Odd Phone Call Today

[jester5167]

Odd Phone Call Today (Resolved)

So I got a phone call today on my way out the door to work. It was an officer from the state police saying he was working with a federal task force and needed to ask me a few questions. I agreed to him coming to my house tomorrow morning. He assured me I wasnt in any trouble as I was very concerned.

My thoughts, if I was in trouble I wouldnt of gotten a phone call. He also asked me if my current profession of bail enforcement was still correct. This raised a flag since the only time I use this as my profession (on paper) is when filling in the forms for a firearm purchase.

Could I have made a mistake on a form? Is my local shop involved in something illegal and he wants to ask if I have noticed anything? What else might this be about.

I will keep everyone posted tomorrow but Im sure its nothing seeing I got a phone call instead of a knock.



****


Update

Alright they came and went this is what happened.

Unmarked silver Mercedes looking car pulls up on the side of my house. Two men get out one is clearly wearing a badge and pistol and has a tucked in shirt. The other is business casual looking.

They knock on the door, I check out the surrounding area and wait a minute. I then ask for IDs. One is FBI the other is state police. FBI agent was the one in the casual dress. I walk them to my patio in the backyard.

They explain that they are investigating a tip they received about some purchases that I had made online in the last several months. Just a side note I have purchased a good deal of tactical gear and body armor recently (bail enforcement). I explained that I was an active BEA and gave them my credentials.

They said it was a routine check and they got a call so they had to check it out. They asked about my military service and whether I was involved in any militias or groups planning to overthrow the government. I explained that I was a veteran and was dedicated to my country. They asked if I had ever encountered groups like that in CT. I said no.

They then asked if I used online nicknames I replied yes I have several. They asked if I could tell them the ones. I said I would rather not but one began with a J and I went through the first letter of all of them.

They were interested in one that began with a letter K. Since I dont use it here it was a good sign. They asked if I was a member of any chat groups online I told them several. When they asked what I told them computer related sites and some gun sites. They asked me about the gun sites, I told them I like to read up on sport shooting and target shooting. I would not give the name of any particular sites though.

They asked if I had a website, again I told them yes, I have a website from when I ran a .com startup programming company a few years back. The trooper asked the agent if he had anything else. The agent pretty much said nothing the entire time. When they were both satisfied I walked them to their car.

Ohh I mentioned that the state police were unable to verify it was a legit house visit. He said it was not unlikely that they couldnt verify it and even if they could they most likely would not tell me. Ohh and my town cops did not show up like we had arranged.

I will post some more reflections on the entire 24 hour event later on today and see what I did right and wrong and give some advice for anyone in the future who is faced with something like this.

Thank you all for your advice and support it helped me not pull my hair out.

Edit: He appeared to carry a Berreta 92 incase you were wondering =)

 

[bogie]

Uhh... Did he say WHY? Did you ASK why?

Call him back, and suggest a meeting down at the local cop shop, city hall, something like that.

Do you KNOW that he's a "state police officer?" Anyone can print ANYTHING.

If you're not doing bail enforcement, what DO you do? Or are you trying to write off your boomsticks on your taxes? Cluebat: You have to actually use them as part of your job to do that.

 

[ZeSpectre]

Call 'em back. Find out what this is about and change the meet to city hall.
Make sure you verify that this is an official before you answer any questions.
Document everything (the so called pearl harbor file).
Make sure you get this individual's badge #, name, troop, etc.

If at any point you are uncomforable or puzzled by the questions then you need to SHUT UP and end the "interview". If any threats are employed at all you need to SHUT UP and request a lawyer especially if you have no idea what this is all about.

 

[Bacchus]

Interesting thread. Please keep us updated on the outcome.

 

[ilbob]

He assured me I wasnt in any trouble as I was very concerned.

Police frequently lie about such things as a means of securing cooperation with suspects. I cannot imagine why anyone would want to be interviewed by LE about anything without having one's attorney present. Call your lawyer now and see if he can attend the meeting. Arranging for such an interview to be at a police station seems like you are asking for trouble. Best bet would have been to arrange any such interview to be at your attorney's office.

 

[budney]

+1 meeting in neutral territory.

Having entered your house with permission, he can do lots of things that don't count as "searches" for fourth-amendment purposes. He can even violate your fourth-amendment protections, if he can come up with a plausible cover story. And needless to say, he will always (1) want a drink of water, and (2) need to go to the bathroom, while in your house.

--Len.

 

[hksw]

My thoughts, if I was in trouble I wouldnt of gotten a phone call. He also asked me if my current profession of bail enforcement was still correct. This raised a flag since the only time I use this as my profession (on paper) is when filling in the forms for a firearm purchase.

