State Trooper Who Arrested Photographer Now A Photographer

It was less than four years ago that Arkansas State Trooper Thomas Weindruch arrested a photojournalist for taking his picture, claiming he feared for his life because a flash was used.
Weindruck – who was disciplined for making that arrest - has apparently gotten over his fear of cameras and is now a photo enthusiast, according to his profile page on the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - the same newspaper that called him out for having a history of "unacceptable" and "unprofessional" behavior in a 2008 article.
This is how he describes himself on Capture Arkansas, the section of the newspaper site that allows photographers to submit photos and vote for their favorites:
“I am an Arkansas State Trooper who loves taking photos of all kinds of things in my spare time.”
Weindruch even went as far as to use the same image taken by the photographer he arrested in December 2007.
The Capture Arkansas page came to the attention of an alert Photography is Not a Crime reader who sent it this way.
I sent photojournalist Bill Lawson an email last night asking if he gave Weindruch permission to use his photo, but he has not responded yet (for the record, he has not given me persmission to use it either, so I'll remove it if he wishes).
But it is not likely considering how upset he was at being arrested, especially after learning that Weindruch already had a history of complaints against him for angry outbursts against citizens, according to a 2008 article.
Lawson filed a complaint over his arrest, alleging Weindruch physically roughed him up; would not let him sit down while he was in handcuffs even though he has health problems; yelled and screamed at him; and was rude, abusive and threatening.
Lawson said he was trying to photograph the fire, with Weindruch in the foreground, when Weindruch became belligerent toward him.
A three-person review board investigated the complaint and reported to State Police Director Col. Winford Phillips in January that it found Lawson’s complaint to be unsubstantiated, although it said Weindruch showed poor judgment in the incident.
Weindruch ended up suspended for two days without pay and removed from the street beat for a year.
Obstruction of justice charges were dropped against Lawson days after his arrest.
And now Weindruch is a photographer who enjoys taking pictures of pretty flowers and sunsets.
Let’s hope that helps ease his explosive temper.
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Comments
here ya go, i got something he can take a picture of.
hint: its something that some may say the sun don't shine there, but today it did....LMFAO
(best Mr. Rogers voice)
Can you say hypocrite?
I knew you could
"I sent photojournalist Bill Lawson an email last night asking if he gave Weindruch permission to use his photo, but he has not responded yet (for the record, he has not given me persmission to use it either, so I'll remove it if he wishes)."
Yes you certainly can...
Hey J Spin, you might consider taking up a hobby like photography too. It might give you a glimpse into the reality that awaits outside the everyday copnap at your crime desk.
Just a thought.
His carry permit for that camera should be revoked. Photo-felons should not be allowed to carry cameras.
@john:
well he may have by now rehabilitated himself, and we should not discriminate against him now, dont ya think.....NOT!
Hilarious...
He should not carry any camera. What a son of ........!
Wouldn't it be ironic if that cop is the next photographer to be wrongfully arrested.
well he could now shoot video/images as his piggie buddies arrest us,
make sure the camera is off for the beatings, and assorted other stuff they dont want us to see,
then start the recording again.
then they could use him to show they dont mind cameras in the face while they are out there on the streets protecting us from people with cameras that dont listen to us, and dont stop when we ask them to stop shooting us! we will lose our souls if you record us we tell them, but they just wont stop.
image/video police! gives the command to "STOP" a whole new meaning when the [COP of 2011] gives the COMMAND to stop to a NONcop!
definition of STOP: dont continue to do anything, whatever your doing, legal or illegal, STOP doing it!
COURTS havent ruled if that includes breathing, eyes blinking, or sneezing!
not complying with the ORDER will result in arrest and/or a beating so that you know you better listen and obey the COMMAND next time, without question!
COPS now have a standing order. stop all unauthorized photography with any use of force that you as a COP may deem necessary! That includes any photography that is being taken by nonGOVT. entities, with unofficial equipment that is privately owned.
