Texas Rangers asked to review Kopbusters hoax BY DOUG CARMAN January 14, 2009 - 5:40PM

District Attorney Bobby Bland has asked the Texas Rangers to look into the Kopbusters raid and "all of the stuff surrounding it," Texas Rangers Lt. Bob Bullock said.

Bland made the request in a letter to the Rangers last week to investigate the circumstances that helped spur a raid performed by the Odessa Police Department at 232 Lotteman Drive on Dec. 4 as well as the raid itself. The house, which was thought to be a marijuana growhouse, turned out to be a ruse set up by a previously unknown group accusing Odessa police of being corrupt. Bland, who was out of town for a seminar Wednesday, confirmed in a phone interview that he sent the letter but declined to give any further information on it.

"It's not appropriate for me to comment on an ongoing investigation," he said.

Bullock said the Texas Rangers have not yet made any decision to investigate the hoax and the raid. He said Rangers would need to discuss the request with Bland.

Bullock didn't offer a timeline on a possible investigation. "There's a whole lot of factors coming into play here," he said. The Texas Rangers are often called in to investigate other law enforcement agencies in the state. Bullock would not say whether this was specifically being requested. It would be strictly a criminal investigation, he added. "When we get ready to do something, we'll let everybody know," Bullock said. "When it merits an investigation, we'll go from there." Efforts to reach Odessa Police Chief Tim Burton and Kopbusters CEO Barry Cooper were not returned.

The Dec. 4 raid, dubbed a "reverse sting" by Kopbusters, was set up by the group in support of Yolanda Madden, who was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to 6 1/2 years in a federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a park. Cooper and Yolanda Madden's father, Raymond, accused the police of planting the drugs on her by using an informant who gave it to her without her realizing it.

Since the raid, Cooper accused District Judge Bill McCoy of signing a faulty search warrant to initiate the raid at the house. He also accused police of illegally using heat-sensitive cameras on the suspected growhouse. =============================================================================== Reader Comments

debluezzman wrote: ooorly is a joke, now he wants to post my personal sites on the OA and what good that will do is only in ooorlys mind, ooorly you can attack me as the person all you want but leave the sites out of this....I'm sure you are familar with the law about cross posting sopmeones site with out permission. 1/15/2009 7:12:50 PM Recommend(0) Report Abuse

cowdog wrote: My story is interesting. I have a child who was set in a bogus meth lab bust. My child is pleading guilty to get less time, but the whole thing is totally unbelievable. Odessa cops will harass anyone who argues the point with them. The entire family will be harassed. They appear to have no scruples what so ever. They will get anyone they can - guilty or not - just alter the evidence. Lazy cops find it easier that way. The federal prosecuter is probably crooked as mentioned earlier and wants to make a name for himself. He sent two Marshalls to my house to arrest my child and one attempted to physically attack a grandma -- me! They have total immunity and can do anything they want while attempting to make arrests justified or not. This area's law enforcement reeks!!! Looking for a honest cop out there ...anywhere...hello... 1/15/2009 6:58:13 PM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

