Pot dealer's tragic choice ended in death

[Duck Dog]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

The ****ed up part is that this girl was gonna go to PRISON FOR FOUR YEARS over SOME WEED.

Yep.

[KingPriest2]

http://www.reason.com/blog/show/126475.html
Rachel Hoffman: More Collateral Damage
Radley Balko | May 13, 2008, 8:11am

Earlier this year, police in Tallahassee, Florida raided the home of college student Rachel Hoffman, who friends say was a bit of a hippie-ish free spirit, and concede that she shared and sold small amounts of marijuana and MDMA within her social circle. Hoffman was at the time undergoing state-forced drug treatment after police found 20+ grams of marijuana in her car during a traffic stop. The raid turned up another five ounces of marijuana, plus six ecstasy pills and assorted pot-related paraphernalia.

From this, Tallahassee police apparently threatened Hoffman with prison time, then agreed to let her off easy if she'd become a police informant, and set up a deal with her supplier. They never informed Hoffman's attorney or the state prosecutor of the arrangement. They wired Hoffman, and asked her to arrange to purchase 1,500 ecstasy pills, cocaine, and a gun—a deal that would have run well over ten thousand dollars. Hoffman's friends and family have told me that all three purchases would also have been drastically out of character for her. Which means the dealers she was buying from were almost surely on to her.

Tallahassee police found Hoffman's body last week. The first thing they did was call a press conference in which they blamed Hoffman for her own death, stating that the arrangement she made with the police was consistent with department protocol, and that she agreed to meet with the dealers in a different location than the one previously agreed upon.

After public outrage, the city is now walking that back a bit, and has asked Florida's attorney general to look into the Tallahassee Police Department's procedures for dealing with drug informants.

Chalk it up as collateral damage, and add Hoffman's name to that of Isaac Singletary and Anthony Diotaiuto, three deaths of non-violent, non-threatening Floridians in just the last few years, thanks to the drug war.

[KingPriest2]

timeline
http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll...5090343/0/COMP
Updated: Rachel Hoffman facing multiple felony charges when agreed to help police
By Angeline J. Taylor and Nic Corbett • DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITERS • May 9, 2008

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Updated 6:18 p.m.
When the slain Tallahassee woman Rachel Hoffman agreed to assist police in Wednesday’s buy-bust operation, she was facing multiple felony charges and was in a diversion program for possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, said Tallahassee Police Chief Dennis Jones in a news conference today.

“It is not unusual to have known drug dealers or users offer to assist police in narcotics investigations,” Jones said. “Rachel was no exception.”

Hoffman was facing charges of possession of ecstasy with intent to sell, possession of controlled substance with intent to sell, maintaining a drug house and possession of drug paraphernalia, he said.

She agreed to buy 1,500 pills of ecstasy, 2 ounces of cocaine or crack cocaine and a gun from two men who are now suspected of kidnapping and robbing her.

“Unfortunately, Rachel chose to ignore precautions established in a previous briefing as well as the direction of her case agent,” Jones said.

Hoffman left the Forestmeadows Park area, where several police officers were watching her, to go meet Andrea J. Green and Deneilo Bradshaw.

Police tried to stop her, but were unsuccessful, said police spokesman Officer David McCranie. It’s not clear how they lost sight of her or where she went.

Murder charges against Green and Bradshaw are pending, officials said.


updated 2:55 p.m.
The best friend of slain Tallahassee woman Rachel Hoffman remembered her as fun-loving and smart.

"She was everything -- smart, incredibly bright and intuitive," said Jessica Weinstock, who went to Florida State University with Hoffman. "She also really loved to have fun."

Hoffman, who was working with the Tallahassee Police Department's vice unit in an investigation, went missing Wednesday night near Forestmeadows Park. Investigators found her body today in rural Taylor County. Two men have been arrested in connection with her disappearance.

Hoffman and Weinstock used to go to the Beta Bar, the Warehouse and other bars and clubs to see live bands. She had two cats, named Jimi Hendrix and Bentley.

"She loved music -- we loved going to shows and festivals, anything that was an excuse to go on a road trip," Weinstock said.

"She was a pool shark," Weinstock said. "She could beat anybody at pool."

Weinstock, who now lives in Miami, last saw her best friend the weekend of April 26, when their friends were graduating from Florida State University. They ate sushi at a local restaurant before Weinstock left for the airport. They decided Hoffman would come down the next time a good band was in Miami.

