Community | June 09, 2010 | 33 comments

Deputy Resorts to "Identity Theft" of a Patient in Marijuana Sting

source: http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2010/06/sleazy_deputy_bought_marijuana_with_stolen_patient.php

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Omnomynous
A California deputy has admitted using a doctor's recommendation and stolen identity from a legal medical marijuana patient in order to buy pot in a drug sting.

Deputy Steve Avila of the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department said during questioning that he had used the patient's recommendation, with a falsified birthdate, to persuade a dispensary owner to sell marijuana to an officer.

Avila claimed he obtained the medical marijuana recommendation "from an investigation we conducted," but also claimed he "did not recall" which officer obtained it, or how it was obtained.

Jay Smith of K Care Collective, the dispensary owner who was tricked into selling marijuana to an officer, said Calaveras County is waging a war against medical marijuana, and is doing so using unethical means, reports Dana M. Nichols of the San Joaquin County Record.

Robert Shaffer, the medical marijuana patient whose identity was stolen, tells the same story.

According to Shaffer, Deputy Avila violated his privacy by using his identity and documents in the sting operation.

Smith, Shaffer and several medical marijuana patients and providers pleaded for help this week from the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors.

"I also fear my identity is being used in another of Avila's illegal ruses," Shaffer told the supervisors.

"It just smacks of entrapment and sleaziness to me," said Dr. Philip A. Denney, who issued Shaffer's medical marijuana recommendation.

Denney said his office got a call from dispensary operator Smith, and that his staff confirmed that Shaffer had a valid medical marijuana recommendation, not knowing that Deputy Avila had stolen Shaffer's identity.

"I think the cops have better things to do," Dr. Denney said. "It was completely deceptive, because they never did talk to me. They did not have Mr. Shaffer's authorization for any of this."

At Smith's preliminary hearing May 10, Deputy Avila admitted that he had used Shaffer's recommendation.

Shaffer was arrested last November on felony marijuana transportation and sales charges. Investigators said they found Shaffer through a Craigslist ad for medical marijuana.

(more @ link)
  1. groups:
    Community,   H.E.M.P.
  2. tags:
    Identity Theft,  Harassment,  Police Corruption
  3.     
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33 comments // Deputy Resorts to "Identity Theft" of a Patient in Marijuana Sting

  • jubal
    • 0
      jubal  

    • This is why we need to free the weed. The money and resources being wasted over controlling a god given plant is criminal....and the criminals are the ones charged with protecting the public trust.

    • 1 year ago
  • chudleysteen
  • acontradiction
  • trut
  • jdubsy
  • dandeee
    • 0
      dandeee  
    • acontradiction:

      i guess im part on the .1% because i have a condition called ulcerative colitis which is when acids burn away at my intestine and marijuana actually calms the intestine and stops inflammation so before you start hating on people that would prefer using a plant to heal themselves than a little pill a doctor gives you blow it out your a$$

    • 1 year ago
  • acontradiction
  • adveritas
  • Robotic091
  • mr_tibbles
  • irie_ojo
  • Hipstar
  • 2hellnwait
  • Omnomynous
    • +1
      Omnomynous  
    • 2hellnwait:

      I'm just a little confused by your comment, is it that the cop is liberal?

      & how does partisan politics come into play here?

      I know liberals who smoke pot, I even know conservatives who smoke pot. I can't say I know to many liberals that are really against marijuana, though the same can't be said of conservatives.

      Anyway can't we all just hit the bong?

    • 1 year ago
  • 2hellnwait
    • -1
      2hellnwait  
    • Omnomynous:

      good question, the "end justifies the means" seems to be a common rationalization to the liberal psyche from my observations. . . and yes I admit it, I'm biased. . . so bong me if you will.

    • 1 year ago
  • trut
  • 2hellnwait
  • trut
  • 2hellnwait
  • Omnomynous
    • 0
      Omnomynous  
    • 2hellnwait:

      I don't care if you're biased or not, even if you hate marijuana it's your right...

      I was trying to be serious, I mean other than trying to say that; "the liberal psyche" has somehow rationalized something that your perceive as wrong just so they can get high, I really don't know where you were going with the liberal mentality thing.

      Of course you can't see these cops as being liberal, but I don't see how someone getting relief from an ailment (that has no political affiliation) is some kind of "liberal" thing?

      There are plenty of conservatives that either support full legalization, medicinal marijuana, or just support the idea that people should have ultimate say over what substances they consume.

      Anyway, how is marijuana acceptance some liberal mentality thing?

      And one of the cornerstones of the conservative/religious right is Christianity, more specifically the following of the teachings of Jesus (or so they'd like you to believe)...

      It says quite clearly in scripture that Jesus turned "water to wine", do you really think Jesus would have had a problem with marijuana which could quite easily be seen as safer than wine...

      Or wait no,.... Jesus was so big on obeying laws that we should just blindly obey the laws evil men have set up for us? no.... that doesn't sound right because Jesus was accused of breaking a few laws in his day, breaking the sabbath, heresy, all kinds of socially unacceptable stuff... (note this is the go to guy in conservative ideals/policy)

      So please tell me how marijuana is some kind of "liberal" thing?

    • 1 year ago
  • 2hellnwait
    • 0
      2hellnwait  
    • Omnomynous:

      I have no problem with ganja in any fashion, none, nada, zilch and zippo.
      . . . "liberal" interpretation of the law whereby the "end justifies the means" is a hallmark of a liberal mentality from my many years of observance. . . and that is what I am implying and I see that I've failed to convey the relevance. . . so okay, I'll not belabor the point any further.

    • 1 year ago
  • smlwrld420
  • Omnomynous
  • Stoneyroad
    • +7
      Stoneyroad  

    • when a citizen impersonates a police officer = crime
      when a police officer impersonates a citizen = crime
      when a citizen likes smoking a little Marijuana = who gives a crap

    • 1 year ago
  • trut
  • hunzedog
  • Omnomynous
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