ….
Nothing more than dressed up, illegitimate, taxpayer robbing, militarized, criminal network of terrorists and psychopaths.
De-fund and start over!
Mom and pop 99 plants and more employees than a ramones coffee shop lol
Yeah, protect no one, and serve themselves!
I am a part of Skunkworx pharms llc and not only did they come and rob our legal, licensed, and compliant cannabis farm, they stole what could only be described as for selling it on the black market, and mulched the rest! They destroyed Everything! Our home, our infrastructure, and our land!
We took those MF to Federal court and got dismissed! Our day of reckoning is coming! And so is theirs! 🙆♀️🙆♀️🙆♀️
Skunk Works you should get a paycheck from Mendocino County for loss of revenue for the crop, and all future loss of revenue. I hope you can get in on the lawsuit.
To death, and financial ruin
If you are stealing from criminals is it really a crime. They have never stolen from me on there raids. Oh wait I do not grow dope. Now the gubment on the other hand steels 40% of my paycheck every week. That is wear the problem in are area really is at.
so they got you coming and goin… Guys with badges = tax takers not tax payers…. Try telling that to a CHP
Stealing is stealing, no matter who is the victim.
Education is mostly free in this country. Get some
When he falsifies reports, like he did in my case, is that a crime? I say yes.
Falsifying reports is akin to perjury in law enforcement
Yes the government is “stealing” 40% of your paycheck every week to fund the departments mentioned in this article which you claim have no tendency to steal. Do you see how your argument makes absolutely no sense/holds no water whatsoever?
[edit]
Agree 250% some of the commenters here should buy a dictionary or run the post through Spell Check & or dictionary.com
You agree 250%? How does that work?
How do you explain why they would come and rob our legal, licensed and compliant cannabis farm, lie and say they called CDFA and said they spoke to someone (on a Sunday!) and said blah, blah, blah, our licenses expired (lies, upon lies) steal what’s ready, and mulch, whith woodchippers they brought by two hours later?!? Nah, our day is finally here! Skunkworx pharms llc got dismissed in federal court because of the corruption in Mendocino county CA and now everyone can see the truth!
cry me a fuckin river.. we need the water.
who is “we” — the water on private property is the owner’s — its called AMERICA
We had the water! We were grandfathered into the state and county of California! Before we were legal we even shared our water with our neighbors! We worked hard to get legal licensed and compliant! For This?!? You don’t know what you’re talkin’ about!!
Of course, it becomes a crime when you make a profit illegally from it.
Just another allegid marijuana crime. Hardly worth reporting. It doesn’t appear anyone was shot or killed.
Guessing you’re probably a cop or don’t know anything about who these guys are. Smith has shot multiple people over the years and never been in trouble for it.
I just can’t find it in my heart to care what happens to people who choose to be involved in Federally illegal activities. Marijuana activity in any form is a Federal Felony. Felons being robbed, cheated, stolen from by others committing felonies is something I will never shed a tear over, regardless of outcome.
How do you feel about US service members killed in the illegal engagements in the Middle East or Africa? Those guys are engaged in international crimes. So I guess they had it coming…
Because of this ^attitude; California will become the first state in the union to dissolved the relationship with fed. Only takes 1.5 million signatures to get on the ballot: change the Ca constitution to read. “California law is the supreme law of our land” then and only then will justice be served in our state.
Apparently you didn’t read past the headline. Also, you misspelled alleged.
Really? Does someone have to get killed? I guess that’s how bad the corruption is in Mendocino county!
We got busted in mendo a few years back. They brought a chipper and chipped everything. Except the stuff that was done they flew out with a helicopter. Never charged us with anything. So my question is why did they spend the money flying out all the finished weed when they had a chipper right there they hauled 2 hours on a shit road? You tell me
I suspect there will be hundreds of stories like yours surfacing now that this is out.
“Sergeant Bruce Smith (currently employed as an investigator for the Lake County District Attorney’s Office)”
Makes perfect sense.
Whens the local Humboldt county sheriff Gona be brought up on charges they pocket cash and pounds all the time and buy new shit to bust people with
Wow, haha. Bruce Smith. He’s had a 20 year hard-on for dope growers. Nothing gets his rocks of more than cornholing himself a doper. Taking their tax of the top is Industry standard after a good old fashion railroad job.
Nice work Flatten. The only thing we ask is you don’t settle;e on this one and make sure Pete Hoyel (smith’s wench man) gets named in the suit as well. These shit bags did the same thing to me for multiple years on different properties and in different counties. Threatened to kill us, stole tons of money, gold, and finished pounds.