"I'm just devastated to lose her," Weinstock said.

updated 2:10 p.m.
David McCranie, spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, said today that Rachel Hoffman was cooperating with TPD's vice unit in an investigation when she went missing Wednesday.

Hoffman's body was found about 7 a.m. this morning in rural Taylor County.

Two suspects in her death, Andrea J. Green and Deneilo Bradshaw, led investigators to the scene. Authorities are seeking murder charges against them.

"Miss Hoffman is a good person," McCranie said in a news conference this morning. "She was cooperating in an investigation with the Tallahassee Police Department's vice unit.

"We had established protocols in place to ensure her safety," McCranie continued. "At some point during the investigation, she chose not to follow the instructions. She met Green and Bradshaw on her own. That meeting ultimately resulted in her murder."

McCranie said the cause of death isn't yet known. Investigators, including agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, are still processing the crime scene in Taylor County.

Hoffman's family was notified this morning of her death, McCranie said.

"The family's obviously suffering," he said. "They are our primary concern right now. Our hearts go out to them."

Green and Bradshaw are expected to be booked today into the Leon County Jail.

updated 11:55 a.m.
Tallahassee police have confirmed that Rachel Hoffman, a 23-year-old woman who went missing Wednesday, has been found dead in rural Taylor County.

Two suspects in her death, Andrea J. Green and Deneilo Bradshaw, led investigators to the scene, said David McCranie, spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department.

"They led us to Miss Hoffman's body," McCranie said in a news conference late this morning. "She is deceased."

Hoffman, a Florida State University graduate, disappeared Wednesday night near Forestmeadows Park on North Meridian Road.

She had been working with TPD's narcotics unit in an investigation. However, she went outside TPD safety protocols, McCranie said.

"She met with Green and Bradshaw on her own," McCranie said today. "And that meeting ultimately resulted in her murder."

McCranie described Hoffman as a "good person."

"The family's obviously suffering," he said.

Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Green and Bradshaw Thursday in Orlando on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery. They were flown to the Tallahassee area this morning.

More charges against them are pending, McCranie said.

Hoffman's body was found about 7 a.m.

Hoffman served three days in Leon County Jail this year, from April 4 to April 6, for failure to appear in court, according to court records.

That sentence stems from her arrest last year on a charge of possessing more than 20 grams of marijuana, a felony.

She was arrested after being pulled over for speeding on Feb. 22, 2007. The arresting officer found 25.7 grams of cannabis in her car, court records show. Hoffman was sentenced to probation, community service, and she was required to attend a drug-rehabilitation program.

Green, of Perry, spent nearly nine months in prison from 2004 to 2005 for selling marijuana and aggravated assault in Taylor County, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

TPD is expected to have another news conference at 4 p.m. in Tallahassee.

updated 11:45 a.m.
The body of Rachel Hoffman was found this morning in rural Taylor County.

Two suspects in her death led investigators to her body.

updated 10:40 a.m.
A hearse has gone to the scene in rural Taylor County where law-enforcement officers have been searching for missing 23-year-old Rachel Hoffman.

The hearse was from Bevis Funeral Home. There's still no word on whether Hoffman was found.

Willie Meggs, state attorney for the 2nd Judicial District, visited the scene this morning.

Investigators have gathered near Cabbage Grove Road in Taylor County. The area is marked by dirt roads, rolling hills and cow pastures. Members of the media have not been allowed near the search area.

Hoffman, a Florida State University graduate, went missing Wednesday night while assisting Tallahassee police in an investigation.

Two men, Andrea J. Green and Deneilo Bradshaw, were arrested Thursday in Orlando on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery in connection with Hoffman's disappearance. They were arrested by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

updated 10 a.m.
Law-enforcement officers have moved from Jefferson County to rural Taylor County as part of their search for missing 23-year-old Rachel Hoffman.

Jefferson County Sheriff David Hobbs said investigators have made a discovery, but he declined to elaborate.

The scene is off County Road 257 about 12-15 miles south of Lamont, Hobbs said.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for more on this breaking story.

Updated 9:24 a.m.
An update by investigators on the search for missing 23-year-old Rachel Hoffman is expected later this morning.

David McCranie, spokesman for the Tallahassee Police Department, said he will be talking with members of the media about 11 a.m. in Jefferson County.

