Litchfield Independent Review - MN Drug Epedemic - Comments

I think as a community we

LoriM — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:42:19 -0500

I think as a community we also need to pray that when the indictments come down on the Sheriff and his henchmen that our Meeker County Commissioners have enough sense to realize that NO ONE in the Meeker County Sheriff's Department should go into a top administration position. Just because someone misses the boat the first time, doesn't mean that it won't come back to pick them up!

Our Meeker County Commissioners next election results will most likely be affected by their choices or lack of choices involving all of this corruption!

Just something to think about!!!

Happy Easter..today is a day

EagleScout — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:28:01 -0500

Happy Easter..today is a day of rebirth. I think it is time for all to stop a minute and forgive ourselves and others here and let this day serve us to remember our soldiers who have and are now serving this country. Include them in your prayers as our family will pray for peace and forgiveness and saftey for all.

no it dosnt but untill

EagleScout — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:55:55 -0500

no it dosnt but untill proven otherwise "no" one should be trusted! "sunfish" is innocent too. Why is he in prison and child with drug addict mother who also was diagnosed with mod dangerous to self and others.suisidle found to be a perjurer by sharon dicke and sheriffs dept inregaurds to claiming herself to be victom to a kandiyohi judge after she pled guilty to the charges in meeker. also took up space in battered womens shelter.Sharon Dicke is the one who told me she was going to have her charged with perjury. now that child is in her mothers unstable hands. The depts that serve and protect dont do it one employee at a time they are a team as a whole when one member fails they all do because the "chain" has been weakened. so how is one to decifer the bad apple when all it takes is one to make the whole bushel stink?much like sunfish sits innocently in prison, county employees will have to as well..I understand your point about everyone .that is more than likly true.But you are not the victom, the victom cannot trust anyone, at least untill this matter is brought to light. Victoms can be very damaged emotionaly,dispare is not a good feeling not to mention lost funding and time. including many other things you do not know. How can anyone realy expect them to?but they themselves are entitaled to there voice here too!

Randay1 "sunfish" wasnt

EagleScout — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:26:46 -0500

Randay1 "sunfish" wasnt denied help from county he was approved. the judge made the decision to with hold. And Civil servant is not slamming the county. I know what meeker county has done to them and the FBI was here then too. and when it involves your family only then can you even begin to understand. Civil servant knows the law. its more like FEDERAL CIVIL SERVANT! for over 30yrs. remember you havnt got that important piece of paper yet .civil servant has.And served this country to give you the liberty's you have today .Civil servant was hand chosen by president Regan to hold there position within the federal gov to keep this country safe and for many lives to be kept safe within the position that they hold.Homeland security is connected to this position as well as Fed OSHA. You dont know the whole story. you are assumming a whole lot here. It will all come out from the FBI.Yes civil servant is on the same crusade that many others are .To stop the corruption.Civil servant isnt going to allow anymore injury's to there familyor anyone else's.you can complain about civil servant but I know they are head strong with taking actions not just posting to slam.Talk is cheap step up for your county. Civil servant is and you will be one of those who will reap the benefits. Civil servants family has already been damaged more then this single thing you read here. How is your slamming another poster any different. The pot calling the kettle black. you are not a lawyer you are a student. stay in school you are just as sarcastic as you claim of others. "sunfish" is a parent too! he was struggling too. He lost his home, employment,and child. It was all started by his meth using wife!She tried to murder him and his brother because he wanted a divorce because of meth use and infedelity on her part. Meeker county sheriffs dept didnt bother to even investigate.FBI knows this too. "sunfish's" wife has a 5th degree domestic assault charge from meeker on her ."sunfish" was also given a 2 yr OFPagainst her by the same judge who denied him of his rightfully obtained medical care. I was a foster parent for seven yrs. Soc. Serv. is nothing more than dazed and confused. the only thing I have seen them good at for at least 15yrs. is to insult and belittle those less fortunate. they are nothing more than in contempt of families . If you feel the need to come back and slam knock yourself out with this kind of attitude towards those you dont agree with does not make you right either. just overbearing and rude. I hope your attitude changes before you deal with any public security's seems you have a postal impulse here. Instead of rushing threw the post put your glass's on and reread again. I think you just skim thru get bit's and pieces before you truly decifer what is realy written.Are you in a hurry to try to prove something that you havnt spent all the time in school needed to learn all of the correct answers too .a student isnt a expert. civil servant is a professional and holds a security clearence that even you as a educated BA holder would never clear. Civil Servant is the good guy here. Not the bad administration running this county. Civil servants mission is to help clean up this county. And to salute all citizens and soldiers protecting this country.Civil Servants leval with in the federal gov is higher than that of a Brigadire General."sonfish" wasnt an addict either but was willing to do treatment to prove he was willing to do anything to keep his child safe.only to have soc. serv. place the child in care and to be returned 11 days later with a broken arm by foster parents. by the way soc. serv. investigated " sunfish" tried to claim "sunfish injured child" child was in my care 2wks before sunfishs mother requested a chips to help protect grandchild from mothers actions."sunfish" was set up by someone else to get out of the crime, Soc. Serv. never notified anyone of childs injury. a note was found inside diaperbag by grandmother,grandmother took child to private hospital that specialist in ortho. and had this documented by hospital staff......let us know what crow pie tastes like civil servant will be serving.......

