Man Jailed 17 Days After Airline Mistakenly IDs Him

And it took him a while to even find out why he had been arrested.
www.lehtoslaw.com

[@RJ-rn3uv]

Steve, I was a Sgt. for a So. Ca. Sheriff's Dept. When I was a Patrol Deputy, I stooped a guy for some violation, (I do not remember). Ran his name, it came back with a red flag felony out of Texas for the murder of 2 Federal agents. The guy's name, DOB and city it occurred in all matched. He claimed it was not him, but he admitted to living in that city at that time. On the way to jail, this guy was so convicting, I drove to HQ, had him fingerprinted and had Texas send us his prints. Our fingerprints expert checked the prints, and surprise it was not him. We notified Texas and had him taken out of the wanted system. I drove him home. He had a large family where he was the only bread winner. Being extradited would have cause him great loss. It only took 30 minutes to make sure I was not screwing up a guy's life and hurting his family.

[@deborahaumiller7391]

Thank for your diligence to make sure to protect this man against accidental false charges.

[@osuuma6935]

Thank you for keeping justice in mind, doing the right thing as a PROFESSIONAL law enforcement officer, and making sure a "wrong" did not happen. We need more LEO's like you!

[@nancismith7705]

Thank you for being a great police officer!

[@robertsmith2956]

That probably set your career back 15 years.

[@Hamish_A]

​@@robertsmith2956 Don't be so cynical. He saved them a fortune!

[@gdshoe5822]

Even if someone is guilty, 17 days without a lawyer is inhumane -- let alone without being told what you've been accused of. 17 days for a stupid error that could be cleared up in minutes? I don't think the airline is the only entity culpable of a civil rights violations here.😡

[@mrbluethailand]

Ok hi lllllll9ho glad HH jvol kk k kk klkl kk kk lk mm LL LL LL LL klmmklklnnllklkll kk klnllllklklll kk nlllkllgg for LG ffs l go l

[@covidpsychopath]

There are still dozens in jail from Jan 6th. No lawyer no date no charges no family contact. It happens everyday.

[@gdshoe5822]

@@covidpsychopath Source? I'm ready to believe that there are unconvicted individuals waiting trial. It's unconscionable that a "speedy trial" means "years later", but it's common. I'm not ready to believe that they have no lawyer, and haven't been arraigned. That sounds like the sort of rumor that spreads online without ever being backed up. Even if the mainstream media ignored it, I fully expect that I would have heard about this long ago if it was true.

[@covidpsychopath]

Source? Oh no sorry you took that wrong. I was just adding to what you said I truly believe what you said 100% just adding more examples that's all

[@gdshoe5822]

@@covidpsychopath Um? OK. What do you think that I took wrong? I get that you were broadly agreeing with me, but I'm pretty sure that your example is fiction. That doesn't mean that you are lying, only that you heard something somewhere that is very unlikely to be true. If it was true, I would expect it to turn into a major controversy long, long ago. It doesn't pass the smell test, which is why I asked for a source. At any rate, I don't mean to argue about it. You can think of my reaction as an Internet version of a spit-take.

[@kirstenf.e4071]

Anyone who thinks 17 days in jail for a crime you didn't commit isn't a big deal, is effing stupid! Clearly you have never seen what goes on behind bars. And ALWAYS lawyer up when dealing with police no matter what!!!

[@Kurgosh1]

Yep. His mistake was providing ID to a gangster in the first place. He was probably one of those, "If you've got nothing to hide, just cooperate with the police," idiots. Still doesn't deserve to be kidnapped and tortured.

[@ToolofSociety]

Long enough to lose your job and miss critical monthly payments.

[@exile220ify]

That's Lehto's response to cases like this. Unless it's CLEAR police wrongdoing, he's a bootlicker.

[@gerardcote8391]

That 17 days is 2 week lost pay.abd since everyone is working paycheck to paycheck that represents, you missing a credit card payment and your 5% tate become the default rate 30%, that is a missed mortgage payed so you lose your 300k house goes into foreclosure, that is a car payment Sotheby's repossess your car, that is no money for food for your kids. If the purpose of the criminal justice system is punishment for the guilty followed by rehabilitation. The innocent are punished and a person who never needed rehabilitation I'm the first place has their whole life screwed up from here on. And missing 17 days from work could cost you you job, or if you are a small business owners could cost you your business putting a dozen employees out of work as well.

[@Iconoclast1919]

Loss of wages, freedom, bodily autonomy, and being exposed to real bodily damage is a huge deal!

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

The fact that the Judge he saw on Day 8 didn't tell him what he's Charged with is disturbing... I hope he Sues the Unholy Howling HELL out of American Airlines, both Police Departments involved and the Judge for the significant Violation of his Civil and Constitutional Rights! Once this is all settled, he, his Children and his Grandchildren should be able to Retire for life...

[@Some_Guy6]

In my country, that judge would be banned and stripped of all titles and benefits from being a judge and ALL his cases re looked at. And would NEVER be allowed to try and be judge again.

[@dknowles60]

its New Mexico its dem run what do you expect

[@russcottrill7106]

@@dknowles60 regardless of political affiliation or party in power, i expect a fair and speedy resolution to issues like this one! and btw it wasnt the democrats ransacking congress and acting like some 3rd world idiots following a person with the emotional outburst a 2yr old would have, anyone arrested for events on jan 6th should know full well why and been expecting it. Not sure how folks think that event relates to case this video is about, all this guy is guilty of is a poor choice of airlines!

