Sheriff Brad Rogers
Indiana – Elkhart County Sheriff Brad Rogers, successfully stood up for his constituents in a showdown, when the Food and Drug Administration sent in some federal officials to pester a raw milk and organic food farmer.
Sheriff Rogers followed up on a complaint from a local farmer, David Hochstetler and discovered that he would use his position to side with them because he saw that there was no justified cause for the obtrusive inspections that have going on since 2011 around twice a month.
They were searching for a reason to shut down Forest Grove Dairy Farm, so Rogers stepped in and blocked it. Then he started speaking out about it.
The big agriculture backed FDA along with the Department of Justice (DOJ) started the harassment approximately four years ago just because the hard-working farmer was producing raw milk and supplying some of the organic food co-ops. Thankfully, the government’s steady war on small farmers was halted in this particular case. Sheriff Rogers, authored a 600-word break down of the ordeal for the local newspaper in his contribution column called “Ask The Sheriff”.
“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.”
Rogers continued, “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 Rogers wrote to the DOJ and let them know that he would take action if the federal inspectors came without a signed warrant that specified probable cause to give a clear reason why they needed to conduct their invasive searches:
“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.”
Soon after his email was sent, the farmer got a certified letter in the mail from the DOJ that notified him that the grand jury subpoena was now cancelled. “Now, over four years later, the FDA inspectors and the DOJ, have not returned to the property since I interposed for the farmer. Some have suggested it was my interposition that caused the feds to stand down. I have no way of knowing this for sure, but the evidence would suggest so,” wrote the sheriff.
Sheriff Rogers exclaimed “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.” He added, “Many of our parents/grandparents drank raw milk and survived. There are risks with raw milk, but careful handling and storage will mitigate the risk. Many people believe that raw milk is healthier to drink than the pasteurized version. There is no law in Indiana that prohibits the distribution of raw milk in this fashion. In short, I don’t believe the government should be our nanny and telling us what we can or cannot drink/eat.”
These key actions performed by Sheriff Rogers are right and this is what the people should expect and receive from their county sheriff’s and other elected officials.
Rogers came out a few months ago with his firm stance that he would ignore any and all gun control executive orders. With his solution to the problem as abolishing gun free zones. He also defended his decision to visit the Bundy Ranch back during the 2014 stand-off with the Bureau of Land Management.
Sheriff’s possess the most power in their home counties and are locally elected officials that can be a thorn in the side for the federal automatons that are hell-bent on the encroachment of Freedom. Blocking the government overreach in this instance can set forth an example for other sheriff’s to rise up and stand strong for the people they serve. The ultimate solution of educating the populous on how to repel the Tyranny can be accelerated with the continued support of these county bosses.
Sheriff Rogers Facebook page.
By Andre’ Gabriel Esparza – DontComply.com
143 Comments
vmjnnah111
I myself am lactose intolerant even with raw milk. Even 2% milk gives me severe abdominal pain. I understand the position of the Sheriff but I also know the history of the Hochstetler Clan. When you see one running around wearing a free El chapo tee shirt, do you think that the liberals were possibly looking for more? I myself am a conservative but I’m being told that I have no rights, “I’m supposed to believe that cocaine is better than tobacco, ” So where do you draw the line Sheriff?
In fact my guns were stolen by a Crackhead, and now I’m the one deemed “not a conservative?” Oh yeah okay, let him have the guns I’m sure he would do a fine job against Al Qaeda. Meanwhile I’m bankrupt.
Jennifer Lee
Now this is an example of a REAL MAN!!! Thank you for upholding the law and your oath to protect the constitution!!! XXOO
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MaryMacMaster
Michigan needs some carbon copies of the Constitutional Oath Keeper Elkhart, Indiana’s Sheriff Brad Rogers.
Matthew
Glad I live in the Republic of Texas!
Texas001
Good for you sheriff. The feds are always trying to force laws on us. Remember that is how the war between the states started, the federal government imposing laws on states. (it was not slavery as most think).
jd1958
Bravo!!! We need more sheriff’s like him!!!!
w. rohrbacher
Thank you Sheriff Rogers! We need more like you!
di from Oregon
It ticks me off that the gov’t thinks they can interfere in our lives in such an intrusive, unconstitutional way, it’s none of the dang business what we eat, most of what they call food is just junk anyway!
Lynn B
It’s about time our Officials started standing up for the PEOPLE !!!!! RE: Sheriff Rogers exclaimed “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! ” Kudo’s Sheriff Rogers Kudos !!!!!
SenorPescador
God bless you Sir, you the sheriff’s are the ones to uphold the Constitution per 1775 style for US The People La Gente, thanks again
Alouette
Well, this is all fine and good, but what if a farmer sells diseased milk that
ends up making people sick and killing elderly, weak, and sick people?
Will this sheriff still stand up for the farmer’s right to sell his
diseased milk? How would the sheriff know the milk is diseased if the
farmer’s operation is not inspected by a competent authority? The
sheriff took an oath to uphold the Constitution, and that’s a good
thing. But he has to realise that the FDA was established
constitutionally by the Congress and makes rules constitutionally
pursuant to the will of the Congress. If he took an oath to uphold the
Constitution, then why does he not honour Article I of the Constitution
that states supreme legislative power to make laws and rules lies with
the Congress, and not with the county sheriff. And if he supports the
Constitution, why does he not honour Article VI of the Constitution:
“This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be
made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be
made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law
of the land;” But this sheriff believes he is the supreme law of the
land, the land that comprises Elkhart County. I don’t see the
Constitution making an exception to the supreme law of the land
provision for this sheriff, so he can ignore the law he’s sworn to
uphold and in order for him to make his own law. This is creepy. Law
enforcement making the laws. People like this sheriff, in their desire
to uphold the Constitution, actually assault the Constitution they
purport they’re upholding. Anarchy is not the solution, so don’t follow
people like this anarchist sheriff, because his concept of the
Constitution, and even the concept of law itself, is convoluted. We
have to work within the law to change the law, and not resort to
desperation and throwing our hands up in the air because of frustration,
thus becoming criminals ourselves. This sheriff is standing in the way
of change by providing an unstable element to a situation which should
be approached rationally and with calm reflection. If he can’t handle
changing the law legally, then he should step out of the way so those of
us who can will, and not provide an impediment to our cause for
peaceful change by his testosterone-induced attempt to be a demagogue,
the publicity from which is neither solicited nor appreciated by sane
people actually trying to do this the right way. We don’t need any more
John Wayne-ism, we’ve had enough, because it’s gotten us nowhere except
to make us look like fools. And if this sheriff wants to be the poster
child for ignorance, lawlessness, and a failed education system, let
him do it on his own time, and not on the taxpayer’s clock. As far as
the sheriff goes, the majority of Americans do not want this kind of
behaviour from a public servant.
Brian Mumford
I believe the 3,000 or so county sheriff’s across the nation should organize the “unorganized” militia per 10 USC §311 to help ensure they have the manpower to stand up to our government.
iphoenix
These thugs are mercinaries that want to operate apart from the Constitution!
Charles
Thank you Sheriff. You’re a true American. Those nitwits at the federal agencies, all the agencies, are out of control; yet, the state they do not know anything when called in front of a Congressional hearing. The dumbest people have been found by Obozo so he can damage as much as possible our country, our Christianity and divide us as much as possible. He truly hates the U.S.A and is a Muslim leaning, ;lying, creep who has broken his Oath of Office so many times; yet, the Democrats will do nothing along with the Republicans. Sad.
Miley Seim
“raw milk” is slang term used to describe the process when a person drops to their knees to suck the teats of dairy cows until they express all over their face, it’s pretty hot!
Fred Siegel
I drank raw milk at my grand parents farm when II was a kid and I’m still here.
Kim Paddock
It should be a normal course of action for our sheriffs to stop these invasive raids on the citizens that they took an oath to protect and serve. Too many sheriffs simply allow their federal friends the ability to come into their territory and do as they please. See: The Oregon Standoff. There is too much corruption and too many sheriffs that are overly-friendly with federal agents and they wonder why citizens don’t trust them.
Guy Felix Vuillemin
still to day we drink raw milk here in France…..never sick;In fact some germs grow easier on sterile dairy products especially cheese….Listeria fe cose othe rgerms fingus empeach listeria ro grow…..
1bobolds2
– HOORAH for Sheriff Rogers – – My SALUTE to you Sir – !!!!!!!! —WE need MORE good Sheriffs in OUR USA – !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MaryMacMaster
Kudos to Sheriff Brad Rogers who honorably upholds his oath of office. We need far more of his most honorable and constitutional character.
Surly Curmudgen
My Grandfather ran a diary farm that supplied raw milk to a town of 1200 people for a little over twenty years and no one became sick from the milk. Handle the milk right and there are no problems.
Paul X
Oh-oh. No more federal toys for this sheriff’s police department…
sc3pilot
Humans flourished for tens of thousands of years drinking raw animal milk.
Witchwindy
Last sentence, the word used SHOULD have been “populace” (the entire population of a country, State County, etc.), instead of “populous” (heavily populated). Please correct the error.
Thomas Pasqualone
Thank you sheriff Rodgers, for standing up for your constituents.
Thomas Pasqualone
sheriff
Thomas Pasqualone
you
Thomas Pasqualone
Thank
Thomas Pasqualone
for
Thomas Pasqualone
up
Thomas Pasqualone
Thank you sheriff Rofgers, for stnding
Daryl
CTUALY THE LOCAL GRND JURY CAN ISSUE ARREST WARRENTS FOR THE FEDERAL DA MANAGERS AND ARREST AND TRY THEM IN THE LOCAL COURT FOR CIVILRIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND INCARCERATE THEM THERE FOR AS LONG AS THEY WISH hopefull for a very long time maybe 5 yers or so and mak3 sure they turn the ac off in the cells
Daryl
god for the sherrif bout dam time and letting them know they come inot his ounty they go to jai land done its over and thats how you set the feds straight as to who is in charge hre adn its not them
Naomi Williams
A big Woo-hoo! from Sonoma County, California. Thanks, Sheriff Rogers!
dafuggs
Bravo.
William Kananen
Only one battle in the war on tyranny.
The Rocking Horse Guy
It’s good to know that there those in government who are NOT against freedom.
Thomas Dijulio
The article says that it isn’t illegal to sell raw milk in that way in Indiana but according to http://www.in.gov/boah/2489.htm it is illegal. It appears very clear that the FDA and DOJ had reason to inspect this farm on the grounds that they were breaking the law and whether or not someone disagrees with the law or not, these organizations have to enforce it. The FDA and DOJ do not need search warrants to inspect farms the same way that the police needs a warrant to inspect someone’s house. Any facility that provides food to the public is required to be inspected for meeting safety regulations and if they have demonstrated that they did not meet certain regulations then it is in accordance with the law that that facility may be subjected to even more frequent inspections. Perhaps the law should be changed but that is separate. Those who disagree with raw milk restrictions can antagonize the FDA and DOJ for doing their job or they can try to change the law. Perhaps send letters to government officials and companies and/or get a petition started. People could even boycott pasteurized milk.