News (Media Awareness Project) - US TX: Tarrant Jury Declines To Indict Dallas Officer In Drug |
| Title: | US TX: Tarrant Jury Declines To Indict Dallas Officer In Drug |
| Published On: | 2000-09-19 |
| Source: | Dallas Morning News (TX) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 08:18:38 |
TARRANT JURY DECLINES TO INDICT DALLAS OFFICER IN DRUG CASE
Raymond Rodriguez, a Dallas police officer fired in July after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and drug possession, was not indicted on the drug charge by a Tarrant County grand jury on Thursday.
The decision came five months after Mr. Rodriguez, a narcotics investigator, was pulled over on State Highway 360 in Arlington. Police said that he was speeding and driving erratically and that officers found 0.7 grams of cocaine in his wallet.
Mr. Rodriguez's attorney, Richard Carrizales, said the drugs had come from an undercover buy a week earlier. He said Mr. Rodriguez, 42, had turned the bulk of the cocaine in to authorities but didn't notice a small amount that fell between the two front seats of his squad car. When he discovered it five days later on his way home, Mr. Carrizales said, he scooped it into a plastic bag, put it in his wallet and forgot about it until his arrest more than two days later.
Mr. Carrizales acknowledged that his client, an eight-year department veteran, should have turned the cocaine in to authorities as soon as he found it. But such an error should not be cause for dismissal, said Mr. Carrizales, who applauded the grand jury's ruling.
"I think they made the absolute right decision not to indict on this case," Mr. Carrizales said. "The evidence was not there. Narcotics officers make busts and have drugs on them all the time, but if they fail to turn it in, they can be arrested. I think it's unfair. It's a policy that doesn't make a lot of sense."
Mr. Rodriguez was placed on paid leave until July, when Dallas Police Chief Terrell Bolton followed the recommendation of an internal investigation and fired him. Mr. Rodriguez has appealed his termination to clear his name, Mr. Carrizales said.
"He feels so bad about being treated so badly by the DPD that ... he may not ever wish to be reinstated," Mr. Carrizales said. For the time being, he said, Mr. Rodriguez is working part time for a moving company.
A charge of possession of a controlled substance is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Mr. Rodriguez may return to court Wednesday for a hearing on the DWI charge, a Class B misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Texas law prohibits licensing peace officers convicted of a felony.
Raymond Rodriguez, a Dallas police officer fired in July after he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and drug possession, was not indicted on the drug charge by a Tarrant County grand jury on Thursday.
The decision came five months after Mr. Rodriguez, a narcotics investigator, was pulled over on State Highway 360 in Arlington. Police said that he was speeding and driving erratically and that officers found 0.7 grams of cocaine in his wallet.
Mr. Rodriguez's attorney, Richard Carrizales, said the drugs had come from an undercover buy a week earlier. He said Mr. Rodriguez, 42, had turned the bulk of the cocaine in to authorities but didn't notice a small amount that fell between the two front seats of his squad car. When he discovered it five days later on his way home, Mr. Carrizales said, he scooped it into a plastic bag, put it in his wallet and forgot about it until his arrest more than two days later.
Mr. Carrizales acknowledged that his client, an eight-year department veteran, should have turned the cocaine in to authorities as soon as he found it. But such an error should not be cause for dismissal, said Mr. Carrizales, who applauded the grand jury's ruling.
"I think they made the absolute right decision not to indict on this case," Mr. Carrizales said. "The evidence was not there. Narcotics officers make busts and have drugs on them all the time, but if they fail to turn it in, they can be arrested. I think it's unfair. It's a policy that doesn't make a lot of sense."
Mr. Rodriguez was placed on paid leave until July, when Dallas Police Chief Terrell Bolton followed the recommendation of an internal investigation and fired him. Mr. Rodriguez has appealed his termination to clear his name, Mr. Carrizales said.
"He feels so bad about being treated so badly by the DPD that ... he may not ever wish to be reinstated," Mr. Carrizales said. For the time being, he said, Mr. Rodriguez is working part time for a moving company.
A charge of possession of a controlled substance is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Mr. Rodriguez may return to court Wednesday for a hearing on the DWI charge, a Class B misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Texas law prohibits licensing peace officers convicted of a felony.
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