It is very important to feel

randay91 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:19:32 -0500

It is very important to feel the way that you and civil servant do, and I agree with what you have said about corruption and so forth. However it appears that you judge the whole system….ranging from social services down to everyone within the Meeker County Sheriffs office. Is it fair to cast judgment on every individual? One bad apple out of the bunch does not require damnation of the entire lot.

I think Civil servant just

randay91 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:13:45 -0500

I think Civil servant just has a serious vendeta with Meeker county and will jump on anything to slam them.

Well...I have to adamantly

randay91 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:10:58 -0500

Well...I have to adamantly defend the judges. Judges hands are tied completly when it comes to sentencing because again of Mandatory sentencing and mandatory minimums. This is in the hands of the prosecutors.

As far as the medical assistance thing is I agree with you 100% I feel personally that we should be spending tax money on funding people who want to go through treatment and better themselves! I think it is a shame. (I have my glasses on this time to re-read your previous posting here...i think I misunderstood what you were writting :)I think it is a shame that your "sunfish" was denied MA.

I think however you need to quit slamming Meeker county agencies for this because they only can do what is whithin their power....legislators are the ones that prescribe the guidelines that meeker county follows. Hey I work my rear off at a low paying job to put myself through school...I have two small boys...and my fiance works a very good job but faces layoff about 5 months out of the year...we are not addicts we are just a regular family who needs help with healthcare..yet we cannot get it either. It does not seem fair when you look at the larger picture...but I do not place blame with meeker county...I know that they are just doing their job too, they have guidelines they need to follow dictated by state legislation on income guidelines....

If an addict really wants help...there are plenty of community based resources that are free. Addiction is a really hard thing to beat. A good family support system and the support of programs such as NA and AA are great places to start.

Right now in the Corrections area there is many advocates advocating for changes such as a less punitive approach to the corrections system and a more rehibilitative approach...it just takes time.

