California police department apologizes more than 6 years after calling kidnapping a hoax

More than six years after a Vallejo woman was kidnapped, the Vallejo Police Department is publicly apologizing for calling her and her then-boyfriend liars. Matthew Muller is serving a 40-year prison sentence for kidnapping Denise Huskins. He's also now facing state charges; kidnapping for ransom, two counts of forcible rape, robbery, burglary and false imprisonment. abc7ne.ws/3z1qB5r
#gonegirl #kidnapping #vallejo

[@projectkj7643]

I can’t imagine going through all that and being found guilty in the court of incompetence. They didn’t even investigate before they passed public-shaming judgement!

[@juliaweber212]

Exactly

[@jcarroll135]

Even worse is how the acted AFTER learning they were wrong!! Disgusting!

[@Ang.0910]

An email apology is NOT good enough!

[@Beastw1ck]

I’m starting to believe I should not call the police for literally any reason.

[@Bryman5000]

Expect to be guilty of protecting yourself.

[@daryl3642]

You definitely don’t talk to them without an attorney present. And you never under any circumstance take a lie detector test conducted by police. They don’t care what the results are, they will always tell you you failed it to put added pressure on you.

[@carama3590]

Please don’t think that way I know so many good law-enforcement. I have law-enforcement throughout my family from pentagon FBI to the daily beat and I can honestly say these are phenomenal people don’t let a couple bad Apples ruins some thing that could be really really serious for you. They are Lifesavers.

[@alain4037]

​@@carama3590sadly the amount of bad apples in the world don't care about the rest. 99 good things don't make up the 1 bad thing. As long as human nature is a thing, this will always be the case.

[@brandi66RN]

The only thing that happens by calling 🐽🐽🐽 is that more problems are created, and even people who do the calling, end up arrested.

[@propblast82nd]

The detective should be in prison !

[@misterb6416]

Yes, but he was actually awarded police officer of the year instead.

[@kepecos]

How pathetic that it took them 6 years to apologize.

[@mwatts6755]

Imagine how many innocent people are in jail because of police like Detective Mustard? Tragic!

[@mysticangel000]

Take it another step. They are more likely to give death sentences based on certain appearance factors… how many people who hadn’t hurt a fly were executed by the state… disproportionately a ton of them not white.

[@Cindylogan480]

Right ! That’s crazy, they need to investigate all his cases ! Evil crook.

[@funkoninja1422]

It's very suspicious that the FBI guy used to date the ex Andrea and she was supposed to be the target 🎯 that's why it wasn't investigated because he was in on it , watch the netflix show and you'll see, this is unbelievable, such a shame for them both and the police should all get sacked, the police officer woman who cracked the case deserves a medal 🥇

[@thechrisdavidshow]

The fbi agent had to be one of the guys in the other room before the second rape. Muller tells her they were worse than him.

[@JordanHourGlassDJ]

The City of Vallejo is going to be forking over a hefty amount for this "APOLOGY"

[@threegoodeyes7400]

2.5 mil

[@lour9348]

@@threegoodeyes7400 should have been 20.5 million

[@NavyWife]

@@threegoodeyes7400 This is not enough considering what the police department put an innocent couple through.

[@pennylan6466]

People break the law and are out right thugs, shoot at police and the family gets get $39 million, and this couple only gets 2.5 million? Look up Korryn Gains.

[@charliblake8551]

Not nearly enough! 2.5mil is NOTHING given what these people were put through!

[@deathbytouch4252]

No this need to be a live statement on video and the Previous police chief who very publicly dragged them needs to be stripped of his pension or any other benefits because this was criminal negligence

[@grilledsleaze]

👏👏👏

[@incognito4522]

AGREE!

[@lour9348]

The police in Vallejo obviously want to work easy cases - but times have changed. We live in a world of diabolical people, police need to step up and do their job, no matter what the crime instead of assuming through their own narrow life lenses! Geez this case and the police response to it is below amateur hour!!!

[@busterhymen9825]

Mustard is an embarrassment to law enforcement.

