Politician Accused of Drug Dealing

[demdave]

EAST ORANGE, NJ-December 17, 2003 — The FBI has arrested a city political figure in New Jersey on charges she sold crack cocaine for a street gang.
A cooperating federal witness bought 169 vials of crack from Sophia Merritt two weeks after she was elected to the Democratic committee in June 2002, according to a court document filed by the FBI. She was 18 at the time.

Several weeks later, Merritt was seen in a car with more than a pound of cocaine, the filing said.

"She was a full-time narcotics dealer," Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Agnifilo told The Star-Ledger of Newark


http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/print_12172003_nw_politiciandrugs.html

[mhr]

1. When Will GW Be Arrested For DWI And Cocaine Use?

eom

[Judi Lynn]

2. I've wondered about that, too, mhr. n/t

[benfranklin1776]

5. Yes a good question. Also when will we see Rushbo frog marched in cuffs?

n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Wow! Where do you find all these local stories on corrupt dems?

Thanks!

[demdave]

4. It's not hard to find a story about any corrupt officials.

All you have to do is read.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. But this wasn't on a major national news site, but a local affiliate

I mean do you have to google words like DEM CORRUPT to get these stories about some small time local officials who will never amount to a can of beans? YOu seem to have an uncanny ability to locate them...like that story about some podunk Democratic North Carolina official you posted and others just like it.

I do appreciate it though. We must clean our rank and file party members out at the very bottom if we are ever to rebuild our party.

[demdave]

7. Nope, it was a link off the Drudge.

I often stop ther for LBN, just like here and AP LBN. It is one of maybe 12 stops I make looking for recent news.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

11. Thanks. I guess one can find these stories on Drudge

I understand why they are useful and informative there, but some podunk operative being fingered for drug use who just happens to have a D after their name doesn't serve the same purpose here.

[demdave]

14. I thought the purpose of LBN was to be informed.

I didn't think LBN was the cheerleading section of the DU. When I am discussing something as obscure as an aid to an Ohio congressman being accused of something like child porn, I believe this was the charge recently discussed here, I like to know what kind of retort another well informed person might come back at me with. Knowledge is power. One sided knowledge is imbalence.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. Oh I agree. Knowledge is power.

So what can I do with knowledge of this low level operative who will never amount to anything being involved with drugs? Time for a revolution in the basement?

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. Not to mention that Republican pages

were caught with marijuana, and what did they get? A slap on the wrist?

[frank frankly]

8. yup, clean house is right, nsma

thanks demdave

[Judi Lynn]

9. Quite the skill

Locating errant Democrats.

On edit:

I used to take real pleasure in finding stories, as in, the perverted Tennessee or Kentucky State Representative who went to Florida and flashed in front of young children, returned to his home where it was learned he had a pattern there of similar behavior.

He ended up shooting himself lifeless.

I also enjoyed finding the story of the Republican mayor of Bridgeport Connecticut who buggered two children repeatedly, cousins, yet, in the mayor's office. He was also convicted on massive corruption.

I went looking for trash, myself. On Republicans.

Oh, yeah. What about the Republican State official in Kansas who crawled through the window of a woman and raped her?

Wow, that brings back internet memories. ON THE TRAIL OF FOOLISH, and DANGEROUS REPUBLICANS.

[demdave]

12. Maybe if you didn't limit your news sources.

Too many times have I seen people say ridiculous statements like "Now I can't watch ABC anymore" or "I don't read the Mooney press". I guess they are the same people who wonder how others find so much more news. When you put your head in the sand you only see sand.

[thebigidea]

15. whoah - you think the Moonie Press ISN'T ridiculous?

You're a fan of the Washington Times?

That's a legit news outlet to you?

[demdave]

19. I read many news outlets, from the DU to the North Korean News

I read everything I can get my hands on and then I check stories against other sources and make my own decisions. I refuse to self-censor my available list. You may limit your list as you wish, just don't ask me why I have seen an article that you haven't and insinuate that I mine for news using Google searches for Democract scandals.

BTW, todays Washington Times have these stories.

Saddam capture staged, McDermott charges
By Bill Sammon
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Democratic hopefuls hit Dean on his stance against war in Iraq
By James G. Lakely
THE WASHINGTON TIMES


But I guess you don't believe any of these.

P.S. they also had the weather report, but of course that is probablty a lie also.

[Hubert Flottz]

13. Do you mean stories like this?

Ashcroft's nephew got probation after major pot bust

Although his arrest for growing 60 plants could have landed him in federal prison, Alex Ashcroft was tried in state court and avoided jail, despite his uncle's crusade for tougher federal drug laws and mandatory prison sentences.

http://dir.salon.com/politics/feature/2001/01/12/ashcroft_nephew/index.html

[Judi Lynn]

16. Now THAT'S an interesting story there, Hubert Flottz!

(snip) Alex Ashcroft, then 25, and his brother Adam, 19, were arrested and charged with production and possession of marijuana after police raided their home in January, 1992. A housemate, Kevin Sheely, then 24, was also arrested. Officials said approximately 60 marijuana plants were found growing in a basement crawl space, and a lighting, irrigation and security system was also discovered.


Although growing more than 50 plants often triggers federal prosecution, and results in jail time -- thanks to federal mandatory minimum sentencing laws Ashcroft fought to toughen as senator -- Alex Ashcroft was prosecuted on a state charge and received probation. His brother Adam did not live in the house and was never prosecuted. (snip/)

On edit:

Snappy photo, too!

[Timefortruth]

20. You have a special interest in the Democrats

cross the line. The good part is that they are such minor offices that your motives are betrayed.

[loudnclear]

10. She deserves the same fate as Rush.

Besides skin color, money is what separates her from el Rushbo. He was able to afford to use his maid. No one has indicated that he "sold" any drugs but isn't it worse to give it away?