In a growing trend of what police agencies have grown accustomed to calling an “isolated incident” or a “tragic mistake,” DEA agents raided the Kansas City home of a law abiding couple this week.
Apparently, according to KCTV5, the feds were looking for evidence connected to a drug deal gone bad. They had set up an undercover meth deal valued at $18,000. But the deal ended with the suspect leading agents on a police chase before being caught.
When he was apprehended, the cops took the suspect’s phone, where they found several photos of drugs and what appears to be drug money. The geotags (GPS location identifiers) attached the photos pointed to multiple addresses, including that of Shanila Jimerson and her husband Marco Christian.
So, they did what nearly any law enforcement agency in this day and age would do—no, they didn’t validate the address or gather additional evidence—they assembled a tactical team and readied the battering ram.
Christian said he started to answer a knock at the door when the door was rammed by DEA agents. The agents stormed into the home, screaming “Freeze, Freeze, don’t move. Don’t move.”
Jimerson said she was already suffering from wrist and knee pain but was told to “hit the floor,” which she did.
The DEA agents were carrying assault rifles and looking for cash. The result of their search warrant? No evidence.
KCTV5 reports that the photos in the suspect’s phone were also tagged to a neighbor’s address. But neither the house that was raided nor the neighbor’s house had been connected to any police activity in recent months.
When the DEA was contacted with questions about the raid, they referred the media to the U.S. Attorney’s Office where no one would speak about the case since it was still under investigation.
Imagine sitting in front of the television, hanging out in the security of your home when your door is busted down by gun-carrying thugs. But these thugs aren’t criminals (according to standard definition), they carry badges.
The Drug War has reached every corner of this country and Kansas City as well as other Missouri towns are no exception.
Law enforcement agencies are steadfast in their commitment to catching anyone who has anything to do with any sort of drugs, drug money, or drug-related anything. And they don’t hesitate to bring out military equipment to get the job done.
In this atmosphere, when you are charged with a drug crime, it can be understandably difficult to feel like you have any chance at fair treatment under the law. But, a criminal defense attorney can be there to help you in your journey through the system.