seawolf847 wrote: Based on the info that Leatherneck submitted, if Brian Chavez failed to perform his duties as an attorney, failed to show at scheduled hearings, etc. then a complaint needs to filed with the State Bar of Texas. 1/15/2009 4:46:02 PM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: Now Bland your office was complicient in the retaliation of the kops agaisnt the CI in this case. He embarassed OPD when he told truth in court. (He passed polygraph)But OPD arrested him for the crime they had asked to be dismissed. They told him if he would say he lied and Raymond paid him to lie,then they would drop charges. Unbelievable, OPD arrest one person to get to another! Sound familiar! Poor CI, they arrested him to get Yolanda, then arrested him to get her dad! DA helped crooked cops by saying they didn't make offer, there is certainly some unethical behavior, if not illegal, going on here. Judge Tracy sure helped law enforcement on this one! Again a Ranger and Or FBI (US Constitution issues are FBI matters)investigation will uncover an Odessa pandora's box. I prefer FBI but glad to start anywhere. Don't know of any "good ole boy" connections with FBI. 1/15/2009 3:48:46 PM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: ooorly Don't kid yourself about this Ranger investigation being about practices of OPD.Bland is interested in finding some kind of criminal activity by Kop Busters or Madden. People in power stick together in crisis. Commander works for Bland and I know he has a buddy with the rangers. Remember when liars are exposed what they must do. Now, I am depending on the Rangers to do the right thing when we give them evidence of criminal activity by OPD. Rangers have great reputation and want to keep their name clean. If shown evidence of criminal activity they will not be able to lok the other way. They had lunch with Chief Wed. so I know he started politikin already. I just believe when they see truth they will do the right thing! The lights are turned on and evil cannot function in the Light! 1/15/2009 3:34:23 PM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: Yolanda paid the Chauvez law firm to defend her. Brian Chauvez showed no intention of defending her, but it took a while for her to figure that out.Brian is a "plea" attorney not a defense attorney. He did nothing absolutely nothing to defend Yolanda! He was a fraud! Sue me Chauvez! He made no motions until after he was fired. He failed to show up for scheduled meetings. Only time yolanda met with him was at court house. Sound familiar to any other of Chauvez clients? Yolanda showed him proof of Travland misconduct and he told her he would "talk" to Travland, that he was a good friend. Chauvez stated that "this happens all the time cops lie and people go to jail!" Now that seemed to Yolanda like conflict of interest.After Chauvez was fired he told court not that it was for conflict of interest but because Yolanda wanted to get a good lawyer. Then he said Judge Junelll instructed him to file for continuance. How about that, Yolanda fired Chauvez, then he filed motion in her case at Judges instruction. Who do you think he was working for? Oh yes then there was the meeting with Travland to give him info about case. Travland IA tape states that little fact. When Yolamda showed up for hearing with new lawyer to file for continuance it had already been denied. Fraud! Fraud! Fraud! Good ole Junell told her lawyers pick jury today trial starts in two days! Mind you it took 50 days of discovery to get video and she never got Lane report from Prosecutor. Her attorneys took her back and told her they did not have time to prepare and could not represent her in a trial that would start in two days. Little pressure here you think? They asked judge if they could have 30 days and he said only if you don't have jury. She accepted bench trial because her lawyers said judge was fair. Remember she did not know Travland and Lane would lie about confession and thought the CI telling the truth would be enough to show she was not guilty. Again anyone that reads transcript will see judge has either a total lack of judgement or is corrupt! He must believe he is part of law enforcement! 1/15/2009 3:23:42 PM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

fierro25 wrote: I never liked the cops here in Odessa. 1/16/2009 2:20:03 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

ooorly wrote: I don't see where this is a victory for Yolanda because I would assume the Rangers are more interested in the practices and procedures of the OPD. Are Rangers able to do anything for incarcerated individuals? I hope that the judical system will reverse their decisions dependent upon the Texas Rangers' findings. Or at least retry the cases in question.

Leatherneck - Who waived her right to a Trial by Jury? 1/15/2009 1:50:24 PM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: Congrats All, now maybe we can see the light of day. 1/15/2009 12:52:10 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: Well its about time the Lone Ranger and Tonto came to town, cept this time its gonna be a bunch of Rangers....kinda makes you wonder, when OPD has to do a real investigation, the house bust, that there at a loss of what, when and where...point is, they have no earthly idea how to conduct a leagal investigation nor a full investigation and most of all a fair investigation. 1/15/2009 12:03:27 AM Recommend(2)