JL-----5.4.3.2.1 stop reading this.
i read that other item about new orleans, what a scandal NO is. i wouldnt live there for nothing!
Hal I broke a 12 month lease after living in NOLA for only 5 months. I experienced police abuse and color of law violations first hand as a photographer.
If I had known, and asserted my rights back then I would have probably been arrested instead of only having my videos deleted and gaining a few bruises.
I don't intend to go back to New Orleans ever again.
it makes me think, even though that damned city has two officers on death row,
they dont give a shit. seems from reports that they are still doing this shit?
thru the years i have had the thought of making it over to NO for the BIG party....hmmmm!!! NOT now or ever.
i even had an EX that had an inlaw and blood sister that lived just out of NO, they are hindu, from trinidad/TT. makes me wonder if they knew and just never said anything to me.
but ill tell ya what, i was born and raised in NYC, and after the horror stories about NO. I would not go near that damned city. and thats exactly what it is! the city of the DAMNED! changes my ass, they need some MAJOR changes!
What'r y'all talkin' bout, NO is a GREAT city! After Katrina didn't they send the cops around to confiscate citizens guns to make it easier for all the hoods to rob them? Like ringing a dinner bell for rape gangs and looters!
@Guy Fawkes:
in that case, you may have my share of NO, i dont want it.
I wouldnt go there for any reason at all, i know ya jk.....lol
that was for JL, i know he reads everything i say, he laughs because of me. i put a smile on his/her face.
heck does anyone even know if its a he or she. JL maybe anything ya know, it is the internet.
may be even a computer that talks, on MIRC they call it a bot!
jl wouldnt have a life if it werent for people like me....OH shit. what am i saying, he/she doesnt have a life before me, and for sure after i am gone and he goes into withdrawal when he/she doesnt get a daily dose of me. and a few others here also i am sure, i am smart, i know its not all about me. just mostly!
havent heard anything from carlos for a few days, does he even read any of the comments after he posts? doesnt have anything to say, i would say.
"catnap at your crime deask" i love it!!! LMFAO
help, i laughed so hard, i fell, now i cant get up..... :D
dialing 911 right now!!
Well in this case, maybe Mr. Larsen couldn't get justice through the "Justice System" but in the end he may end up getting his justice for copyright infringement. If he ends up winning, the good part is that the money will come directly out of the troopers wallet. So, I hope that Mr. Larsen is able/willing to see it to the end.
Really? Can you read? It's L A W S O N...Try reading the transcripts of the stops before you try to take up their cause...They are leading you down the path of SLANDER!
Bill Lawson sent me the following email today:
"Carlos,
No, I certainly didn't and never would give this man permission to use my copyrighted photo.
I have consulted my publisher and our attorney and we are considering what appropriate actions to take.
By the way, although he claims to still be a Trooper, it is my understanding that he is behind a desk issuing supplies to the troopers on the road.
At least he's not out there on the road arresting innocent people.
I'm not sure because I have more important people to write and report about than him.
You're more than welcome to use the photo to promote the defense of our First Amendment rights.
Thanks,
Bill Lawson
Stephens Media"
Pass the word he has our support 100%
I personally wish him all the luck in the world.
Trooper Thomas Weindruch seems to believe he is above the law.
Look up the word slander...Mr. Lawson and Mr. McGaughey would be prudent to do so! Contact the Arkansas State Police and read it all...don't believe what you have heard! Read it for yourself!
Bill please contact me I had contact with this officer today Oct 13 2011
Tell the truth Mr. McGaughey...someone is watching...Look up the word SLANDER!
Carlos,
Be careful who you believe in this...Mr. Lawson has yet to tell the truth about Trooper Weindruch. He has failed to point out that Trooper Weindruch was NOT disciplined for arresting him. Internal Affairs found no wrong doing by Trooper Weindruch. They did however find discrepancies in Mr. Lawson's complaint and the audio tape of the incident. Mr. Lawson wrote several untruths. It would be prudent of you to get a copy of his complaint and a copy of the transcribed audio account. It tells a very, very different story...one that Mr. Lawson doesn't want everyone to know.
