Photo by Chris Berendt
This tactical gear for the Sampson County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) is just some of various equipment and resources that have been able to be purchased by the Sheriff’s Office through the seizure of criminal assets.
Tight governmental budgets, compounded by a struggling economy, often call for county departments to do one of two things — cut line items or find the cash to fund necessities. Through the federal Asset Forfeiture Program, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office has consistently tried to do the latter, simply by busting criminals.
“We’ve been fortunate to get a lot (of money),” said Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton. “I don’t mean hundreds of thousands of dollars every couple months, but we’ve been very fortunate.”
The asset forfeiture program, which operates under the U.S. Department of Justice, compensates law enforcement agencies that participate in criminal investigations where any number of items, be it cash, vehicles, weapons, etc., were seized.
Thornton said that, from roughly September 2004 up through the end of January 2009, the Sheriff’s Office has actually received $453,549 from the federal government by way of seized criminal assets, a large chunk of which came during 2008 following the close of several large, long-running cases.
On top of that, there is another $397,131 that the Sheriff’s Office has been projected to receive “if everything works out,” Thornton pointed out this week. The projected numbers are from cases that date back to 2006 and extend into the beginning of this year. Other necessary documents have been filled out and turned into the feds on other recent cases in hopes of getting similar projections back.
Both individuals and their assets are now the targets of criminal investigations. And, it can be a waiting game for both cases.
Alleged offenders, during a hearing process separate from a trial, are given the opportunity to prove the assets were not used in an illegal operation. If that proof is not substantiated, investigating agencies can eventually see a large chunk of the value of the seized assets, or the assets themselves, come back their way.
“The assets get their own trial,” noted Chief Deputy John Conerly.
Thornton said the federal government takes 20 percent off the top and an investigating agency, if it was the sole investigator in a case, can receive up to the remaining 80 percent.
The percentage of seized assets’ value any agency gets back is dependent on several factors, including whether it was a joint operation with other departments, how many personnel were assigned on the case and how much time was spent in the investigation. The federal government weighs those variables and designates a certain percentage to each department that worked the case.
“They assess the asset value and (seized asset money received back) varies percentage-wise from 5 percent to 80 percent,” said Thornton. “Once individuals are adjudicated or (the feds) feel no problem in releasing the money, they direct deposit allotment into our account.”
It might be $10,000 this month and $15,000 the next, sheriff’s officials said.
During a 12-month span from late-September 2007 to September 2008, $383,459 in seized assets was used to purchase vehicles, uniforms, bulletproof vests, computers and department supplies, as well as pay for compensation times and overtime salaries.
Thornton anticipates receiving about that same amount —the federally-projected amount of $397,131 — in the future. However, it is never known when the cases may be closed.
Seizing assets can cripple an otherwise-thriving criminal enterprise, officials said.
Speaking to the over 150 federal, state and local law enforcement officials at an Asset Forfeiture and Financial Investigation Training Conference in Hickory last week, U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding, who presides over the eastern district including Sampson, urged those in attendance to seize assets and leave criminals nothing to come back to.
“The law enforcement world has changed,” Holding stated. “We can’t lock all the criminals up, and the ones we do lock up, we can’t keep locked up forever. We can, however, strip them of their criminal infrastructure, making it very difficult for them to easily return to their illegal businesses.”
Officials at the conference said it has become critical that federal, state and local law enforcement agencies work together in order to not only take a criminal off the street, but to possibly see a tangible reward for their department — a reward that might help Joe Taxpayer.
Thornton said $474,140 in seized asset money has been spent since 2003, on a number of patrol and unmarked vehicles, overtime pay, equipment, computers, supplies and other needed expenditures. The money does not supplant the budget, but allows expenses to be funded without requests that might dig into citizens’ pockets.
The $474,140 amount, the sheriff said, “equates to one and a half cent on the tax rate.”
“That’s one and a half cent of tax dollars the county taxpayer didn’t have to foot the bill for, that we didn’t have to ask the commissioners for in the budget,” Thornton implored. “We’ll continue to use these monies to offset any request, particularly during this economic downturn, to provide good law enforcement around the county.”
“The forfeiture laws are a powerful weapon in law enforcement’s arsenal,” stated Anna Mills Wagoner, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. “In these troubled economic times, it is more important than ever that we use forfeiture to disrupt and dismantle criminal activity and enterprise, to divest criminals of the proceeds of their unlawful activity, and to recover assets for the victims of financial crimes.”