mexichic wrote: OMG! WHAT NOW?!! 1/15/2009 10:31:51 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: DA wants investigation! Does he understand how much influence Commander as in this corruption? 1/15/2009 10:03:49 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: When rangers officially arrive the flood gates will open. So many people have had their rights violated by the thugs at OPD. When good cops complained they were blackballed by Pipes. Again these narcs better not lie to Rangers! These guys are good and they are independent.They even take on the Feds! News flash!OPD will never rid themselves of Raymond or Barry until they follow the constitution. Then there will still be checks on them from time to time. A citizen watch group will be formed in Odessa to keep krooked kops and krooked politicians in check! I was busy working and making a living, Rip van Winkle has nothing on me. But I am awake now, I see the corruption and once my eyes were opened have no choice but to fight this corrupt regime! 1/15/2009 10:01:53 AM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: There are several people from Odessa in prison that were set up by OPD narcs. The number of people from Odesa in the federal system is certainly disproportionate. We have proof that the Federal Prosecutor conspired with OPD to deny 5th amendment rights to the citizens. Prosecutor is a resume' builder on the backs of bad kops. Chief Pipes actually stated to Raymond Madden, Doris Purdy, and Richard Morton that Odessa was lucky to have the federal prosecutor in Midland because kops didn't need as much evidence to convict people there as in state court.That shows that OPD leadership has no concern for your rights. Every case that went to Feds from Travland, Duarte, Lane, Nayola, Fletcher, and Commander should be reviewed. Problem is the people that pleaded guilty don't have much recourse unless we get a NEW FEDERAL PROSECUTOR that would be willing to do the right thing. If Yolanda had plead guilty she would be out today. She was not guilty, she believed in the system, didn't know kops would lie and thought CI testimony that he planted drugs at insistance of Travland of OPD would exonerate her. It would have fi she had a jury trial. Sorry lawyer and Judge Junell being more interested in his docket that justice prevented her from having a fair trial. Junell certainly revealed his lunacy in this case! Anyone and I mean anyone that reads transcript would have a reasonable doubt of her guilt. Judge knew perjury was committed he did NOTHING about it!Glen Jackson is a liar he said he would investigate - he did not for one reason - he knew kops lied. That is subordination of perjury!Korrupt people get away with it because the system is agaisnt anyone fighting back. Yolanda's family will fight back UNTIL THE TRUTH IS KNOWN. OPD why would anyone FEAR THE TRUTH! 1/15/2009 9:49:12 AM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

texasrebel wrote: Wow,, Even the DA wants the OPD investigated. That outta make a statement right there. 1/15/2009 9:34:27 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

noillegals08 wrote: herkamer:rid them of you and Mr. Cooper Even if that were to happen(which it won't), but if it did, they'd also have to get rid of my wife and I and several other members of my family and a tight knit network of our friends. They can't get rid of anyone; unless they trump some charges or plant evidence, or lie to judges, or commit perjury, or coerce statements and confessions. These are the things chief burton, joe commander and other ranking officials at opd believe in along with their buddies at the courthouse. Bring on the Rangers!! I also have some items for them to investigate as well. 1/15/2009 9:16:24 AM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

gamaffair wrote: Surely only after they cleaned up their mess have they decided to call in another agency to look into the raid. The Rangers should also look into why it took them this long to be called. 1/15/2009 9:09:20 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

treymartin wrote: Hallelujah! 1/15/2009 8:13:30 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

longmont wrote: if the rangers find that these guys where corrupt, what about all the cases involved. I don't even want to talk about oppening pandoras box. Don't want to talk about perhaps freeing innocent people from prison? 1/15/2009 4:51:14 AM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

herkamer wrote: leatherneck, You did it, I hope, we have to wait and see if they will investigate it. It is possible that the OPD is arrogent enough to believe that an ivestigation will rid them of you and Mr. Cooper. It is dicy, because if the rangers find that these guys where corrupt, what about all the cases involved. I don't even want to talk about oppening pandoras box. 1/15/2009 1:56:01 AM Recommend(2)