[@dknowles60]

@@russcottrill7106 again why is it only dem run state that have the problems of lack of sence, New videos Show the people of the Us were lies about Jan 6th . add FBI had 48 hour notice and did nothing add that Nancy and chuck turn down National Guard troops what can you say

[@rylandavis2976]

​​@@dknowles60 conservative justices/judges are typically much less favorable to the criminally accused

[@123lodge8]

Isn’t the whole point of an arraignment to inform the accused of the charges against him? No arraignment because the charges were from out of state maybe?

[@JaredJanhsen]

I'm pretty sure you're right. The man did get a hearing to waive extradition. Meaning it was on Quay Co, NM to transport him back to Ft. Worth. Odds are they weren't in a real hurry to bring him back after he waived extradition. Tucumcari isn't a big town and it's about the only town in Quay County. It might have gotten the man out faster if he'd not waived extradition then Tarrant County (with a lot more officers) would have had to come get him. I grew up in the county next door in Texas. Tucumcari is not a town I'd want to be stuck without a ride or family in. I doubt there's even a practicing criminal attorney in Tucumcari, you'd have to call someone from Albuquerque.

[@javaskull88]

I would be deeply traumatized by that experience. I would not go through it voluntarily for $5 million, so I oiled direct my attorney to sue them for $8 million (lawyer wants his cut).

[@HUBABUBA-il8fn]

@@JaredJanhsen The State/jurisdiction that issues the warrant is the one responsible to pick the person up.

[@Omegafoxx77]

That exact thing happened to my sister. It almost broke our family. We have just gotten back from a family cruise. We are all law abiding citizens. They would not tell us anything. It was mistaken identity.

[@TurdJesus]

I’ve had false charges against me and was in jail for two weeks and house arrest for months. I had so much proof of my innocence that the person dropped all the charges before trial. No repercussions for them for ruining the rest of my time in high school, ended up dropping out because I had to switch schools. So yeah, spending weeks in jail for something you didn’t do is pretty terrible.

[@PeterShipley1]

I had similar thing happened to me, I was accused of assault and da did not properly interview witnesses until week before trial only to learn it was self-defense. (I pepper sprayed someone after being sucker punched from behind) the first motion of the trial was to drop the charges. I also learned DAs do not like to pursue perjury charges because it it makes them look bad for not properly investigating before pressing charges. (I remember the assistant DA looking very frustrated when I refused to take a plea deal)

[@DiffEQ]

Why did you have to change schools and then drop out? Who forced you to drop out? Why no details as to what you were accused of or how this ruined the rest of your high school education? If you were, in fact, vindicated then everyone would have known it, right? I'm not arguing that being falsely accused isn't horrible... I'm just wondering why no details and where was your support? Family, friends, teachers, etc. I smell something foul about your story... you chose to share it but give no details and make it sound like you were just walking down the street whistling when a police van drove up and carted you off.

[@disguysn]

​@@DiffEQ people still treat you like you're guilty even after found innocent.

[@I_Love_Quokkas]

@@DiffEQ you are being deliberately obtuse. Culturally we assume being arrested must mean you did something bad. If he was still in school it would be even worse. Kids are notorious for being mean and vindictive. Wouldn’t take long for all sorts of rumors to start and once that happens Jesus come and explain the misunderstanding and wouldn’t matter.

[@cherylcopeland3418]

Ive never had anything remotely like this happen to me. But i have been falsly accused of minor things as a youth....and 50 years later it still makes me so angry. And the experiences (though minor) have affected the way i have lived my life. This guy is owed - Big time!

[@shanghaidiscovery2664]

So the issue is still with the police: - they did not inform him of charges - Police asked for full flight records and arrested him on basis of airline submitting only one name whose appearance did not seem to match person on camera: sure you can ask why the airline only submitted one name and not full manifest, but who should have asked the airline this? the police who is supposed to investigate and identify. the airline, they are supposed to fly planes....

[@Strideo1]

The police didn't do their jobs. They need to investigate the facts before issuing an arrest warrant. There's no way they should arrest a person just because American Airlines says so. When American Airlines failed to provide the evidence the police asked for the police should have simply told them there wasn't enough evidence to move forward with the investigation unless the airline could provide more.

[@brandonpurdy7658]

Thank you. We can blame the Airline but the ultimately the responsibility is on the police to do a complete investigation.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

Let's say you have a party at your house. Something is stolen and you tell the police who stole it. Do you still expect the police to go and search every guests home? Or do you scream how the police violated all the others rights because you told the cops who did it? I can guess what the answer will be. And what it really is.

[@surveysays8335]

It is... but, American Airlines has deeper pockets and less protection under the law.

[@dustinbird2090]

@@davidtherwhanger6795 What if the investigating officer didn't ask for a specific name but asked for security footage and a list of the guests? Sure, it's a shortcut to listen to the property owner say who they think stole from them but, people make mistakes or have prejudices or are actually just relaying the gossip they've been told. American Airlines deviated from company protocol and held back the requested info of security footage and passenger manifest, instead supplying only the single name- their mistake still left the cops with a decision to either reissue their request for evidence or take their email as infallibly correct.

[@ozzbud9049]

Over half a month for SHOPLIFTING!? No wonder we don't have room for violent offenders!!

[@b_uppy]

Look at who funds the DAs for reelections. That's your problem...

[@dorbie]

Over half a month for *NOT* shoplifiting.

[@edwardwood6532]

We have some areas that effectively allow looting of drug stores, other areas that allow this to happen. Maybe it is time to standardize law enforcement on a federal level.

[@mortsdans]

@@edwardwood6532 I don't think giving the feds more control is the solution either.

