Indiana Sheriff Tells the Feds to Take a Hike

Every now and then we run across the story of a real live, oath-keeping Sheriff who really cares about the people of his county. Such is the case of Elkhart County’s Brad Rogers.

Intimidation and harassment

The feds began harassing one of the milk farmers in his county back in 2011, because they were selling raw milk to a local organic food co-op. The Sheriff chose to stand with the farmer. The story has been renewed now because the Sheriff offered an explanation to Off the Grid News on February 16, 2016.

“Specifically, the FDA was inspecting his farm without a warrant as much as every two weeks. Typical inspections occur annually. The Department of Justice (DOJ) had subpoenaed him for a grand jury in Michigan in which he was to bring his production documents. The Feds wanted to make this farmer an example…

My research concluded that no one was getting sick from this distribution of this raw milk. It appeared to be harassment by the FDA and the DOJ, and making unconstitutional searches, in my opinion. The farmer told me that he no longer wished to cooperate with the inspections of his property.” Sheriff Brad Rogers

[Background: The government has harassed producers of raw milk for years. We drank it while growing up, and no one got sick. Over federal government fears of “Undulant Fever,” the dairy that supplied us with raw milk had to shut down because the pasteurization equipment required to continue production was far too expensive for a small family farm. Many families were forced to buy grocery store milk from that point.]

Feds threatened with arrest

So what did this Sheriff do about the farmer’s dilemma? He sent an email to the Feds, threatening them with arrest if they continued the harassment.

“I understand that you have made recent requests to (the farmer) for documents and to appear before a grand jury, and he has had a number of inspections and attempted inspections on his farm within Elkhart County. This is notice that any further attempts to inspect this farm without a warrant signed by a judge, based on probable cause, will result in federal inspectors’ removal or arrest for trespassing by my officers or I. In addition, if any further action is taken by the federal government on (the farmer), while he is in Elkhart County, I will expect that you or federal authorities contact my office prior to such action. I will expect you to forward this information to your federal associates, including the FDA.” Sheriff Brad Rogers

The result of his email was that the subpeona for the grand jury was canceled. So far, 5 years later, the feds have not returned.

Sheriff Rogers is a member of CSPOA- Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. He has been on the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department for 27 years, and spent 31 years in law enforcement. And he practices what he preaches.

“Your local elected officials … can stem the tide of federal overreach if they apply just a little backbone in supporting and defending the Constitution. Expect it! Demand it! Some bloggers and natural food writers have hailed me as a hero. I’m no hero. I’m just doing my job.

Whether you are conservative or liberal, I will be a guardian of the Constitution for you, and will not stand idly by while the rights of citizens of my county are trampled, whether by criminals or an overreaching government.” Sheriff Brad Rogers

Related:

• Sheriff Offers Common Sense Gun Law That Angers Liberals
• Sheriff warns of second American revolution if gun confiscation laws pass

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