randay91, I was commenting

EagleScout — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:38:36 -0500

randay91, I was commenting on the first post under your story of drug epidemic. the post clearly stated he(sunfish) was eligable for a rule 25 and was refused. that sunfish requested and was approved by the county for drug treatment to only have a judge deny his right to medical care because he couldnt "justify" spending the tax payers dollars when in real life the"sunfish" had paid his yax's for 5yrs to the same county. I clearly believe there is a problem here with the judges and prosecutors. seems the sunfish got robbed by his own county.The sunfish was even going to help rid the community of an evil doer that could have eliminated a soarce to find drugs to use and make the process of recovery worse because he knows where to get it. but all the county did for sunfish was throw him away and leave the bigger dealer to sell to everyone elses children.how did sunfish start his drug use and where and who sold it to him?most drug users self medicate because of mental health and do not have the means once eneligable for parents healthcare and salaries not enough to afford health care. So the drug dealers win, county keeps the tax payers dollars, and the sunfish gets thrown away!and to think sunfish payed for county services with tax's, drugs with money earned from weak paying employment and no health care. welcome to america where by law the county can recieve yet not give.Seems all this county did was knowingly allow a drug dealer to continue business as usual, deny a tax payers right to county services, and lost tax revenue dollars by just throwing away a human being. all should be so proud of these countys judges and prosecuters ways of problem solveing they are doing such a disservice to those who paid them. lets thank them for a job well undone. but they can rest knowing if they need healthcare they wont deny themselves because the tax payers let them and pay them for it. I would think that the drugdealers and the judges and prosecuters form there own union they both take the tax payers money and devistate them in the end. what did this user do so bad to deserve prison? self medicat, be with the wrong people, get arrested (deservingly)work a job pay tax's request mental health and want to do the right thing and turn in his dealer to stop this problem he has and gain self esteem by thinking he did the right thing?I fail to find te logic behind his fate makers. I have read in the local paper under courts this same type of crime and have never seen a prison sentence. it was always jail time served a fine and fee's probation for a determened time and "MANDATORY TREATMENT PROGRAM" submit dna and no use. and some of them I have read were more than first time offenders. sunfish had "0" prior offences of any kind. he was a first time offender.
I think something is fishy here. and it dosnt smell right to me. I think the northerns (judge&prosc) and the walleyes are feeding off the small panfish of meeker. and destroying the enviorment. Just what is this county using for bait? lots of lakes around maybe we should ask those fishermen( citizens) I know someone knows . I happen know a bait shop with a wise old fisherman who claims he knows.

read again the judge refused

EagleScout — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:22:11 -0500

read again the judge refused saying he couldnt justify spending the tax payers money!the "sunfish" qaulified on a rule "25" and was a tax payer for 5yrs. so the concern here is "WHY" wouldnt a judge allow drug treatment.
congradulations for your own acomplishments by graduating in 5 mos.

I understand what you are

randay91 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:01:45 -0500

I understand what you are saying. However my thinking was conveluted. My thoughts are that we should not take info given by your "sunfish". Your "sunfish should have been put into treatment. Not jail. Your "sunfish" and all the other "sunfish" out there think that they can get off by "rolling" over on someone else. This is a huge problem in America. Without the "sunfish" the"walleye" could not opperate!

Just for your INFO I will have a BA in 5 months. I finished school already with an AA in CJ. Its not that I misunderstand I just don't see why your defending your "sunfish", you should be more concerned as to why he/she is not in drug treatment. You should be complaing to the county no me.

I think you are

EagleScout — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:13:35 -0500

I think you are missunderstanding what I have posted. I was referenceing that this person had info to give and offered it but it was never listened to.The law enforcement " thought " they had all the right people.But in reality there was a bigger fish that this person was willing to hand over but the law wouldnt listen.So there is a bigger problem left in your area because your prosecuting attorney was being ignorant and biased. basicaly the law was fishing for walleye and all they got was a sunfish. The offender was not convicted for"conspiracy with intent to distribute" (dealing!). It clearly states in your first post that lessor sentences are given if the first time offender charged gives info.to be found useful. It will be good for you to finish school first.You dont seem to understand that I agree with you on most points here. This law only needs some fine tuning or prosecuting attorneys who have no agenda towards the young citizens and or thier families.

I would love to see MN BEGIN

randay91 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:12:54 -0500

I would love to see MN BEGIN to participate in the RED RIBBON WEEK. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. Although the start end dates can vary slightly depending on the organization and source, Red Ribbon Week generally takes place the last full week in October, with the weekends before and following the last full week included as appropriate celebration dates. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.
Camarena worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it. "I can't not do this," he told her. "I'm only one person, but I want to make a difference."

