Posted on 12/16/2005 3:34:38 AM PST by mcg2000
MEMPHIS - A federal grand jury indicted three Memphis Police officers Wednesday. The U.S. Attorney's office believes Officers Adam Gagnier, James Fetter and Jennifer Vickery took thousands of dollars from drivers during traffic stops then planted drugs in the cars so they could make false arrests.
Both Gagnier and Vickery have already pleaded guilty. "Miss Vickery feels like she's made some bad judgement calls and she's ready to cooperate with the government and put this behind her and go on with her life," says Vickery's attorney Milton MaGee.
The officers seemed to have a nack for pulling over cars loaded with cash. For example, Gagnier and Vickery pulled a car over here at the intersection of Jackson and Montgomery in North Memphis. They found six thousand dollars in the car but no drugs. That is, until they planted cocaine on the driver and made a false arrest.
"Mr. Gagnier is going through some emotional times right now other than that he's okay," says Gagnier's attorney Larry Copeland.
As for James Fetter, he's the only cop who hasn't pleaded guilty. That may be because prosecutors believe he was the mastermind including one false arrest of his estranged wife. "We didn't know who she might testify against," says MaGee. "Obviously Officer Fetter is the only case still pending but she is going to cooperate with the government, whatever the government needs to do."
Both Gagnier and Vickery are scheduled to be sentenced next year. Fetter is currently in federal custody.
A sad story. Unfortunately I smell sewage.
Who cares about the crooked cop's emotional state...I say find a tall tree and hang him high!
****"Miss Vickery feels like she's made some bad judgement calls and she's ready to cooperate with the government and put this behind her and go on with her life," says Vickery's attorney Milton MaGee.*****
In other words she will get off light because she rats on the others,.
She is just as guilty and should get the same sentence.
Let's see:
The end of civilization.
Confession, charges provide relief; still 'terrified' when cruiser pulls up
By Chris Conley
Contact
December 7, 2005
Bert Adcock says Tuesday was the best day he's had in a year.
Tuesday morning, he read about the arrest of a Memphis Police officer who had vowed to destroy him.
Officers James Fetter and Adam Gagnier were charged in a criminal complaint in federal court with -- among other things -- violating the civil rights of Adcock and Fetter's estranged wife, Leah, by planting several ounces of cocaine in Adcock's vehicle and her purse.
The arrest and subsequent publicity ruined Adcock's credit card processing business and made him afraid to drive the streets, he said.
"Now, if a police car is behind me, I'm terrified," Adcock said. "I have lost my ambition, and I've lost a lot of money."
After Leah Fetter went to work for him, Fetter "set out to make my life a living hell," he said.
Fetter had threatened to kill his estranged wife and shot through the ceiling of their home when she fled to an upstairs bedroom.
On the night of May 4, 2005, Adcock's black Hummer was pulled over by Gagnier at Park and Estate. Gagnier reported finding several "8-balls" of cocaine, totaling 68 grams, some marijuana and some crack in Leah Fetter's purse and under the driver's seat.
Both Adcock and Leah Fetter were charged with possession with intent to distribute drugs. The charges were quickly dismissed by state prosecutors, who became suspicious when Fetter leaned on them to prosecute the case to the maximum.
On Oct. 4, Gagnier, accompanied by attorney Larry Copeland, walked into the U.S. Attorney's office and confessed to planting the drugs at the urging of Fetter. The drugs were concealed in a flashlight when he approached the Hummer.
Gagnier said Fetter, who was riding behind in another car and communicating via cell phone, was trying to get emergency custody of two children he and Leah had together. He succeeded.
Gagnier also admitted to federal agents that he and Fetter robbed two motorists of $2,800 and staged Fetter's dramatic wounding so Fetter could collect injury benefits.
Gagnier joined the department in January 2002; Fetter in July 2001.
Gagnier, who is the subject of an unrelated insurance fraud scam, has not been arrested and is believed to have left West Tennessee.
Fetter was ordered held without bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Tu Pham on Monday.
Leah Fetter is in protective custody outside the state, Adcock said.
"I'm so glad it's over," Adcock said. "For my father and my mother, my wife and children."
-- Chris Conley: 529-2595
Copyright 2005, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.
Read the other stories coming out about the Tennessee State Police. Maybe these folks can move up from local cops to being state troopers. And remember that this is Memphis where dead Democrats vote so maybe they can get some of those dead Democrats to be on the jury and vote for acquittal.
I totally agree. I have a personal interest in this as one of my relatives is suffering because of it. I hope they get what they deserve.
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