[@b_uppy]

@Edward Wood That is a bad idea. If you will notice these are 'sanctioned' lootings in Leftist-run areas. This isn't occuring in Republican run areas, nor are they suggesting a national police. This is deliberate incompetence to get people to suggest a national police. National police is a Leftist solution as it consolidates power. Consolidated power leads to mass genocides. In 1st and 2nd world countries it is Leftism that has had all the mass genocides. Bad idea!

[@ranjaxwolf9725]

Wow that's nuts! I hope he can successfully sue the hell out of both the cops and the airline

[@falsegods3434]

And the good thing is, it won't come out of the taxpayers pockets !!!!😅

[@MickeyMishra]

will hear about this case in about five years from now I have this really strange feeling

[@RichardReid-l3c]

Surely the Police are obliged to carry out what they refer to in the US as " due diligence " !

[@jobseeker1612]

Place me on the Jury. I would award 17 million dollars against the airline. An additional 17 million dollars against the AIRPORT POLICE, an additional 17 million dollars against the PROSCUTOR's office who filed the charges and an additional 17 million against any other investigative office that lead to this arrest, PLUS 17 million against the arresting authority who failed to disclosed the charges on the warrant and refused to consider his statement that they must have the wrong man. Total MINIMUM 85 million dollars. American Airlines has is wrong, but EVERY person including the investigating officer was wrong. That officer should actually have 17 million against him PERSONALLY. Around 100 million needs to be awarded. BTW, if the police had done their job they would have placed a WARRANT for the information, We need laws that do not allow any information from commercial entities to police without a warrant. That would end this issue.

[@necessaryevil455]

That is crazy. Last month, I spent 5 days in a state psych-ward. I don't even remember the first two days I was there, because they drugged me for wanting to know why I was there. They told me, I could leave on the last day l was there, only if I signed some papers, saying I was voluntary!? or I wasn't going anywhere. The emotional toll is devastating. I can't go outside, the very thought fills me with dread.

[@nicholasvinen]

Contracts signed under duress are invalid.

[@terence7009]

those are even worse, because you're "not under arrest" but lost your freedoms regardless, and they even charge you for it! involuntary psychiatric holds are an injustice.

[@bradybyrum9999]

@@necessaryevil455 that is a justiciable tort of kidnapping, extortion, false imprisonment, ande medication against your will. Please search for a civil rights lawyer.

[@LycanWitch]

Both the police and airline are to blame.. 17 days in jail for shoplifting?! And deny telling the man why too? 100% police wrong doing and AA wrongdoing. No reason to be in jail for no longer than a couple days max for simple shoplifting.

[@edwardwalsh4454]

American Airline's lawyers should have immediately taken action to stop this corruption of their system.

[@SAPPY4HAPPY1]

Now imagine if this guy while in jail ended up in a fight thus getting additional charges. After being cleared of the original charges he’d still end up incarcerated. This type of thing happens a lot. I’m not saying jail is intended to be fun, but once you’re put in handcuffs you are lower than dirt. Jailers do not care about you. It is really sad this happens in today’s day and age.

[@exhaustguy]

The guy that Mike Pence refused to pardon for murder (it was obviously a different person) got in a fight in prison (most likely protecting himself). That is one reason Pence did not issue the pardon.

[@XFizzlepop-Berrytwist]

I agree, I’d say its reasonable that if you are kidnapped, one might wish to fight their kidnappers.

[@safetyfirstintexas]

the only time government owes you safety is after a custodial arrest of free dom ( inion). and they suck at that, ask sandra bland.

[@lq7777]

There’s a guy here in Florida who was arrested decades ago on a minor BS charge (probably shouldn’t have even been charged) but due to repeated escape attempts and such is still in prison.

[@Melanie16040]

That would require prosecutors actually carrying out some of the scum in their jail gets their teeth beat out... They don't. Charges wouldn't be filed.

[@everettchris1]

This is 100% typical for New Mexico.

[@johnvienta7622]

This is a glaring example of people who have not been convicted of any offence are treated as though they have been. The number of people who do not understand the presumption of innocence never ceases to surprise me, and that includes many people involved in law enforcement.

[@richc.3100]

If they were able to compare images after he was arrested and determined that had the wrong guy, why not do that before putting him in jail? The airline may have contributed to this nonsense but it appears the cops neglected to do some basic police work before jailing him.

[@MickeyMishra]

police and work are two words that don't go together

[@nnelg8139]

In the old days, if someone brought a false accusation against someone else, they would suffer the punishment that would have been meted out if they were found guilty.

[@mikepalmer1971]

I cannot imagine why anyone would become a so called “domestic terrorist”. The government and big corporations are perfectly good people. No one of authority ever pays for these types of crimes.

[@thomaslocke3939]

Having heard about this incident and others like it have allowed me to imagine that somebody who went through such an ordeal WOULD become a domestic terrorist.

[@CarrotCakeMake]

Airlines are part of the government. Don't blame the market for the crimes of the state.

[@MickeyMishra]

After what we learned about what happned in Newyork and in texas? The FBI seems to have a program for grooming this kind of stuff. We saw that the guy on the discord server was a former FBI employee that was talking to both of them it seems.

[@ozzbud9049]

Perfect example of why I don't support the death penalty!! Also if you have never been to jail, especially when you don't know when you will be out, you have no idea of how much jail sucks!! Ever been in the "wrong" neighborhood at a bad time, and know how nervous you can feel? Now imagine being around those same scary people all the time and also locked in a room with them!!

