I can't imagine how Sheriff Mike Lewis and his deputies feel today. After putting together a case of this magnitude, to have it blown off in court as if it were a kid caught with his hand in a cookie jar. The kid with his hand in the cookie jar probably would have received a heavier sentence.
I would like to know exactly how many man hours Mike Lewis, his deputies and WBI logged before actually making any arrests. I do know, for a fact, Mike Lewis had his deputies camped outside of Ray Lewis's office on Forest Grove Road all night long before they initiated the search and seizure warrants, assuring no one entered the premises to remove any of the stolen goods. There were a good number of police officers present on location while they inventoried and loaded all of the stolen property on county owned rolloffs. There were quite a few deputies down at the landfill on Brick Kiln Road on the same day. A lot of manpower and taxpayers money was spent on this theft ring.
Apparently, Sheriff Mike Lewis, his deputies and members of the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation are the only agency in this county that did their job. They handed an airtight case to the States Attorney, for what, a six month sentence? Why didn't anyone else do their job as thoroughly? Why didn't anyone else take this as serious as WCSO, WBI and the TAXPAYERS?
Yesterday, Ray Lewis was given a gift of an extremely light sentence, many of us are still trying to figure out how and why. I've seen heavier sentences handed down in lesser crimes, to people that have no prior record. What many of us would like to know is exactly how much did this theft ring cost the county? How much did it cost the county sheriffs office, WBI, MSP, States Attorney's offices just to put this case together? What does it cost to convene a grand jury? What was the cost of the forensic auditors? What is the cost of equipment and man hours used gathering the stolen property? Is there an increase in the county insurance due to the claim filed and paid out?
These thieves cost us, the taxpayers, of this county far more than will ever be recovered through restitution. The box truck he was ordered to forfeit isn't worth $10,000.00 why was it confiscated? As stated in a comment on another post, why wasn't the property where all of the goods were being kept confiscated? They confiscate houses and cars in drug busts, why not in a major theft?
Who is responsible?
A county council that doesn't question expenditures?
An auditor that doesn't pay attention to questionable expenses?
A department head (Rai Sharma) that doesn't keep track of or question expenditures?
A supervisor(Kenny Townsend) that knows how to fanagle the books?
A private business owner (Ray Lewis) that holds the note on property purchased by the supervisor?
All of the above?
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35 comments:
It is sad that the real crooks get off so easy but the state's attorney's office wants to waste its time charging a innocent little boy for a back yard brawl with bullies. What is wrong with the Criminal Justice system? Oh...its justice for the criminals. It is sad that they pick on this little child and older kids are getting off with stealing vehicles, assaulting family members and being released back to the family member they assaulted while waiting for auto theft charges to be heard. The judges need to get the real criminals off the streets..death penalty would prevent over crowding of the prisons.
Burns my butt.
I repeat, Mr. Politt and the rest of the council better put our tax hikes on hold. As an honest taxpaying citizen, I am hotter than a F F Fox in a forest fire.
I have had enough of crime paying in this place. What the heck did happen--and why, I want to know.
I thought it was bad enough in the city, where I unfortunately reside, but the county employees, citizens, and now the legal system is screwing us too. This system has gone to far--rewarding criminals, poor leadership, and poor performance---while the ones who struggle to do the right thing just continue to get dumped on and pay the price for the other sorry a$$'s. Where, when, and how will it stop?
Nalagirl
Obviously all of the above but add to the list SA Davis Ruark and the judge. I doubt that Ruark presented a very strong case. Seems to me like Mike Lewis is the only person doing the job that he is paid to do.
What kind of message does this send. I can't believe it Joe. I have seen people go down for a lot less charges and get a lot more time. I can't even call this a smack on the wrist, its a joke, and I just hope all from our community speak out about this and boycott his business or he will just get out early and it will be business as usual. God Bless Mike Lewis and his deputies for a job well done on their part. I hope he continues to clean up the trash in wicomico county as strong as ever.
It is a shame to see this. It makes you wonder why you stay honest some times. The Mare has a suit for how people express their feelings here and thinks she's gonna get justice. They should laugh her out of the court room.