[@user-sl5td9uh7q]

Aaron: this is exactly what happened in as much detail as I can remember Police: not it’s not

[@jcarroll135]

I can't believe how disgusting this department acted in this case! First off No one can blame them for not believing this man's story, however they had absolutely no right to not treat it like a true account and proceed with caution! The fools didn't even make an attempt at being open minded! So many of the things they did were 100% wrong, and they had no reason to not even TRY to investigate his claims!! Then, for them to promote the man who victimized these victims again and again, not ONE time did they stop to ask What if.. disgusting behavior by not only him, but also from those who had NO REGARD for what their mistakes cost this family!!! Horrible!! Just Horrible!

[@sheikalamore100]

I wonder if any of the people that went on social media and bashed her ever apologized to her.

[@Angela-cd9bj]

So very sad & shame on the investigators 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

[@sandis700]

The trembling of her chin makes me just want to hug her and never let go!

[@awright119021]

So there are hoaxes and we've seen them. However, if you don't have actual proof that it's a hoax, then you keep investigating the possible crime! They didn't even keep the guys phone on in case the kidnapper contacted him, which he did! They took it from him and put it on airplane mode so none of the messages were seen until later. You do not just claim something is a hoax just because it's a weird case. There are incredibly weird cases all the time! Terrible police work by everyone involved.

[@chatnoir60609]

They could've actually save her!! that part of the netflix documentary was too hard to digest, actually everything make me nauseous and left me in tears for hours.

[@raqueljones6607]

People can never see how anyone could falsely admit to a crime. Look at this educated, well off, articulate man. He said he started questioning his sanity and that maybe he did have some sort of episode. Now imagine someone that doesn’t have all the opportunities in life. Wow! People need to open their minds a little and look beyond Love the ones you love.

[@TheOneanjel]

Show me where he said that he thought he had an episode? I've seen 2 docs on this and he didn't day anything of the sort on them. He thought he was going to prison for something he didn't do.

[@augustrush7538]

The apology should come from that police officer, (Asian individual), Just proper that he “Eats Crow” with such a Bold Attitude, There has to be culpability somewhere! (Unless your main stream media/Journalist) Then you can get away with Saying anything. - Similar to law-enforcement agencies, /City/ federal government.

[@geofreak75]

No telling how many innocent people were convicted due to their laziness and tunnel vision. Total incompetence for law enforcement!

[@CarisstaRashele]

The fact that they couldn’t even LOOK THE COUPLE IN THE EYES and apologize says EVERYTHING. They more than likely didn’t even type that email personally and had their assistant do it, that’s what makes me want to vomit most. That wasn’t sincere what so ever and that’s clear as day. Victim blaming just because they find the situation to hard to believe? Wow. Everything in this life that happens isn’t going to be believable because we have some super SICK, CRAZY, dirt bags in this world, but your job is to INVESTIGATE them all until the end. Not start investigating, pass judgement & then, victim blame. WHAT IF she wasn’t returned? WHAT IF because you didn’t believe her husband, you locked him up, then away the key & SHE WAS HELD CAPTIVE FOR YEARS because your incompetence???? So gross to think.

[@marlock6573]

The police chief who issued the apology was forced to resign for trying to reform the department. It's just a group of corrupt, incompetent thugs.

[@godsamazinggrace5331]

It's really sad when police department can't distinguish and discern a genuine case from a fake one

[@mysticangel000]

Thats fair, but they didn’t even try to look/figure out (the police had Quinns cellphone in their custody, on airplane mode while the kidnapper was trying to reach Quinn… and that wasn’t a flag to them this wasn’t some BS.

[@antster7]

Someone had to flunk detective school, apparently Vallejo PD hired them all.

[@b.boston8529]

Los Gatos police hired the others. Plus, they say they are too small a department and rich people only hire them to pursue certain types of cases so they weren't interested in anything else. I am sure if some of those rich people knew my concerns and fears they would have had something to say about that.

[@MissesCakes]

6 years later. I hope that the lead detectives get psychological help.

[@matthewsmith3078]

Nah, he got “Officer of the Year” award and likely promoted.

[@codename617]

He's not kidding. Look it up. Matt Mustard was awarded "Officer of The Year" the year this case was taking place. He wasn't working on anything else that came close to this case.

