‘They Did Not Deal Drugs’: Neighbors of Slain Couple Who Shot 4 Cops Refute Official Story

Source: FromThe Trenches/FTP
Published: Feb 1, 2019
Author: Matt Agorist
Post Date: 2019-02-01 07:34:06 by Deckard
Views: 4889

Houston, TX — Four Houston police officers were shot on Monday during a drug raid on an alleged heroin dealer’s home. Luckily, the officers are all expected to survive. Now, neighbors who knew the slain couple that lived in the house are speaking out and the picture they paint is drastically different than the official story.

According to the official police account, on Monday afternoon, around 5:00 pm, a dozen SWAT team members with Houston’s narcotics department, along with six other patrol officers descended on a Pecan Park home to serve a search warrant. According to police, a tip from a neighbor led to an investigation in which black tar heroin was allegedly purchased from the couple’s home and the search warrant was executed on Monday.  

As police entered the home, they claim one of the suspects, Dennis Tuttle, opened fire and 4 of the officers were shot. Another officer injured his knee during the raid, but was not shot. Police then said that Tuttle’s wife of 22 years, Rhogena Nicholas-Tuttle attempted to grab one of the officer’s guns and she was killed as well.

This sounds like an open and shut case of a drug raid turned violent when the dealers fought back. But if we look a little closer, a seemingly different story emerges.

Something Art Acevedo did not say is that the officers who entered the home were in plain clothes—not uniforms.

What’s more, upon entering the house, they immediately began shooting as one officer killed the couple’s dog. That’s when Tuttle came out of the back room with his .357 handgun and opened fire.

Even more suspicious is the fact that these alleged black tar heroin dealers—had no heroin. The only thing police alleged to have found was a small bit of marijuana and a white powdery substance. Police also said they found several guns, which all happened to be entirely legal.

Robert Antu, who lived across the street from the couple—for the last 30 years—considered the couple dear friends. He told Click2Houston that Tuttle would have never fired on a police officer.

“If he would have known it was police, he would have never shot,”Antu said. “No way. He obeyed the law. I tell you, he was a straight-up guy.”

Another neighbor, Esmerelda Becerra—who battled cancer alongside Nicholas—backs up Antu’s statements and said this loving couple would have never hurt anyone.

“Do you know how I felt?” said Becerra, crying. “There’s no more tears in me. I went over there to go leave flowers. I almost fainted.”

“I still can’t stop crying!!! And yes they where (sic) GOOD PEOPLE!!!” wrote one woman who knew them on Facebook.

According to Tuttle’s sister, Tuttle was also a disabled veteran.

“Released on honorable discharged medical,” Tuttle’s sister, Elizabeth Ferrari said. “He had debilitating injuries for many years and it’s a sad situation.”

“I don’t buy it all,” Ferrari said of the official police story. “Not one hot minute.”

Nicholas-Tuttle was also a big time supporter of police, who liked the All Lives Matter page on Facebook as well as her local law enforcement—definitely not the typical habit of a black tar heroin dealer.

Every neighbor who lived by the couple gave similar testimonies making the claim that neighbors reported them as drug dealers hold even less water.

“They didn’t deal drugs from out of that house,” said one neighbor, who grew up with Tuttle and his wife. “They’re not those type of people.”

Indeed, they are not. When asked if the couple had any criminal history, Acevedo refused to answer the question noting that it was “part of the investigation.”

“We’re not going to talk about their criminal histories,” Acevedo said. “That’s part of the investigation.”

However, Click2Houston pulled their criminal record—and it’s non-existent. According to their report:

Court records showed that Tuttle had no criminal history in Harris County.

Nicholas was charged with theft by check in January 2010, according to court records. That case was dismissed about a month later after Nicholas paid $145 in restitution.

State and national searches returned no criminal history for the couple.

Married couples, who own their own home, have no criminal record, one of whom is an honorable discharged disabled veteran, and who are best friends with their neighbors, do not fit the typical profile of heroin dealers.

While it is entirely possible that this couple was dealing heroin, there is an equally likely alternative scenario that could’ve unfolded like this: police acted on bad information from an unreliable informant—which happens all the time—and then raided the home.

When the couple saw four plainclothes officers in their home—who immediately came in and shot their dog—they likely went into fight or flight mode. Tuttle opened fire, likely thinking he was the subject of a home invasion and Nicholas may have tried to disarm one of the intruders who she thought was trying to kill her.

The fact of the matter is that botched raids happen all the time. As TFTP has reported, there are countless examples of police acting on bad information, going to the wrong house, or responding to bad anonymous tips. All too often, these innocent people are shot, arrested, or even killed and they never committed a crime.

In this couple’s case, the “investigation” of their deaths is now being conducted by the very people who killed them. There is likely no chance of police flipping the narrative and revealing they were in the wrong.

What’s more, because these undercover cops were in plainclothes, there is no body camera footage to tell what actually happened. And, since both of the suspects are now dead, they cannot refute the official story.

The four cops getting shot during this raid is tragic. However, if this couple was innocent and was merely defending their home from armed invaders, this is a tragedy of epic proportions.

Free Thought Project

Poster Comment:

Every neighbor who lived by the couple gave similar testimonies making the claim that neighbors reported them as drug dealers hold even less water.

From another source: 'They're far from drug dealers': Neighbors confused after deadly shootout

Post Comment   Private Reply

#1: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#0)

I tell you, he was a straight-up guy.

Uh-huh. And after some kid shoots up a school all the neighbors claim he was "such a nice boy".

misterwhite posted on 2019-02-01 08:59:49   Reply   Private Reply

#2: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#0)

'They're far from drug dealers': Neighbors confused after deadly shootout

From another article:

"Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said the drug raid on the home stemmed from numerous complaints from neighbors. He said undercover officers had previously made two purchases of black tar heroin from drug dealers at the house."

misterwhite posted on 2019-02-01 09:14:19   Reply   Private Reply

#3: Hondo68    To: Deckard, Art Acevedo (#0)

Hondo68 posted on 2019-02-01 11:37:29   Reply   Private Reply

#4: Justified    To: misterwhite, Deckard (#1)

Im with Deckard on this one. Unless they can come up with some info not posted the police really fucked the pooch bad on this one.

To me it sounds like they did not do their investigating of the couple before raiding the house.

BTW Most(90%+) mass shooters are well known to police and people around them.

Here there is just no corroborating data that this couple sold or even did hard drugs.

Justified posted on 2019-02-01 13:21:33   Reply   Private Reply

#5: misterwhite    To: Justified (#4)

To me it sounds like they did not do their investigating of the couple before raiding the house.

"Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said the drug raid on the home stemmed from numerous complaints from neighbors. He said undercover officers had previously made two purchases of black tar heroin from drug dealers at the house."

misterwhite posted on 2019-02-01 13:55:25   Reply   Private Reply

#6: Justified    To: misterwhite (#5)

There is no evidence of this. No heroin of any kind was in the house.

Sounds like the police got played and did not investigate the claims but just raided on bad intel. CI's are notorious for being unreliable.

Justified posted on 2019-02-01 14:04:10   Reply   Private Reply

#7: misterwhite    To: Justified (#6)

No heroin of any kind was in the house.

Then they should have invited the police in rather than shooting at them.

misterwhite posted on 2019-02-01 14:11:44   Reply   Private Reply

#8: Justified    To: misterwhite (#7)

hen they should have invited the police in rather than shooting at them.

Are you on drugs?

Are you talking same incident?

Justified posted on 2019-02-01 14:22:16   Reply   Private Reply

#9: Justified    To: All (#8)

There is just something wrong somewhere in this story.

Its the tale of two worlds.

There was no heroin in the house. There is no evidence of use of Heroin by the couple.

But on the other hand police said they hand evidence of drug dealing going on in that house.

Justified posted on 2019-02-01 14:28:52   Reply   Private Reply

#10: misterwhite    To: Justified (#8)

Are you on drugs?

If there are no drugs in the house, the police have a warrant, let them in.

I would. Wouldn't you? Or would you simply start shooting like they did?

misterwhite posted on 2019-02-01 15:51:57   Reply   Private Reply

#11: misterwhite    To: Justified (#9)

But on the other hand police said they hand evidence of drug dealing going on in that house.

Yep. Neighbors complaining. Two drug buys. The judge was convinced to give them a search warrant.

Yet you, with much more information (I guess), remain skeptical. Because shut up.

misterwhite posted on 2019-02-01 15:55:10   Reply   Private Reply

#12: Justified    To: misterwhite (#11)

Im not impressed with judges giving out warrants. The whole Trump collusion should have put this to rest.

I do not know what really happen. The fact they did not find heroin kinda puts major doubt about this being some kinda drug house.

There is no video so we do not know if they knocked or just kicked in the door.

We just do not know and that is a problem since there is no real evidence of the couple doing wrong.

Justified posted on 2019-02-01 16:04:24   Reply   Private Reply

#13: Hondo68    To: Justified (#12)

The fact they did not find heroin kinda puts major doubt about this being some kinda drug house.

They must have tested the mysterious "white powder" that they confiscated.

If it were drugs they would be yelling it from the rooftops. Probably Tide laundry detergent.

