Comments on: Yet Another Unconstitutional Search of the Driving Equality Van

By: jobs night shift

jobs night shift — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:40:48 +0000

night shift jobs…

[...]Yet Another Unconstitutional Search of the Driving Equality Van « Driving Equality[...]…

By: Alex K

Alex K — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:07:51 +0000

This is absolutely ridiculous. I just read this while sitting a political science class looking up examples of unconstitutional car searches. Car searches are only constitutional only if there is probable cause or a specific warrant, and if the procedures are in the policy manual and are carried out consistently. I hope you haven’t had to endure this sort of treatment since then.

By: BB

BB — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:37:23 +0000

This is why I hate cops. Well, one of the many reasons.

By: Leo Mammen

Leo Mammen — Tue, 04 May 2010 11:02:16 +0000

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By: Bil Browning: Indiana State Police Intimidate and Search Gay Rights Activist via huffingtonpost - Teelanovela Magazine

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 14:07:01 +0000

[...] Mason was let go but was detained again 20 minutes later at a rest area. The activist alleges that Indiana State Police trooper Brandon Lankford targeted him for persecution after the trooper questioned Mason about Driving Equality and gay [...]

By: Chris Mason

Chris Mason — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:23:57 +0000

This is an interesting story with no relevance to my case. It appears that this vehicle had drugs on board, that is why the K-9 reacted with a positive drug indication.

In my case, there were no drugs, no trace, residue, or scent or drugs, as proved by a K-9 unit the very next day. In my case, Officer Lankford lied about the dog reacting positive in order to search my vehicle. In doing so, Officer Landford violated my constitution rights. He will have to face the consequences of his actions.

By: Not a victim

Not a victim — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:33:36 +0000

Commentary
Keen Sense of Smell Sends One to Jail
08/28/09 A commuter’s phone call to the Indiana State Police, about an erratic diver on the Toll Road, landed one man in jail Tuesday. Trooper Steve Spallinger stopped the west bound vehicle on…
08-27-09 [publisher: Administrator]

08/28/09 A commuter’s phone call to the Indiana State Police, about an erratic diver on the Toll Road, landed one man in jail Tuesday. Trooper Steve Spallinger stopped the west bound vehicle on the Indiana Toll Road near the 24 mile marker in Porter County.

Trooper Spallinger, assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division, stopped the large recreational vehicle for speeding and was assisted by Senior Trooper Ben Jones III. Trooper Jones later requested the assistance of Trooper Brandon Lankford and his K-9 partner Schatten. Trooper Lankford walked Schatten around the vehicle and received a positive drug indication from his dog near an exterior storage compartment. The duo searched the interior of the vehicle and the dog alerted on a container. The container was found sitting next to an access opening to the exterior storage compartment. The container looked like an ordinary aerosol spray bottle. However, it was discovered to have a false bottom and contained marijuana. The container belonged to Gerry R. Woodward Jr., 36, of Saulk Illinois.

By: Donna

Donna — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:52:55 +0000

Chris, you absolutely need to take this to the media in Indiana. As a citizen of Indiana I am embarrassed by the actions of Officer Lankford and the other officers on the scene of the search. 5 state police vehicles sat idle while this nonsense was going on? This is what our tax money is paying for?

Where in exactly in Indiana did this occur and what highway were you traveling on?

You need to pursue charges and get the media on this. I did a quick scan and none of the major media outlets have covered this story.

By: Jean Wickford

Jean Wickford — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:16:17 +0000

I am so sorry you had to suffer this disgrace. I hope you peruse this legally, although the legal system’s a joke. Perhaps you should take your story to the local media.

By: David Johnson

David Johnson — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 02:56:07 +0000

1. I am not sure what possible police purpose is served by asking about the funding for Driving Equality. This suggests to me that he was acting on general, unsubstantiated suspicion.

2. You have outlined several possible instances of wrongful conduct. The key is not to let this drop. I am sure that the police count on interstate travelers’ “moving on” and forgetting about the abuse.