[@phillipcooley83]

Just goes to show how out of touch with reality 90% of our population is in. The other 10% are in jail/prison, and at least 1-5% are not guilty or there for nefarious accusations or false prosecution. It's all fun and games until you're the one inside, and 90% have the mentality "don't wanna do the time, shouldn't do the crime" wait till you're among the 5%

[@nucleargrizzly1776]

I'm also against the death penalty. I grew up in New Orleans. Our DA Harry Connick Sr. regularly railroaded poor black uneducated men for crimes they didn't commit when he needed some headlines. Just last year another man he put on death row for 20 years was released because Connick fabricated evidence. He did this dozens and dozens of times.

[@conservativeriot5939]

I still support the death penalty. It is good to God so it's good to me.

[@MindTesla]

Just say you dont support the current structure of the death penalty. I 100% support the death penalty if certain evidence and circumstances arise. IE a school shooting where they are caught inside the school after killing children, most of the time on video, when there is a ZERO % chance that it was not them. Or a shooting at a grocery store when they live streamed the entire thing. Yeah I support the death penalty and for those crimes a long and painful death at that.

[@peregreena9046]

@@conservativeriot5939 I support the death penalty, when He as an omniscient being does the sentencing. Otherwise, I do not.

[@natehill8069]

Why in hell is there no "right to be told what I am accused of"??? Of all the basic, fundamental concepts of justice this one should be root level zero. how are you supposed to prepare a defense if you dont even know what, when you are defending against?

[@WayneKeen]

The other response from the AA employee will likely be "I have no memory of this case", and AA will claim it was all an unfortnate software error and offer the guy a $200 voucher for anywhere AA flies

[@dr.who2]

Do they not have tell you why they arrest you and give you a lawyer 🤔 as far as medical attention I sue them

[@ryanjones3043]

This is the type of stuff that should make the man a millionaire to teach those companies and departments a lesson

[@kevinchristison9242]

Please keep us up to date on this lawsuit.. Hope he wins a jillion dollars. And an apology

[@vonclod123]

How the hell do you hold someone for 17 days, without knowing the charges, I hope the police and airline are sued out of existence

[@dgilliam]

Leo should have requested further info from Airline and should validated the information with simple further investigation, leaving them liable also.

[@alexmo1941]

Steve, how can you say that the police weren't at fault this time? The entire situation this poor man landed in was amplified sevenfold by the police gross negligence and due process laws.

[@willemvandeursen3105]

In his place, I would spend the rest of my living days suing to have my criminal record cleaned out totally, and get a trillion dollar in damages out of this dystopian nightmare. I'm so glad that my sister - naturalized and all - decided after ten years to return to Europe and never to go back to the United States of Kafkaesque Horror again.

[@NaatClark]

Damn shame that qualified immunity exists or the police might be able to be held accountable. What a lovely free country we live in

[@MickeyMishra]

Free my ass! 8 years of my life and it cost me more then what they paid me! LOLXD!

[@tesmith47]

The immunity must go!!

[@MaruAdventurer]

Odd, any competent company would not depend on the actions of one person in providing information to police. There is a chain of command for this kind of stuff.

[@Lukealang]

There was someone in the midwest who was kept in jail over a decade with no trial accusation or attorney......they get away with some effed up stuff..

[@Janz32]

What makes my blood boil is the "shoulder shrugging" and the total lack of responsibility for what happened to this man!

[@richsanossian8675]

This guy deserves every million he gets

[@comlbbeau]

I think it's important to note that at the time the gentleman didn't know he'd be in jail for 17 days. What went through his mind, not knowing what length of time he would be incarcerated? It ended up being "just" 17 days....

[@CrossStCroix]

Native Texan who has had some experience in this. No way should shoplifting ever be called the felony, "Burglary of a Building". It should have been called "Theft by Taking", a misdemeanor

[@FreedomToRoam86]

He needs to sue American Airlines and the County jail, as being informed of the suspected crime is required.

[@williamwinder5011]

Anything less than 100 million from the police, the court, and the airline separately isn't enough.

[@sjgavenger37]

Most likely the airline will try their best to settle so that there is no disclosure of the details you mentioned. And of course the guy will settle.

[@gregjames2684]

Do Not Allow Non-Disclosure Agreements from anyone involved in resolving damages !

[@Drooligan]

If he has a good lawyer he won't settle. There are too many parties liable for damages for him settle with any one of them.

[@tesmith47]

Depends, 20 million $ might work

[@BradAcquilin]

He should win a free airline business. Current operators should be jailed and deported.

[@GEAUXFRUGAL]

This man should sue and the man should be paid huge sum.

[@williammoore5081]

17 days is outrageous.

[@DoctaOsiris]

I've unfortunately been to prison around 39 times (give or take one, seriously, I lost count 🙄) and I can tell you right now that if you were actually a law abiding citizen and you spent 17 days in prison not knowing why or even how that happened it will traumatise you, ffs, I'm traumatised by all those prison stays and I knew exactly why I was there, I can't imagine how much worse I'd feel if the same thing happened to me... And what makes it worse is that the prisons I've been to, although they were rough, they certainly weren't unsanitary, at least not for the most part, the odd cockroach and MASSIVE rats 🐀 but mostly livable, I've seen what the jails this guy went to are like and they literally turn my stomach, I feel bad for the guy... 😔

[@matthewboggs4639]

He should not only go after the airline but also the police department and the judge for holding him without even officially charging him with anything.

[@oquillo]

Sue the airline , police department and the Jedge et al for attempted enslavement etc. Break them all.

[@SwitchMonkey]

I default to hating lawyers. One and all. But when I see Steve Lehto slip on his Costco reading glasses, I get a glimmer of hope, they aren’t all bad.

