King of the County: The Power of Sheriffs | CBS Reports
A murder plot discussed on tape implicating a sheriff in southeastern Oklahoma triggers a CBS News investigation, uncovering a pattern of abuses that have gone largely unchecked for years. It's a cautionary tale that reveals an unsettling reality for small towns across America: when sheriffs abuse their power, people can die and there's little to hold them accountable. Watch more CBS Reports documentaries that dive into the key issues driving the national and global conversation at cbsnews.com/cbs-reports
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Пікірлер: 582
This wasn't long enough, need a 2 hour special
@carolinechew2432
Ай бұрын
Extremely well done wasn’t it?!?
@wesleybender5931
Ай бұрын
CBS is running this story so Biden can nationalize local police departments.
@Marvin.45
Ай бұрын
I'd agree
@Anna_Nimmitty
Ай бұрын
I Mean Really!!!
@holdingcopsaccountable6554
Ай бұрын
Absolutely right.
My husband was a deputy for the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Department in 2020/2021 and it didn’t take him long to realize how corrupt it was and when they tried pressuring him to do certain things, he quit. Best decision ever. This makes me sick. There’s too many bad and not enough of the good to boot them out.
@jwells3315
2 ай бұрын
Try Pushmataha County it's no better! Sheriff B.J. Hedgecock does NOTHING to stop the drug epidemic.
@dmgjr
2 ай бұрын
would he be willing to speak to someone about his experiences and what he observed there?
@ONE1BEAT
2 ай бұрын
Report to DOJ
@twelvethrower24
2 ай бұрын
@@ONE1BEAT Exactly, this report anything criminal to the DOJ civil rights division if possible and safe to do!!!
@ropeysubstance1719
Ай бұрын
now tell us how you feel about violent criminals and gang members who terrorize communities? or is it just the cops you hate?
I live in Texas and the small town corruption is completely out of control.
@jp13119
2 ай бұрын
I think it's like that Everywhere in the US since trump. They are above the law.🇺🇸
I went to high school in Tulsa with a guy that's now a Deputy Sheriff. He was the biggest bully in school, always picking on people. He's huge, at least 6' 3" and 300lbs. His entire existence was predicated on hurting people. There's no way he should have a badge.
@SirNic4180
2 ай бұрын
But your community lies about crime thus enabling the police. So stop crying.
@ONE1BEAT
2 ай бұрын
Report to DoJ
@akllls617
2 ай бұрын
@@ONE1BEAThey doj I just want to report that the current sheriff use to bully me when we were kids
@fester5228
Ай бұрын
@@ONE1BEAT You're funny! LMAO!
@johndilliner7232
Ай бұрын
@ONE1BEAT and tell them what exactly? He hasn't done anything to report, so good luck lol
Not many have the balls to report on this
@Goodkidjr43
2 ай бұрын
We can always trust CBS News.....................
@replynotificationsdisabled
2 ай бұрын
@@Goodkidjr43sponsored by phyzer?
@wesleybender5931
Ай бұрын
CBS is government propaganda, Democrats want to get rid of local law enforcement. Sheriffs are elected, you want Biden in control of police?
@radiogal67
Ай бұрын
@@Goodkidjr43 On this, YOU CAN. I still get calls from whistleblowers in the department who knew I would try to help. God Bless them because several were accused of talking to reporters, and were fired.
@farzana6676
28 күн бұрын
@@radiogal67 MSM hate Sherrif departments because they're not beholden to Democrat politicians in the cities. 🤣🤣🤣
And they wonder why people are angry at law enforcement
When you get policed by guys who are more criminal then criminals.
@TheeJosephSantos
Ай бұрын
I've met crooked cops, and outright criminals. There is no difference. They're all thugs on the street before they're cops.
@timkinley1779
Ай бұрын
Than.
Law enforcement says it’s “suspicious” when a pesky citizen gets an attorney and follows the instructions of the attorney…….SO……………🤔🤔
@HarpersvilleAL
2 ай бұрын
The media makes sovereign citizens into “terrorists” yet they are the people who understand their rights and the constitution
Justifies people fearing the police IMO.
Its time that police are held accountable for the actions they have. Stop making tax payers foot the bill
@dmo848
Ай бұрын
That's all we ask n yet I wonder how many more will have to fall until this is into play
@Manliadon
23 күн бұрын
If you report a crime on a Sherrif Dept's contact form, will they get back to you soon?