Huh, I don't recall of ever having to put down my profession on a 4473. What forms are you filling out? Are you not a bail enforcer?

 

[jester5167]

I do work in bail enforcement but it is part time. My primary job is a computer consultant. I asked several times what it is concerning and he said he would tell me face to face and he did not want to talk about it on the phone

 

[kd7nqb]

there are lots of legit reasons he could need to meet with you. I like the idea of a neutral territory but use your best judgment.

 

[Imaginos]

Nobody is ever a suspect anymore, but LEO sure seems "interested" in a lot of folks nowdays. Funny how often those interesting people eventually get around to having a mugshot.

The words "Federal Task Force" would have sent me into RED ALERT immediately thinking of Randy Weaver. I would have my attorney on the phone as soon as the line went dead form the first conversation. Instead of work, I would have gone to the local spyshop to buy a wire for my attorney to wear to this meeting.
Definitely chang the emeeting to the cop shop or your attorney's office. Do NOT allow them in your home without a valid warrant!

 

[wolfman01]

Something stinks. Change the meeting arrangements, and have a lawyer present.

 

[Titan6]

Were it me I would follow the above advice and contact a lawyer as well. It would not be a bad idea to have someone with you, probably a fellow bail agent. If he says no then you may have a problem.

 

[El Tejon]

Attorney now.

 

[offthepaper]

Something smells here.
Don't let this LEO(?) enter into your home at your own invitation.
I would have been mighty tempted to end the conversation when he could'nt answer the simplest of questions (aka-"what's this about?") while asking for my cooperation.
Change the meeting place and take a credible witness with you if you can't arrange for a lawyer to accompany you.
Make sure you keep us posted on the situation.
Good luck.

 

[Eyesac]

Yikes!
+1 on lawyer
+1 on location other than your home...

 

[ZeSpectre]

Bet you are about to get served a summons.

 

[Noxx]

If he's not going to tell you what it's regarding, I wouldn't be offering any information at all.

 

[Im283]

I would not show for that meeting after reading all the internet lawyers here.

If you do meet him can you keep him on the porch?

Probaly just gonna ask you about a bg that your company has bonded.

 

[the naked prophet]

How do you even know that this guy is associated with law enforcement at all? Could be someone working at the gun shop told a "business associate" about someone who buys a lot of guns (and therefore also probably has a lot of other expensive things). Inviting someone into your house, someone who may or may not be law enforcement, is a bad idea.

 

[Cannonball888]

Meet in a public place and wear a recorder if you can't bring someone.

 

[kingpin008]

+1 on EVERYTHING.

Don't meet at your house, and if you have to, DO NOT let him in. If he's thirsty, he can drink from the hose, if he has to use the bathroom, he'll have to hold it.

Do have your lawyer there. Period. If you don't have a lawyer, GET ONE. If you absolutely can't, the second he starts asking you questions, or declining to answer yours, SHUT THE F- UP.

Cops are not your friends. Cops can be good people, but when they are on the clock they are not there for a "friendly visit".

Good luck.

 

[GlowinPontiac]

more than likely they want to ask you about a person related to your bail bond work.

but i still would not let them into the house. I would ask for the meeting to be at the police station or your lawyers office.

 

[jester5167]

I would assume if it was about Bail Bond work it would be through my contact with the state police.

The phone call kind of woke me up unprepapred so I did not remember the name nor think to ask for it again. I did have the foresight to ask him what barracks he was out of because I know some state troopers from my work in bail enforcement, this is when he told me he was working with a federal task force.

So I do not have a way to contact him either by name or barracks to arrange another location. I will not invite him into my house but rather talk to him on my porch giving the feedback here.

Should I contact the state police and ask if they know anything about it. Should I request a local car to meet me there?

Edit: I will be carrying my sidearm.

 

[axeman_g]

Jeez... I would not even be home now. If you dont have a phone number or a name, do not be home. Maybe callerid will go directly to his phone. Have him re-arrange the meeting, apologive over and over, but do not meet him. He was much to evasive for my liking. He could be anyone meaning to due you harm, legally or otherwise.

My opinion, your about to be served. But I still dont like how this smells. Make sure your clean.

Keep us posted.

 

[Baron357]

Yes call the State Police and ask them, if they say "no" I am sure they will be interested in putting a cruiser there to see who it is. Impersonating a cop is not a good thing, and they might use it as a sting to get the guy. If nothing else call the local PD and see if they will help you out.

And a lawyer is still a good idea, especially if you know one who carries which I hope you will be.