The problem is they are being tried in a corrupt system that will somehow sweep it under the rug and then move them to another county or city, give them a different title, and then eventually let them start running wild again. We need to get rid of asset forfeiture.
I could put you in touch with the attorneys involved in this case if you are interested. [email protected]
Question why has this comment NOT been removed??????
JakeAugust 11, 2021 10:58 am
Youre part of the problem. Hurry up and die
Is that a death threat? You might just be digging a bigger hole for YOURSELF there.
You want Kym to remove her own comment?
NO!!!! Just the one I copied & pasted into my post!!! You may want to develop some reading comprehension skills before firing off a post!!!!
Removed. I’m struggling to get comments moderated. Busy day
Bruce Smith is the worst of the worst. When I was pregnant there was an incident, he pulled me out of the car by gunpoint. He told me he was going to kill the father of my unborn child and he would be the dad. This went on for 2 hours. I finally told him he was being recorded and asked him if I was being arrested he said, “no”. So, I left.
I know I’m not the only one.
Jesus that’s incredible, but in no way unbelievable
And they would have gotten away with it if not for ZF and that meddling KK! Good job Kym!
Great reporting Bravo!
Nice work Zeke flatten and co. And thanks for your journalism Kym. It’s difficult to engender trust when your stealing from those who put you into power. As others said above.
Tip of the iceberg
Sounds like so easy a lob ball, mmm doh! Gotta wonder “why” mmm doh! Sounds an awful lot like a criminal defense. As, part of a civil lawsuit for mmm the sum of something else. If one understands the mmm lob ball, that is an intent to hit the metaphor of the fly ball and mmm “take the hit for the team.” Mmm doh! Sacrifice fly! Very easy issue spotting of what has to wonder is connected or not connected. Mmm reality testing conspiracies! Mmm doh! Mmm, quack grassy knoll Coverstory? And, ask who is not being investigated higher up on the food chain so to speak who was… .
Not surprised by this . It’s too much opportunity for how much they pay these guys. Def the case in Trinity. Don’t know about CDFW, but the local deputies are not making a lot of money. It prob doesn’t help that they demonize the industry and see the cash as out right profit that they should robin hood away.
Ehhh. CDFW is underpaid, but cops get paid very well, have tremendous benefits and get extremely generous retirement packages (retirement packages which 99% of people working the private sector will never see).
Bruce Smith is the tip of the iceberg. That entire Mendocino County Narcotics Task Force has done fishy stuff for many years. Feds should do financial investigations of those guys. Peter Hoyle? Oh wait- Hoyle and his crew were protected by the feds! Okay- don’t expect this to get anywhere except into some payouts (funded by taxpayers yet again) and a buried investigation….
Shannon Barney
Isn’t deputy Barney now a lieutenant in the mcso now?
Guess he got promoted for his silence
He retired and moved to Montana bought a nice place there…
The covelo way. Disgusting pervert. Wife swapper.
Charlo Montana.
Derek Hendry works for WPD now!
I personally witnessed Smith confiscate evidence and later saw it in the garage of his house in Brooktrails. I’ve been to gatherings where he and others drank and drove while severely intoxicated. There is/was much corruptions in the MCSO. They are also known for wife swapping!
On page 4, the last paragraph of the complaint, it states that based on a FBI affidavit filed on in Federal Court on March 9, 2021 that Tatum and Huffaker are “co-operating as witnesses for the United States government’s investigation of law enforcement corruption in Mendocino County which investigation has included Grand Jury proceedings from at least as early as 2018 and continuing to the present.”
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13fKPSceZyb3O8LJ0MDK2yOOkDoucJA1E/view
Watch out boys, “snitches get stiches”
I would like to publicly commend Zeke Flatten, my former fellow plaintiff in the Sonoma County case against Tatum, Huffaker and Rohnert Park P.D. Even though we settled the case, we were also able to force 4 corrupt cops out the door, prompt a complete revamping of their policies as well as an FBI investigation resulting in several serious charges being leveled against them. Corrupt cops are a danger to our society. They must be held accountable at every level which requires brave people, conscientious reporting (massive respect for Kym Kemp…Redheaded Black Belt, Julie Johnson…SR Press Democrat, Sukey Lewis…KQED) and due diligence by our Lawyers and Judges. I am extremely gratified that Zeke has continued the “good trouble”. We all benefit from his tenacity and yes, bravery.
