We have been following the alliance of one of the world’s worst actor (Steven Seagal)with one of the world’s most abusive sheriffs (Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio). Seagal has been riding around in a tank supplied by Arpaio and raiding the home of citizens as part of a reality show — effectively turning Arizona citizens in extras and police personnel into cast members for his egocentric show, “Steven Seagal Lawman.” The recent assault with tanks and SWAT members of a ranch suspected of cockfighting attracted our attention since it was launched with roughly equal forces as the Normandy invasion with Seagal leading the way in his county-supplied tank like an over-stuffed George Patton. Now, Jesus Sanchez Llovera is taking the first steps toward a lawsuit.
Llovera insists that he raised show roosters and was not involved in cockfighting. He was a bit surprised when Seagal appeared at his ranch in his tank, rammed it through his gate, and led a force of the heavily armed MCSO Tactical Operations Unit in full riot gear on to his property. The invading force proceeded to shoot his 11-month old puppy and kill more than 100 roosters, according to his notice of a claim for $100,000 in damages and a “formal written apology” to his children from Seagal “for the death of their 11-month old puppy, a beloved family pet.” (I couldn’t fine a picture of the actual puppy so I picked the cutest thing I could find above).
If a suit emerges, Seagal will be able to bum a ride with Arpaio to court since the sheriff is facing a litany of lawsuits and federal investigations for his abusive use of his office. None of this appears to register with Arpaio or more importantly the voters of Maricopa County, of course. I am just waiting for Arpaio to enlist Lucha libre wrestlers for a reality show as truancy officers and Mel Gibson as a community affairs officer.
Source: TMZ
A.R. Erb – Of what matter is the alleged use to which the personal property might be put? Are you suggesting that “this property is probably used for X” is legal justification for destroying said property during the execution of a *search* warrant?
“Frankly” is correct – the destruction of Mr. Llovera’s property prior even to his arrest (which never happened) is unlawful. I hope Arpaio and Seagal pay through their noses for this insanity.
It seems that the movie Idiocracy was a documentary…
I don’t know if there was any documentation on the cock fighting….but how does killing 100 roosters by running them over with a tank, shooting an 11 month old puppy and doing significant damage to the house with a F*CKING TANK even get THOUGHT OF as being legal let alone ok to do by someone with a badge….that behavior is INSANE! and anyone who tries to argue that it is anything but insane and borderline predatory is quite possibly drain bamaged.
Those idiots should holster thier testosterone, Cock fighting is illegal in this Country.
Actually once again you are wrong about state laws allowing seizure of property, It is Federal Law under RICO which allows for that, and in order for it to be taken without compensation, you must go to trial. The authorities can keep it from you to prevent your using it in your defense, which is rather questionable in my view.
AS for the dead roosters, I know of NO person who keeps only or mainly rooster with no hens. You only need ONE rooster if you are raising chickens and if you have more than one, you will be found guilty of cockfighting since that is what WILL happen with more than one. I am at a loss as to why there were only roosters other than for fighting purposes.
ERB – you are sorta correct, I am not a lawyer. I am not taking about the search I am talking about having his chickens killed. Not sure why you decide my comment was so outrageous as to warrant your snide response. But you just go on a rant, we’ll talk around you.
I am aware that several States have passed bogus seizure laws that allow police to take anything if they just suspect it is used for drug trafficking. It is then up to the victim to prove he is innocent in order to get the property back. That in itself seems unconstitutional. But I can’t imagine any law that would allow property to be destroyed before there were hearings – probably a verdict too. Am I wrong on this?
Polk County Florida Arpaio acolyte Grady Judd was recently offered a reality show based on his escapades and it got nixed in the face of considerable public blow-back. It was the only time in my life that prayer worked for me.
Sheriff Joe is out of control. This TV crap is just the latest.
Publicity…
tell me again why does a law enforcement officer get to keep his standing if he is allowing pedestrians to drive tanks into other peoples property and commit violence against them?
I am NOT kidding that a cop can search your property without a warrant. For example, you are pulled over for speeding in your car. If a cop sees something in plain sight that arouses his suspicion, he can legally conduct a search. Or if the cop suspects that you may have drugs in your car, they will ask permission to search it. If you refuse, they will simply keep you there and bring out the drug dog to sniff around, and if it alerts, they can legally conduct a search without a warrant.
The use of no knock warrants has been proven over time to be more of a danger to cops and innocent persons than a help. The intent was to allow cops to crash in before crooks can flush illegal drugs down the toilet. Since it takes quite a while to flush a massive amount of drugs, the only people it really will aid in arresting are the small user or small dealer who poses not much of a major threat. There are too many instances of innocent people being killed, shot, pets killed, innocent people dying of heart attacks, etc..that I think it is time to end such no knock warrants.
if chuck norris was there they wouldn’t need the tank.
I need to correct this, with one exception “Where Law enforcement” needs NOT a Warrant is when they are apprehending a fleeing felon.
Arthur Randolph Erb, said:
As a matter of FACT the cops do NOT even need a warrant as long as they have probable cause to search or arrest a person.
You have to be kidding me. The only statement I have is, with one exception Law Enforceable needs a warrant and that is when they are apprehending a fleeing felon. I was under the impression that under all other circumstances a warrant was needed. Please do, embellish us with your wisdom on this subject.
Wow i can’t recognize him what happen to him?
he had a Constitution right to have his property secure at least until charges were proven.
I see that you have NO idea of law. ALL that is needed for a search warrant is probable cause. The police and prosecutors do NOT need to have a trial FIRST before a warrant is obtained! As a matter of FACT the cops do NOT even need a warrant as long as they have probable cause to search or arrest a person.
While I am not a big fan of Joe, he is mostly a publicity hound who likes to play tough guys. I assume that there was a search warrant, but one does NOT know this from any of the posters or the article. Given the probability of that, I think that the raid was LEGAL. It may have been absurd with the amount of force and the killing of a dog which was inexcusable, but if they suspected a cock fight going on, that number of cops and the precautions would have been justified.
One also has to wonder that if Sheriff Joe is so outside the law, how is it that no charges have been filed against him given all the investigations going on? This is simply an occasion in which he is acting within the law that some folks don’t like, so he is therefore a crook despite the fact he has NOT committed a crime. I always thought that was necessary before one could be convicted or called a crook. Seems that one is guilty before trial or even charges in his case.
What are his initials again?
Interesting what will be the tipping point of exposing abuse. This case has the magical combination of over the top antics and tragically the death of the puppy. ( German Sheppard for you Pit haters/fearers )
Come on Prof – the guy’s name is Sanchez Llovera, of course he is guilty.
Sadly, I have family in the area & they just LUVS them some sheriff Joe. They also believe that all crime in their area is “E-legal Mex-cans”.
Even if this guy was running a cock fighting ring (we have no evidence one way or the other) he had a Constitution right to have his property secure at least until charges were proven. At least he does in America. This country I have awoken in is not America, I have no idea where it went.
Arpaio is a complete clown, but then so is Seagal. The citizens of Maricopa County can’t be much better since they keep electing and supporting Arpaio, who is arguably one of the worst political figures in the country. We see today ersatz celebrities and fallen stars making a good living whoring themselves out on “Reality Shows”. most of it is just embarrassing and inoffensive. This show is disgusting and actually promotes the illegality it purports to fight.
Goof for Jesus….
:I am just waiting for Arpaio to enlist Lucha libre wrestlers for a reality show as truancy officers and Mel Gibson as a community affairs officer.”
How about interfaith committee host for Gibson….