Just because the charges were dropped doesn't mean he was innocent of breaking the law. Charges against drug dealers, rapist, murders, etc. are dropped everyday...go figure!
Thanks!
Bill Lawson
Stephens Media
Trooper Weindruch is indeed a trooper on the road! Have you considered writing a follow up and telling everyone what Internal Affairs concluded? Of course you haven't...Trooper Weindruch was NEVER disciplined for arresting you...They determined he did NOTHING WRONG! GET A LIFE BILL! The former Col. Phillips and Lt. Col. Knuckles had there own agenda...it had nothing to do with you! The report on the arrest is available to anyone who wants to read it. Your complaint was unfound based on the transcript of the AUDIO tape! In other words, LIES were told! AUDIO tapes don't LIE! Get the dictionary Mr. Lawson look up SLANDER! You're walking a very fine line. The First Amendment may cover the truth but lying is not included in there!
Your 15 mintues is over...
Have a blessed day!
I was just pulled over by this Officer just outside of Yellville. I live in Mountain Home. He was the rudest most unprofessional officer i have ever encountered, except for the officer in Damascus Arkansas. This guy should not be on the road or wearing a uniform representing our great state. I filed a complaint about him as soon as i got back home. The more i think about it the more upset that experience makes me. I am 100% disabled from combat in Iraq. I was on my way back from the little rock VA, when he pulled me over cresting a hill just outside of Gasville. He was nervous and visibly jittery. He was rude and unprofessional. I hope this guy gets stripped of his badge once again but for good this time. This officer needs training and Anger management.
Did you contact his direct supervisor and ask to see the tape? Obviously not! Did you know he has a son in the army serving in Iraq right now? Mr. McGaughey, you are a disgrace to the uniform you used to wear. Being a veteran does not entitle you to special treatment! If anything you should be following the law not breaking it and bashing the men and women who risk their lives everyday for you! Shame on you!
You need to get back into psychiatric counseling and anger management classes!
I was just pulled over by this Officer just outside of Yellville. I live in Mountain Home. He was the rudest most unprofessional officer i have ever encountered, except for the officer in Damascus Arkansas. This guy should not be on the road or wearing a uniform representing our great state. I filed a complaint about him as soon as i got back home. The more i think about it the more upset that experience makes me. I am 100% disabled from combat in Iraq. I was on my way back from the little rock VA, when he pulled me over cresting a hill just outside of Gasville. He was nervous and visibly jittery. He was rude and unprofessional. I hope this guy gets stripped of his badge once again but for good this time. This officer needs training and Anger management.
I was just pulled over by this Officer just outside of Yellville. I live in Mountain Home. He was the rudest most unprofessional officer i have ever encountered, except for the officer in Damascus Arkansas. This guy should not be on the road or wearing a uniform representing our great state. I filed a complaint about him as soon as i got back home. The more i think about it the more upset that experience makes me. I am 100% disabled from combat in Iraq. I was on my way back from the little rock VA, when he pulled me over cresting a hill just outside of Gasville. He was nervous and visibly jittery. He was rude and unprofessional. I hope this guy gets stripped of his badge once again but for good this time. This officer needs training and Anger management.
First let's address the arrest of Bill Lawson...Bill Lawson was rightfully arrested because he disobeyed a direct order from a law enforcement officer. Internal Affairs determined Trooper Weindruch did nothing wrong during the encounter and arrest of Mr. Lawson. That report is available under the "Freedom of Information Act". The former Col. Phillips and Lt. Col Knuckles were told by IA and the group in charge of investigating this incident that Trooper Weindruch did not do anything wrong to Mr. Lawson. They did however find discrepancies in Mr. Lawson's complaint. What Mr. Lawson claimed happened was found to be untrue when the complaint was compared to the audio tape. Mr. Lawson was given the opportunity to withdraw his complaint but he did not. Charges are dropped against law breakers everyday but it doesn't mean they didn't break the law. Please feel free to contact the Arkansas State Police and read the IA report, Mr. Lawson's complaint and then read the transcript of the audio tape. You won't have to read what Trooper Weindruch had to say; the incident is all on tape. All the trooper's tape their encounters because of people like Mr. Lawson and Mr. McGaughey.
Mr. McGaughey would have you believe is a 100% disabled veteran with a service dog. Mr. McGaughey does not have a service dog, nor is he physically disabled. I'm not sure what his disability is; he rock climbs, he goes white water rafting, he goes zip lining through jugles. Why are my tax dollars paying this man's way in life? He can't deny any of this, it's on his Facebook pages. The same pages he uses to slander people like Trooper Weindruch. Mr. McGaughey was stopped for doing 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. He also has failed to maintain "proof" of insurance in his vehicle. I'm not saying he doesn't have insurance but on the day he was stopped the state of Arkansas listed NO proof of current insurance. If our tax dollars are paying him to play the rest of his life then I want him to have insurance on his vehicle. Heaven for bid he should cause an accident and not be able to fix your vehicle or pay your medical bills! Mr. McGaughey's traffic stop is also available under the "Freedom of Information Act" and can be accessed by anyone who wants to see it.
Allow me to sum this up by saying: Get the facts before you take up someone elses cause. Make sure the person you are siding with is upstanding and honest in every part of their life. Otherwise, might find yourself on the wrong side of a lawsuit over slander. Any word spoken or printed that sets out to harm someone's charcter is slander. Slander is against the law. The printed word be it here or on Facebook, tweet, myspace, etc. is admissable in court!
SLANDER: Oral defamation, in which someone tells one or more persons an untruth about another which will harm the reputation of the person defamed. Slander is a civil wrong and can be the basis for a lawsuit. Damages for slander may be limited to actual damages unless there is malicious intent, since such damages are usually difficult to specify and harder to prove. Some statements such as an untrue accusation of having committed a crime, or being unable to perform one's occupation are treated as slander per se since the harm and malice are obvious, and therefore usually result in general and even punitive damages!
Be careful what you say...people are always watching!
Oh where to begin!!! Folks before you pass judgement the facts are available! Mr. Mcgauhey and Mr. Lawson get a life. I have been thinking about this for a couple days and I believe this has been taken too far. If anyone should be afraid for their safety it is the Weindruch family. Reading these shows just were all the anger and hosility is coming from and that is Mr. McGaughey and Mr. Lawson. Look at the posts..... I ask who really needs the anger management classes???
Mr. McGaughey you should probably have Mr. Lawson take pictures of you at your next rock climbing event. Just sayin.....As I know your other ones have already been forwarded to the right people.
Talk about pissin and crying, somebody missed snack time. You Big boys need to get a life and worry about realtime problems instead of pouring salt into wounds that happend years ago. YOU CAN'T GET PULLED OVER FOR DOING NOTHING WRONG You guys screwed up who doesn't. LET IT GO! The only way you should fear for your life is if you let your mouth make promised your ass can't handle. Let me tell what not to do is to be the big guy and try to have as good of a working relationship with all officers. They all could have bad days and yes start out rude, I have had it happen to me but usually I can talk to them for a few minutes and it turns out fine and they are much more personalble. Go ahead and make the law dogs mad and see if you aren't put under a microscope, not by the officer your mad at but by the ones that work with him. I'm not speaking for law inforcement, I am speaking from common sense and life. I'm sure if possible we could pull up some times you all have not been on your best behavior or a gave a false 1st impression.
Mr. McGauhey you start out making sure everyone knows you are a veteran, Trooper Weindruch served his country to, he comes from a military family. You know nothing about Trooper Weindruch except what you heard from Mr. Lawson and maybe another hater.
Being a veteran DOES NOT give you a free pass. You still have to abide by the laws of our country, state, county, or city. It is Trooper Weindruch's job to enforce the law, no matter who he has stopped. It makes no difference if you are a County Judge or as you seem to think, a veteran you must follow the same laws that the common man follows.
Your actions make you a disgrace to our men and women who are still in uniform, those fighting overseas or here on American soil.
From your own post it seems to me that you were the one with the attitude, using "is this the way you treat your veterans" as an excuse for breaking the law, how dare you.
Go back to Little Rock to the VA and see if they can take that chip off your shoulder.
Mr. McGauhey you start out making sure everyone knows you are a veteran, Trooper Weindruch served his country to, he comes from a military family. You know nothing about Trooper Weindruch except what you heard from Mr. Lawson and maybe another hater.
Being a veteran DOES NOT give you a free pass. You still have to abide by the laws of our country, state, county, or city. It is Trooper Weindruch's job to enforce the law, no matter who he has stopped. It makes no difference if you are a County Judge or as you seem to think, a veteran you must follow the same laws that the common man follows.
Your actions make you a disgrace to our men and women who are still in uniform, those fighting overseas or here on American soil.
From your own post it seems to me that you were the one with the attitude, using "is this the way you treat your veterans" as an excuse for breaking the law, how dare you.
Go back to Little Rock to the VA and see if they can take that chip off your shoulder.
I am fully aware that Mr. Weindruch is doing a great job serving the community he currently resides in, epecially ensuring that the laws of Arkansas are enforced fairly and equally among all, regardless of the excuses certain people make for breaking our laws. What a disgrace to our veterans who actually have suffered life altering injuries that have debilitated them from functioning in regular daily activities such as driving a vehicle at the proper speed. I am swears of many veterans who would rejoice in the ability to receive a citation for speeding. Try visiting Walter Reed!!!!
Keep up the great work trooper Weindruch!! Many of us are proud of what you do and respect the position you hold!!!
Well said.....I have learned so much about Mr. Mcgaughey today.
Bet it was very interesting.
I am fully aware that Mr. Weindruch is doing a great job serving the community he currently resides in, epecially ensuring that the laws of Arkansas are enforced fairly and equally among all, regardless of the excuses certain people make for breaking our laws. What a disgrace to our veterans who actually have suffered life altering injuries that have debilitated them from functioning in regular daily activities such as driving a vehicle at the proper speed. I am swears of many veterans who would rejoice in the ability to receive a citation for speeding. Try visiting Walter Reed!!!!
Keep up the great work trooper Weindruch!! Many of us are proud of what you do and respect the position you hold!!!
i have seen more then my share of police that lie, i would have to see video and/or hear audio tapes to believe anything they say about anything! I dont need to get anything from IA, they work for the same boss and get the same tax money for a salary. they all bad as far as i am concerned!
hal,
Wow!!!! Look at the videos!!! They don't lie! Your minute of fame is over. Are you saying that the ASP are liars? Seems to me that you have been led down the wrong road. Sad!! Veterans are appalled at Mr. Mcgaughey's comments and actions. I would never use the fact that I am a Veteran to get "special" treatment. Actually one of the Army values is integrity! Mr. Mcgaughey might want to clean his own closet before opening someone else's. I will not stoop as low as to air his dirty laundry on here. I have class!!
HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY these 3 words describe Trooper Weindruch.
Mr. McGaughey you do not know Trooper Weindruch, you got mad because he stopped you for speeding and since then you have done everything you can to ruin Trooper Weindruch's good name. Isn't it funny how when you do something to someone or say something about someone that is not true that when it is all said and done YOU will be standing alone backtracking your ugly words.
You should really seek help, you have gone absolutely overboard over a ticket for no insurance. Seems like to me you could have gotten a ticket for speeding to.
You are pathetic and as a Christain I should pray for you but it is going to take time and a written apology to Trooper Weindruch for that to happen.
You have nothing else to do with you pathetic life except to try and ruin Trooper Weindruch's reputation. Well, he is respected and very well thought of, can you say the same about yourself.
I cannot believe that you tried to use the fact that you are a veteran to try and get out of a ticket. Shame on you, a true red, white and blue veteran would NEVER try to do something like that.
Trooper Weindruch, stand tall, be proud of who and what you are, you are a wonderful person, loyal and honest state trooper keep up the GOOD work you have more support than he knows.
"Weindruch, who had been assigned to the Highway Patrol Division’s Troop A in Little Rock, will also be ineligible to compete for a promotion or receive special assignments for one year. He did not appeal the disciplinary action, Sadler said." even the innocent appeal, why didnt he appeal the action against him? did he get bad advice from the UNION? what? 100% i will take the side of the public, deal with it! well 99.999%, k? at this point in time, i dont believe any of them, dont like too many of them! and anyone that cant deal with that, may KMA!
The truth is slowly coming out now....The people that lied about Mr. Weindruch to gain their minute of fame owe him an apology. As for an appeal?? After all the lies I am sure Mr. Weindruch just wanted to move forward with his life. Which is what the other two jokers on here need to do!!!
At the time all of this was happening Trooper Weindruch's father was having brain surgery and an appeal was not the most important thing on his mind at the time.
Take the public's word hmmm gossip, the more something is told the more distorted it gets.
This subject was years ago and really needs to stay where it belongs in the past. The past cannot be changed so let it go.
December 18, 2007 @ 4:34PM teresa, this is the date of what happened in this case. more info come to light as it seems that the STATE TROOPER may even be a photographer himself.
believe what you want, i really dont give a shit. that trooper ws dead wrong with what he did, PERIOD! fact is, the facts bear out what i say, not what you say!
you say something about the truth coming out, ya, your truth!
The allegations brought forward by Mr. Lawson could not be proved, the only thing that Trooper Weindruch did according to the papers was show poor judgement.
At the time this happened Stephens Media allowed a comment to be posted attacking Trooper Weindruch's ethnic heritage, I suppose that was right to.
The bottom line is that this was a LONG time ago and has no bearing on the present, which is a man was caught speeding who tried to use the fact that he is a Veteran to not have to obey the law,WRONG. So he decided to run a smear campaign, bottom line, enuf said.
well its a sad story, tell it to the judge, my DAD was in the hospital dieing and that is why i comitted that crime that I did, sorry! the damn judge would throw the book at your ass you try to play that card, i have no trouble with what his family did, it has nothing to do with what he did on the J-O-B. so then, nothing could be proved, so that means he was not guilty. MAMMABEAR here, have a whole box if tissues, cry up a storm. let us know when your finished crying, we can wait, patience is a virtue, didnt jesus say that, or was it his father, or the holeyghost?
fact is the GOV. ruins human beings lifes every day, but mammabear you wouldnt know about that, would you. your on a crusade to save this LEO's life and career, aint you?
See how you twisted my words. I said that Trooper Weindruch didn't file an appeal as he was more concerned about the welfare of his father.
I am well aware that the Gov. ruins lifes everyday and like you it angers me.
Have any of you haters thought about how you try to ruins lives.
I don't need your box of tissues and I am not on a crusade to save Trooper Weindruch's life and career. He is doing a fine job.
Do you know Trooper Weindruch, have you ever met him, I think not. He is NOT the horrible person you and others have made him out to be.
You need to explain the statement you made and I quote "I have no trouble with what his family did."
I get the impression from you rather flip statement about Jesus, the Father or the Holy Ghost that maybe you need a come to Jesus talk.
Just wanted to let you guys know, he's still out there. I'm not going to get into my story, but I found him to be one of the most inhumane individuals I've ever encountered. I was pulled over for a simple traffic violation. I have never committed a crime in my life and I was treated like a hardened criminal and I still treated him with the utmost respect. Not because I wanted to, but because I actually feared I would be beaten or shot! Did I mention I am a very small woman with children and I am a State employee?
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