Hoyle is barred from testifying in the courtrooms of 3 judges in the Ukiah Courthouse in Mendo, for a glaring lack of credibility.
Hell, every time a bureaucrat cashes a paycheck they commit grand larceny.
This has been going on for years and everybody in the area knows it. The amount of seizures that have happened along that stretch of road or at peoples property where stuff was taken and was not on the search inventory sheet and/or charges were not filed is countless. Literally wolves in sheep clothing.
Kudos to Kim, Zeke, and the other warriors for truth!! We’ve all been demonized for decades by those who steal, then benefit from our life’s work. Time to arrest the ACTUAL criminals!!
Stay strong, everyone and KEEP FIGHTING THE POWERS THAT BE👍🏼
its about time…lol
warriors for truth…all the while you break the law daily..selling black market to kids..
The only meaningful laws are the laws of nature
Wrong!!! Where are you getting this information from? We were part of prop 215! Did everyone forget about 215?!? That’s why we were able to get legal licensed and compliant! We weren’t selling to children! We were bringing our medical marijuana to a legitimate dispensary!
Know your audience!😡
Bruce Smith, Oh Lord, where should I start. Way back in the 80’s Bruce Smith showed up at a residence dressed in plain clothes in Laytonville Ca out on Steele Lane. It was a known meth house, he was there to rob and a man named Ronny Keltner was high on mushrooms chopping blackberry bushes and came around the corner and startled Smith. Smith fired a bunch of rounds and the victim was shot, I believe 7 times and he LIVED. A lawsuit was filed and the victim won but yet Bruce was just beginning his rampage. A yr later he shot and killed a parolee who was crossing the county line to work in Garberville. He stalked and pulled over the victim and shot him dead right at north pullout by the Peg House. I was told a long time ago he was here in Ukiah police force because he shot a kid in the city and killed him, don’t know if thats true but its right up his alley. In the 90’s there were numerous people in the county that filed charges against Smith for terrorizing them and constantly harassing them, breaking arms, trashing houses, shooting family dogs at raids, taking women from their beds naked early in the morning, hand cuffing them and refusing to give them clothes, stealing their personal belongings, riding around on people 4 wheelers he stole, selling unregistered guns……you name it and he has been accused of it. There was also alot of talk about a sex trafficking ring and gambling ring in Covelo involving him. There were at least 5 women who accused him of rape while on duty or during raids and pull overs. He supposedly had a list of people he would constantly harass and I know of one family that got restraining orders against him. All the while the county looked on and allowed more crimes to be committed by him. When I was a teenager in Covelo the name that struck fear into everyone was BRUCE SMITH. Here are some printed stories of Mendocino Counties Finest Criminal Activities.
http://redwoodcurtaincopwatch.net/node/517
https://mendofever.com/2021/02/19/authorities-are-investigating-1-5-million-of-unemployment-insurance-claims-filed-by-inmates-of-mendocino-and-humboldt-county-jails/
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2017/06/27/mendocino-county-sheriffs-sergeant-rear-ended-on-highway-101-three-injured/
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/lake-county-deputy-shoots-kills-armed-man-at-marijuana-garden/
If you look into his past there are piles of dead people, victims of Bruce Smith are EVERYWHERE in these hills.
I lived on that street. Heard the gunshots. Personally know Ron, (who did prison time over this incident). And everything I ever knew was Peter Hoyle did the shooting. Tho I wouldn’t be surprised to hear smith was involved
Peter Hoyle shot and killed a black kid down in the Bay Area. The kid had a toy gun. The story was buried and Hoyle moved to Mendocino County where the MCSD was happy to have him. Early 80’s and CAMP was ramping up. Hoyle then joined the newly formed Mendocino County Narcotics Task Force. Everybody knew what they were doing- kicking in doors and pushing guns in faces all warrantless and then they would rip the dealers or buyers or whoever was so unlucky to cross their path. Don’t even let me get started….
The only run in i personally had with Hoyle was as a teenager. He was a Ukiah police officer, he treated us fairly, but made creepy innuendo in regards to our “buddy Ron”. A clear reference to Ron Keltner whom he shot multiple times
This is nothing short of the best thing I have heard in forever.