Can't trust tyrants with badges and guns
@williamshaw5388
2 ай бұрын
That is the truth.
@HenryAndersen
2 ай бұрын
Elected law enforcement officials belongs to another time, and age. Law enforcement requires PROFESSIONAL, EDUCATED law enforcement officers. And not the head of the high school football team voted in as "the man". Nobody elects a "Sheriff" anywhere in the Western World unless it is for a honorary position. Law enforcement requires DOJ, State, and Federal oversight. And "Internal Affairs".
@duanejackson6718
2 ай бұрын
@@HenryAndersen the doj is the United States justice department, didn't you notice they interviewed him as well and he ain't doing nothing about it either. If you're thinking the Federal system is less corrupt than County and State I think you're sorely mistaken. When America wakes up and realizes government is not going to save them from government the world will be a better place.
@fester5228
Ай бұрын
@HenryAndersen All those safeguards you mentioned are like rainbows and unicorns. They only exist in a fantasy world.
@joeblow5214
Ай бұрын
@@HenryAndersen Lol, then you get the DoJ who will let mass shooters do their thing, and will abuse peoples rights on a political whim, whom are as you put it Professional and Educated requiring a college degree. Uvalde was a appointed Police Chief that led to that incident, CPD and all those scandals, appointed. Don't get me started on accreditation scams like CALEA who do nothing and those departments still get corruption. Maybe if you recruited better candidates, oh that's right, you have to recruit from your community or you are racist. This sheriff was elected the county seemed fine with all of this, you seem to really love democracy, that is until they don't vote your way.
Every elected position is filled by the quality of people available in that jurisdiction.
@radiogal67
Ай бұрын
Also the disinterest by voters to show up. This county has a pretty low, 33,000 or so, permanent residents. Go back and see how many show up to vote. I'll be following campaign contributions for all of these "Public servants".
@jaycreasey
26 күн бұрын
Corrupt police in Oklahoma oh my God really😢 been that way for years😮 I'd go three states on my way just to avoid Oklahoma 😢 a corrupt state
imho it is a HUGE problem that the U.S. elect sheriffs, judges, coroners-without-medical-degrees.
@chaparra71
Ай бұрын
A “huge problem”? I’d MUCH rather have them elected!
@atticus-iz7iw
Ай бұрын
@@chaparra71 I respect your opinion, however, I have found that electing these law and government officials simply throws much more fuel on the fire because politics now adds the potential for even more problems.
@farzana6676
28 күн бұрын
@atticus-iz7iw No we are very happy to elect our Sherrifs. Sherrif Grady Judd and some of our best sherrifs are elected. The reason the MSM hates elected Sherrifs is because they are not answerable to Democrats politicians and Democrat policies in the big cities.
It’s crazy seeing this. I started my law enforcement career working at the McCurtain County Jail before getting on as a reserve deputy with them and eventually ending up at the Idabel Police Department. I worked with Clardy before he was Sheriff. I always liked him and never would have expected seeing this from him. I ended up moving out of Southeast Oklahoma and continuing my law enforcement career but I have to say, some of the craziest “good ole boy” stuff I ever witnessed were in that county. It’s most of the reason I decided to get out of that profession because there’s too much cover up. McCurtain County law enforcement are a different breed and not in a good way. I’m ashamed to admit I was affiliated with them.
@curvyblue2843
2 ай бұрын
At least you were smart enough to get out.
@jwells3315
Ай бұрын
Now I live in Pushmataha county...... HUGE MISTAKE cause I'm not from Oklahoma.
@Sureshots.
Ай бұрын
Your ashamed? You posted it online where everyone can see it forever. Even if you deleted the post there are still screen shots. Where do you live now?
@jarrodshelton8707
Ай бұрын
@@Sureshots. Yeah I moved on. You should try it.
@eldnah-n8o
Ай бұрын
@@jarrodshelton8707 "Yeah I moved on. You should try it." 🤣🤣🤣
How is this acceptable to any U.S. citizen??????
@romanz3423
2 ай бұрын
Exactly...why aren't they doing something about this?
@Independent-Journalist-Union
2 ай бұрын
@@romanz3423They is we, why aren't we doing anything?
@phukrnd840
2 ай бұрын
that's the best we can do.. if they weren't they wouldn't be elected and re elected...
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
@@Independent-Journalist-Union We, they, them...why isn't something being done about it?
