New Hampshire Underground

New Hampshire Underground => General Discussion => Outside "The Shire" => Topic started by: Silent_Bob on January 09, 2017, 08:44 AM NHFT

Title: Deputies mistake kitty litter for meth; after 3 days in jail, suspect cleared
Post by: Silent_Bob on January 09, 2017, 08:44 AM NHFT
http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/local-news/deputies-mistake-kitty-litter-for-meth-after-3-days-in-jail-suspect-cleared/637136576

A Houston man has been cleared of a drug charge after authorities realized he'd been arrested for possession of kitty litter.

"They thought they had the biggest bust in Harris County," Ross LeBeau said. "This was the bust of the year for them."

A traffic stop in early December led to the discovery of almost half a pound of what deputies believed to be methamphetamine.

The deputies arrested LeBeau and sent out a press release, including a mug shot, describing the bust.

According to authorities, the arrest was due to deputies finding a sock filled with what they believed to be methamphetamine. It was actually kitty litter that LeBeau kept in his car to reduce fog in his windows.

After the arrest, LeBeau was fingerprinted and booked into a jail where he spent three days before being released.

The problem came after two field tests, performed by deputies, came back positive for meth.

Later a third test was conducted by the county's forensic lab which revealed that the kitty litter was not a controlled substance. The case was later dismissed.

Although LeBeau says the accusation caused him to lose work, he doesn't blame the deputies. According to LeBeau's attorney the field tests could have been the problem.

"Ultimately it might be bad testing equipment that they need to re-evaluate," attorney George Reul said.

Currently, Lebeau will work to expunge his record.

"I was wrongly accused," LeBeau said. "I'm going to do everything in my power to clear my name"...by Haley Hoar, hhoar@easttexasmatters.com
Title: Re: Deputies mistake kitty litter for meth; after 3 days in jail, suspect cleared
Post by: Becky Thatcher on January 09, 2017, 09:42 AM NHFT
Although LeBeau says the accusation caused him to lose work, he doesn't blame the deputies.

It's kind of hard to feel much sympathy for someone who is such a boot licker.  I would most assuredly blame the deputies.  They're idiots.  Just goes to show the field tests can show anything the authorities want it to show.

It's also interesting that he has to work to expunge his record and clear his name.  Shouldn't the deputies be doing that?  They're the ones who screwed him and put his picture in the paper.