Oklahoma DA halts I-40 drug stops after criticism
By Nolan Clay Published: July 21, 2013
HINTON — After seizing more than $1 million in cash in drug stops this year, a district attorney has suspended further roadside busts by his task force because of growing criticism over a private company's participation.
His prosecutors have dropped all criminal cases arising from the drug stops, The Oklahoman was told. Some seized money is being returned. The attorney general's office is investigating one complaint some seized funds went missing.
“I'm shocked,” a Caddo County special judge said July 2.
The judge spoke at a hearing after learning the private company's owner pulled over a pregnant driver along Interstate 40 and questioned her even though he is not a state-certified law enforcement officer.
“For people to pull over people on I-40 without that license is shocking to me,” Special Judge David A. Stephens said.
The judge said he hoped Joe David, owner of Desert Snow LLC, wouldn't do it again.
“If you do, I hope to see you soon, wearing orange,” the judge said, referring to the color of jail clothes in Caddo County.
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From the article:
He signed a one-of-its-kind contract in January to pay the Guthrie-based company 25 percent of any funds seized during actual training days. He agreed to pay the company 10 percent of funds seized by his task force on other days when the company trainers weren't present.
Most stops have been along a 21-mile stretch of I-40 in the rolling hills of Caddo County.
Sometimes, no drugs were found and no one was arrested, but task force officers took money found in the vehicles anyway after a drug-sniffing dog got excited.