[@someguy325es]

Didn’t even do 5 minutes of investigation, just rubber stamped the warrant because American Airlines said so lol

[@ThePeachtree69]

Great investigative work by the airline and the idiots issuing warrants. Laziness and stupidity are rampant in this profession.

[@JamesTK]

Should put the individual who falsely identified them in prison for 17 days in the same prison

[@marksaunderson3042]

How can a person even attempt to defend them self if they do not know what they are accused of?

[@acblazer]

So the police are under no obligation to view evidence of a crime before making an arrest? that seems like a problem

[@tomnoyb8301]

"How much?" $17M in direct damages, $170M in punitive damages. And if it were possible, send the entire AA Board of directors to the same jail (in general population) for 17-days.

[@crinklecut3790]

In one state, you can smear human feces on a woman, then curse out the judge and get released the next day with no bond. In this state, a shoplifting charge gets you 17 days in jail with no attorney and without being told what the charges are. Why can nobody seem to get these things right?

[@cesaravegah3787]

I would demand a million dollars for each day and twice the jail time for the one who wrongly jailed me.

[@berylmorgan8482]

This man should file a Civil Law Suit against American Airlines & the police for arresting him for something he did not do!

[@adamorick2872]

17 days in jail without being informed of his crime. Talk about rights violations

[@sallyoakes7709]

good grief! unconscionable

[@raccoondon488]

Scary stuff ! Stuff like this and the way I’ve been treated by lots of people is why “I DON’T TRUST ANYONE”.

[@samsteel2643]

17 days and if a business man and have accountability to staff and employees of a large company and causing catastrophe for the company. That's a super multi million dollar lawsuit. Imagine if it was the president of Costco or something

[@edwardwalsh4454]

Why is it that the police will not tell the charges? Please seek to find a reform measure to have the DA explain the lack of notification?

[@AhmedOnly1]

I see a rich man...

[@wssides]

Does the USA not have Habeus Corpus in its laws? In English law (and Canada) for centuries a person arrested has to be charged (told what crime has been committed) within 48 hours of arrest or freed. I can see a long weekend in a small town with no judge available but 17 days? ridiculous and criminal mistreatment.

[@dgmc3650]

It will be interesting to find out who it was and why they did what they did. American better bring their checkbook.

[@b.a.1591]

This is infuriating the airlines and TSA have acted like the FBI of the sky's since 9/11 please provide follow up after this guy wins his settlement.

[@merlin_XY]

The texas police should have questioned that they only got one individuals name, after all how often does a singlular person fly on a commercial airliner. This is as much on texas as it is on the airlines.

[@kenfulkerson9567]

As bad as AA was, the detective is as guilty of it as well. You do not let someone else do your work. I would be after everyone for such a outrageous act if it happened to me. I would bring every criminal charge and every Lawsuit I could, and I would not rest till everyone was Fired and made to pay .

[@CreepyChappy]

Any updates ?

[@Goearthtour]

Wow 17 day is no joke. Big bucks coming his way. I hope he gets people fired over this also.

[@brt5273]

"How bad could that be?" LOL The airline may be responsible for the negligent mis-identification but the fact that the authorities accepted the info as it was provided, never truly investigated and continued to hold him without any definitive information is truly criminal. So, maybe damages should be pursued from the airline but the law enforcement entities were also negligent and need to be held accountable.

[@viewthoughmyeyes]

I had 21 days in jail and got beat up from another inmate as well... lawyers were asking 8k and up for a retainer... I got shit on finally went in front of judge she let me out dropped charges... total BS! Just another story and tribulation to my unluckily in life. I got no money no settlement nothing moving on... SMH!!

[@samsteel2643]

17 days treated like garbage,....smell major lawsuit

[@brianward7550]

Okay, so, yes the airline is definitely at fault here, without question! But, once the police department got the information they got, shouldn't they have still done their own investigation? Do they only just rubber stamp the word of a complaining witness? That doesn't seem right!

[@b.g.taylor3561]

Why didn't the Texas cop who investigated the shoplifting check his ID photo to the store's video?

[@Bobs-Wrigles5555]

Ben has got to stop leaning casually(it's becoming a meme), against mic 2, Steve's LHS

[@dennisberman4640]

this one took me a bit to find. Well seen Bob!

[@BenLeitch]

I'll echo Dennis. Good eyes as usual

[@Bobs-Wrigles5555]

@@dennisberman4640 🙇‍♂

[@Bobs-Wrigles5555]

@@BenLeitch 🙇‍♂🙇‍♂😊

[@terrancecoard388]

When I don't find them I look at the mics...and I still missed it. Good eye.

[@stewartstone3926]

If the gate agent no longer works for the airline, the airline is free of FUTURE actions, however the airline still bears accountability for this action.

[@miowacity]

What happened? I search the Internet can can only find articles relating to the suit that was approximately June 6, 2022. It is now almost 2 years later - shouldn't we have heard something about an outcome?

[@Samasiam]

I was just about to ask the same thing. Gotta do a search with the original facts to see if I can find out how it was pursued.

[@alternative2104]

It's not about 17 days in jail. It's however much longer that you have to live with that trauma.

[@thegunfoogle2864]

If that happened to me I'd be after every single person involved. Judges included.

[@viking956]

I don't understand the investigative value of not just telling someone what they're charged with. That just makes no sense to me.

[@alltogetherplaytubefingerf6045]

qualified immunity? There ought to be a law.

