Could it be that there is a lot more going on in Canton Ohio than just Hope Steffy

It would appear that the tax payers in Ohio might be paying a high price for maintaining the Septic Tank they refer to as their legal system. Mike from GoldIron passed the following along involving some teenage girls 14, 15, 16 after they were charged with "criminal trespass on a public sidewalk????????????"

Here’s what happened, according to the lawsuit (article here):

"It started with a youth leader, or guard, screaming at them. When the girls giggled out of surprise, the man continued to scream and pushed them against a wall, faces first.

The guard then took the girls to the second floor. Once there, he and two other guards, a man and a woman, made disparaging remarks about the girls, commenting on one’s breasts.

In front of other inmates, the guards made more comments of a sexual nature, asking one girl “whether she liked boys” and saying “other female inmates will love you because they love blondes.”

The female guard then led the girls, separately, into a room where they were told to remove their clothes, squat and cough, open their mouths, lift their breasts and shake their hair.

During the search, the male guards stood in the hallway, laughing, and making comments such as, “I bet they don’t think it’s funny now,” the lawsuit says.

After the searches, the female guard gave the girls filthy underwear, bras and uniforms worn by other inmates. After at least half an hour inside the Attention Center, the guards told the girls they had 30 seconds to change their clothes or they would have to stay overnight, the lawsuit says. The plaintiffs are seeking more than $25,000 in damages."

AND of the reluctance to INVESTIGATE................................

"CANTON, OHIO - The attorney representing three teenage Massillon girls who are claiming they were abused when they were strip searched at the Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center in May has asked the state’s attorney general to look into the matter.

Attorney Brian Zimmerman, who represents the three families in a civil lawsuit filed with the Stark County Common Pleas Court, said Tuesday that he contacted Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann when Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero said last week that no criminal charges would be pursued.

Zimmerman said an independent investigation is needed because Ferrero’s office is already on record as representing county employees named in the civil lawsuit.

“That is a conflict of interest,” Zimmerman said.

Ferrero said his office has done nothing wrong.

“Stark County Sheriff Tim Swanson’s office investigated this matter,” Ferrero said. “All we did was review that investigation and determine if any laws had been broken.”....................................."

Ahem! And just how much to you pay a fox to guard the hen house????????

The story goes on to state, and yes it does get more absurd:

"The girls were at the Attention Center in May after being charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing in March. They were among 20 teens arrested at Whittier Elementary by the newly formed Street Crimes Unit.
............................."

Let us see if'n we can figure out how this works. Theres an uncontrollable crime wave ripping through the city. Oh my God, we must do something to protect the women and children. OK,
we will have an emergency meeting where we will create the, ta da, "newly formed Street Crimes Unit." But wait, what shall we do with this newly created street crimes unit that we have created to keep our streets safe for our women and children? AH HA! UNLEASH THEM ON THE WOMAN AND CHILDREN!!!

"But a “tour” in this case, Zimmerman said, meant putting the girls in cells at the facility.

That included a strip search, the attorney said, and that is against the law.

“Ohio law states that a strip search can only be done with medical personal present and there has to be probable cause that a weapon or contraband will be found,” Zimmerman said.................................."

Mr. Zimmerman please, how naive. Do you mean to say it is your contention that the law should obey the law???? Oh wait apparently that is what you are saying.

"Zimmerman said Ferrero’s first duty is to protect the citizens of the county and that includes keeping teenage girls free of strip searches from government personnel."

Mr. Zimmerman we commend your stand. Now let us tell you how to insure the high sheriff and his minions get a healthy respect for the law.

1. Give them a tour of general population in the state prison.

2. Announce over the loud speaker they are cops.

3. Then announce they have been strip searching wives and daughters.

4. Lock the Freaking door and walk away.

Oh my Goodness, look what we found on the Sheriff's website regarding the safe operation his jail:

"- Staff misconduct
This is not tolerated and every step is taken to ensure that it does not exist. Our staff is professional and they are trained and recruited for this purpose.

I reckon we could compare the high Sheriff and his minions to jack boot Nazis running their private little police state right here in America. Nah, we couldn't do that, could we?Add to Technorati Favorites

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