ALPHARETTA, GA - An officer who was embroiled in an intense physical altercation and used his K9 to assist with a violent suspect was criminally charged long after his department investigated and cleared him.
Michael Esposito, formerly of the Alpharetta Police Department, and other officers were trying to arrest a violent suspect who was refusing all orders to comply. As the officers continued to physically struggle with the suspect, Officer Esposito utilized his K9 to further assist in the arrest. It was only then that the officers were able to secure the suspect.
The incident occurred in May of 2021. As per standard protocol, the department investigated the use-of-force incident and cleared Esposito of any wrongdoing.
However, the Fulton County DA’s office decided to charge Esposito with several criminal charges nearly two years after the incident – a case that wreaked of political corruption.
The DA’s office charged Esposito with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and violation of oath of office.
Thankfully a competent judge ruled on the case and dropped the charges against Esposito. However, the DA made a public statement that they would be appealing the judge’s ruling - so Esposito’s fight continues on. Donate to Esposito's legal defense fund HERE.
Prosecutor Accountability
This type of case is not unique. There have been a growing number of cases where seemingly politically motivated DAs have gone after law enforcement officers months, and sometimes years after a use-of-force incident has been cleared by a police department’s investigative unit.
One reason (aside from a DA getting their name in the paper and wanting to appease the public) is that there is little to no accountability for a prosecutor. They can charge virtually anyone at any time for next to little cause.
“We have to start holding people, when I'm talking about people, I'm talking about prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, elected officials accountable for their actions,” Michael Letts, a political expert, LEO advocate, and President of the nonprofit organization InVest USA told LET.
“That action is totally without merit. For them to go back years in the past and try to make a case of aggressive behavior for an officer doing his job…remember, we have law enforcement immunity. So for them to try to pierce that and somebody [a prosecutor] says, ‘Oh, what is that?’, it’s just simply meant to protect against what we’re talking about,” Michael Letts continued.
It is a dangerous precedent when an officer must continuously worry that they may be criminally charged, even long after the department has cleared them.
“The newer cops, they see that we have created a climate that law enforcement is guilty to until proven innocent in anything they do,” Michael added.
In a case like Esposito experienced, officers who are brought up on criminal charges, even those with clearly bogus charges, they must uproot their entire lives to fight these charges.
“That means they have to engage legal counsel. That means they put their whole financial security at risk for not just themselves but for their family. And even if they win, they lose because they leave. Nobody is going to pay them back, the government doesn't pay you back when you win the case,” Michael said.
The longstanding future concerns are that police officers will be more hesitant to use force for fear of retaliation or, worse yet, political retaliation. When officers are hesitant to do their job, safety is jeopardized and people can get hurt more than they historically would have.
That is why politics has no role in law enforcement. America needs law enforcement to protect itself and the American way of life. And to do that, politically motivated DAs need to do what’s right for America, not their careers.
If you would like to donate to Michael Esposito's legal defense funds, click HERE.
To learn more about Michael Letts, go to michaelletts.us and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts by clicking HERE.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
Michael Esposito, formerly of the Alpharetta Police Department, and other officers were trying to arrest a violent suspect who was refusing all orders to comply. As the officers continued to physically struggle with the suspect, Officer Esposito utilized his K9 to further assist in the arrest. It was only then that the officers were able to secure the suspect.
The incident occurred in May of 2021. As per standard protocol, the department investigated the use-of-force incident and cleared Esposito of any wrongdoing.
However, the Fulton County DA’s office decided to charge Esposito with several criminal charges nearly two years after the incident – a case that wreaked of political corruption.
The DA’s office charged Esposito with aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and violation of oath of office.
Thankfully a competent judge ruled on the case and dropped the charges against Esposito. However, the DA made a public statement that they would be appealing the judge’s ruling - so Esposito’s fight continues on. Donate to Esposito's legal defense fund HERE.
Prosecutor Accountability
This type of case is not unique. There have been a growing number of cases where seemingly politically motivated DAs have gone after law enforcement officers months, and sometimes years after a use-of-force incident has been cleared by a police department’s investigative unit.
One reason (aside from a DA getting their name in the paper and wanting to appease the public) is that there is little to no accountability for a prosecutor. They can charge virtually anyone at any time for next to little cause.
“We have to start holding people, when I'm talking about people, I'm talking about prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, elected officials accountable for their actions,” Michael Letts, a political expert, LEO advocate, and President of the nonprofit organization InVest USA told LET.
“That action is totally without merit. For them to go back years in the past and try to make a case of aggressive behavior for an officer doing his job…remember, we have law enforcement immunity. So for them to try to pierce that and somebody [a prosecutor] says, ‘Oh, what is that?’, it’s just simply meant to protect against what we’re talking about,” Michael Letts continued.
It is a dangerous precedent when an officer must continuously worry that they may be criminally charged, even long after the department has cleared them.
“The newer cops, they see that we have created a climate that law enforcement is guilty to until proven innocent in anything they do,” Michael added.
In a case like Esposito experienced, officers who are brought up on criminal charges, even those with clearly bogus charges, they must uproot their entire lives to fight these charges.
“That means they have to engage legal counsel. That means they put their whole financial security at risk for not just themselves but for their family. And even if they win, they lose because they leave. Nobody is going to pay them back, the government doesn't pay you back when you win the case,” Michael said.
The longstanding future concerns are that police officers will be more hesitant to use force for fear of retaliation or, worse yet, political retaliation. When officers are hesitant to do their job, safety is jeopardized and people can get hurt more than they historically would have.
That is why politics has no role in law enforcement. America needs law enforcement to protect itself and the American way of life. And to do that, politically motivated DAs need to do what’s right for America, not their careers.
If you would like to donate to Michael Esposito's legal defense funds, click HERE.
To learn more about Michael Letts, go to michaelletts.us and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts by clicking HERE.
-------------------
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2024-08-25T19:21-0400 | Comment by: Dawn
It takes WAY more courage than ever to become a police officer these days, because of idiot prosecutors and activist judges who only care about criminals.