Law-enforcement officers have been searching a rural site near Wacissa for Hoffman, who disappeared Wednesday night while assisting Tallahassee police in an investigation.

There's still no word on whether Hoffman, a Florida State University graduate, has been found.

Two men, Andrea J. Green and Deneilo Bradshaw, were arrested Thursday in Orlando on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery in connection with Hoffman's disappearance. They were arrested by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Updated 8:39 a.m.
The Tallahassee Police Department has blocked off a road in rural Jefferson County where investigators are concentrating their efforts to find a missing 23-year-old woman.

Officers are restricting access to Thomas City Road near Wacissa to law-enforcement and emergency vehicles.

Officers are not letting members of the media near the search scene. There's still no word on whether Rachel Hoffman has been found.

Meanwhile, Hoffman's father said he is offering a $150,000 reward for the safe return of his daughter.

“This is my daughter," said Irv Hoffman of Palm Harbor. "My heart’s broken. We just want Rachel home safely."

Hoffman was at his daughter's apartment in Tallahassee this morning.

Rachel Hoffman, a Florida State University graduate, went missing Wednesday night while assisting Tallahassee police in an investigation.

Two men have been arrested on kidnapping and armed-robbery charges in connection with her disappearance. They are Andrea J. Green and Deneilo Bradshaw. Both were arrested in Orlando by agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Updated 7:20 a.m.
Investigators are looking for a 23-year-old missing woman in rural Jefferson County.

They've gathered off a dirt road in the Wacissa area in hopes of finding Rachel Hoffman, who went missing Wednesday while assisting Tallahassee police officers with an operation.

"We're hoping for the best," said Jefferson County Sheriff David Hobbs, who was on his way to the scene this morning.

A reporter and photographer have been sent to the scene.

Check back with Tallahassee.com for more on this breaking story.

morning update
Two men were arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with the kidnapping and armed robbery of a Tallahassee woman who went missing after assisting in a police operation.

Andrea J. Green, 25, and Deneilo Bradshaw were arrested at 5 p.m. by Florida Department of Law Enforcement agents in Orlando, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

There is no word on 23-year-old Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, who was last seen about 7 p.m. Wednesday near Forestmeadows Park in northeast Tallahassee. She is 5-foot-7, weighs 135 pounds and was last seen wearing a green V-neck shirt, black skirt with multiple colors on the bottom and black flip flops.

"The department continues the investigation in an attempt to determine the exact circumstances of her disappearance," TPD released in a statement.

Police have been using helicopters and other resources to search for her, said Officer David McCranie, TPD spokesman. That search has extended to Taylor County. Agencies assisting in the manhunt include: the Leon County Sheriff's Office, Perry Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.

"We want her found safe and sound as much as her family does," McCranie said. "We are working all night long. We have officers rotating shifts, commanders rotating shifts and we have thrown a great deal of resources into locating the suspects and Ms. Hoffman."

Authorities found Hoffman's 2005 silver Volvo sedan about midday Thursday at United Welding Services, 606 Industrial Park Drive, in Perry. No one was inside the car.

Police set up a field post at the Meadows Soccer Complex at Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park as part of its search for the missing woman. The complex is next door to Forestmeadows on North Meridian Road. About a dozen police vehicles patrolled the area in hopes of finding Hoffman or her car.

Local residents who work or exercise at the Forestmeadows Park & Athletic Center were shocked Wednesday morning to hear about the missing woman.

Linda Talbot, who works at the front desk at the center said the news made her nervous.

"I was in shock because I see this as a safe place where people play tennis, and children play here," Talbot said.

Talbot said she was considering working the night shift — the athletic facility stays open until 10 p.m. on weekdays — but now she's changed her mind.

"You never know what could happen in any place," she said.

But Tallahassee police said park-goers shouldn't be nervous because it was an "isolated incident."

"There's no reason for the public to be concerned for their general safety in terms of being in public places or parks," McCranie said.

Paul Beckham, who goes to the center almost every day to practice his tennis for the "Golden Boys" senior league, said nothing like this happens in this area.

"Well, I sure hope they come up with something," Beckham said. "People don't go missing often here."

Hoffman graduated from Florida State University last August with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Her hometown is Clearwater, according to her Facebook Web page. She lives on the east side of Tallahassee.

Shaina Hale, a friend of Hoffman's, said Hoffman is planning to attend culinary school in Arizona in the fall.