[@sephiroth661]

I hope the cops and airline get what’s coming to them in this matter

[@keithnoneya]

I'm shocked that a guy was arrested for and accusation of shoplifting, say like a candy bar or something, in another state, and the accused crime was over a year old. Why the heck is shoplifting even an Extraditable crime unless it's over a certain value? I'm at the point that NO Out of State Arrest Warrants should be issued unless; it's a Felony, there is credible physical or digital evidence actually linked to the accused. Without credible evidence viewed by a judge a an arrest warrant shouldn't even be filed. Mr. Meaner crimes should NOT be Extraditable from state to state anyways. I think if that policy was in force a lot of these false arrests and detentions wouldn't even happen. The whole system seems to be stacked against the accused, who now seem to be guilty until proven innocent, this kinda crap needs to stop. Someone with some money needs to start an Organization called; "Accused Innocent Victims for Law Change" or something like that. Thanks for sharing. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@stevenread5473]

Sloppy police work. Just plain and simple.

[@williama.392]

BETTER HAVE A WARRANT SIGNED BY JUDGE AND DATED FOR A CRIME OR THE 2ND AMENDMENT WILL COME INTO PLAY FOR PROTECTION

[@swamprat69er]

False arrest, defamation of character, kidnapping and forcible confinement all adds up to 17 million dollars to me. Then he can move to Canada where that crap seldom happens.

[@plucknpick6414]

17 days with out representation. The Airline needs to be sued for $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for false information.

[@silverkatzkrafts]

Agree! Give him a million for each one of those days plus times 2 for the extra hardship he went through just trying to get home. Because of the airline he understandably will never feel whole or safe again!

[@soulofshukaku]

And the cops, who did no actual investigation and put out a warrant on the airline's say-so. Also illegal.

[@tedspens]

$$ERIOU$$LY!

[@kellyvcraig]

But so does the system that failed to afford him representation AT ALL STAGES OF THE prosecution of the crime, but which the higher courts have stated must be done.

[@ianbelletti6241]

The officers do to. He has a right to know upon arrest what he's being arrested for. That could have easily happened at the patrol car. If their patrol computer didn't pick up all the warrant details they could have requested a copy of the warrant from the originating state so that they could inform him within the first 24 hrs.

[@MrTheDif]

He also needs to make sure the warrant for missing a court date was actually recalled. I hope he gets a massive settlement out of this.

[@craigwhittingslow9689]

It will always be on his record and next time he gets arrested he will not be able too get a bondsman to post bail because he has had a failure too appear it’s a little trick they use to deny bail.

[@JedidiahStolzfus]

He'll get a settlement, but no one will ever be held accountable.

[@TucsonHippy]

Its American Airlines, and they are bleeding money right now. Any settlement over $100 will bankrupt the company.

[@Cbcw76]

Frankly, I would not want to OWN American... "Just gimme the cash, no bleepin' stock."

[@knerduno5942]

Taking ownserhip of American Airlines would be good enough.

[@b_uppy]

To not inform him of the charges is a big problem that police department did create...

[@macbook802]

I went to jail twice in Phoenix for the police not notifying me of court dates during covid

[@Recovering_Californian]

Normal during COVID. Government agencies all over the country violated peoples rights routinely.

[@willlawson6126]

The reason why they never tell you is because they don't want you to be prepared to defend yourself while they are doing everything they can to build a case against you

[@macbook802]

@@Recovering_Californian I cannot wait for the justice system to fail.

[@charlesbear2734]

I thought they can only hold someone for 72 hours wo charges.

[@stevef68]

I think the part that shocks me the most is the apparent arraignment/extradition hearing where the JUDGE did NOT tell him the charges? I think his lawyer needs to get the transcript of that!

[@adrianmizen5070]

An extradition hearing does not concern itself with whether the person committed the crime, only with whether the person is the same one the other state is asking for.

[@ellynneg.6926]

@@adrianmizen5070 There was a case in the 15th century where a guy was summoned to discuss what he thought was a disagreement on who owned some land. He arrived on found himself facing multiple murder charges (which historians think were fabricated by the guys who would have lost the land this guy was claiming). Yeah, it's an extreme example. But, things like that are why you have really good reasons to be told what the other state wants you for and what you're going to be charged with.

[@steffybael1245]

I HAVE BEEN AT EXTRADITION HEARINGS AND YES, THE WARRANT IS READ!!!@@adrianmizen5070

[@robertsmith2956]

@@adrianmizen5070 actually when you fight extradition they have to prove the crime happened as well. That is why Arizona told NY to stuff it. He committed crimes in Arizona, and will be tried there. They refuse to prosecute anyone in NY so no crime is committed there and they don't get him.

[@cassiopeiaclark9260]

The "detective" here is just as much at fault as the airline. When he asked them for the recording and manifest and wasn't given it he should have pushed harder. "Why didn't you give me what I asked for? I need to do an investigation and you're risking obstructing that investigation by not providing me what I asked for. I don't care if you think this is who did it I need to investigate the crime and come to that conclusion on my own." What likely happened was the airline gave him this guy's name, he was thankful to not have to do extra work and sent it on through with the expectation that it'd get lost somewhere and nobody would question it or he'd catch charges in holding or was actually the one who did it. Not only was American at fault but this detective was negligent in the discharge of his duties. The detective should be fired, jailed, and American should be investigated for criminal misconduct, breach of public trust. Until we start to demand people be held accountable for their actions things like this will never stop and will only continue to get worse.

[@papuan369]

Imagine that, holding cops at the same standard as the rest of us instead of behind the blue wall

[@1300BlueStar]

You missed one other point, the detective was given a photo of both the accused and the shoplifter why didn't he even look at them and see these two are not the same person? Good detective work there, I got a name case closed, lets not bother looking at any evidence.

