Minnesota aims to fine family farmers $500 per day
GRAND MARAIS, MN — A family farm faces fines and devastating state intervention as they fight for the right to feed their community natural, wholesome products.
4th amendment
CBP agents prone out disabled teacher for carrying legal items through checkpoint
MARFA, TX — A Texas teacher has filed a complaint against Customs and Border Patrol, citing multiple instances of being searched and harassed at domestic checkpoints for no reason.
Police use high-tech radar to warrantlessly monitor people inside their homes
WICHITA, KS — Documents have revealed that authorities are now using high-tech radar devices to “see” occupants’ movement inside their homes. Despite drawing constitutionality questions about warrantless searches, a federal court has upheld evidence that was obtained after using the device.
Truck drivers jailed for 19 days after exercising rights at federal checkpoint
LAREDO, TX — A long-haul truck driver was arrested and detained for 19 days after invoking his rights at an internal federal checkpoint on a highway in Texas.
FBI bypasses denial in FISA court by writing its own search warrants
Even the sparse amount of judicial oversight on the FBI on issues of national security can be easily bypassed or ignored completely.
Supreme Court: Searches that spawn from illegitimate traffic stops are now OK in court
The Supreme Court struck another blow to the Bill of Rights with its 8-1 decision to expand police power in situations where police perform traffic stops based on imaginary laws. The Heien v. North Carolina decision held that an officer’s “reasonable mistake of law” can lead to an allowable search and arrest for contraband.
Intelligence bill bolsters warrantless spying on U.S. citizens
WASHINGTON, D.C. –- With virtually no warning or debate, the Intelligence Authorization Act for 2015 (H.R. 4681) was rushed to the House floor and passed, containing a dangerous section which for the first time, statutorily authorizes spying on U.S. citizens without legal process.
U.S. Postal Service ‘mail imaging’ program used for law enforcement, surveillance
The U.S. Postal Service runs a massive dragnet surveillance program of all the mail in the United States; enabling law enforcement to generate profiles of associations and contacts of every American.
FBI uses fake ‘Associated Press’ article to infect computer with government spyware
OLYMPIA, WA — The FBI created a fake online newspaper article, masquerading as the Seattle Times, and used it to covertly install spyware on a targeted individual’s computer.
Armed guards enforce city-wide quarantine of Muncie, Indiana (1893)
MUNCIE, IN — In 1893, an outbreak of smallpox caused public health officials to take drastic, draconian measures to prevent the spread of disease. The unpopular, violent quarantine that followed provides a memorable case study of the failings of forcible mandatory quarantine of a city.
DEA set up fake Facebook account to impersonate woman and spy on her friends
WATERTOWN, NY — A woman has filed a federal lawsuit after a DEA agent set up a fake online profile in her name, complete with personal information, personal photographs, and fraudulently attributed messages. The Department of Justice claims that government agents have the right to commandeer citizens’ identities in the pursuance of law enforcement.
FBI agents cut internet access, pose as repairmen to perform warrantless search
LAS VEGAS, NV — To investigate a purported case of untaxed sports betting, federal agents turned off internet access to three luxury hotel suites then impersonated repair technicians to covertly get inside and collect evidence. The FBI contends that this ploy is sufficient “consent” to perform warrantless searches in private residences.
Police impose checkpoints, deploy drones at high school football game
SUMMERVILLE, SC — Fans were startled by the heavy presence of police officers, drone surveillance, and warrantless checkpoints upon entry of the local football game.
Secret Service pressured local cops to fake a warrant and commit illegal search
NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville police chief has blown the whistle about how U.S. Secret Service agents pressured his officers to fake a warrant and help them commit a warrantless search of a man’s home.
County justifies warrantless raids because cannabis plants are an ‘immediate danger’
Despite the legally-recognized violations of hundreds of individuals’ constitutional rights, there is no indication that the lawless behavior on behalf of the police will result in any officer or official facing discipline, termination, or criminal charges.
Police raid tavern, lock doors, forcibly search dozens of patrons
LOUISVILLE, KY — Police performed a surprise raid on a popular dive bar, detained dozens of people and forced them all to endure warrantless searches before being allowed to leave.
Ferguson, Missouri, likened to a ‘war zone’ following riots and police response
FERGUSON, MO — Following the homicide of a teen in a controversial police shooting, the town of Ferguson has seen a mixture of emotional prayer vigils, peaceful protests, wanton property damage, violent riots, and suppressive police tactics. The disorder has elicited disturbing imagery that has been likened to a “war zone.”
FBI, police surround Michigan town with checkpoints, stop & question every vehicle
ARMADA, MI — Long lines of traffic formed as travelers attempted to enter or leave the Village of Armada; government agents roadblocked all routes around town and put every driver under scrutiny as part of a massive murder investigation.
Police faked 9-1-1 phone calls to warrantlessly search homes
DURHAM, NC — A dubious police tactic has come to light, in which officers used falsified information in order to gain ‘consent’ to search private properties without a warrant.
Two homes forcibly commandeered by police, innocent homeowners arrested
HENDERSON, NV — Police forcibly commandeered homes from two innocent families because they wanted to use the properties to surveil a neighbor. After their plan was denied by phone request, police conspired and executed a plan to break into the homes and arrest the innocent homeowners, a lawsuit reveals.