The Horse’s Mouth

by Sheryl McCollum

I sat with the ex-Imperial Wizard of the KKK this week. The purpose of this meeting was to gain insight on this hate group in order to best work on an existing case.

When you sit two feet from a man who has physically harmed others, burned down a church, and verbally abused a race of people, a knee jerk reaction is to be repulsed and to wonder, Why aren't you in prison? Once you get past those reactions, you start to see how his knowledge can be useful.

The ex-wizard, “JC,” grew up poor in the Los Angeles projects and joined the KKK at the age of 14. A former wrestler, he now works at the FBI academy at Quantico as a trainer, speaking out against hate groups. Throughout our encounter, “JC” was open, honest, straightforward, and very clear about the workings of the Klu Klux Klan. He explained the organization's recurring tactics, its activities, and its resurgence since the election of President Obama.

One of the things he explained to me is the way such groups view alliances. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” is a commonly heard phrase in such organizations. Hate groups help other hate groups, in order to destroy their enemy. There is no loyalty. Hate groups will sell weapons to other groups, if they believe the buyers can assist in furthering their cause.

Let's look at another such insider: Joe Valachi. A mobster, he was the first to publicly acknowledge La Cosa Nostra's existence. His testimony was broadcast on radio and television and published in newspapers. Because of him, organized crime no longer had the advantage of invisibility. In his testimony before Congress in 1963, Valachi gave the names of over 300 mafioso while detailing the inner working of the mob, including its organizational structure, political ties, and crimes. At the time, then Attorney General Robert Kennedy said that Valachi’s testimony gave "meaning to much of what we know and brings the picture into sharper focus.”

Not all intelligence experts are hate-group or organized-crime family members. Frank W. Abagnale is a con man turned FBI trainer. Who better to teach young agents about fraud, embezzlement, and forgery than a master con man? The subject of the hit movie Catch me if you Can, Abagnale is a great teacher because he has not only researched but committed these crimes. With his knowledge and experience, he can explain how to best thwart these criminals.

Others are taking the training one step further and making ex-criminals police officers. The island nation of Fiji takes hardened criminals and turns them into cops. They see this as a way to rehabilitate former criminals and to give them a way to use their knowledge to fight crime. It's also a great way to keep tabs on your usual suspects.

Maybe some of you have watched the Discovery Channel's It Takes a Thief, in which two uniquely qualified experts break into homes to show homeowners just how defenseless their houses are to pros. The two experts are reformed ex-cons who know well the art of B&E.

Please keep in mind that criminals can serve in many ways. They have knowledge and an expertise in a certain type of crime and can train or assist police in preventing, fighting, or better understanding that crime. Whether they are called confidential informants, cooperating individuals, or substantial assistance, they have expertise the average police officer lacks. Having criminals work with police is also a great way to keep an eye on them. Remember: Keep your enemies closer – so to speak.

Bottom line: If I want to know how to make a pound cake, I ask Betty Crocker. If I want to know how the Smith & Wesson .50 Magnum handles, I ask Leslie Bailey. If I want to know about the KKK, I go to the source.

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Truth and Consequence

by Sheryl McCollum

By definition, the meanings of "consequence" include "result; something that follows a result."

If I hear another person say that Michael Vick has "paid his debt," I will lose my mind. Criminals sometimes go to jail for their crimes. Jail is punishment. After they get out of jail, their debt has not been paid. Society has a say-so; it's called consequences. After jail, the criminal must face the court of public opinion -- the result that follows a result such as his conviction for maiming and murdering dogs. Society will decide his other sentence.

Are we going to trust and welcome him back into our society, or are we going to forever see him as a criminal who can't be trusted? Will he be like citizens on the sex-offender registry: We don't trust them now, and we won't trust them later?

The public now gets to determine its future relationship with Vick. It's your turn to decide the consequences for Vick's past behavior.

Let's Recall the Facts

• A drug raid on Vick's property led police to a dog fighting ring.

• Informants said some 30 dogs were buried on the property, and Vick actively participated in dog fighting and betting, not one or two times, but since his college days!

• Vick bankrolled the gambling on these fights.

• Vick owned and bred dogs to fight so others could bet on the "matches."

• Vick lied about his involvement with dog fighting to his team owner and coach, to the NFL, and to fans, law enforcement, and subsequently, the world.

So what does this all mean? Vick used his dogs, money and property for criminal activity. After police broke up the ring, 66 dogs found temporary homes in shelters. According to court records, Vick operated his dog-fighting venue for more than five years. How many dogs suffered and died during that time? His co-defendant admitted to killing dogs who "did not perform well -- by hanging or drowning." In fact, the 18-page indictment states dogs were "electrocuted, drowned, shot or hanged." Also found on the property: a "rape stand" used for breeding. Doesn't this show how involved Vick and his co-defendants were in this brutal criminal activity?

During the investigation, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ordered Vick to stay away from the Falcons training camp. Reebok, Upper Deck Trading Cards, AirTran Airlines and Rawlings Sports Goods all chose to end their relationships with him. Nike dropped him. These humiliations and income losses are consequences, imposed not by law but by society.