Statewide last year, joint law enforcement efforts yielded forfeitures of $32.5 million dollars, with over half of that going back to more than 170 state and local law enforcement agencies, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Go deep,” Holding urged officials at last week’s conference. “Don’t leave assets on the table. Identify, seize and forfeit all the instrumentalities and proceeds of crime. Take the profit out of crime.”
Thornton echoed Holding’s sentiments.
“It’s a good program, I just hope they keep it going,” stated Thornton. “It’s the thugs, the criminals helping law enforcement financially.”
Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.
Thank you for that stirring and inspiring speech. We are all impressed. Hell, I felt a tear in my eye reading it. Now to the meat of the matter.
First. Reading comprehension is not your forte. Your assignment is to re-read the article and re-read the comments. You obviously missed the point....again.
Second. You must be the only cop in world on the job who has done it all, seen it all, and without any assistance from other officers. Sorry, RoboCop, there are other officers in the world besides you and they have been through a lot worse. Sampson County has crime, but it's not an epidemic like Miami-Dade County or ,dare I say it, Raleigh. Put your bullet back in your pocket, Barney, Andy and Gomer are here to set you straight. You need thicker skin or a career change. Maybe a career in transcribing would suit your needs.
Third. This statement you posted:
You wonder why he pulled you over and gave you a ticket for speeding"
This is where you began to copy and paste your masterpiece and where you began to show your ignorance. I wish you would share with the class where you got it. It seems like a lovely story. Sorry, Barney, we all know you didn't think it up.
Fourth. You said you took a minute out of your life to write this posting. You're right. You wrote for one minute and copied and pasted the rest. Thank you for the epic novel you posted. I'm sure it would fall under the "plagiarism" heading (right, BWill? Did I spell it right, sweetie?).
Fianlly. Read and re-read, read and re-read, read and re-read. I want you to go over this article so many times till your eyes bleed. I want you to get the point what was said here.
It would be different if law enforcement did their job for millions of dollars each year. It would be different if everyone that we worked for appreciated it. It would even be different if the people we worked for were even a little more mature than what I have seen for the past week or so.
The name calling. The fingerpointing. The people bashing. It is utterly ridiculous.
People who get into law enforcement do so because they want to do something that may make a difference. Believe me, you managers at Food Lion and toilet bowl salesman who are bashing those who put their life on the line EVERY SINGLE DAY are not making a difference in this world. Sure, you put food on my table and give me a place to relieve myself. But I could grow my own garden and pee outside in my own yard. Who is going to bust into a crack house and get your daughter who has been kidnapped by a crackhead when you are complaining to the 911 dispatcher? That would be me.
Maybe my colleagues and I cannot complete a perfectly structured sentence. Maybe we do "eat too many donuts and drink too much coffee". Maybe we do drive too fast, and should be held to a higher standard. But when push comes to shove, we will still put our lives on the line for your cop bashing behind. Heck, we will even jump into a river to save your baby who is strapped in the car seat of a vehicle that is sinking. Our effort is limitless, even though our capabilities may be limited.
It really hurts my heart to see people complain about the job that we do. I can honestly tell you that I try my best to solve YOUR problems every day that I am at work.
And yes, I will drink a cold beer if I want one. I am over 21 and entitled to do so if I chose. But you can bet your bottom dollar that I am off when I do so. So check those security cameras if you wish, you will see me buying beer. Also, I have never hit my significant other. She needs to be commended for putting up with me for coming home frustrated because of people like what I see below. It is sickening.
Also, an elected official can never please the entire population. We all have different beliefs. You may vote for one, I may vote for the other. We all know majority rules. I have done what I do for a while and have seen sheriffs come and sheriffs go. I can honestly tell you, that the one you have now does do his best to go above and beyond the call of duty. He goes to bat everytime he has to clash with the county commissioners and most of the time, he loses. But that does mean that he won't fight even harder next time he steps up to the plate. I thank you Sheriff Thorton for the job you have done, as well as Cheif Conerly and the others.
As far as the H.E.A.T unit goes, they are a specialized unit. They are not assigned to zones, but they will help you out if you need it. Just as patrol deputies do not help them unless they need it. It is what we are assigned to do that keeps all of us busy. Sgt. Stroud has done a good job, as well as the rest of those boys. Keep up the good work.
