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Wrong man arrested on Fredericksburg charges--twice Date published: 6/25/2008
BY KEITH EPPS There have been times in recent months when Rodney Maurice Morton probably wished he had another name. Twice in the past seven months, the 41-year-old King George County resident has been arrested for offenses that police later determined had been committed by another area man with the same first and last name. In the end, Morton maintained his clean criminal record. But the snafus have cost him time, money and embarrassment. "It's just ridiculous for something like this to have happened twice," said Morton, who works for the federal government. According to court records, Morton was arrested in December on an assault and battery charge. Morton said he showed up at Fredericksburg police headquarters after learning there was a warrant. He said he explained that he didn't even know the victim and told them the suspect was probably the other Rodney Morton, but was arrested and taken to a magistrate's office. That case was finally dismissed on Feb. 7 in Fredericksburg General District Court, court records show. Morton said the victim confirmed that he wasn't the one who assaulted him. Morton thought that whatever led to the mistake had been cleared up, but, in April, he was indicted by a Fredericksburg grand jury on a more serious charge, distributing cocaine. Morton said he was at work one day when his daughter called and told him King George deputies had their home surrounded. The deputies were serving a warrant that had been faxed to the Sheriff's Office by Fredericksburg. Morton said he got on the phone with officers and told them they had the wrong man. The case was finally dismissed earlier this month. He never pulled any jail time as the result of the erroneous arrests, but Morton said he had to pay a lawyer and take time out of his schedule to fight the charges. More importantly, Morton said, is the hit on his reputation. He said a number of people have told him they saw his name in an indictment list printed in the newspaper. He said he's now concerned that the same mistake could be made a third time. Fredericksburg Police Capt. Rick Pennock said his department is taking internal steps to make sure nothing like this happens again to Morton or anybody else.
Yes, clerical error by King George County employees who don't give a crap and do not pay attention to detail!
to change his first name
There's really not much of an age difference. A year, at most. So, yeah, it was a horrible mistake, but that's all. A mistake. He should, however, be reimbursed.
Ha! That'll never happen - according to many here the police should never be seconded guessed, criticized or held accountable they're all perfect and without fault.
Ha! That'll never happen - according to many here the police should never be seconded guessed, criticized or held accountable they're all perfect and without fault.
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