Deputies: Fla. drug suspect flushes confession

Sunday, November 25, 2012

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Authorities in Florida say a man confessed to trafficking methamphetamine — and then flushed the detective's recorder down the toilet.

The Ledger reported (http://bit.ly/ShaU1r) Saturday that Polk County deputies say they found 30-year-old Patrick Townsend driving with 32.4 grams of meth in his boxers during a Wednesday traffic stop.

Deputies say Townsend confessed, claiming he usually deals in much larger quantities. A detective recorded the confession but left the recorder on a desk. Authorities say Townsend grabbed it, hid it in his armpit and asked to use the bathroom, where he flushed it.

An arrest affidavit says that when the detective looked for the recorder, Townsend mocked him by saying: "Tighten up on your job, homie."

Townsend was jailed without bail Saturday, charged with meth trafficking and destroying evidence. No information on an attorney was immediately available.

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wow 6 months ago

Sooo the recorded confession isn't there. As long as the Cop has good credability, all is still good. Plus the added charge of tampersing with evidence, hindering prosecution, destruction of police property and the original charge of felon drug distribution can all be prosecuted. With a good PA a conviction can still be obtained...BUT IF NOT, chalk it up to the bad guy's...they one won. BUt since ya know who this fine citizen is, just keep a look out on him...cause Dope Dealer's rarely do anyhting else but deal Dope...especially your Mehter's. So he should'nt, but if he does ok...you can bet "Patrick Townsend" isn't gonna leave the dope game...so just be patient and catch him dirty later. As for the cop...good move on getting the audio confession, but admit you blew it by leaving the recorder so numb nuts could get it. Also..a good rule is...when crime is involved...no suspect goes to the bath room unsupervised ...yep that means watch them do the dead. Either way....ya still did good cause at least ya got those 32.4 grams of poison off the streets..and that saved a few lives. For that...good job.

Paroquet 6 months ago

They'll win a conviction regardless of the absence of a confession. In the end, confession usually winds up being part of any plea brokered. Given his behavior as indicated by the additional reported charges, it is unlikely a plea will be offered.

Here's what is missing: what was he stopped for and what plain-sight indicators were present in the amount that the officer could have reasonably requested a warrant, prompted the search? If incident to arrest for something which normally requires posting bond, no problemo. If other, what? It is not normal for a routine traffic stop to result in being frisked. Acting suspicious won't get a warrant signed. Searching without consent can put the bad guys right back where they started. This kind of detail should not be ignored in instances such as this by the reporting authority.

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