Man's Best Friend

A few facts about dogs: More people have dogs than children. Most states have more animal shelters than shelters for battered women. Dogs keep us safe. They sweep buildings for bombs and cars for drugs. As partners of police officers, each is trained to take down a bad guy holding a gun. Many are trained to take a bullet for their human partners. Dogs help find missing and lost people; some are trained to find dead bodies. They give vision-impaired people the freedom to walk around safely, helping them cross streets, go up and down steps, and maneuver around other hazards. Some service dogs give alerts of impending seizures, providing just enough time for their owners to sit or lie down instead of suddenly hitting the ground. I wonder.....

How many people who benefit from and love dogs would want season tickets to see Vick throw a football? Has Vick put his life on the line to save another? Has he ever helped a blind person get around for a day? Has he ever risked his life sniffing out dangerous materials in a high-rise?

Vick can throw a ball - big friggin deal! I'll take the dog!

Where there's Smoke there's Fire

"In a crisis, don't hide behind anything or anybody. They are going to find you out anyway." -- Bear Bryant.

Vick lied. He said he was never at the property, that he had learned a lesson about "trusting family members." Then he was indicted and plead not guilty.

Remember why his home was raided in the first place?

On Sept. 26, 2007, a federal judge placed tighter restrictions on Vick after he tested positive for marijuana while awaiting sentencing on the felony charge. The judge in Vick's case told him: "I'm not convinced you've fully accepted responsibility." Vick had a six-year contract worth a potential $62 million, including a signing bonus of $15 million. He was later sued by banks and filed for bankruptcy. Yes, Vick lost money, fame, fans and a lucrative career. Yes, he served time in prison. Too bad. These are all consequences.

Vick's Future

Vince Lombardi: "Football is like life; it requires perseverance, self denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority."

Many criminologists say if you want to know about future behavior look at past behavior. Vick's past shows him as a liar, animal killer, gambling backer, and drug user. The Miami Dolphins said they were "interested" in the reinstated Vick. His future in football may be uncertain, but one thing is certain to follow Vick wherever he goes: The consequences of his past crimes.

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Expanding Crime Scene

by Sheryl McCollum

An "expanding crime scene” is what law enforcement is calling the burial plot scam in Burr Oak Cemetery. Police have discovered that up to 300 bodies were dug up and dumped in an unused part of the cemetery in order to resell the plots.

The local sheriff, Sheriff Dart, says it is hard to tell how many graves have been scammed due to the poor record keeping at the cemetery. He stated that the burial records for these remains either do not exist have been altered or destroyed. Thus far, his office has received over 1,300 complaints from family members for the suspected remains. This number may rise in the days and weeks to come.

What office in Illinois oversees cemeteries? How was this one so inadequately missed? How could this criminal scam continue for four years?

The state of Georgia had a crematory scam years ago that turned into a massive crime scene and a larger victim assistance outreach. Assisting numerous family members for each loved one was quite an undertaking. For every victim in Burr Oak, there could be several family members. Therefore, Illinois could possibly end up assisting thousands of family members. Reading about the latest scam from Illinois makes my heart sick and furious at the same time. Although the state of Georgia had regulations, a loophole in the law allowed crematories, who only did business with funeral homes, to operate without a license; therefore, they could operate without any state inspections.

What’s the loophole here?

Historical Factor of Burr Oak

"Emmett Till is being treated with the same disrespect in death as he was treated in life," said Jonathan Fine, executive director of the group Preservation Chicago.

Numerous mothers of missing children have stated to me that they just want to be able to bury their children. They want to bring them home and lay them to rest. A proper burial is the last thing that they can do for them. How could anyone take that away from the Till family and all the other families? Emmett’s body has been exhumed once previously in order to prove it was in fact the civil rights victim inside. How horrifying will it be for his family to possibly have to exhume him again?

Each and every burial site is now under investigation. Not one grave is a final resting place. Crimes that target the dead hit many aspects from religion to a family honoring their loved ones. These criminals should receive the max time for their disrespect and disregard.

Current Factor

Each grave is someone’s father, mother, sister, brother, child, friend, or spouse. Police suspect as many as 300 grave sites have been disinterred or disturbed at the Burr Oak Cemetery. Sheriff Dart stated in a news cast: "I can't tell you how many mothers can't find their babies."

Crime Scene

Police will do a grid search on the 100,000 graves that span over 150 acres.

Some head stones were removed and smashed into pieces. This will make the task of locating sites difficult for law enforcement.

Each grave will be marked once that it has been inspected, and then officers will move on to the next grave. This systematic search will continue until all graves are accounted for.

The 300 human remains which were dumped in a pile on the vacant lot were all mixed together and mixed with garbage. Three hundred loved ones many just dumped in a vacant lot to make room to resell the sites.

Burr Oak is closed today. Families can not go and visit their loved ones grave site today because it is a crime scene. Some of them may have to wait on DNA testing to insure that their loved one was located in that vacant lot or in the developing crime scene. The police will question them. The FBI will assist in identifying the bodies. The EPA may also be involved, and then come the criminal and civil trials. All of this and then, they will have to bury their loved again. This event may take years to complete.

Going Forward

There has to be accountability. Scared burial grounds must be regulated and inspected and most of all investigated. Of course, Illinois did have a senate seat up for sale, should the resale of cemetery plots really surprise us? Bottom line–we regulate hair dressers better than our loved ones' burial sites.

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