[@b.boston8529]

@@codename617 deplorable. They try to whitewash it, make him feel better for his "honest" mistake. They hide the shame they should own behind an award. Typical of government today. The judicial system and attorneys do it too. Santa Clara County Family Law Courts, the judges and their Bar should be ashamed of themselves. I think it is everywhere. They are corrupt and they flaunt it. The state isn't educating the legal system appropriately, especially in family law, but they also waste people's time. They favour a side from the start and make sure it benefits based on the attorney. The system is used to engineer society as they favour it, the laws are made to suit attorneys and the men in power who hire them.

[@b.boston8529]

@@codename617 a lot of time when homeless people are murdered the police write it off as suicide or due to the elements or a natural death when it is clear it is murder. It's happening all over.

[@auroramaxx]

The police department,fbi, and city should pay Aaron and Denise more than 2.5 M for this horrific injustice and incompetence.

[@juliaweber212]

Wow the police department literally dropped the ball on this couple

[@parianjan786]

I can’t believe how this horrible detective got awarded the officer of the year in 2015… shame

[@YolandaAnneBrown95726]

6 years too late....

[@harrywalker1621]

Detectives that can't detect need the be demoted or fired

[@dumest]

It's sad to see how pathetic the police can be. Undisciplined interrogators. Defaming innocent people. And then only apologizing 6 years later.

[@Ccubed92]

Well it's different people in the department at this point so they had nothing to do with this case

[@KenrickLeiba]

The apology is meaningless. Too little, too late and all words. The offending officers should be fired and stripped of awards.

[@lalamakeuprehab]

I’m glad they’re finally getting some sort of an apology!!!

[@codename617]

Vallejo Police sure gives the Chicago PD from The Fugitive a run for their money.

[@decafmocha211]

So glad they sued these corrupt officers and got $2.4 million. And that's coming from someone who supports the Police.

[@osagenative1791]

Not handled with "sensitivity"? More like not handled with basic human decency or intelligence. The Vallejo police dept needs to be charged and sent to prisom alongside Muller!

[@albeit1]

So weird. I would have thought Vallejo had the most intelligent detectives in the Bay Area.

[@pennylan6466]

It’s mostly dangerous

[@alexhuerta6842]

They never caught the zodiac killer

[@bigmotoxer]

Ahh nope they sure don't

[@mdcnmn]

The people of this town deserve way more for their tax dollars.

[@mizunoMP100]

I cannot believe how law enforcement can act so blind, deaf and without respect of the task at hand. They even had the opportunity to trace the kidnapper through Aaron's phone immediately but they did nothing other than to try and portray Aaron as a cold blooded murderer. When that didn't work (when Denise returned) the police just jumped on her. And not to forget, that the police had great "help" from the FBI as well. And as icing on the cake, the police department awarded the looser Mustard "detective of the year".

[@marilynkirby-roach187]

I just watched their story on American Nightmare, and I have to say I’m appalled at the actions of the Vallejo Ca police dept., and the FBI in this case. No wonder women don’t want to come forth when they’ve been assaulted. In my opinion, the Quinns shouldn’t have settled out of court for the 2.5 million. I would have dragged the entire police dept through court and through the mud. I would have made damn sure there was plenty of media there as well to cover the officers as they were shamed and called out as derelict in their duties as officers. How horrible for Aaron and especially Denise. I hope their hearts and minds de will continue to heal.

[@KAYKWILL]

WHERE OH WHERE ARE THE SMART COPS????

[@hunee8]

I understand a lot of cases seem similar but it’s sucks when authorities think it’s a case closed thinking they already know what’s up. Just sucks. Poor family.

[@Lori-xt2lf]

This had to be a conspiracy from the top.

[@zackuehn282]

The Chief, the detective Mustard, and the Asian guy took ZERO responsibility. They’ll pay dearly for it as you get what you put out there. All they did was give police an even worse name and the public zero faith in Vallejo PD. I hope they struggle with any and everything for the rest of their miserable lives.

