This is the story of Stephanie Mohr, a dedicated young professional who once served
as an honored officer with the Prince George County Police Department of the State of Maryland.
She was on patrol with her police dog one night, when a call came in concerning two
men who were spotted on a nearby store roof, in Takoma Park (an area subjected at that time to many burglaries).
Officer Mohr responded, spotted the suspects, and ordered them to come down from the
roof. One of the suspects made a move understood as an attempt to flee.
Officer Mohr released her dog to perform the standard "bite and hold" action the dog
was trained to do. The suspect was thus successfully detained by the dog and the appropriate arrest was made and, incidentlly,
was also monitored by a police helicopter overhead.
The suspect pleaded guilty, was sentenced to time served and deported back to Mexico.
And, in case you might be wondering, he was properly convicted of illegally entering the United States and his partner in
crime was similarly convicted and additionally charged and covicted for selling crack cocaine and was also deported.
They had also both been charged with 4th degree burglary.
That happened back in 1995. Five years later, the U.S. Department of Justice
was looking for what they chose to call "police brutality" cases and decided to indict the officer for somehow managing to
violate the criminal's civil rights by allowing her police dog to retain the suspect by using the standard "bite and hold"
method that was required.
Never mind that she was only following her taining and the accepted procedure.
She was charged.
In court, fellow officers testified that she had done her job by the book. The
jury agreed (11 to 1) and she was acquitted.
Various special interest groups furiously declared that the arrest was an act of racism
and demanded an investigation and further action.
The U.S. Department of Justice bowed to the pressure and agreed to a second trial and
with a jury that was stacked with sympathetic minorities. The second trial was described as a circus of misinformation
and political maneuvering.
And what was the result? The young lady, the mother of a little boy, was summarily
convicted and sentenced to prison for 10 years! She has been in the Alderson, West Virginia prison ever since.
Is there any hope for this poor soul? There might be a ray of hope, but it will
be up to you and me to help to make right this terrible wrong.
The Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund is trying to help as best it can, but financial
resources are always very limited. They are trying to raise the necessary money to fund an appeal for a new trial.
The U.S. Department of Justice has unlimited federal tax dollars they can spend.
The young lady in prison has nothing.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent and additional information can be obtained through
David Martin, Chairman of the Law Enformcement Legal Defense Fund, P.O. Box 7011, Merrifield, VA 22116. Also feel free
to communicate with their national headquarters at 1611 North Kent Street - Suite 901, Arlington, VA 22209.
There are so many situations like this out there now. Our beloved nation is being
turned upsidedown. This is one of our few chances to do something about it.