In reference to the "DALLAS SWAT" attire, unless you have been in this position and know what the equipment is for, please don't criticize. We don't know what equipment you use to do your job, and we will not criticize you for having it. Alot of us have bought our own rifles, vests, boots, holsters, and other equipment. That saves you taxpayers a little money....but you never hear about that.
One last thing. The asset forfeiture money is on lock. The county comissioners have control of that in a secure bank account. You can bet Jarvis McLamb has his hand in the say so to where that money goes to. So frivilous spending is out the door. He doesn't even believe in spending money on things that we NEED! I can promise you that the Sheriff does not carry around a debit card, swiping it at Wal-Mart for anything that he thinks his deputies want or need.
Also, you guys don't seem to understand the car issue. Most of our cars have well over 100,000 miles on them. Granted your car may have more, we don't get to drive 35 miles an hour to a scene when your wife is getting robbed by some cracked out junkie. (And belive me calls like this happen ALL THE TIME) We are risking our lives in a beater, hoping that our cracked rim does not blow out our tire and fling us into a swamp to die.
Also, new cars will save money. Granted they may cost more off the top, in the long run we will save cash for the taxpayers by not having to pay repair bills again, and again, and again. Trust me, the numbers don't lie.
I thank you for your time, and thank you for stopping your day, you know the one where YOU save lives everyday, and giving ME a minute to read this. I know that I have given you a minute of my life, but it is okay. You don't have to thank me. It's my job.
To all you cop bashers who have posted on this screen......I may be a public servant, but I would love to punch you right dead in your face. That is as corrupt as I will ever get. But I am better than that. Instead, I would rather save your life so that you would respect me. But even then, I would just be a speeding, donut-eating, wife-beating, lying, LIFE-SAVING, lard-ass. But you can guarantee, I sleep good at night........unless I am working nightshift, protecting you while you sleep. Again, thank you for your time.
You wonder why he pulled you over and gave you a ticket for speeding"
He just worked a fatality where people died because they were going to fast through 12pm traffic on the local Blvd. _________________________
You wonder why that officer was so mean when he found open containers in your vehicle after you said there were none in there.
He just got done working a case where a teenager was driving drunk and killed a kid on the way home to see family for Thanksgiving ____________________________________________
You work for 8 hours, five days a week and go home at exactly 5pm everyday
He may work 8, 10 or 12 hour shifts and have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day missing his Two Year old childs first suprising Christmas or get called back out because his Officers just got in a shootout with a local drug dealer trying to drop a load. _________________________
You drink hot coffee to stay awake.
He stands in the cold rain to clear a parking lot after a fight broke out at the local night club and shots were fired and they left the scene threatening to come back. __________________________
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.
He goes into work still hurt and sore from the guy he had to tussle with from the night before over a trespassing call. __________________________
You drink your coffee on your way to the mall.
He spills his as he runs code to a traffic crash with kids trapped inside or an officer calling for assistance. __________________________
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket before you leave the house.
He makes sure his gun is in its holster, clean and loaded along with his walkie talkie when he leaves the house. __________________________
You talk trash about a friend and talk about them behind there back.
He watches his closest buddy get shot at, and wounded in front of him while the suspect is still armed and shooting back and he's calling for more help on the radio and now protecting the two of them b/c his co-worker is wounded. __________________________
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He walks down the highway looking for body parts and evidence from a hit and run. _________________________
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears fifty pounds of equipment around his waist and a bullet proof vest in the middle of July and still runs around chasing crack heads on foot after breaking into several businesses within the hour. __________________________
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He may not be able to eat all day long b/c the calls are coming in and someone called in sick with a stomach virus.
__________________________
You get out of bed in the morning and take your time getting ready.
He gets called out of bed at 2 am after working all day or all night and has to be into work asap for a fatality or homicide. __________________________
You go to the mall and get your hair redone and go out to a club that night.
He holds the hair of some college girl while shes puking in the back of the patrol car because she got caught driving home from that same club DWI. __________________________
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
His shift ended 4 hours ago and he's still trying to catch up on reports due at the end of his working shift. __________________________
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He can't make any plans because on his off days he has be called back into work because of Inclimate Weather Situations.
__________________________
You yell and scream and called in a complaint to 911 of a patrol car that just past you beacuse they slowed you down or almost ran you off the road b/c you were too busy being nosy and not getting out of the way.