[@ianbds6436]

The mainstream media was part of this as well. ABC NBC CNN owe an apology, also

[@juliaweber212]

Wow I don’t understand the police department

[@bigmotoxer]

So the police department apologized in some obscure writing somewhere LOL they should have apologized publicly on television the same way they decimated Aaron's character and accused the couple on mainstream tv. Those ridiculous investigators cost their department $2.5 million, I'm glad the couple were awarded that money for their actual and punitive damages! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Dreamer10888]

I stand by Denise and Aaron, god bless. Please I hope you guys are released, the whole world is now by your side Regards Another person from sydney Australia

[@blackhaze8863]

Too late to apologize

[@DjAce7da]

Those detectives thought they were so wise hahaha bet they all felt like an idiots after

[@fcporto400]

The all department needs to get fired starting with the chief

[@kityumcashcokityumcashco5740]

I wonder why people don't trust police.

[@dandaadnad529]

Here after a Criminal podcast episode. The fact that her daughter was born on the anniversary of Denise's release is chilling

[@Mr.Perry33]

Shows you how you can't trust police or the FBI

[@thomas_the_cat]

they should have not settled tbh... they'd probably gotten more for compensation in‐court, plus actually expose that police department's incompetency to the rest of america

[@bvalenz]

They probably netted $250K. $2m to lawyers, they got the other $500k - 1/2 went to the IRS

[@gl241]

Too little too late

[@sliderx1897]

So it tpp a new chief to get an apology! Smh

[@fayeray2092]

Day late dolor short. The detective that said “some woman like to relive the thrill of the rape” needs to lose his job but he got an award. This is how police deal with rape. And everyone who shot her hateful emails should hand their head in shame. And where the apology from the media?

[@juliaweber212]

They should make a movie of what happened

[@b.boston8529]

Yes, because they know the comments and story here will fade into the background but a movie has sticking power, widespread views, even if made for tv, or of course, a reenactment on true crime tv.

[@chaoxiong2256]

Time to sue the police department

[@richardmurphy9006]

Jesus Murphy the cops dropped the ball big time

[@silvermica]

And this is why people hate cops.

[@tvrecepion]

Proof once again, NEVER talk to the police!

[@coloradopadilla4223]

Expose Vallejo PD

[@justsayin3239]

Mustard and the asian(park?) Disgrace to the badge

[@gt5971]

Mat Mustard couldn’t find a mustard seed in a jar of mustard

[@raquelluna5077]

I’m here cus I just watch them on Netflix 😢😭 lord forgive that kind of person 🥺🙏

[@carama3590]

Why the hell was this cop promoted? I have FBI in my family 30 and 40 years on the job half of my hubby and his friends are place officers DA my husband’s been at the Pentagon for over 20 years etc. and every single person I talk to you about this case I can’t believe it as soon as there’s a bad Apple they get rid of them why they haven’t got rid of this guy reprimanded him at least a good old school is beyond me after what they put this couple through this TA guy WILL GET HIS. God says Vengeance is mine!!!! Remember, they may not get theirs here on earth and chest may be God saving this justice for himself. I can’t imagine the media going after someone like this is hard to. I think that was done on purpose as well. But look at this couple now with your beautiful girls hopefully living a beautiful life. I will definitely be keeping them in my prayers and remember we’re supposed to pray for are enemies. Pray that these cowards, psychopath, narcissist Including the media that was involved in this maybe do their job better next time

[@tomfrombrunswick7571]

The detective in this incident got an award that year. The whole thing is just so incompetent. Most police can hold two beliefs at once. Thus in a case like this if they think that the person presenting is a murder that does not close of other inquiry. The reality is that if the kidnap story might be true they can investigate that. With kidnaps the first hours are critical. On the other hand they can always investigate a homicide later. The guy lives in the community he is not going away. This appears a clear case in which the arresting officer could not distance himself from a batship theory of the case.

[@darkokovacevic1735]

😭😭😭😭😭

[@GinaGentil]

After seeing this documentary on Netflix, I'm going to have to say this rapest has shown to have far more compassion, empathy, morality, and far more brains than the police department doing this investigation. Wake up, people. If you pay taxes, you should also pay attention.

[@misterb6416]

Lazy police work, instead of investigating they just accused the husband. Disgusting. They should have been fired.