"Rachel is one of the sweetest girls ever," she said.

Hoffman and the men arrested in Orlando all have criminal records. Hoffman was arrested in February 2007 and entered drug court for possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana and resisting arrest without violence, according to court records. Bradshaw was arrested in April and May 2007 for possession of marijuana.

Green, of Perry, spent nearly nine months in prison from 2004 to 2005 for selling marijuana and aggravated assault in Taylor County, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.

[KingPriest2]

Attorneys for slain Rachel Hoffman issue statement critical of TPD
Democrat staff report • May 10, 2008

http://tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll...0510006/0/COMP
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Tallahassee attorneys Johnny Devine and Danielle Joyner Kelley have issued a news release critical of the Tallahassee Police Department's handling of Rachel Hoffman, who was working as a confidential informant at the time of her disappearance Wednesday.


Her body was found Friday morning in rural Taylor County. Two men are facing charges in her death, authorities have said.

Here's the full news release:

Attorneys for Slain Rachel Hoffman have issued a response to the Press Release held by the Tallahassee Police Department on May 9, 2008 on behalf of the Hoffman Family.

Local Attorneys Johnny Devine with the Law Office of Johnny Devine, P.A., and Danielle Joyner Kelley with the Law Offices of Marie Mattox, P.A. have issued a statement on Saturday, May 10, 2008 responding to the press conference that was held yesterday by the Tallahassee Police Department. Both attorneys and their firms are representing the Hoffman Family. The following is a joint statement by both attorneys:

Today, the community of Tallahassee, Florida mourns the loss of a beautiful girl. Today, those living in Pinellas County and the Clearwater Beach, Florida area mourn the loss of a beautiful citizen. Today, the State of Florida mourns the loss of a vibrant, intelligent, beautiful, and loving young woman.

No one feels this loss more strongly than the family and friends of Rachel Hoffman, whose life was taken in a senseless act of extreme violence. The anger and outrage in the community is great, and many questions are beginning to surface. The family is in the middle of grieving Rachel’s murder. Yesterday, they had only known for a short time that she was killed and would never be coming back. On that very day, a press conference was held by the Tallahassee Police Department regarding the death of Rachel.

From the press conference’s inception, the Tallahassee Police Department took the opportunity to inform the community of the victim’s criminal charges, and made the point, both directly and indirectly, that her death was the result of her breaking protocol during the sting operation. The family and the attorneys for Rachel Hoffman have serious concerns about the statement that Rachel somehow caused her own death.

Rachel Hoffman was a 23-year-old woman, a graduate of Florida State University, and a daughter, beloved family member, and friend. At no time during the press conference was it addressed that Rachel Hoffman was not a trained law enforcement officer, was not on the Tallahassee Police Department Vice Squad Unit, or that she had taken any training classes regarding the Tallahassee Police Department’s “protocol”. It was not addressed why Rachel was placed in this situation in the first instance, other than she had criminal charges pending. However, even with criminal charges pending, the main concern is how Rachel came to this position and what measures were taken in order for her to agree to go there. Her family and attorneys believe it was her involvement in the drug sting that led to Rachel’s death, and not the fact that she allegedly broke any protocol, but rather that she was led to the site in the first place.

At no time was it discussed how police lost sight of her or what precautions they took to prevent her from being lost. At no time was it discussed what safety precautions were taken by police who knew she would be meeting with armed individuals.

At no time during the press conference was it addressed that Rachel Hoffman had no pending or past cocaine or handgun charges in the very county where she was to meet the individuals, yet she was sent into a sting operation to buy cocaine and a handgun. It was never addressed whether her vicious murder was committed with the very handgun she was going to purchase.

At no time during the press conference was it addressed that with regard to her first drug charges for which she was in drug court, a diversionary program, that she had a defense attorney who was representing her. The new charges that led to her agreement to become a confidential informant would have affected her success in drug court. However, her defense attorney, Johnny Devine, was not notified. Mr. Devine’s client was talked to by the police regarding this matter. However, her attorney was not present nor was he notified. No details regarding this meeting were discussed at the press conference, although had Rachel asked to consult with her attorney and been denied that right, it would have been a severe miscarriage of justice. It was not discussed what charges she was told she was facing, or how much time she would spend in jail for them.