[@MikeRomigh]

Couldn't have said it better.

[@lakeozarkrei3767]

💯

[@FlyMIfYouGotM]

I hope he sues everyone involved and hits the lawsuit lottery for millions!

[@SiriusMined]

The people saying "it's just 17 days" don't get that he had NO idea when he was getting out. That's a terrifying situation.

[@EnthalpyAndEntropy]

Imagine if he caught something like hepatitis c or a "legitimate" charge for defending himself or something. That would be a good question for Steve. If they put you in jail under false pretenses and you assault or kill someone, whether out of self defense or frustration/sport, can or will you get convicted or is the state the proximate cause?

[@christopherkidwell9817]

Even 1 day would be terrifying... because all it takes is literally one day in a jail for some buttwipe to shiv ya.

[@SAMann729]

Yeah I’d like to see them try 17 days. Never been to jail but I know it’s no cake walk physically or mentally

[@gman7329]

Those same people would be crapping their pants after 5 minutes!!!

[@SiriusMined]

@@SAMann729 exactly

[@raybord1]

As someone who has been in jail b4, I promise you it is life changing. I can’t imagine being jailed and not knowing why. It’s scary even when you know what’s going on.

[@AW-xz9vc]

I am former military. When I got out I worked around law enforcement, did my criminal justice, study my violence and aggression. We took a tour through our local prison. That was enough for me, you have no idea what that does psychologically. And the big point that seems to be missed here. With this man being put in general population, at any moment he risked being stabbed, being beaten, being raped. Rape is also accompanied with diseases that cannot be cured. Anyone who asks what is the big deal with this situation, has had a very comfortable and uneventful life. Many of us have been accused of things we've never done, but by the time you prove it the damages already done.

[@MickeyMishra]

Remember. If anything happens? "Nothing happned" . Thanks to jail? I no longer fear anything anymore. And I just wait around till I die. Great being an innocent man in the system. I saw the deputy that gave me my special 1 am visit after I got out. I was with my son at a burrito place he wanted to go to. I have to admit. If my son was not there with me? I would've done exactly what he did to me right there in that lobby. And when the police come? I would simply say what they kept telling me in jail. "Nothing happned" .. The highlight of my time in jail was watching an inmate die in front of me and others from an Overdose. His name was Robert Forrest. And they killed him in that jail. They refused to call 911 until he stopped breathing. Then said the de-fib was just low on batteries. The truth is? They did not know how to use it. All 79 or so of us got to watch this. I had damn near a front row seat. At least his family may get a 10,000,000 lawsuit that was filed. But as far as i know? Its still going on. This happened in Multnomah county in Portland oregon. TO add insult to Injury? 2 days after I get out and am finished with my sentence, I go to a DV restrating order hearing where my ex admits in front of the judge that I never raped her. That's the whole reason why I was there. Imagine that. Get falsely accused of sexually assaulting someone and then having that happen to you? what a life! Of all the military training I have been through? Stories I have heard? I never thought this would happen to me in my own country I proudly, and honorably served.

[@Chris_A_]

AW, it's unfortunate that you were raped while incarcerated.

[@kingduckford]

Corporal punishment was superior to the cruel and awful prison system. Flog a man, beat him in public, but send him home to his family that night and he can go to work tomorrow morning. Today/ Put him in jail with violent thugs and human scum, a terrible wretched institution, and keep him there locked away for days, weeks, or months, where he is not productive to himself, society, and is taken away from a healthy environment. Everything about modern society is sickly, terribly backwards. And "humane" prison over beatings is another sick joke.

[@AW-xz9vc]

@@MickeyMishra my God that's a hell of a story. You should write a book, seriously! And then find a writer's group in your area to join, they will be able to help you get it published. I had the misfortune many years ago, of my mother marrying a Nazi war criminal. So as you can imagine I know what life was like when it came to punishment in a concentration camp. I've also been told I should write a book. I just have to restore my energy first, that part of my life still has me very tired.

[@MickeyMishra]

@@AW-xz9vc I do car Audio and play with Led's. It's my thing. Books are nice and all. But I may be the only person who's crashed a spell check program twice in their lifetime. Dude, take the time and write about it and publish it. Amazon makes its easy to self publish these days. Just take your time. One chapter at a time. Me? I kept a daily journal and log of everything that went on in jail. Even if I had to write it on toilet paper. Be well brother. And put yourself FIRST in your life. Live the life you always wanted to live. 🌄

[@zatoth13]

The airline was grossly negligent in its reporting, but the police violated his Constitutional rights by holding him without informing him of his charges so he could effectively assert his other rights and for the retaliation when he tried to tell them they had the wrong guy. This actually appears to be a politically motivated incident: choosing a passenger who looks nothing like the shoplifter and then denying him his rights and putting him at risk.

[@GilmerJohn]

Yep. I hope in the fullness of time he sues the local LEO establishment.

[@DiffEQ]

Stop speaking assertively as if you were an attorney of Law. You OPINION is of no consequence except to you. Dunning-Kruger at it's finest.

[@kenhaze5230]

Not the Dunning-Kreuger effect even if he's arrogantly wrong.

[@zatoth13]

@@DiffEQ you work for the police department in question, I see

[@zatoth13]

@@DiffEQ I also notice that you are not addressing others here. I never say what I do, so how do you know what I should or should not have knowledge in?

[@GRSEMETROMALL]

You said detective.😆. Grossly negligent and incompetent. No follow up, no follow-through, no checking. I no longer have any confidence in law-enforcement.