leatherneck65 wrote: I welcome this investigation if it is in fact a look at the kopbuster sting "and all the facts" that surround it. The facts that surround it include, planting of drugs, perjury, conspiracy to deny 5th amendment rights,conspiracy to deny civil rights, false reports, tampering with evidence, and kidnapping! Raymond Madden and Kop Busters welcome the Rangers or the FBI. We do not fear the truth. The bad kops at OPD are the ones that have something to fear from the truth being discovered. God Bless America! Bobby Bland needs to include Joe Commander as one that needs investigating! 1/15/2009 1:08:39 AM Recommend(6) Report Abuse

cowdog wrote: There is very little more frightening for a community than a corrupt police department. This case has called to mind many instances of the abusive nature of the police here in Odessa. Since the Kopbusters episode many aquaintances have told me stories of the terrible things police here have done to them even when they were simply reporting a crime. Also police who will not do their job due to what can only be described as laziness. Maybe it is easier to just rig a false charge than to actually investigate a crime. The OPD seems to be seeking to bring charges against Kopbusters, that may seem easier than cleaning up and doing the jobs the citizens expect them to do. I do not feel safe when I see a police cruiser, I just wonder what they are up to and who they are looking to screw. I hope there are still honest cops out there...anywhere? 1/14/2009 8:10:35 PM Recommend(8)

debluezzman wrote: Perjury One Travland Testimony (page 23 lines 15-19) Travland testified he didn’t participate in stop at all! Q. “You didn’t personally participate in the stop or the search of Ms. Madden, correct?” A. “Not at all.” Travland testified he wasn’t at scene. (page 56; 22-25) Q.”Did you make any effort to search the truck for more drugs, other than what was found in the truck?” A.” I wasn’t present on the scene. No, sir, I made no other effort.” Travland testified he wasn’t at scene. (page 57; 4-10) Q. “ Did you instruct any of your officers to search for other drugs?” A.”No, sir. I instructed them to search it.” Q. “ Did they?” A.” They did” Q. “ Did they take it apart?” A. “I wasn’t on the scene, sir.” yet Travland was the arresting officer....hummmm 1/16/2009 12:10:22 AM Recommend(4) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: Now back to OPD and Yolanda 1/16/2009 10:35:09 AM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: But my best job, fun is drawing idiots like you out in the open only to let you make the true fool you are out of yourself. 1/16/2009 10:34:30 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: hers's another one ooorly, this is what this old man is about http://pitbullsonlinecommunity.ning.com/group/shelterdogs/forum/topics/mid-south-animal-rescues-in 1/16/2009 10:31:50 AM Recommend(1) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: and by the way ooorly we also played a part in rehoming M Vicks dogs that were going to put down, most all were adopted and in great homes. Now when you have done something constructive with you lonely old life, well never mind, can see that will never happen......again I am sorry for getting off the subject in this fourm. 1/16/2009 10:19:57 AM Recommend(2) Report Abuse

leatherneck65 wrote: FUBAR defines this case perfectly. All involved proved the corruption in our criminal justice system is well oiled. Love what one lawyer told me about the unwritten law practiced by Lawyers, prosecutors, and judges. The"law of greater good " he called it. It means it is OK for kops to lie to convict the "bad" guys. It is for the "greater good of society". Problemis it flies in the face of all American stood for! Basically if kopsaid you are bad, then you are guilty until proven innocent. Kops don't need actual evidence they just lie that you confessed and you are done. Government judges postion is kops can not lie! All real evidence in Yolanda's trial pointed to not guilty. A kop Travland falsly testified she "confessed". polygraph shows she never saw him in her life until day of trial. He altered documents to cover his and Lanes lie. That will all be exposed. He is busted, just waiting for forum to present. Thats why I welcome Rangers. OPD needs serious overhaul and attitude adjustment! 1/16/2009 10:19:50 AM Recommend(3) Report Abuse

debluezzman wrote: ooorly: I give you permission to visit just one of my sites, this is what this lonely old man does http://pitbullsonlinecommunity.ning.com/group/anticrueltytakforcetn 1/16/2009 10:15:16 AM Recommend(1)