An unemployed, nearly 48-year-old man with ties to white supremacists was arraigned for trying to kill a Vancouver police officer during a traffic stop Monday.An interesting point mentioned in a related article concerning Sapp's tattoos, or in this case the lack of a specific tattoo. Many of our larger law enforcement agencies maintain a "tattoo database" with possible meanings, gang affiliations, and the like. I am assuming that the following "conclusion" is based in part on such information:
James Todd Sapp, booked on charges of attempted murder, robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm, was arraigned at 9 a.m.
Officers from the Vancouver Police Department and detectives with the Clark County Major Crimes Team were both in attendance in support of Officer Dustin Goudschaal.
Sapp, who entered Tuesday with six prior felony convictions, walked into court in a one-piece anti-suicide smock. Sapp, who will turn 48 on July 6, is also reportedly being held in separate quarters than other inmates.
A court-appointed attorney was given to Sapp, whose bail was set at $10 million.
Blazak, who researches hate groups, looked over court documents from 2012 when the FBI was investigating Sapp on federal weapons charges that were eventually dismissed.
According to those documents, Sapp told a Clark County Jail deputy in 2008 that “he is a member of the Aryan Brotherhood” and that “he would not be housed with anyone of color.”
The agent went on to say in the documents that Sapp told Gresham police in 2005 that “he is an active member of the Aryan Brotherhood” and that he “kept in touch with his brothers behind bars.”
Most recently, Sapp was released from a Washington prison in 2012 after serving time for drugs.
“There’s this thing called ‘doing the dirt’ while you’re in prison. You’re protected by the brotherhood, but for that, you have to pay a price. It’s called ‘credit.’ Sometimes that price is paid inside, but sometimes it’s paid outside. You have to kill somebody,” said Blazak.
None of the court documents indicated that Sapp has an Aryan Brotherhood tattoo, which Blazak said is typically part of initiation. However, Sapp does have a large tattoo of a swastika and “White Pride” inked across his lower back, according to police.
If Sapp goes back to prison, and he’s not really part of the gang, Blazak said one of two things could happen.
“They’ll either recruit him as one of their own. He made this statement by shooting the police officer. Or he’s going to be victimized by the group. There’s really no pleasant way of saying what will happen,” said Blazak.
White supremacist charged in Vancouver cop shooting | KOIN.com
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