What benefit is it to anyone to know what the expenditures were for this unfortunate crime? Let's all hope that the Wicomico County Government will start taking accountability for what they are being paid to do. The Landfill supervisor was asleep at the wheel, the auditors were asleep at the wheel, the Council didn't see it, and it all goes back to Pollick, why isn't he putting practices into place, checks and balances it is called, to avoid glaring opportunities.
As taxpayers, get more involved in the County Government, and City too. Ask questions, pay attention to audits, bugets, and cut out this crap. For too long the government has been allowed to run itself.
The justice system was within it's rights to do what they did, don't blame them. IT WON'T HELP.
It's a WAKE UP CALL, GET INVOLVED.
9:40, I don't know if you've ever served on a jury. I have done so three times, including grand jury, and I can tell you that Davis Ruark and his staff are top-notch in their gathering of evidence and their presentation in court. Once it's turned over to a judge, anything can happen. Remember that the case was turned over to a judge from outside Wicomico so as to give Ray Lewis a fair trial. Maybe Sheriff Lewis had it right: the sentence was an early Christmas present for the defendant.
Why was Rai Sharma not held more accountable for what had been going on in his department ? He quit and hauled ass about two days after the brown stuff hit the fan. Mike Lewis has done an awesome job as sheriff; don't let the lame liberal judges stop you and your officers from doing your best. The honest citizens are behind you 100%.
It is obvious you are trying to get in on the good ole boys club by the way you suck up to the sheriff.
However you dont get it.
Ray lewis is still doing work for the county and he is in the good ole boys club , just like kenny t, paul.
So stop trying to understand it , because you never will . You are not in the club and never will be.
Post that ass hole.
According to the Tomaszewski fans/apologists, theses guys didn't steal anything from taxpayers since the landfill takes no money from the general tax fund. So if nothing was stolen from taxpayers I guess our taxes won't go up as a result of this. Wishful thinking. Hopefully the restitution these guys have to pay will cover the increased cost to the County's insurance premium increase. Maybe we need to set up a rally outside the WDC when these guys get released, so we can show thm how much we care.
Wake up, people! Mike Lewis did not due his job. He was handed this case by someone narking on everyone. Mike Lewis COULD have done a better job if he had not decided to do an illegal traffic stop.
The blame needs to be put on Rick Pollitt and the county. They are the ones in charge. They did not oversee the bookkeeping properly and now everyone wants to point the finger of blame on the wrong one.
This case should have been turned over to the FBI from day one, it involves public corruption and Lord knows what was really involved. Do you really think we got all the bad guys here? Was Davis Ruark asking the Judges to impose hard sentences or was he just standing quiet at sentencing? Is he covering something up for "friends" in the party? Look at the sentences folks receive for $20 worth of dope vs. what happened here. Race plays a role and remember what has happened here in these cases the next time you are on a jury!
You have all the rights in the world, how many can you afford?
(Money talks and Bullshit walks).
Is Sharma still in town?
The city's bookkeeper in charge doesn't oversee things correctly, either. She continues to keep her job, despite blatant incompetence at the least. Unfortunately, this city, county, is probably not a lot different than a lot of places, but it could be if those that are dissatisfied stick together and do more than just complain to each other on this blog.
There is a whole lotta cleaning house that needs doin' in the city and county govt. Vote out the no-counts and vote in the government in the sunshine people. Write our legislatures and government on the local and state levels, complain to the atty generals. Keep after 'em until they get off their duffs and start investigating the problems.
If Mike Lewis jumped the gun, then maybe he did make a mistake. BUT, he is, it appears, trying very hard to clean up the mess that goes on. I support him 100% in his capacity as sheriff. I do not know him on a personal level. Put the blame where it really lies---on the perpetrators of the illegal acts, those asleep at the wheel, and those that just prefer to turn a blind eye, AND those sorry judges who refuse to hand down anything meaningful.
Nalagirl
12:38
I hate to say it, but it appears you are correct.
Nalagirl
940 - Davis did not prosecute this case; he did spend hours preparing it. It was forwarded to Talbot County per a judge’s decision to forward it to another county based on the chance that this county jury pool would not be fair. So, Talbot County SA's presented this case not Davis. Davis was an observer in the court room just as any other Wicomico county tax payer would be.
Don't forget to add the benefits Ray gained from having the extra money at his disposal, the interest gained, the opportunities gained, the interest and opportunities lost by the county for not having the money.
