The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-09
Knox, MoateS, Crow and Trenum Placed Under Ar rest Late Yesterday Follow ing Indictment by the Mobile County Grand Jury

Mobile, July S.-Three officers connected with Alabama law en- foreement department were arrested here this evening following indict- ments returned by the Mobile county grand jury charging trespass after warning, presenting fire arms and assault and battery. A recommen- dation that impeachment proceed ings be started at once against Joseph c. Bowen, justice of the peace. who has been working in CO., operation with law enforcement deputies here, was also made by the grand jury.
 Those under arrest arei
 William E. Knox, leader or the enforcement officers here, tndict- ed on three charges of assault and battery aud nlso for trcs- | passing after warning.
 Arson Crow, indicted on
 charge of presenting fire nrTas, assault and battery and trespass l after warning.
 O. D Moates, indicted for trcs-
 passing.
 S. E. Trenunn, fourth officer | who is said to he in Montgomery
 wits indicted for trespassig aft CT warning.
 1 From information given the | grand jury, the indictments for tres l passing was based on 8 recent Visiu to the home of w. J. Jones, on Dau- phin street. It is said that the off l cers believed gambling game was going on several houses down the ] street but they were unable to enter the place. According 10 information submitted by Jones, he said the men forcibly entered his front door de- spite his protests and to the cmbar- rassment of his wife who was about ! to retire for the night. The entrance | through the Jones apartment was made in order that the deputies might reach the roof over which they ! expected to reach the gambling party several houses distant
 Issued Biank wnrrents.
 Justice of the Peace Bowen, it was said. made practice of issuing search warrants In blank without first complying with the law which requires an affidavit to be made and without first complying with re- !. quirements of the law governing is- suance of search warrants The blank warrants, it is said, were is- sued to the law enforcement men.
 Jones charged the officers with as- saulting him while raiding the al- leged gambling place.
 Otto Reinhart was recently arrest ed on charge of violating the pro- hibition law. He was later dismissed when he proved that the wine roland in his possession was made from Der rles gathered on his own land. Rein hart also testified before the grand jury.
 Nicholas Worden, another witness, complained that he was assaulted by the officers, Deputy Crow placing a gun to his abdomen and threaten ing him.
 The grand jury report declares that instead of maintaining law and or der. the actions of those deputies in this locality have been in soms in- stances criminal" the report adding this is indeed deplorable and cannot be countenanced by the law-abiding people of Mobile county"
 The report requested removal of the officers from the city and that '"their places be filled by the appointment of other and better men in order that the peace and dignity of the state of Alabama be upho Id
 Alleged unwarranted invasion of local homes also received attention of the grand jury, the ceport stating that the grand jury found that the homes of some of the citizens have been searched 0n search warrants issued in blank by Justice of the Peace Bowen, the report adding that we wish to condemn the practice oi issuing warrants without first com plying with the requirements Of the law. We feel that in view of the ac- tion of said Bowen that it is our duty to. and we do h'reby recon - mend Impeachment proceedings to be immediately instituted against said Bowen as such justice of the peace.
 The grand jury report created q sensation throughout tile city.
 Carried Signed Bonds.
 The indictments against the state law officers were looked for the past week. In fact, w. H. Knox carried signed bonds around in his pocket tc the number of twelve ready at any time that he might be apprehended These bonds were signed by two well known citizens Of Mobile
 Knox stated that he was ready t' go to trial at any time and stoot ready to face the charges tomorrow If necessary. Knox. Crow and Moatc' made bond in the sum of Sl00 in eact ca seA and were released for their ap
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