Oh no not US. OUR FINE UPSTANDING CREW! Here’s the thing spending much time in the corrupt courtrooms in Mendocino County. You can bring up complaints. You can try to hire a lawyer. Bring somebody in from out of the area. They will poo poo you. Sweep it under the rug. Bully the out of town lawyers. Not listen to any of the arguments. Do whatever the hell they want. Make a decision even if it’s not legally correct. Then you try to appeal it or do something else you just get pooh-poohed again. It’s a never-ending shitshow cycle people have been screaming about the abuse in Mendocino County courts and legal systems for years. People have died at the hands of Mendocino County games. People have lost their properties at the hands of Mendocino County games. Loop on probation for 10 years which is ILLEGAL AS HELL. So what. They practice their own kind of law. I say what I say I don’t give a s*** what anybody else says about it. If you want to get even more disgusted beyond weed consider what they’re doing to the Pinoleville Indians right now trying to steal their land for a second time. Holding it in trust because WE say they cant take care of it right…WTF! Mendocino County gooberment is corrupt as f***.
I love you, mamma!
Everyone of you assholes commenting on here is a drug dealer and have been avoiding taxes and selling in the black market your whole pathetic life. one good turn deserves another .you played the game you lost now stop whining about it. Now your pathetic ass is snitching to the county that you hate. Why you use your criminal defense attorneys. You are far more corrupt than any of these cops can ever be
Who died & left YOU as an authority???
Pretty sure this article shows proof that some of these cops are selling “drugs”. Is that OK with you?
I guess we know which blogs the dirty cops read 🙂
Oh boy, sounds like someone’s bitter.
Is this you Dave??? Maybe LEO not happy to be called out.
Corruption is defended with more corruption.
So in summation:
Peaceful citizens growing a harmless plant: BAD and PATHETIC
Corrupt LEOs stealing, extorting, lying, intimidating, perjuring, tax evading, drug dealing, running like bitches when called out:
GOOD and HONORABLE
Seems legit!
Why are people bitching about the cops stealing their shit instead of putting them in jail?
I guess all these a—hole black market drug dealers as you put it don’t pay property taxes sales taxes fuel(including propane) taxes vehicle taxes drivers license (tax) I guess. Nor do they have business licensees (tax) to be able to buy vehicles and or property and be somewhat apart of the system. But if the thin blue line extorts launders embezzles steals and threatens that’s ok with you. You kinda have to ‘snitch’ as you put it if you encounter this because something tells me you can’t treat them how you have been treated. BTW with as much income taxes that’s generated in CA and how poorly the money is handled it’s hard to blame someone who doesn’t want to pay income taxes. Rather donate it to where you choose (local schools, senior services, volunteer fire dept etc.) Something about no taxation without representation I reckon. I call it civil disobedience.
WTF are you saying!?! You don’t know what you’re talking about! Being legal licensed and compliant meant that we were paying taxes! The tax board knows us! Oh yeah, btw, we couldn’t pay taxes because we got ROBBED! Do you understand how things in the real world work? Because I don’t think you do!
You’ve got to be kidding me
You mad bro…
WRONG!!!! WRONG!!! WRONG!!! You think pot growers are rich? POS you don’t know what you’re talkin’ about!!!
Are you upset because we’re busting on your bro’s? Awwww! Too bad! We’ve been at this since prop 215(do you even know what that is) and that’s why we were able to get legal licensed and compliant! We had agencies for this. The cops had nothing to do with anything about legalization, yet they decided that they did, even though they didn’t, but they did. Do you understand what they did to Skunkworx pharms llc was Wrong?!? If you don’t, then why are you here?!?🤔🤪
Wrong! You have no idea what you’re talkin’ about!
Great job, kym. It always felt like a law enforcement conspiracy from the stories you’d hear, but interesting to see it actually fleshed out.
If Bruce Smith is involved I can guarantee they are guilty. Speaking from experience.
Wow! Way to go Kym!! IMO You are the epitome of what actual news reporting is!
Great job Kym, this is why your the only site for local information imo.
What about Pete hoyle
🕯🌳Hmmmmmm. 🖖🖖
Most cops belong behind bars. And the rest should be put behind bars for not arresting their criminal co-workers. Watch how fast these guys turn rat to protect themselves from the consequences of their crimes.
This is the most corrupt system I have ever worked for! That’s why I no longer work civil service. Keep your mouth shut or lose your job! Well, I know at least one death of a county client because of an imbecile in payroll! Intelligence is punished! Stupidity is rewarded! Go interview any civil servant you want, 3 out of 5 will prove me correct!
Go Kym ! great job and Zeke too for sticking his neck out 👍🏽👍🏽
Interesting, think the only thing they missed was the direct cash payments to Eysters office in exchange for reducing felony charges to misdemeanor. That went on for years.