The DEA sent Camarena to work undercover in Mexico investigating a major drug cartel believed to include officers in the Mexican army, police and government. On Feb. 7, 1985, the 37-year-old Camarena left his office to meet his wife for lunch. Five men appeared at the agent's side and shoved him in a car. One month later, Camarena's body was found in a shallow grave. He had been tortured to death. 1

Within weeks of his death in March of 1985, Camarena’s Congressman, Duncan Hunter, and high school friend Henry Lozano, launched Camarena Clubs in Imperial Valley, California, Camarena’s home. Hundreds of club members pledged to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others on behalf of all Americans. 2 These coalitions began to wear red badges of satin, red ribbons, as a symbol Camarena's memory. The Red Ribbon Week campaign emerged from the efforts of these clubs and coalitions.

Today, Red Ribbon Week is nationally recognized and celebrated, helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena’s memory and further the cause for which he gave his life. The Red Ribbon Campaign also became a symbol of support for the DEA’s efforts to reduce demand for drugs through prevention and education programs. By wearing a red ribbon during the last week in October, Americans demonstrate their ardent opposition to drugs. They pay homage not only to Special Agent Camarena, but to all men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation’s struggle against drug trafficking and abuse. 3

I do not think we should be

randay91 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:06:32 -0500

I do not think we should be making any deals at all with drug dealers or users. Dealer should get madatory treatment and jail time for the selling. In my oppinion legislation should be charging dealers with attempted murder charges because they are selling and manufacturing a product that can cause death! Furthermore it is agaimnst the Federal Trade Commisions laws to sell a product (pharmasutical without FDA approval) see these are loop holes we could be using but don't! Imagine the impact it would have with attempted murder laws?

I agree with you one hundred

EagleScout — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:10:08 -0500

I agree with you one hundred percent! Your prosecutor has the ABILITY but seems not to approach some of those who are willing to do just that. I happen to know of a case here where that very thing happened. The offender offered to come forward with some info but they refused it thinking they got everyone involved but I know that the info they had,has nothing todo with the others. It was very important info.Now that person sits behind bars.all info,deals,treatment never accepted, or offered and it was a first offence. I have already thought about my political standing as I am 100% american. I would never vote for the party that agree's with sentencing guidelines that are currently standing. I am more in tune with you than you realize.

Prosecutors, not judges,

randay91 — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:38:38 -0500

Prosecutors, not judges, have the discretion to decide whether to reduce a charge, whether to accept or deny a plea bargain, whether to reward or deny a defendant's "substantial assistance" or cooperation in the prosecution of someone else, and ultimately, to determine what the final sentence will be.
Judges hands are TIED DUE TO MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING GUIDELINES. Blame your legislators and the president George Bush and his "comprehensive" war on drugs that is not working because it was designed to put the KING PINS who manufacture and distribute. First time offenders are being sent to prison when it is the "king Pins" who should be going to prison.
If you think about it....the way I do as a Crminal Justice student...we are using the small time users with records as narks to work their way up into larger circles....the police agencies around this country are wheeling and dealing drugs because not for thier aim to combat it...but because the $$$'s recovered in sting opperationg brings inrevenue for that department. They sell the drugs too. Now on a higher political level lobbists for pharmaseutical companies do not wantharsh regulations imposed on the over counter medications being used to make and manufacture the drug METH becasue they are a multi billion dollar industry! What is wrong with this picture. It has been always about the dollar and not the people of America who struggle with addiction! We could be doing so much more then we are doing now to prevent drug use....but we don't. Blame your president and congress for that, and the way the allow police agencies to opperate. The justice system is very flawed....but it is not your local agenices fault's. Put the blame higher up...think out side the box when you go to vote this year for our new President.

MN Drug Epedemic

randay91 — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 22:40:12 -0500

Part I: Federal Statutes & Minnesota State Statutes
Federal Statutes vary based on the drug/schedule, and the quantity of each specific drug/schedule. In addition the penalties for the trafficking of controlled substances will vary dependant on the quantity of the drug/schedule. For example, Cocaine (a schedule II controlled substance) in the quantity of 500-4999 gms mixture will according to the Drug Enforcement Administration will result in the following penalties: