Guilt By Non-Capitulation: Part Two
Sam Sykes ~ 02/20/2024
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF PART ONE
Tommy Gregory Thompson
This one is a travesty and you would be hard-pressed to find a man that has been a worse victim of lawfare and Soviet-style incarceration. In 1988, Mr. Thompson discovered the wrecked SS Central America, collecting treasure and gold in return. 15 years later, he found himself tremendously in debt, with legal action being taken against him as creditors sought to regain some of their losses. Now you gotta pay your debt, and our boy Tommy made a big mistake by neglecting his bills, and subsequently going on the run after missing his court dates in the early 2010s. Once he was captured, he was sentenced to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but this is where the story gets crazy.
The problem with having money, especially publicly, is that everyone tries to claw it out of your hands. The minute he discovered the wreck, the original insurance providers began suing for the gold in the wreckage, despite it sinking 130 years before it was discovered. After the insurance companies took their 8% of the loot, they had to fight a legal battle allowing for the full salvaging that was eventually settled in 2003.
The main battle though, was the artifacts found on the ship. The government and investors had no problem paying Mr. Thompson handsomely for the gold he discovered, but there was never any way they would let him keep the priceless treasures. Once he was jailed in 2015, the judge decided that his two year sentence would not start until he turned over 500 gold coins he had hidden. Since then, he has served 10 years…. Let that sink in. 10 Years in prison! All because he refuses to turn over the coins. What kind of country holds citizens in prison for more than a decade in return for evidence of a crime? This is like if I was accused of killing someone and instead of letting a jury decide my guilt or innocence, they hold me in jail until I confess. A terrible injustice. Oh, and once he turns the coins over the 72-year-old can finally start his two year sentence.
Joe Exotic
This one’s a doozy. If you haven’t seen the infamous Tiger King documentary about him then fuck off, I’m not going to explain this guy’s whole life story, it’s already out there. The last thing most people remember about Mr. Maldonado is his attempt to have (that-bitch-doen-dare-in-floriduh) Carole Baskin murdered by a hired gun. While the narrative created by that sad PETA-funded asshole Eric Goode (Director of Tiger King) would have you believe that nonsense, the facts really are not there. Carole Baskin, with the help of powerful organizations was obviously engaged in a fierce battle against Mr. Maldonado for years. She sought to ban private ownership of tigers, because it would result in her sanctuary (She later sold the land for $20 million and relocated the tigers) acquiring tigers from all over the country for free. Joe Exotic was the biggest domino to fall and the only thing standing in PETA’s way as they tried to pass the Big Cat Public Safety Act. He used his large following, successful business, and personal wealth to fight back as much as he could. So just like that, he’s tossed in jail and they’ve thrown away the key.
Despite the hitman and other witness recanting their statements and confessing to perjury, Mr. Maldonado remains locked up. The 61-year-old is sick with cancer and not scheduled for release until 2036, but that doesn’t matter to the powers that be. A death sentence was always what they wanted. He refused to back down so he had to be taken care of with a 22-year sentence for attempted murder. By the way, the median amount of time served for actual murder in the United States is 17 years.
Four different cases and four very different scenarios, but one common thread. From Marvin Heemeyer’s constant harassment by the local government, to the Bundy ranchers’ 30-year battle to preserve their cattle, to Tommy Thompson’s 10-year convictionless shakedown, and to Joe Exotic’s death sentence. All of these men did not fall in line when they were told to, or give in to pressure when they found it morally wrong… And they paid for it. Freedom really isn’t free and more should be done to amplify their voices before it escalates to prison and/or destruction. Heemeyer would have never destroyed a whole town, if they had just stopped to hear him out and have his back. The Bundy standoff would not have happened if the mainstream media had just reported honestly on the plight of American ranchers anytime in the 30 year run up to conflict. Tommy Thompson woke up in a jail cell this morning because no one cares to publicize his persecution. And finally, Joe Exotic is dying of cancer wondering if he will ever see freedom again because it’s easier to throw him in jail than have a fair fight.