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
@@phukrnd840 End qualified immunity!!!
My brother Curt Peavy been missing from down there since 2017. Not a safe place.
Small town corruption is some of the most dangerous kind because they make an example out of people to shut the rest of the town up or everyone just collectively decides to not address whatever horrible things they do
@farzana6676
28 күн бұрын
Easy. You can vote out a sherriff.
Qualified immunity protects them and endangers us.
@viking956
Ай бұрын
Well qualified immunity only protects them from civil lawsuit. There is NO immunity protecting cops who commit crimes. We just have to have prosecutors with the stones to bring a case.
@onion6foot
Ай бұрын
It also DEFIES equality under the law and our rights.
@chrisbowers5498
Ай бұрын
100% hicks
@dushooter
Ай бұрын
Well said. Need to make the QUALIFIED IMPUNITY go away. Tyrants get away with any crime with that.
@Augustus_McCrae
Ай бұрын
@@dushooter So you're okay with doing away with the "self defense" defense?
"A new lawsuit describes a violent gang in LA County. Its members are deputy sheriffs." ~Vox, Oct. 11, 2019.
This explains a lot. I tried to get the sheriff's office of my hometown to look at the death of my attorney on a Friday after he said he had information about someone and would give it to me on Monday. They told me they have no records because they had a flood in the basement and those were destroyed.
@paullunsford8831
Ай бұрын
A flood wouldn't do it !
As a child I was taught to respect law enforcement, and if I was ever in trouble to trust them, and now as a senior citizen, I don't trust law enforcement. I believe that ALL law enforcement agencies in the United States are corrupt. I no longer have ANY respect for ANY law enforcement agency or the officers in those agencies. The law enforcement agencies, and the officers in them, have only themselves to blame for the loss of respect from the citizens of the United States. This situation will continue to exist until we get rid of qualified immunity.
@dmo848
Ай бұрын
Your not wrong, I was raised the same. I could remember waving and having conversations with police. Now I'm afraid to even see them, cause I know something about to go down.😢 is sad really
@farzana6676
28 күн бұрын
Lol, all law enforcement is corrupt? 😂😂😂 You've been brainwashed by the media.
@bonner-roush7022
23 күн бұрын
No truer words have been spoken since my grandfather walked the planet. Is Qualified Immunity, code for The Union or Teamsters? We The People are watching
The people of this county need to take this matter into their own hands because the judicial/executive/legislative system isn't take it into their hands.
@dmo848
Ай бұрын
This is all of the USA. You just might not realize it
Look at how nervous they get at 16:22 watch the body language sicking
The Oklahoma Sheriff's Association cut ties with Sheriff CLARDY almost immediately. Just for context.
@neallawson7112
2 ай бұрын
The Oklahoma sheriff's association is no better than the fraternal order of police, both should be disbanded!
@radiogal67
2 ай бұрын
@@neallawson7112 Didn't say they were.
This is much needed reporting, so grateful to see this effort.
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
Yes
These are what our ancestors warns us about.
I was born and raised there. All my family is there. They have their own laws. They go by the "good ole boy" laws. They do what they want. Ask about Aaron victory, Alyssa Walker and many more.
@han2868
2 ай бұрын
JUSTICE FOR ALYSSA!
Is there a longer episode somewhere? I’m glad people are investigating them. Abuse of power.
Great reporting. Keep up the good work and maybe we'll see some change.
Actual reporting? I'm proud of you, based Japanese Chad.
The judges and the courts either are in on this activity with the Sheriff or willfully ignorant of what is going on. The Sheriff officers are in the courts full time on a daily basis.
@curvyblue2843
2 ай бұрын
Judges are corrupt.
It feels like a sundown town. There's no lawlessness quite like a lawman's lawlessness.
I am 68 and have never been in trouble but I do not trust law enforcement. I would never answer anything they would ask me if I didn't have a lawyer on the phone.
Adam Yamaguchi comes up with some of CBS' best investigative reports. It's really important for us all to remain vigilant of (or - at least - be knowledgeable of) the abuses of power that our governments permit.
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
Yes
It’s crazy when you’re from this county 😮💨🤣
My PopPop was a U.S. Marshal I love him very much may he rip. As a result I had enormous respect for law enforcement most of my life. If he were alive today I know he would be totally supportive of not speaking to police w/out a lawyer which is exactly what I instruct my young sons to do, ask for a lawyer. Full stop.