Although a concern for the family was expressed at the press conference, it was greatly overshadowed by an immediate shift to the victim’s criminal record and details of how she caused her own death by botching a sting operation. No where was it discussed why a 5 foot 7 inch, 135 pound young woman was sent into an operation to buy items that she herself has never been accused of having in her own possession.

During the press conference, mention of the fact that the Tallahassee Police Department did not know the two men that Rachel was helping to set up in a drug bust that night came immediately to light. However, at no time during that press conference was it addressed whether or not the Tallahassee Police Department has any policy or protocol of whether or not the research the very suspects and review their criminal record before they send in a confidential informant to bust them. At no time was it discussed whether or not Rachel knew how dangerous those individuals truly were. Clearly, the police knew about the individuals by the time they were trying to get Rachel to set them up for arrest. And most definitely, the police were aware of the individuals’ identity in order for them to find them in Orlando, Florida so suddenly and take them into custody.

Bringing to light the victim’s criminal charges, her alleged faults during a sting operation, and repeatedly addressing the fact, in so many different words, that the Tallahassee Police Department is not responsible for the death of Rachel Hoffman did nothing to inform the public about what truly happened the night of the drug sting. It did nothing to inform the public about what is going to happen to the individuals who killed her. It did nothing to inform the public about what policies and procedures are in place to protect a confidential informant before they engage in a police drug sting.

The only purpose this information served was to both attack a woman who has been taken away from society in a ruthless, reckless, and vicious manner, and to allow her family to watch it all on television while they are still reeling from the shock of their loved ones death.

Today, a family is still grieving and a public outcry is being heard. Tomorrow, a mother will spend a Mother’s Day planning a funeral for her daughter. The attorneys for the family of Rachel Hoffman wish that her memory and her family’s well-being stay first and foremost in the minds of everyone who mourns her loss. People will remember Rachel fondly at her funeral and speak well of her. She deserves no less from the very government agency, the Tallahassee Police Department, which she helped to risk and ultimately lost her life trying to help.

[beach tribe]

How much did they catch her with. I would bet the pigs lied to her about how much time she was facing.

[Fish]

Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes made of ticky tacky,
Little boxes on the hillside,
Little boxes all the same.


There's a green one and a pink one
And a blue one and a yellow one,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.


And the people in the houses
All went to the university,
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same,
And there's doctors and lawyers,
And business executives,
And they're all made out of ticky tacky
And they all look just the same.

[Jewish Rabbi]

A very sad loss for the Jewish community.

[KC Jones]

The only people who know what the Police said to Rachel Hoffman are the police and Rachel Hoffman. She's dead, and the first thing they did was call a press conference and attempt to cover their asses. Forgive me of being somewhat skeptical of their statement that they told her not to meet with the murderers, because I really doubt anyone would try to do a sting without police. I strongly suspect they just lost her.

[beach tribe]

The war on drugs is the DUMBEST thing ever. It will NEVER be won. One guy goes down, and it opens the opportunity for MORE criminals to take his place. Drugs will ALWAYS be accessible, no matter what these so call law enforcers try to do about.

It's a joke that puts money into the pockets of killers with badges.

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

The war on drugs is the DUMBEST thing ever. It will NEVER be won. One guy goes down, and it opens the opportunity for MORE criminals to take his place. Drugs will ALWAYS be accessible, no matter what these so call law enforcers try to do about.

It's a joke that puts money into the pockets of killers with badges.

She was one more life snuffed out in this so called "war" on drugs. I agree with you this war is not working, but bureaucrats must give the illusion they're actually doing good when all it does is pack our prisons with non-violent criminals and cost us tax payers more. It's a vicious cycle that I hope to see the end of before I die.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

The war on drugs is the DUMBEST thing ever. It will NEVER be won. One guy goes down, and it opens the opportunity for MORE criminals to take his place. Drugs will ALWAYS be accessible, no matter what these so call law enforcers try to do about.

It's a joke that puts money into the pockets of killers with badges.

bullshit the war on drugs keeps dealers from selling to kids on playgrounds.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

bullshit the war on drugs keeps dealers from selling to kids on playgrounds.

sarcasim or no?

[chasedude]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

sarcasim or no?

I hope so because the last time I looked I didn't see any DEA agents posted outside the schools.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

sarcasim or no?

hell no it wasnt sarcasm. i heard it on npr acouple weeks ago.

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

hell no it wasnt sarcasm. i heard it on npr acouple weeks ago.

It also helps potheads from running over little kids in fast food drive-throughs.