Also this state is very liberal in seizing property, and it just got harder, that is something that the Attorney General’s office and all the elected officials should get a phone call/e-mail about. This state is a hard state to fight crime in, so many rights the criminal has.
Ray will be on work release so that means as long as he can justify his hours, he can stay out 2/3 of the day and the weekend. So he will show up, go to sleep, get up and go to work. Just like a hotel, on the weekend he gets to watch TV play games & work out.
So let’s do the math: 6 months starting Dec 29th to June 29th = 182 days. There are 26 weekends in that time that he will serve 24 hours a day. There are 156 days that he will only be there 8 hours a day to sleep. So, 26 x 48 hours = 1248 hours then add 156 days at 8 hours = 1248 hours. Then add them together 2496 hours divided by 24 hours in a day = 104 days. So, Ray got 104 days in jail, the whole time still benefiting his business, benefitting his personal life, eating where he wants, seeing the people he wants, managing his life pretty close to normal. Just has to go sleep locked up, who cares he is sleeping. So that is the real jail sentence he received. That is also not subtracting days off for good behavior, so that could lessen it a months time.
Call your representatives, the attorney general and get the laws changed so we can seize the benefits of crime. Only you can change it by getting it on the list.
12:21 why dont you get a real job because you acting like a rocket scientist isnt cutting it. The traffice stop was legit, end of sentence.
12:21 Why put the blame on Rick Pollitt --he had only taken office about a month before the arrests were made. This stuff had been going on for over a year before he was elected. Sharma dropped the ball and probably a few others too but to place all the blame on Rick Pollitt is unfair .
To Anon: 11:05 Re Sharma went free because it is not criminal for not doing your job.
To Anon 12:22 FBI had no jurisdiction over this criminal activity, it was all done in State.
DO THE RIGHT THING, LET IT BE YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO STOP WHINING, AND USE THE ENGERY TO CHANGE THINGS. GET INVOLVED.
I agree 12:21. As I understand it our sheriff was specially told by MSP not to pull over the box truck, as it would comprise the investigation they were already conducting. Seems that the desire for the spotlight overcame good judgment.
Davis may not have presented the case but he did work the deal up for someone else to present. This alone is why no real penalty's were imposed. We need to get this joke outted. He does not stand for what is right morally. He hides behind the strict interpratation of the law on the side of allowing criminals to walk. He could very well choose to interprate laws to lean towards a stronger conviction and allow the jury to decide rather than help the criminals find loop holes so as not to have to prosicute.He has become a criminals best friend. Good doggie davis is one nick name that would fit him very well. I wonder how much of the missing money he was treated too? I for one will do what I can to get this slouch not re-elected again. Oh davis ,if you happen to read this, its time for you to get looking for a new job.And I wouldn't suggest voting for any of his puppy pals he has working for him either. Ella disharoon is just as lazy and lets not forget that Daughty bum either. The entire team sucks. And this is why crime pays as it is today.
I have a bit of info that is very interesting to know.
It cost less to pay for tuition and housing to attend college for one year than it cost to send a criminal to jail for a year.
I'm waiting for Davis to try to cut expense on prosicuting criminals by having them except a plea to attend collage for the crimes they committ in stead of going to jail. And next ,I want to know what crime I have to committ in order to get my masters degree. I'll get a $150,000.00 ayear job while the county would save money from not sending me to jail. I wonder if I could get a graduation presant from the county from the money I save them by not going to jail . See crime does pay and it could save the tax payers money too.
THe ones resposible where the ones who committed the crime.
The question is which one of the ones you mentioned are going to be the next criminal.
The Lone Ranger screwed up another arrest and that's why this case was pled out.
Rai Sharma is now the head of some landfill in Dover. He left here shamed to start a higher paying job. Dover better keep tabs on their inventory and fuel usage.
You guys crack me up trying to pass this off on Mike Lewis. He must have busted your sorry asses for something to make you so hateful. Get over it. As long as Mike Lewis is on the job people will get busted. As long as Davis Ruark is in the SA seat people will go free.