The whole “Black Asphalt Law Enforemnt Network” thing sounds incredibly close to Paul Trouettes, Lear Assett Management. Which was a wannabe paramilitary organization in the vein of Blackwater, who as a private entity assisted law enforcement on raids. Haven’t heard much about them for a while either. Coincidence?
Ironically Bruce Smith was rear ended near Leggett several years back & his passenger was none other than Paul Trouette. The cops only go to Leggett/Piercy/laytonville for two reasons. A shooting or a marijuana bust. According to the UDJ article Smith was merely taking Trouette on a “ride along”.
That’s because the direct cash payments don’t go through the office! Numerous folks I’ve talked to have mentioned that cash payment system. They refuse any other tender.
Do counties or the collecting representatives have to pay taxes on the money that they are paid for fines etc? If not that really is a lucrative income…never wondered about that until now lol.
MCSO pot task force has been corrupt since it started, going back to speed freak Bill Stewart, the original head narc of Mendo. Good, I hope they nail these hypocrites. Late 70’s stories about when they used to burn it in Ukiah-witnesses said it was stripped branches and stems.
They don’t burn it anymore! They bring wood chippers and destroy legal licensed compliant cannabis cultivation farms!!
We are Skunkworx pharms llc, and our day of reckoning is coming! We are fighting for all the farmers who tried to come out of the “dark”, only to get screwed by the people who are supposed to protect!?!
Actually it seems now days they dont burn it: they dry it and sell it on the black market according to these 59 pages of demand for damages. They read like a who’s who of Mendo County Corruption… Corrupt from the DA’s Office to the Deputies … there are so many more stories and victims who just like myself are afraid to come forward for fear of revenge by these officers and departments. They are entrenched with gangs, biker gangs and black market organized crime. It is dangerous and they will come after us! Look how Allman and Eyster were part of the intimidation and coverup inside this 59 page claim which is supported by a 2 year FBI investigation report contain herein.
Kym- Is there a copy of this 59 page claim that we can download and read? That link would be excellent if it has any info about the FBI investigation. We all knew the MCSo was being investigated…and then Allman suddenly resigned!- but we have never been allowed to know what the investigation revealed. We know that MCSO has had rogue-ish members who committed crimes under the color of law enforcement while the establishment protected them. We know that Willits PD- at least back in the 80’s – would steal and confiscate drugs which were then sold at their local bar John’s Place. But like Willits Whistleblower says the intimidation tactics were severe. The crimes committed by Bill Stewart and then the Mendocino County Narcotics Task Force (especially Peter Hoyle and Bruce Smith) were not only allowed to run rampant by MCSO but were suspected to be protected by the DEA in it’s all-out attack on weed. The never-publicized or publicly-mentioned FBI investigation into the MCSO gave many of us hope that something would come to light. But with Allman’s sudden resignation it all seemed to get buried again. And all this while questionable situations developed…like cartels in Covelo renting out tribal lands for massive grows and the escalating violence around these. If the FBI investigation is even mentioned in passing then I would love to have a copy of this 59 page claim. We who have been aware of the violent police corruption in Mendocino for decades would love to have access to information…and perhaps the time has come. Thank you, Kym!
It’s on the bottom of the page. Just page through it by clicking the arrows.
Zeke Flatten, how much you made in the weed industry? How much of that did you claim on your taxes? Asking for a bunch of friends, crack my self up, being talking to ya Zeke
Zeke’s a cool guy who had his paperwork for delivery, and just like with us, they didn’t care, and didn’t want to see or hear anything about it!
I am a part of Skunkworx pharms llc and we brought these MF to Federal court, and we got dismissed! Corruption?!? I think so! Our day is finally coming! And so is theirs!
Is it another Crooked Cop harassing the victim as a means of intimidating a witness on a public forum? Even Bruce Smith and the rest of his thugs and gang are not above the law. The feds will come knocking on your door soon! [edit]. Yoir actions have been reported to the FBI as well… expect a federal knock!
Is this the Lone Ranger who sells weed on the Black Market who works for the Army Corps of Engineers? If so this is another form of harassment and intimidation!
How much has the “Lone Ranger” who works for Army Corps of Engineers made in stolen confiscated weed which has been sold on the black market by that certain real estate agent from Willits? Nothing worse than officials with a hand in the black market and a badge to “protect and serve”. Your day as well as the corrupt organization of Willits dealers who sell all this stolen and confiscated weed is coming
Couple points
Just because they settled does not mean they were guilty in previous case. Many times it is cheaper to settle then to fight and win.