[@truffleshuffle009]

Technically, the detective is going off what information he got from the Airline. When asked for the information he was given 1 name and a photo of 1 man that they claimed was the criminal. There was really nothing for the detective to look into.

[@GRSEMETROMALL]

@@truffleshuffle009 that detective didn’t do his job. You don’t issue a warrant for someone’s arrest off of insufficient evidence. No one who sent him that video was a direct eyewitness. That detective didn’t do their job and there’s no excuse for it

[@alanmcentee9457]

@@truffleshuffle009 Not true. He is the one swearing to the judge for the warrant that he knows what he is saying is true. He isn't telling the judge "This is what American Airlines told me". He needed to investigate the video with the information supplied. He didn't because AA did not share the information. Because he didn't when he swore out the warrant, he too (through the DFW Police) is also culpable.

[@williampeebles3218]

@@alanmcentee9457 Edited as I found out more info.: Found a news story that said it was a burglary, not shoplifting like I was thinking. And the police did issue a search warrant for the airline for this information.

[@markhonea2461]

Darien Long's -And why would you? Especially in Texas, where corruption and laziness among leo's is the norm. I'm sure there are good cops in Texas. You know, the guys and gals that just started and haven't been disenchanted yet.

[@boundless8288]

Best part is a private company caused this and can be sued for many more millions than a state agency

[@mikepalmer1971]

But the ones responsible will never face any real personal consequences.

[@Vaelosh466]

Really this is why the lawyer is saying it's all AA's fault, they have deep pockets and are far easier to sue than the police. The publicity might also get them to agree to a settlement.

[@ddognine]

All a function of how much money the man has or whether a really good lawyer will take up the case on a contingency. As Lehto said, suing AA will require discovery which is EXPENSIVE! Also, AA lawyers will make discovery doubly difficult, "He or she doesn't work here anymore." As Lehto said, a good lawyer will track them down, but again that costs money. AA's lawyers will hope that the suit runs out of money to proceed. The ace in their pocket if it does proceed is to settle with no admission of wrongdoing and an NDA to boot. I strongly suspect the man will get a settlement for a few hundred thousand, but not much more. If he wants or thinks he can get millions, he'll have to go to court, but AA's lawyers will certainly argue that it wasn't their fault he sat in jail for 17 days or that a warrant was issued without sufficient evidence or investigation. Why didn't the DFW detective inform the employee that the information provided was insufficient? Certainly the DFW detective should've known better? Furthermore, they can argue that they are just providing a service for the DFW airport since AA doesn't own any stores in the airport. So now AA has to worry about helping the DFW PD because it could result in them getting sued for the DFW PD's incompetence? So who's really to blame? Not AA, certainly. And convincing a jury might be very hard.

[@EnthalpyAndEntropy]

@@ddognine AA shouldn't be helping the police. This should be a multimillion dollar lesson about that.

[@ddognine]

@@EnthalpyAndEntropy Good luck with that when they show up with a warrant which is all AA's lawyers have to show.

[@DBBSYSTEMSONLINE]

If I was a juror I’d award him no less than five million dollars.

[@briankulesz9410]

100x that amount. This crap happens far too often that we don't hear about. A message needs to be sent.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

17. One million for every day illegally imprisoned. _Plus_ costs, emotional damages, damage to reputation etc etc.

[@xExekut3x]

no .. award him whatever he's suing is worth. he suing the police department? he now OWNS the fn city that department is from. suing the airlines? he now OWNS the airline company. making it so serious problems like this end up destroying whomever started the bullshit

[@UncleKennysPlace]

Which would make you a part of the "other" problem. You get damages. I'll spend 17 days in jail for one tenth of that.

[@zakuzeon7382]

@Donald Thorpe Heh, nice. I love it when people call it like it is, "Just Us." Just a bunch of crap on paper to help the people who wrote it down get ahead in life. No different than a lease, or a mortgage, or a loan document, it exists for the author to profit from. And if it ever goes sour for them, they'll just go in and modify the terms so they come out ahead again.

[@adb012]

So imagine for a second that this person was the real shoplifter. Would all this process had been legal? Can you deprive a person of its liberty for 17 days without the person being able to defend himself because you are not even telling him what is he accused for? And what is the penalty for shoplifting anyway? Does a 1st-time shop lift offender actually serves any jail time?

[@j.thomas7128]

You are so cheap, you won't even pay attention... 17 days was for open warrants in another state, not shoplifting. Don't you have parents that can explain this to you in greater detail?

[@maybeiam3367]

@@j.thomas7128 don’t you have boots to lick?

[@HUBABUBA-il8fn]

All the Police and Jail in NM knew was that there was a Felony Warrant for Burglary out of TX. Seventeen Days in Jail in NM for TX to respond and pick him up seems a bit long, unless he was fighting extradition. In Tx, if the store he supposedly stole from was not open to the public at the time, or even if he reached up into one of those vending machines that sells say drinks, and took an item out without putting the money in would also be considered Burglary.

[@adb012]

@@j.thomas7128 ... What I meant is that a person should not spend deprived of its liberty as an innocent person (that is, before trial and sentence), be it waiting for extradition or under pre-trial detention, more time than it would serve if the person was prosecuted, went through trial, and was found guilty.

[@williampeebles3218]

I would tend to agree with the sentiment. I am surprised the local PD would bring him all the way back to Texas just to answer for a shoplifting charge. Especially when the Airline had his home address and contact information and they could have called his local PD to question him or arrest him. I would be curious if a notice to appear in court was ever sent to his home. Minimum effort on everyone's part.