To anon 12:21 & 3:27 1) The Wicomico Cunty Sheriff's Office does not now nor will they ever answer to the Maryland State Police. They have their role the Sheriff's Office has theres. The Sheriff's Office is the top law enforcement body in this county. As for the stop on the truck it was a legal and just stop. Mike Lewis is the man this county chose to do just that. Stop Criminals. The Sheriff is surrounded by a group of dedicated hard charging crime frighters who do it for less than most. You see these men and women answer directly to the public our Boss is elected. They dont like what he does they remove him. I can assure you and the other idiot jumping on your dumbass wagon that lewis has it as long as he wants it. (period) The guy is a true cop. One can not doubt the work. if there are small issues with such a complicated ongoing crimnal enterprise that was broken up by the Sheriff's office OH WELL. I see they went to the front like they do in every case they are on. They dont hide in shadows or tip thier big hats. They do what they do because they can. I dont think you or any of the mental midgets that see eye to eye with you wil ever divides the ranks of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office they are truly the people's police. They wre that before lewis showed up they are just a whole lot sharper and better prepared to deal with the criminals of this county now. It will continue to grow stronger as long as they dont lose the drive and committment to a better place to raise our familys. While we are on it give them the peace of mind they deserve and push for a better insurance and retirement package. These men and women are the real deal. So keep your bullshit crying up and I hope I am the one that gets to dry your tears. Have a Merry Christmas and find a new angle to push this one is old and very uninformed. Semper Fi Road Dogs.
A deputy broke this case and his Sheriff finished it. Enough said. If you are a criminal in this county dont sleep we are coming for ya. That I gaurantee
I'm totally dumb founded of how one or more are still employed at the landfill, is this really true?
If so, somebody on the council council needs to address this poste haste! Or nobody will be getting my vote next time around.
Not to mention the costs of law enforcement, and States attorney's office, cost of jail housing, and baby sitting? This mess cost Wicomico taxpayers well over a million dollars and don't you believe other wise. Lets get s group together and head to a council meeting. Standing room only.
for comment 12:11 a.m.
"The leading law inforcement agency in the county"
HAAHAHAA and does this mean you accept the lead on all the crimes being committed and no arrest being made? Sounds as if you think your shit doesn't stink. Well from my personal experience of being set up by you leading guys I say you guys are nothing but a bunch of red neck, wanna be state troopers, only you couldn't make the grades.Your false sense of "Greatness" has let you beleive you can draw your weapons on innocent people and threaten them any way you want. Well please remember those you have wronged could be the very ones your lives depend on some day while you attempt to do your jobs. And because your memorries arn't so good because of the numerous times you have broken the law during the exicution of the law, it does not mean the ones you have wrong don't remember. Because I for one do! I'm just waiting my time to come and it will. So I am sorry that the people (not all) that have been given the opertunity to protect us have fallen into the beleif that they are in competitian whith other police depts. When serving those who pay their salories. A specific officer that has pointed his pistol to the back of the head of a person who was not armed and was already in custody for a crime they did not committ said,and I quote,"I might as well shoot you right now and get this over with" is named Richardson. The k-9 patrol cop. He is one officer that needs to go back to cop school and learn the right and wrongs of how to perform his job. Granted he may have been acting on limitted information in the beginning but after it was more than apparent of the lack of danger instead of lowering his level, he took advantage of his occupation. And for the record, if I were a real threat I don't think there would of been a problem one in disarming this lunatic of his revolver as well as proceded in hurting him for his stupid actions while assisting with the service he was to be performing in the first place. As a matter of fact I feel that tha sharriff dept. is in the most need of better training their deputys' along the lines of physical fitness. They have became a bunch of meter maids and postmen. That do basically nothing but deliver warrents and summons for the courts. And they do lead in that. It just seems that the real criminals don't have any troubles from these cops. Is it because there could be some real trouble? KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB ,you leading law enforcing agency of the county.What pompus b.s.
A pile of good questions that need answering. Our court system is failing us badly!!!
That had to come from some city blubber, most deputies I see look like they pump iron.
While most of Salisbury is either belly busters or 130 lbs soaking wet.
12:14 " A DEPUTY BROKE THIS CASE" BULL ONE OF RAYS SO CALLED FRIENDS WENT TO THE SHERIFF AT HIS HOME AND TOLD HIM EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD LEARNED WILL BEING PAYED BY RAY.
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