[@georgebosse9393]

Where is the apology from the Police department?

[@oneone9884]

I guess evil isn’t against the law.

[@tiffmitch702]

1:54 who is he

[@leomartinez2367]

An apology? What about the victims that were victimized years after, because of the complete failure to investigate this crime? The city deserves better, then this incompetent police officers. ALL SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

[@stefooshjib]

I’m sure you’ll be as horrified as I was to learn that the horrible Detective Mustard was not only promoted, but awarded detective of the year after that case. After failing his sergeant’s exam, he apparently convinced the police chief to lower the acceptance standards and promote him anyway. The list of horrible awful things this guy has done since is jaw-dropping. I just googled him and can’t stop shaking with anger.

[@matthewsmith3078]

Well, I guess they won’t sue us anymore, may as well apologize!

[@melissamalak506]

I have so many questions about this because of multiple circumstances. Knowing the training of law enforcement and those in forensics I can understand why thia was considered a hoax. There are very bizarre events in the entire story. It's easy to point the finger and just blame law enforcement knowing all the evidence now and as a whole. But starting from the beginning and trying to collect evidence to move forward it is so very odd. I want to know how he came up with 2 very specific drugs (out of all the drugs out there) that he was supposedly drugged with when he called 911? People that have gone through a home invasion don't give a detail like that specific straight out the gate. Woken up in their sleep but he has jeans on when the police arrive? Aaron keeps his head don't a lot in the initial interview investigation, sits on his hands and looks at the wall. How could he just drink what was given to him without refusing to drink? With nothing on his hoodie the morning of. After he says headphones were put on him the intruder was talking to him. It goes from 3 intruders in the story but he says the kidnapper took her away. If there were 3 people why was onl y 1 arrested and they never looked for the other 2 accomplices to charge them? If Matt Muller was a Harvard trained attorney and ex Marine how would he just leave an address programmed into his car's GPS? Why was Aaron's missing laptop never brought up in the investigation? Especially if kidnapper(s) was there for his ex Andrea?? But they came to the revelation that that Andrea was not there during the invasion... Not points of entry and no one in their tightly knight neighborhood heard or saw anything? Then FBI suddenly gets involved because there were other supposed cases but those people were never interviewed. This story is so disconjointed.

[@beentheredonethat7572]

Same police department who's had multiple cold blooded murders on the force Same town that elected a fetus puncher for a mayor

[@christinab.9330]

The police should be charged!!

[@watsonga050300]

My left ear really enjoyed this video :)

[@antster7]

Pro tip: family members can invite the FBI if their police department isn't making the cut

[@b.boston8529]

Thank you. I wish I had known that. The Los Gatos, California police had a real creep working for them a few years back. It's scary because if he makes his way up he likely intimidates or manipulates some really decent ones out of doing their jobs properly.

[@nahaidiew2991]

Aaron Quinn looking very similar to my friend Ken Frank

[@bornagainbeenforgiven]

Did cops lie about her bf failing the polygraph ? I pray the blood of Jesus over them..may they heal

[@LMCEK]

This police work doesn't cut the Mustard

[@fivelittlemonkees]

This is why I will not call the cops.

[@tomservo5007]

why does the city need to pay $2m to the couple ?

[@Preservestlandry]

It was a defamation lawsuit.

[@dannymurzea]

Because the police absolutely failed this couple in unimaginable ways ...and they police are part of the city. Are you that dense?

[@_padfoot]

You’re right in the sense that this money should come directly from police pension funds rather than taxpayer dollars. Although obviously pensions themselves are tax dollars, it would at least indicate some accountability for these ridiculous and expensive suits causes by idiot “public servants”.

[@nickanthony214]

Good job Vallejo police.

[@PalBatey]

3:07 "our lives have changed forever"...from a physical therapist salary to 2.5 mil, I bet it has.

[@tommypickles1129]

They were already rich too lol on top of that

[@kityumcashcokityumcashco5740]

It's called accountability. It could easily have gone the other way and they would have been wrongfully imprisoned.

[@msr7827]

@@tommypickles1129 so rich people can be raped and publicly shamed falsely and lose professional occupations?