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Friday, June 22, 2007

ANOKA COUNTY/ couples drug bust complaint is upheld

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posted by Bob at Friday, June 22, 2007

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Anoka County / Couple's drug bust complaint is upheld
3 officers who raided house could face disciplinary action
BY MARY BAUER
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 06/21/2007 11:21:02 PM CDT


Three members of a drug task force who stormed into the home of a Spring Lake Park couple during a busted sting operation in February face possible reprimands.

Anoka County sheriff's officials said Thursday that an investigation validated the couple's complaints, which included allegations that officers screamed profanities and pushed guns in their faces.

Sheriff's Capt. Bob Aldrich declined to name the officers, saying the disciplinary action is not yet complete. The three people came from the sheriff's office, Brooklyn Center police and Fridley police, and officials in each jurisdiction will determine what discipline - if any - is meted out, he said.

Nicole and Brad Thompson, who were forced to the floor at gunpoint, said they were grateful but frustrated.

"That's good news to us," said Nicole Thompson, after hearing their complaints had been sustained. But she still wants to know the officers' names and what will happen to them.

"We're still left in the dark: What's being done about it, what action is being taken, who is it against? We're far from satisfied," she said.

Details of the complaint and findings have not been released. Officials would not say Thursday what parts of the couple's complaints were confirmed or when Anoka County completed the investigation.

Thompson said she believes the investigation was finished weeks ago.

She said they were notified of the ruling in a two-sentence e-mail Wednesday from the sheriff's office - but only after the couple and their attorney had repeatedly e-mailed and called asking for information.
The incident stems from a drug sting in which a suspected drug dealer chose the couple's front steps, apparently at random, for an attempted sale to a task force informant.

When the suspect tried to rob the informant, the task force moved in, spilling into the couple's home.

As they searched the house, an officer held a gun in Nicole Thompson's face, had her lie on the ground and said he would shoot her if she moved, Thompson has said.

The officers held the couple for several minutes before letting them go after realizing they were innocent, police reports say.

Anoka County sheriff's officials have apologized to the couple several times, Aldrich said.

"But those people weren't here," Nicole Thompson said of the apologists. "We've gotten zero communication from the guys who actually did it."

One of the task force members they did speak with denied swearing at or threatening them, they said.

Nicole Thompson said she startles when their teenage daughter comes home at night. Brad Thompson breaks into a sweat discussing the incident, and he said he is disturbed by the communication with investigators. The couple said they have been unable to obtain any documents related to their complaint.

"It's a great feeling to know that someone in our county is going to respond to what happened to us," he said. "It's not nearly enough."

Mary Bauer can be reached at mbauer@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5311.

11:08 AM  

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