Oklahoma Lawmaker Wants Grand Jury Investigation of ATF RaidLiberty Park Press By Lee Williams 10/27/2023
SAF Investigative Journalism Project
If Oklahoma State Representative Justin “JJ” Humphrey gets his way, the ATF agents who raided his constituent’s home last June will all be arrested and charged with multiple state crimes as well as civil rights violations.
Humphrey, who has served as a law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, prepared a probable cause affidavit that he presented to the Oklahoma Attorney General, which outlines the crimes and civil rights violations he believes ATF agents committed when they sent a 12-man SWAT team to the Tuskahoma, Oklahoma home of Russell Fincher, a federal firearm licensee who also teaches high school and serves as a Baptist pastor.
“The Oklahoma Attorney General referred it to the U.S. Attorney General, but we want to get it to a state grand jury,” Humphrey said.
“We don’t want the feds investigating the feds. Let’s get it before an Oklahoma grand jury.”ATF Agents disabled Fincher’s security cameras and then seized more than 50 of his firearms, which were valued at more than $60,000. They later offered to pay him $10 per gun. To date, Fincher has not been charged with any crime.
“I struggle with seeking charges against fellow police officers. However, it appears ATF is abusing their police powers and violating their oaths of office. I believe the ATF has committed crimes and violated Fincher’s civil rights and due process of law,” Humphrey wrote in the probable cause affidavit, which he also submitted to Pushmataha County Sheriff B.J. Hedgecock.
When he first began looking into the raid, Humphrey asked ATF for a copy of the search warrant. “They refused,” he said. “I’ve been an officer for 30-plus years. They were supposed to leave a copy of the search warrant at Russell’s home. It spells out their probable cause.”
According to his affidavit, Humphrey believes the ATF agents violated the following state statutes:
• 21-1483. Extortion or attempted extortion.
• 21-1485. Obtaining signature by extortion.
• 21-1484. Extortion under color of official right.
• 21-1268. Making Terroristic Threats.
• 21-1993.Tampering with or disabling security or surveillance camera or security systems.
He also believes the agents violated Fincher’s civil rights, specifically the Second, Fourth, Fifth and Tenth Amendments.
More:
https://www.libertyparkpress.com/oklahoma-lawmaker-wants-grand-jury-investigation-of-atf-raid/