He's in the driver seat of the squad car, responding to a unknown situation after a 5 year old called 911 saying someone was hurting their mommy only to find out that their mommy is not breathing when he gets there. __________________________
You roll your eyes when a baby cries in public.
He picks up a dead child in his arms and prays that it was crying after the mother has fell asleep and rolled over on the child. __________________________
You criticize your local law enforcement and say they're never there quick enough or there when you need them.
He blasts the siren while the person in front of him refuses to move while talking on their cell phone, doing their makeup. __________________________
You hear the jokes about fallen officers and say they should have known better or hear of an officer getting in a fight or chase and say if it was me he wouldn't of had a chance to hit me or get away from me.
He is a hero and runs into situations when everyone else is running away in order to make sure no one else gets hurt and lose's his life doing it. You are not the person that walks into a situation and has less than a second to react.
__________________________
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He would take a bullet for his buddy without question because the brotherhood is like your family. When something happens you all come together. __________________________
You sit there and judge him, saying that its a waste of money to have them around, all they do is ride around in a car all day and harass the public.
Yet as soon as you need help he's the first one you call upon and he's there.
What category do you fit in?
Well, you got me, justice. Your powers of deduction are amazing! Phenominal, at best! Not...Sorry, I actually work for an unamed agency that's not at the local level. My rating and clearance is beyond your pay grade. I am not nor have I been a deputy for the SampCo Sheriff's Dept. There are individuals on the Dept. that are friends of mine whom I grew up with as a child. These people who need bullet proof vests and new cars to perform their jobs have my respect.Justice, if you are an admin queen working in some sort of capacity for the sheriff's dept., I would consider a career change if I were you. You don't have the thick skin to continue this course of action. Koolaid, you really should read the article again and read what the posters are saying. You have not yet got the point what's going on here. You seem passionate about your support for the dept., but you have to remember everyone is held accountable for their actions, including the Sampson Co Sheriff's Dept. Like I said earlier, you are very inexperience and should consider all sides of a debate. Your narrow mindedness is going to get the best of you.
Spelling my dear friend, spelling.
Phenominal, unamed, check those out in your precious 2009 Webster's
What does being a firefighter have to do with being a deputy sheriff or funds spent for equipment? Nothing!
I have known of many uneducated men who join a volunteer fire department simply because they were redneck sireen chasers to begin with ! lol
Maybe you fit in that category !
Why didn't you just say "get off the rag" like your would have normally said when you were in a crowd of other men of your caliber..... All women should take offense to your statement!!! I hope and pray to God that your wife is the only females in your life......if you had daughters, I'm sure you have always treated them as second class citizens!!!
Now, as to far as how anyone votes, thats their right and you have nothing to do with it! I was and still am an Obama supporter and I am not black and how I vote is my damn business too and that doesn't make me a second class citizen either and I am sure those people voted the way they wanted to which is ABSODAMNLUTELY NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!! It is probably safe to say you aspire to the ideals of Rush Limbaugh, a former drug addict! Stick that tampon up your rectum!!!!!!!!
I don't even have a dog in this fight but I must say you missed the whole point! I think you need to reread the comments. No one is complaining about drug money being utilized to buy equipment. The complaints are about which items seemed to be a priority and the fact that just 2 years ago the Sheriff said he couldn't use this same money to buy new cars for the deputies. POOF! Fast forward to now and magically he can use that money to purchase vehicles...you know like Dodge Chargers.
Jerry Hathway
Sincerely,
Jerry Hathway
Lt. Fireman-Retired
Plainview Resident
Emergency Management has been informed and so is the Sheriff's Department aware. They could look at tapes in the convenience stores where they buy their beer anytime they wish. Ask a magistrate if any deputies have shown up after slapping their wife and they were talked out of taking out papers! Hell, don't take my word for it! Check the facts yourself! Its gonna come back to bite them in the ass one day! Keep reading the Sampson Independent your hometown newspaper!
Some of the deputies now employed at the Sheriff's office are no better than some of the criminals they arrest. Some of them are liars, drunkards and wife abusers and it has been brought to the attention of the Sheriff but seems nothing has been done about it, after they talk the wife out of taking out papers because it will look bad on the dept. They continue to drive a car, carry a gun and badge, race up and down the road with their shades on even if it is raining. Some of them also answer fire calls after having consumed alcohol or smoking pot. Now thats the kind of DEPUTY we should all be proud of, huh?