Jeffrey Rothecker had a blast peppering a protester in 2008. This happened at the Republican National Convention in 2008. |
If it wasn't for those rascally activists on social media exposing racism, this St. Paul lawman would have gotten away with his offensive comments about peaceful protesters affiliated with the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Andrew Henderson found out about the troll through his family life. He managed to figure out who the troll was by looking through the profiles of JM Roth.
JM Roth was a notorious troll who often posted offensive comments on social media and its comment sections throughout the web. He managed to get caught this time after a savvy internet sleuth found his wife was named Rothecker. You put two and two together and he found out that JM Roth is a member of the St. Paul Police Department. He was outed as Jeffrey Rothecker.
At the time, his superiors put him in the freezer pending a potential cannon firing. They had to filter through his social media and concerns from other residents who were trolled by him.
Corrupt cop said run #BlackLivesMatter activists over! |
The now former St. Paul lawman admits that he was trolling.
The troll was outed after he posted that offensive message about a #BlackLivesMatter protest on Martin Luther King, Jr. day.
Here's what Jeffrey Rothecker said on social media.
Internet savvy activist outed corrupt cop. Andrew Henderson of CopWatch and PhotographyisNotaCrime brought "JM Roth" to the St. Paul Police Department. |
Since they are trying to block the street and/or cross where there is no crossing you should not be charged with anything. Now these idiots could try and sue you in civil court, but remember that it will be jury trial and so most likely it will come out in your favor.
Once again, after being outed, the former lawman tearfully apologized and say he's very sorry for the post on social media.
I am extremely sorry for posting what I did, I understand that the post was insensitive and wrong. My poor choice of words conveyed a message I did not intend and am not proud of. Shortly after submitting the post, I re-read it and deleted it. As a law enforcement officer, I would never intentionally encourage someone to commit a crime. I very much regret my actions.
I apologize to all the citizens of St. Paul, the department, my fellow law enforcement professionals and my family for the scornful attention my mistake has brought upon them.
I apologize for exposing all law enforcement officers to increased scrutiny, during this difficult time of ongoing conflict between officer and members of the community.
I apologize to the community members who participated peacefully in the protest,
--Sergeant Jeff Rothecker
Not everyone is taking the apology with sincerity. Mayor Chris Coleman said in a statement, "I continue to be outraged by the online comments. While an apology is certainly in order, it is not sufficient to repair the trust that has been broken. Beyond that, Minnesota law prevents me from talking about disciplinary action until any employee appeals period is over".
He apologizes after he was hit with death threats and calls for cannon firing. Jeffrey Rothecker and his wife took to hiding after he fired himself out the cannon. |
The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police issued a press release saying that mistakes happen. The public should forgive him and move on.
"The public should be aware that Sergeant Rothecker is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army. He has served the City of St. Paul for over two decades as a police officer. He has many supporters in the community and among his fellow officers."
Chris Coleman, mayor of St, Paul. |
Jamar Clark was killed by the Minneapolis Police. Some accuse the law of shooting him while being handcuffed. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the situation.
Rothecker's actions give me reason to justify that many in law enforcement engage in profiling. This doesn't just affect St. Paul Police Department but the law enforcement agencies of Minneapolis, Andover, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids and numerous other communities.