The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "county sheriff" ...
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Broken Justice in Phillips County
A five-part series preceded by an initial investigation into dysfunction in the criminal justice system in an Arkansas Delta county known for corruption and poverty. The year-long investigation uncovered errors and archaic practices in the handling of fugitive warrants and speedy trials that allowed felony suspects to remain free for years without fear of answering to the charges against them. As a result, prosecutors had to drop hundreds of cases for failure to take them to trial in a timely manner. Since publication, the Phillips County sheriff has made changes in how his office handles failure-to-appear warrants, and court officials have reduced case backlogs. Nevertheless, problems persist.
Tags: Criminal justice system; corruption; poverty; fugitive warrants
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Drug Under the Rug
A four-month investigation into the whereabouts of Athens County law enforcement agencies' seizures and forfeitures of items obtained during drug busts revealed that many, particularly the Sheriff, failed to report these items to the Attorney General's Office and could not account for the whereabouts of these items when questioned.
Tags: Drugs; drug busts; forfeitures
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MCSO Sex Crimes Unit Investigation
We uncovered that Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Sex Crimes Unit detectives failed to investigate hundreds of sex crimes cases. Not only were hundreds not investigated, but many were cleared in a way so they would be reported along with arrest numbers giving the public the appearance the cases were solved.
Tags: sex crimes; detectives
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Debt-uty crisis
The four-day series detailed the controversial origins of the Knox County Sheriff's Office Pension Plan -- called the Uniformed Officers Pension Plan, UOPP -- and the ramifications its approval had on county finances. The series looked at how the plan was sold to the public on lies and bad information.
Tags: pension plan; sheriffs; Knox County
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"Local Sheriff Abusing His Power?"
This investigation reveals that the Middlesex County sheriff had been accepting money from his employees who were interested in staying in his "good graces." The corruption also benefited the sheriff's "political future." When the accusation of corruption was exposed by WFXT, the Mass. Attorney General launched its own investigation. Less than a week later, the sheriff committed suicide, and WFXT-TV received criticism for their reporting of the incident. Critics eventually determined the story was fairly investigated and reported.
Tags: Middlesex County; sheriff; James Dipaola; Office of Campaign and Political Finance; Attorney General
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"FBI Data, Scholars: As Illegal Immigration Rose, Crime Rate Fell"
According to "widely trusted" crime reporting data, reports that crime is rising along the southern border of the U.S. in incorrect. Reporter Cristina Rayas wanted to find out if there was a correlation between crime and immigration. She found that the crime rate is actually down in the U.S. and that immigrants might actually be making "communities safer."
Tags: Unified Crime Reports; Department of Homeland Security; Pinal County Sheriff's Department; Mexico; Arizona; Council on Foreign Relations; Pew Hispanic Center; Border Patrol
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Left for Dead
A woman who “allegedly hoarded and killed more than a dozen dogs at her animal rescue” was never convicted for the crime. Her court date was postponed for a number of times and now she can’t be found as she runs from the law. Many people donated money to her rescue initiative and families donated their pets for her to find good homes for, but later found out about their help was a waste.
Tags: Eastern Iowa; Waggin' Tails; Michele Kintzer; sheriff; law enforcement; police; state officials; Hardin County; evidence
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Lee Sheriff's Link With Felon Raises Influence Fears
Lee County’s Sheriff has been close friends with a convicted money launderer and kidnapper. During the campaigns for sheriff, he obtained money and advice from the convicted felon. Though, being associated with a felon is not a crime, it is prohibited by the sheriff’s office policy. Once the sheriff learned of his past, he talked less and less to him but they still remain friends today.
Tags: Mike Scott; Richard Spence; law enforcement; police officers; deputies; drug cartel; corruption; connections
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"Arpaio Investigation"
An investigation by KPHO-TV found that Sheriff Joe Arpaio often used his popularity as a means to "retaliate" when claims were made against him. The retaliation was often in the form of "SWAT raids" or "full-blown criminal investigations." Some of his victims included the mayor of Phoenix, Supreme Court judges and local police chiefs. KPHO found the FBI was also investigating the sheriff for "abuse of power."
Tags: Joe Arpaio; Mesa Police Chief; Mesa City Hall; Sheriff Arpaio; Department of Justice; Maricopa County
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Are Your Papers in Order
The series reveals how the Sheriff of Maricopa County rounded up illegal aliens for deportation in an effort to remove illegal immigrants. The way this was done was arresting many people without probable cause and simple issues, such as traffic stops. Further, he was stopping darker colored people with alleged infractions and later checking on their residency to determine if they had to be deported or not.
Tags: Arizona; immigration; law enforcement; Hispanic; residents; motorists; citizens; police