CBS News guy arrested at disaster site for impersonating an ATF Agent!!!

E505 · September 15, 2001, 10:10 PM

http://www.newsmax.com/showinsidecov...01/9/15/215548

Saturday Sept. 15, 2001; 10:51 p.m. EDT
CBS TV Reporter Arrested at Disaster Site

A WCBS TV reporter was arrested Thursday night at the site of the World Trade Center collapse after police alleged he impersonated an official with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to gain access to a restricted area.

Police sources told Newsday that a National Guardsman intercepted Vince DeMentri as he was trying to enter the sealed-off frozen zone with a camera operator.

When the guardsman asked him for identification, DeMentri allegedly claimed he was an agent for the BATF, saying he'd lost his identification in the Twin Tower collapse.

"It was a big misunderstanding and nothing more," DeMentri's attorney, Joseph Tacopina said. "He was at the wrong place at the wrong time during all this bedlam."

The WCBS reporter received a desk appearance ticket after being charged with impersonating a federal officer.

dcwusmc · September 15, 2001, 10:19 PM

I am kinda taken aback that ANYONE would want to pose as someone from F-troop. However, the item seems to refer to someone from CBS, so I guess it follows.

In all the hoopla we are going to be going through for the forseeable future, DON'T FORGET to keep on our political leadership to NOT FURTHER ENCROACH on 2nd Amendment or ANY OTHER of the BOR. This is not a time to be infringing on WE, the people, any more than it is for we, the people, to infringe on anyone EXCEPT the actual perps and their actual supporters...

BTW, I am the new guy here (FNG) and I like what I see so far. Thanks to Clem for the referral!

**Mike Irwin** · September 15, 2001, 10:20 PM

If true, the only misunderstanding was on Mr. DeMentri's part.

He obviously misunderstood that covering the story does not mean breaking the law to do it. He wouldn't be the first news yutz to find that out.

hipwr40 · September 15, 2001, 10:24 PM

Quote:

"It was a big misunderstanding and nothing more,"

whatever

1 Patriot-of-many · September 16, 2001, 12:31 AM

So when are they going to his house to burn him up????

Caeca Invidia Es · September 16, 2001, 12:36 AM

I guess he missed the whole point about the rescue workers trying to do a job.... Does he not relise that reporters/cameras would just get in the way of that job?

Benjamin · September 16, 2001, 11:27 AM

Wouldn't it be a bit obvious if you have a camera following you?

**4V50 Gary** · September 16, 2001, 11:56 AM

Clearly DeMentri's was not mistaken as to his occupation and his purpose for entering into a crime scene. Throw the book at him and toss him in a cell with a known terrorist. He can get his "scoop" that way.

Southla1 · September 16, 2001, 12:00 PM

I find it kind of amusing! My opinions of the ATF and TV reporters make this seem to me like the New Orleans Saints in their worst years (hopefully that is in the past) wanting to impersonate the Cincinnati Bengals in their worst years, or vice versa!

labgrade · September 16, 2001, 04:45 PM

BTW, dcwusmc, hearty welcome.

Ditto your second paragraph ...

A.Rex · September 16, 2001, 05:02 PM

No kidding... le'see, who do I hate more... the media? the ATF? ... the media? the ATF? hmmm.

September 15, 2001, 10:10 PM	#1
E505 Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2001 Posts: 276	CBS News guy arrested at disaster site for impersonating an ATF Agent!!! http://www.newsmax.com/showinsidecov...01/9/15/215548 Saturday Sept. 15, 2001; 10:51 p.m. EDT CBS TV Reporter Arrested at Disaster Site A WCBS TV reporter was arrested Thursday night at the site of the World Trade Center collapse after police alleged he impersonated an official with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to gain access to a restricted area. Police sources told Newsday that a National Guardsman intercepted Vince DeMentri as he was trying to enter the sealed-off frozen zone with a camera operator. When the guardsman asked him for identification, DeMentri allegedly claimed he was an agent for the BATF, saying he'd lost his identification in the Twin Tower collapse. "It was a big misunderstanding and nothing more," DeMentri's attorney, Joseph Tacopina said. "He was at the wrong place at the wrong time during all this bedlam." The WCBS reporter received a desk appearance ticket after being charged with impersonating a federal officer.

September 15, 2001, 10:19 PM	#2
dcwusmc Junior Member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Occupied Northern California Posts: 1	Who in their right mind would want to pose as an F-trooper? I am kinda taken aback that ANYONE would want to pose as someone from F-troop. However, the item seems to refer to someone from CBS, so I guess it follows. In all the hoopla we are going to be going through for the forseeable future, DON'T FORGET to keep on our political leadership to NOT FURTHER ENCROACH on 2nd Amendment or ANY OTHER of the BOR. This is not a time to be infringing on WE, the people, any more than it is for we, the people, to infringe on anyone EXCEPT the actual perps and their actual supporters... BTW, I am the new guy here (FNG) and I like what I see so far. Thanks to Clem for the referral!

September 15, 2001, 10:20 PM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	If true, the only misunderstanding was on Mr. DeMentri's part. He obviously misunderstood that covering the story does not mean breaking the law to do it. He wouldn't be the first news yutz to find that out. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

September 16, 2001, 12:36 AM	#6
Caeca Invidia Es Staff Alumnus Join Date: November 18, 1999 Location: Earth Posts: 834	I guess he missed the whole point about the rescue workers trying to do a job.... Does he not relise that reporters/cameras would just get in the way of that job? __________________ MOLON LABE! I don't approve of political jokes, I've seen too many of them get elected.

September 16, 2001, 11:56 AM	#8
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Clearly DeMentri's was not mistaken as to his occupation and his purpose for entering into a crime scene. Throw the book at him and toss him in a cell with a known terrorist. He can get his "scoop" that way. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 16, 2001, 12:31 AM	#5
1 Patriot-of-many Junior member Join Date: June 13, 2001 Posts: 141	So when are they going to his house to burn him up????

September 16, 2001, 11:27 AM	#7
Benjamin Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 1999 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 358	Wouldn't it be a bit obvious if you have a camera following you?

September 16, 2001, 12:00 PM	#9
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	I find it kind of amusing! My opinions of the ATF and TV reporters make this seem to me like the New Orleans Saints in their worst years (hopefully that is in the past) wanting to impersonate the Cincinnati Bengals in their worst years, or vice versa!

September 16, 2001, 04:45 PM	#10
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	BTW, dcwusmc, hearty welcome. Ditto your second paragraph ...

September 16, 2001, 05:02 PM	#11
A.Rex Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2001 Location: FL Posts: 311	No kidding... le'see, who do I hate more... the media? the ATF? ... the media? the ATF? hmmm.