A CASE OF ENTRAPMENT

Law enforcement is not your friend. They are a brotherhood first, and
will protect their formula for self-preservation above all else. Many
of them believe they are above the law they purport to enforce. For
most, they see all people not affiliated with their ilk as potential
criminals.

What is clear is that the defendants obviously, initially and
ignorantly contacted the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department to
determine if they would be violating laws with their endeavor. They
relied on the smiling faces of their protectors and proceeded
accordingly.

Predictably, Sherlock Ashworth then decided it was time to assist the
federal government and "was under no obligation" to reveal that to the
cooperative couple, instead entrapping them with the belief they were
compliant with the law.

Parties as such are then sentenced to prison based primarily upon the
mind-reading attributes of the trial courts, which get annoyed when
defendants exercise their rights to presumptive innocence by not
accepting plea offers.

Brian Porter, Orangevale