DON’T TALK TO THE POLICE! Moweaqua, IL Police Officer invited into home, then forcibly disarmed resident and arrested him

So bodycam making the  rounds shows a man arrested outside of Moweaqua by the boys in blue there.  Yes, the small town of Moweaqua in Central Illinois.  Population about 1700.  The small town PD knocked on his door and asked if they could “talk” with the resident (Andrew?) about some things.  Mr. Resident (foolishly) invited them in and (foolishly) started talking with them as if he was one of their buddies.  Andrew was too smart by half though.

Seeing that Andrew was open carrying and given the nature of the call relating to allegations that Andrew had a habit of running his mouth threatening people, the officers were “uncomfortable” with him being armed in their presence.  In addition to sporting a gun, this Andrew guy wore an old EMS/EMT shirt.  At one point he said he worked for fifteen years as an EMT.  It’s as if he was trying to build rapport representing that he played on the same “team” of first responders.

First responders, like most good guys, don’t usually threaten people in their off-duty time though.

Anyway, Andrew declined their request to let them take custody of the gun he wore on his body in his own home.

To make a long story short, even after he revoked consent for them to be in his house, they wrestled the gun away from him and arrested him.

I called and spoke with a couple of folks there in Moweaqua yesterday, including the mayor.  Madame Mayor said they (as the city) stood 100% behind the officers and the case was moving through the courts in Macon County.

I left a message with the police chief.  I explained that I’d give him an opportunity to shape the story I was going to write.  He didn’t call back.  So he’s getting the first round of publicity his department so richly deserves.

In talking with another involved person, someone I trust completely, it seems the homeowner guy made some threats against some folks including people at a food bank.  The threats were ambiguous and the cops were there to flesh them out to see if there was criminal intent or if it was just a case of logorrhea – (diarrhea of the mouth).

Analysis

Mr. “I was an EMT for 15 years” seemingly had a propensity to run his mouth about how he was going to “burn people down” – he even admitted it to the cops after they cuffed him.  The homeowner didn’t do himself any favors by playing lawyer after he was all cuffed up.  He had a serious case of logorrhea which won’t look good to a jury.  In fact, one could say he was a bona fide asshole.

He told the officers he was going to “end them.”  Careers, pensions, etc. he later clarified.  Given the types of threats he reportedly made against others, this guy has a habit of threatening people.  The more of this video I watch, the more I think this loud-mouthed weak little man is kind of a scourge of the community.

He also had a hand injury that looks like it might have been a boxer’s break.  Could it have been from punching a wall in a fit of anger?  Just askin’ the obvious question.

On the other hand…
On the other hand, the officer said, and I quote, “We’re just tryin’ to talk with him” as they were going hands-on with him to disarm the man in his own home.  I suspect that the courts would look at this and classify it as a “knock and talk” visit.  When the man revoked his permission for the police to be there, they SHOULD HAVE left the property.

Moreover, the man made no overt threats to access the gun or to use force against the cops before or during the struggle.

But instead of leaving the property and following up at a later time, they persisted in disarming him.  And then they arrested him because he allegedly kicked one of the cops as he resisted their arguably unlawful attempt to disarm him in his own home without cause.  That earned him a charge.  In fairness, given the nature of the investigation I could see a judge saying the cops could disarm him for officer safety.

The situation could have been better handled by the officers.  The officers should have practiced de-escalation and left when Andrew declined their request to disarm him while at a “knock and talk.”

It would have been easy enough to pick him up when he went to the store or the food bank or wherever.  Or to return another day and politely “talk” with him to learn more about the true nature of the threats.

Generally speaking, absent exigent circumstances (such as chasing a fleeing suspect, or stopping a violent crime like a strangling or stabbing in progress – which this clearly wasn’t) or a warrant, police are not supposed to remain on your property absent consent when engaging in a “knock and talk” visit with someone.   In the real world though, if you admit them into your home, they’re staying there until they are good and ready to leave.  Granted, anything they discover after permission to remain on the property has been revoked will likely be rejected at an evidence suppression hearing, you’re pretty much stuck with them until they decide to go.

Helpful hint:  Unless you called police for service, don’t let them into your home.

Here’s the video:

Here is some advice…

If police ever show up at your house and want to ask you questions, immediately lawyer up.  NOTHING YOU SAY CAN BE USED TOWARDS YOUR DEFENSE IN COURT!  You literally have no reason to answer police questioning, even if you’re not a suspect.  Close your pie hole.  Close your front door.  Sure if cops ring the doorbell to tell you that your neighbor’s place is on fire and they’re offering to help you evacuate your family, or that your neighbors saw a burglar climb through your basement window and they believe he’s still inside, that’s one thing.  If they want to ask you questions, decline.

Once again, if you have police outside and you didn’t call them for service, DON’T let them inside your home.  And better yet, don’t feel one bit obligated to speak with them.  It is NOT in your interest to do so.

Get the whole family together and watch this amusing educational video on why you should NOT talk to the police.

It’s a shame it’s come to this.   Just like gun owners, the vast majority of police officers are good people.  Problem is there’s enough bad apples out there that if you encounter one, it can have catastrophic consequences to your life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.  And your pocketbook.  Especially when you add your firearms to the mix.

Let’s put it another way.  It’s widely known that cops generally assume everyone is a bad guy until they’ve satisfied themselves otherwise.  As a reasonable and prudent person, you should view with suspicion every police officer you encounter as potentially a bad one until you satisfy yourself they aren’t.

They call it officer safety.  You can call it life-safety.

Bottom line:  I’m SO glad I don’t live in Moweaqua, because I’m not putting my gun away to talk with anyone.  If my gun isn’t welcome, I’m not either.  And if you come on my property and want me to disarm so you feel more comfortable, you’re more than welcome to step your pansy ass right off my property no matter who you are and go self-procreate with a rusty chainsaw.

And while Andrew the gun-toting resident clearly seems to be a borderline belligerent asshole, even assholes have rights.  And if we don’t defend Andrew’s rights, tomorrow or the next day, the government’s agents might be infringing on our rights.