Baxter County AR chained and beaten my dad in the late 90's. Benny Magnus ran the area for decades, and pretty much still does.
Long time resident of a small town under the reign of county sheriff's office. I concur with this piece, in that corruption is rampant.
ABSOLUTE POWER ABSOLUTELY CORRUPTS. MUST HAVE OVERSIGHT N ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTIONS.
@ONE1BEAT
2 ай бұрын
Absolutely 👍
Scary, very scarey!
University of Oklahoma tried to recruit me for grad school .. I said no way … I know their history
More of this type of coverage.
@romanz3423
2 ай бұрын
Yes
Sheriffs have been known to "gaslight" a situation. Kern County sheriffs, California.
@ricksturdevant2901
2 ай бұрын
I was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and lived there many years before I moved to San Diego, and @ME-rr8ym you are very correct. As a kid, I definitely saw ILLEGAL stuff covered up by law enforcement. Quite a few times.
@SonoftheWars
2 ай бұрын
I lived in Taft and was constantly harassed and locked up because I was with a judge's daughter.
Wow, this is not a good look How do people not know that everything is recorded now?
@Wizznilliam
2 ай бұрын
Obviously they know. And don't care. Still nothing is happening to them except tax money being handed over to their victims after lawsuits.
Maybe I missed it. Did CBS make a news story about county district attorneys and the incredible power they have?
Most county sheriff's offices could be classified as criminal organizations
Don't like the Sheriff, elect a new one. Its that simple people.
Can the FBI not investigate
@welhari6181
2 ай бұрын
They don't want to, because to many cases might be overturned! So no they WON'T!
@welhari6181
2 ай бұрын
I went to the FBI,and brought it to their intention that a crooked county female court clerk that told the individual that I had kids with that her so called statement against me sounded like she started the incident, so the corrupt county court clerk told her to rewrite the complaint, so they tore up the original complaint and wrote totally different statement, got back with the individual that I had children with 3 weeks later, so I could be around my children,NOT HER, and she told me right out of her own mouth in her words what had happened, I was furious, so I went to FBI stated what occurred, FBI said they couldn't do anything, straight out DIRTY, because a bunch of cases that she was involved with would most likely be overturned! CORRUPT HAS IT GETS!
@jillstmichaels8708
Ай бұрын
Sadly, they're pretty dirty, too!!
@chaparra71
Ай бұрын
The FBI?! Talk about a CORRUPT agency!!! What the heck! You can’t be serious!
@logancoffee7193
Ай бұрын
@@welhari6181if only your comment made any sense ar all.
Oh yeah, we need better oversight of our government servants...
I could write an award winning, critically acclaimed 1000 page thesis paper on this.
End qualified immunity
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
Yes
@Survivorgirl2019
Ай бұрын
Finally somebody says something smart that's exactly what has to happen
This has been going on a long time and still is. We know the stories that were told years ago, besides what media has been revealing over time. Doesn't scratch the surface.
incredible reporting
terrifying
Our Sheriff in Wagoner County , Chris Elliott, assaulted a female inmate in the jail, then ordered the video be deleted. A staff member used their cell phone to capture it, then it wound up on KZread, where anyone can watch it. FBI was notified and chose to do nothing.
@rebeccamay3076
Ай бұрын
My husband grew up in Wagoner, when189 bodies were dumped in our town of penrose Colorado, the mortician ran back to Wagoner. Amazed me.
This is my ancestral home, Little Dixie. What does one do when they can not turn to Deputies or Law Enforcers are either A. The Problem B. Too inept to handle the situation. Claridy and the gang that follows him should be held to a federal standard. These are the individuals that have vowed by honesty and integrity. What is represented in McCurtain County Department is opposite of justice. Even down to the evidence room, evidence come, goes or is destroyed. Imagine the irony of being jailed by said evidence but not knowing exactly what is represented by. The bad guys are set up to fail. No one escapes justice. Claridy and the gang of Racists are on numbered days. Justice will come find you. Then you will know who is cutting you down.
it's by design; systematic
Good grief, this is truly frightening.
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
And this is in the US.
"The L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy-Gang Crisis." ~New Yorker, May 30, 2022.
This deserves an award.
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
Yes
Sheriff’s and marshals are uniquely American problems
This was good reporting. Thank you!
Good ol’ boys, doing bad ol’ things.
