Crime of the Day: Possession

March, 2010 - Crime: Criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of hollow-point bullets, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Weewaken, New Jersey - Donald Martin West, a Tennessean with a CCW, and a companion were stopped at the mouth of the Lincoln Tunnel for a traffic violation. Police discovered during the stop that the individuals had loaded firearms with hollow-point bullets, handcuffs, cigars filled with marijuana, and pot pipes.

March, 2010 - Crime: Trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell

Wilmington, North Carolina - Due to a report of a suspicious vehicle, police were called to the Travelodge at 1:00 AM to investigate. The car belonged to Calvin Coolidge Underdue, a CCW permit holder. If police thought Calvin was nervous when they got there, they knew something was up when they called in the K-9 squad. Why? Because Calvin fainted.

Police found 300 grams of cocaine, $1,680 dollars and a .22 Magnum.

Crime: Four counts of felony possession of drugs

Franklin, New Hampshire - David Alan Johnson, a CCW permit holder, pulled into the wrong driveway at the wrong time. The owner of the driveway was speaking to the police chief when he pulled up and informed police that he didn't want David on his property and that he was probably carrying drugs on him. When the police went to his car to tell him that the property owner didn't want him there, he smelled pot.

Further investigation found that he was carrying multiple prescription drugs and $30,000 worth of cocaine. More coke was discovered when they searched his home, as well as pot.

Oh, and he was out on bail for drug charges in a nearby town.

A Story That Will Break Your Heart

September, 2009 - Crime: Impersonating a police officer
San Rafael, Florida - Back in 2002, police officer named Timothy McGinley was involved in a car crash which caused a serious brain injury. The injury, unfortunately, cost Officer McGinley his career in law enforcement.

[Those who work with individuals will tell you that people who suffer from TBI (Traumatic brain injuries) will tell you it can effect not only cognitive processes but also emotional processes and personality. While the article does not state directly the impairments Officer McGinley suffered, I wanted to make note that the behavior discussed in the article could very well have been the result of his disability. That said, this is solely this blogger's opinion and not gospel. ed]

Four years later, Mr. McGinley was arrested for walking into a church with a concealed weapon and three controlled substances. After posting bond, he made the poor choice of returning to the church and confronting the minister. The police were once again called and this time Mr. McGinley showed them a police badge and a card which stated "Sworn CCW for life". When the police verified that Mr. McGinley was no longer a police officer, he was arrested again.

This month, after a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Mr. McGinley was arrested for violating his parole. While in police custody, Tim McGinley hung himself in his jail cell.

While there are multitudes of tragedies connected to this story, this blog is dedicated to CCW. It is unfathomable that an individual with a disabling brain injury would be permitted to get a permit since the mental and emotional disablity is permanent.

Our prayers are with Tim McGinley's family.

Update August 11, 2009

August 2009 - Crimes: Domestic Violence - Murder

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20090809/NEWS01/908090310



Heath, Ohio - Robert Channel and his wife, Vicki had been in a domestic violence cycle for some time. This cycle had involved the criminal justice system. And yet he was able to get a concealed carry permit. He was also able to then murder his wife and then commit suicide.



August 2009 - Crimes: Criminal recklessness, intimidation with a weapon, pointing a loaded weapon, resisting law enforcement

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/aug/09/man-accused-pointing-gun-threatening-party-goers/



Mount Vernon, Indiana - Benjamin Bredemeier, a CCW permit holder, showed up at a party uninvited because he had heard that his ex-girl friend and her new boyfriend would be attending. He attempted to provoke a fight with the new boyfriend and when asked to leave the home he pointed the gun in the person's face. He later told investigators that he wanted to confront his girlfriend, get his property back and that he was upset about the end of their relationship.



August 2009 - Crimes: Production of marijuana and possession of an explosive devices

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-guns-drugs-nudity-081009,0,7118287.story



Kissimee, Florida - William Scott Clark, a CCW permit holder was arrested for cultivating approximately 40 pot plants. When his trailer was searched, his girlfriend admitted to the cultivation but stated that Clark had moved the plants. The plants were discovered at a friends house with Clark's Mac-11 submachine gun, a .50 caliber sniper rifle, Browning semi-automatics mounted on tripods, live mortar rounds, launching tubes and several home made bombs.



August 2009 - Crimes: Possession of a firearm on school grounds, trespassing on school property with a weapon and resisting officers without violence.

http://www.sunjournal.com/node/103159



Miami, Florida - Jeffrey Weinsier, a reporter at a local television station, had obtained a CCW permit after receiving death threats due to a prior new story. When he was scheduled to do a report at a local high school, he was asked by the safety office not to bring his firearm onto school property due to state laws. He had two choices, he could lock his firearm in the news van or he could do the story next to schol property. Jeff decided to take the road less travelled and take the third option and had to pay an $11,000 bond for the privileges.

Update August 7, 2009

August, 2009 - Crime: Drug possession

Columbus, Ohio - Former OSU football player and CCW permit holder, Timothy (T. J.) Downing was found guilty of possession of marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs after a routine car stop due to no front plate. T. J. was also in possession of a loaded .40 caliber weapon which was improperly stored.