Just one day after IMPD arrested one of its own, Officer Nikolas Layton. on charges of suspicion of dealing cocaine, conspiracy to deal cocaine and possession of cocaine, he tendered his resignation. IMPD Chief Troy Riggs had already suspended him without pay. The 35-year old Layton is a 10-year veteran of the department and son of Marion County Sheriff John Layton (D). He was arrested yesterday, along with Christopher Reed and Veronica Purdy.
A WTHR story is a bit perplexing as to how this investigation transpired. WTHR cites sources as saying the investigation started as an FBI investigation; however, the FBI handed the case over to IMPD after it discovered Layton was a police officer. Why would the FBI allow IMPD to handle the investigation of one of its own? It just seems to be another example of how things are done a way here in Indianapolis that don't happen in any other city in America. I'm betting the eventual charges against Layton will be much weaker charges than if the investigation had been pursued by the FBI.
Layton worked in the department's hit and run investigation unit at the time of his arrest.
I don't understand what being a police officer would have to do with the FBI handing over a case. A crime is a crime. Period.
ReplyDeleteAs far as it being "just in Indiana" I think that is bit of a ridiculous statement.
Definitely a case of "like daddy, like son". Hired into MCSD without testing or background check. Marginal performance at best. Given to IMPD in the merger whether they wanted him or not. Sheriff John's house of cards should be looked at by the feds. Nick got caught because he is an amateur, his daddy is a pro.
ReplyDeleteOn the contrary. IMPD's special investigations are relentless and thorough. You can count on much harsher investigation because of their involvement. The FBI would've most likely squashed it and maybe counted on IMPD to do the same thing by telling them out of professional courtesy. Little did they know that IMPD SIU doesn't do that. I think it actually speaks highly of a department willing to prosecute their own.
ReplyDeleteAdvance Indiana scoops the MSM once again! -The FBI does not generally investigate drug dealing. The feds have the DEA for that. If the FBI initiated an investigation, you can bet there was something serious they were looking at. Keep in mind that in the Southern District of Indiana there is an exclusive crime we know the FBI will investigate: child porn. It's about the only thing they seem to investigate. They generally stay out of political corruption/public integrity cases here.
ReplyDeleteAI called it right that something stinks about the FBI claiming to investiate a drug dealer....and then handing the case off to the state, where punishment is much less than in Federal Courts.
I hope there are follow-up threads about just what happened here....seems like someone was doing Sheriff Layton a favor.
I'm quite familiar with IMPD's policing of its own. Their corrupt leadership targets good cops within the department for retribution who don't put up with the corruption and toe the line, while their leadership coddles drunkards and the ethically-challenged. Good police officers are being hit up with bogus disciplinary complaints, placed on leave for extraordinary lengths of time and reassigned to worthless jobs where they are unable to contribute to their policing potential. Some of the clowns we see as the face of IMPD are totally incompetent and unfit for their jobs.
ReplyDeleteWow. This pig even look like swine. No way this swine ever passed any physical agility tests or anything like that.
ReplyDeleteI bet he'll squeal when he's getting it in prison!
Someone from the Feds really needs to explain why the FBI would hand over a case to local government for favorable treatment and managed press releases.
ReplyDeleteThis "only in Indiana" way of running state and federal government needs a lot of sunshine.
We need better from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Maybe he is addicted to drugs, as are way too many Hoosiers. Sad and disgusting and costly.
ReplyDeleteYet they demand our respect....or else.
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:27, Is that you, Frank G. Straub????
ReplyDeleteThe "Special Investigations Unit" was created by Straub to be a Gestapo! There were all manners of improprieties, including a Straub-ordered Break-in of Internal Affairs that was well-publicized.
It was created to "weed out" the political enemies. But I have to agree with Anon 8:31, first off, the FBI DOES NOT INVESTIGATE DRUG crimes. They have bigger issues....they leave the DEA for those "silly things." If the FBI initiated it, you can bet there was a more significant crime (they are Child Porn specialists). I do not for one second think the FBI started this for a drug crime, nor do I think they passed it off for soft punishment by the state court for any legitimate reason.
Every hear of "payback?" Every hear of "quid-pro-quo?" The Feds had to have a good reason to downplay this and send it to the local yocals to soften the punishment.....
We also need to think about the fact that Mr. Hogsett was the Atty General for our area before he became mayor. Maybe there was some favor giving by the feds due to all these Democrats being involved. It did start in November after all.
ReplyDeleteThe sky is falling!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHasn't anyone else quietly questioned to themselves where former officer Layton may have gotten so much cocaine that he is a dealer?
ReplyDeleteCocaine isn't just grown in one's basement, there's got to be a source.
Was it an out of state dealer who enlisted IMPD to sell it?
Is an audit of the property room in order? Probably not, we don't want to open up a Pandora's box.
I hate to sound like a broken record, but once again, a crime ignored is a crime encouraged.
Maybe its just me but I would like WTHR to provide some proof to the facts of the FBI handing this over to IMPD. I can think of no cases of when thats happened. Now, IMPD handing something over to the FBI in reference to ofc misconduct has occurred (Det Edwards/Long/Davis drug dealing, investigation of Bisard case, missing ammo from the range, etc...). Sorry but I have trouble believing WTHR after the last few years of their city coverage thats right about half the time...I'm surprised that anyone who follows this blog would believe WTHR either.
ReplyDelete