Look in to St. Francois County, Missouri. Where 30 years of records just went “missing” after Sunshine Law requests were submitted.
The fact that this only has 119k views is sad. This should be viral.
This has been out for a month and has less than 200K views? The algorithm needs to start pumping this out to more people!!!
You can do a whole other series on Johnston County Oklahoma... kzread.info/dash/bejne/faik28GyYM3eo8o.html
@580pusher5
2 ай бұрын
Bryan and Atoka county too
The LA Sheriff's dept is a collection of criminal gangs, what other Sheriffs are also set up with gangs?
We need an organization that will accurately/ honestly investigate all policing departments in the U.S. - starting now
Thank you !!!
This video is saving lives ..cops and civilians alike
Please help Southeastern Oklahoma please even one of the guys on this interview is corrupt! Sat there acting like we do not all remember him! Wow!!
@lindseyyoung9149
2 ай бұрын
Which one??
@gailvictory2291
2 ай бұрын
@@lindseyyoung9149 if you do not know it will be best for me to shut up now.
Why can't a state entity rescind an officer's, a deputy's or Sheriff's individual law enforcement license to operate in any part of it's state? ..or even someway through the Civil courts?
PEOPLE... MAKE A CHANGE... Stop running your mouth and run for office!
WOW, TO MUCH POWER, THAT'S WHY THEY/ THEM DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP ALL THIS POWER, ON THIS WICKED EARTH. THEY GET TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO WHO EVER, WITH NO CONSEQUENCES. IT'S DISGUSTING
This thing needs 50M Views, not 120k.
I would still take the sheriff's over police any day
@chaparra71
Ай бұрын
100%!
if this is what they do in plain sight, it must be a literal nightmare living there.
@jeffclark5268
Ай бұрын
WV, GE, and now OK. Nope. Not stepping foot in ‘em. Like third world countries.
Wow! Just wow!
The State and Federal government should be held accountable for this "good old boys club" to continue in 2024
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
Yes
They don't realize that they're gonna be on the receiving end of this when everything is said and done 😅
That's why there needs to be term limits .
Best country in the world, eh?
@jwells3315
2 ай бұрын
FOLKLAHOMA IS ITS OWN COUNTRY! SAD! AND EVIL!
@romanz3423
Ай бұрын
Used to be.
@TrueThatTucson
Ай бұрын
When?
So grateful I live in a place with no county sheriffs
It's sad when u can't trust the people that supposed to protect an serve I just lost two baby brothers in that area one from being shot in back an it was called self defense an one hung in Choctaw jail in Hugo
Just so gut wrenching and depressing.
Just a quick update to save you the search: Kevin Clardy was defeated for re-election in a three way race as of June 19th. He received 399 Votes for 18% of the vote and finished third.
believe it or not this is almost every department. it needs to be changed immediately.
Justice in America is not blind. It is based on human emotion - not law; one reason we have sentence deviation for the same crime.
good morning from new brunswick canada.
They have to do something about the qualified immunity doctrine
Higher power for the State of Oklahoma , just wear a name tag. They all show the people of Oklahoma means nothing to them. They all should be in jail .
This is scary man
That guy that was hog tied in the middle of the street. I’ve been like that like 6 times, then they carry you like a suitcase.
Unbelievable. For first time maybe ever my current sheriff never makes psa or any public media events and it’s extremely different from last sheriff. I have tried to contact him and them with no response. Black hornet drones are no joke. Every ranch owner needs 2 things in this country. Thermal device of some kind monocular cheapest but not cheap. Then in this case m855 is crucial or rifle rounds. If constitutional law is enforced there is no problem. This is EXACTLY why the second amendment was enacted. At this point I don’t care who reads this it’s true accountability is unbelievably important. Uncontested election when last election was very contested.
We had a sheriff who only showed up to work one,day a year. Collected full salary and benefits. Legally, he was,right only had to work one day a year. Deputy sheriff was the one who truly ran the department.
*_Yall act like if you're not a cop then you're a criminal. You're afraid of a cell phone. I've never seen grown men cry this much in my life. Yall dont want to be held accountable is all._*
8:27 I really don’t understand why there aren’t federal charges if the prosecutor knows it’s a federal crime
They are " touchable " The governor can change police policy, rules anf protocol in any state!!
The sheriff of your county can bust you for a federal crime, seize your property, and then auction it for a profit once you are convicted. If that is not an incentive for corruption and immoral behavior, I don't know what is.