Funny how criminals dont care about the law or others rights until the get the shit end of the stick then cry how their rights were violated. Well tough shit folks.
IF and I mean IF they were doing that they need to go to prison. However the problem is there are so many false accusations against LE over the years when a legit one is made it is usually not taken seriously.
If you Read the complaint above it proves they were guilty.
Innocent until proven guilty remember.
The paperwork above proves nothing. Until thay have a trial and are found guilty they are innocent unless you want to be aasumed guilty next.time.you are caught dealinf drugs .
Rohnert Park settled, not the crooked cops. They are currently facing criminal charges and it looks like they may be turning state’s evidence in hopes for a lesser sentence.
Yes!👍
Funny how people who are cheerleaders for law enforcement do not care that law enforcement is stealing and selling drugs on the black market… yet they hate cannabis… Don’t you hate lying corrupt thieves even worse! Do not stand up for corruption! Shun corruption and report report report…..
In reality; in Mendocino there have been many substantial reports for decades of corruption in the High ranks of the MCSO which have been ignored by the DA and Judges who are “in cahoots” with the corruption… hence; the reports are are never taken seriously as means of covering up for each other. These cops are corrupted by black market sex as well…. literally tipping off the women in organized crime for sexual favors…
Hey brian thanks for the IP Address, and the written admission of tax evasion..😁 can you spell ” on the radar”
👍
To be clear…I don’t hand over IP Addresses.
Hero
Hero… or my bad. SheRo?
They go around you unfortunately.
In my experience the ISP doesn’t even need a dang subpoena.
I would ask my ISP for any legal requests made. Usually they are under gag and often will not willingly divulge such.
I have seen a canary system in play with the ISP. Kind of a notice that there was a request without acknowledgement.
Yes, this site is used as a major hub of information. I am not sure on the technical side.
“THANKS FOR THE IP ADDRESS”.. just another attempt to silence, threaten and intimidate into silence…. cops and corrupt dealers who sell for these deputies and rangers be cringing at this post. OH No!
Why does the Sheriff Department never bother with the 5k pound per month of illegal and stolen pot being moved every month by the real estate broker in Willits? Its because thats how the task force sells its stolen and confiscated pot on the black market… dig dig dig… the tips are all here FBI
Let me get this straight..Zeke was a cop???.lol..now he is selling weed because he is so tired of doing good for his community.he is now a black market loser druggy…get some help Zeke too many dabs…
Zeke had 3 pounds and some hash. At that time Prop 64 had been in effect for 11 months. Zeke is a film producer, not a illegal pot dealer.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Zeke+flatten+films&client=opera&hs=6Lh&sxsrf=ALeKk00d89i38rSha4Ftqs3H1vao9N_KUw:1628727030277&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=4zXbY-OqqBNy7M%252CgZJC67SL5WKTkM%252C%252Fg%252F11dyzkmmjh&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQNyw3sB7BQr54tcAnzWvtBlmniHA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiYi82AmaryAhXJVc0KHUbbAKAQ_B16BAggEAI&biw=1360&bih=652#imgrc=4zXbY-OqqBNy7M
Great reporting, and great detective work by the FBI agent involved. That lawsuit is quite a read, wow, those cops are going to jail.
Great reporting Kym. Thank you!
Perfect example of corruption in the public sector.
The 15 daysto flatten the curve.
15 months to flatten the economy.
It’s unfortunate that people are so Compartmentalized in their thought process.
Folly and Malice.
The only real querie …
which one is the dominant flaw?
Crooked Cops…What a novel idea!!!
Crooked Cops…What a novel idea!!! Hope he enjoys the boodie house!!!
Hey JohnnyL. I spell just fine….Can you read? I never said or insinuated I evaded anything. Matter of fact I have nothing to hide. SMH. You think if I did I would be so stupid as to put it on the internet. Just simply making a statement. Brush up on your comprehension a bit before you try to call me out please.
And this is surprising because…?
ACAB
It’s no secret that MCSO has been corrupt for decades…going as far back as Goss in the 80’s. The “good old boys club” has been running rampant with no oversight. Wearing the badge means that you serve and protect the community; it does not mean that you harass people and steal from them. Criminals or not, it is law enforcement’s responsibility to work within the law. This, obviously, seems easier said than done.
I have to believe that with independent reporting sites (thanks Kym) transparency will become more of the norm and law enforcement actions will begin to be put under the microscope. Here’s wishing on a shooting star, anyway…