Hondo68 posted on 2019-02-01 16:41:57   Reply   Private Reply

#14: nolu chan    To: Deckard (#0)

Houston Search Warrant, unnumbered paragraphs 4-5

The State of Texas: To any Peace Officer of the State of Texas:

Whereas, the affiant whose name appears on the affidavit attached hereto is a peace office officer under the laws of Texas and did heretofore this day subscribe and swear to said affidavit before me, and whereas I find that the verified facts stated by affiant in said affidavit show that affiant has probable cause for the belief he/she expresses erein and established existence of proper gronds for issuance of this Warrant;

Now therefore, you are commanded to enter the suspected place, vehicles, and premises described in said affidavit, to-wit: a one story residence located at “7815 Harding street”. Said suspected place is described as: a one story residence located in the 7800 block of Harding street. The location is located in Houston, Harris County, Texas. Said location is better described as a one story residence constructed of wood. The residence is tan in color with white trim. The residence in question is located on the north side of Harding street between the intersections of Berkley and Fennell. The front door is white in color and faces south. The numbers “7815” are plainly displayed on the residence in question. The location in question is located in the 7800 block of Harding street, Houston, Harris County, Texas.

At said places you shall search for and, if same be found, seize and bring before me the property described in the affidavit that the suspected party, or others in control of the suspected place, are alleged to be concealing and to have in his/her possession in violation of the laws of the State of Texas, to-wit: heroin.

I further find that affiant has established sufficient reason to believe that to knock and announce their purpose by the officers executing this warrant would be futile, dangerous, and otherwise inhibit the effective investigation of the offense or offenses related to the purpose of this warrant. Therefore, unless circumstances to the contrary are discovered prior to entry, you are hereby authorized to dispense with the usual requirement that you knock and announce, your purpose before entering the suspected place to execute this warrant.

Houston Search Warrant Affidavit, paragraph 5

5. Affiant has probable cause for said belief by reason of the following facts and circumstances: On January 27, 2019, a narcotic investigation was being conducted at the above residence, located at 7815 Harding street, Houston, Harris County Texas. Your Affiant had previously received information that the above male, whose name is unknown, was selling narcotics. This investigation had been going on for approximately two (2) weeks by the Houston Police Narcotic Division. On 01/27/2019, your Affiant contacted the below confidential informant regarding the above location mentioned above. Your Affiant met with the confidential informant to further this narcotic investigation. The confidential informant was met at a pre-determined location to assist officers of the narcotic division with this investigation. The Affiant searched the confidential informant and found the confidential informant to be clear of any narcotics / and or paraphernalia. The confidential informant was advised your by your Affiant that at the above location in question, narcotics were being sold and stored. The confidential informant was provided U.S. currency by the Affiant for the purpose of buying narcotics from any individuals located at the above location in question. The Affiant observed the confidential informant go directly to the above location in question, where the confidential informant was met by a male from inside the above residence in question. After several minutes, the Affiant observed the confidential informant leave the residence in question and return directly to the Affiant. The confidential informant surrendered a quantity of brown powder substance to the Affiant. The confidential informant advised that the substance was purchased as “boy”. The term “boy” is a street slang for heroin. The confidential informant advised that the substance was purchased from the male described above and whose name is unknown. The confidential informant advised that additional quantity of brown powder substance was observed in the unknown male’s hand which went back into the residence above of “7815 Harding street”. The confidential informant also advised that the additional substance was in the care / custody and control of the male described above and whose name is unknown. The additional substance was packaged in a large quantity of plastic baggies. The confidential informant was searched again after the completion of this investigation and found clear of any amount of narcotics. Surveillance was placed on the above location in question by the narcotic officers.

The confidential informant stated that a weapon was observed at the residence above in question during the narcotic transaction. The weapon was on the possession of the above male whose name is unknown but is more fully described above. The weapon appeared to be a semi-auto hand gun of a 9mm caliber. The confidential informant also advised that the confidential informant was advised by the male above whose name is unknown to return when more “boy” was needed.

The quantity of brown powder substance purchased at the above residence located at “7815 Harding street” on 01/27/2019 was recognized by sight and texture as “heroin” by your Affiant and narcotic officer [redacted] the brown powder substance was also referred to as heroin by its street name of “boy”.

The confidential informant has provided informant and assistance to officers in past on at least (10) prior occasions which has lead to narcotic arrests and seizures. The confidential informant has proven to be credible and reliable on many prior occasions. Officers have made arrests and seized narcotics based on information and assistance provided by the confidential informant in the past.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/29/us/houston-shooting.html

The first officer to enter the home was immediately charged by a pit bull and shot at by the man inside the home, identified as Dennis Tuttle, Chief Acevedo said. The officer, 33, who has been with the Police Department for 10 years, fatally shot the dog and was struck on his shoulder, falling onto the sofa.

Chief Acevedo said that the woman in the home, Rhogena Nicholas, then reached over that officer to grab his shotgun. Backup officers then opened fire at Ms. Nicholas, he said.

At one point, Mr. Tuttle stuck his gun through the doorway and opened fire at the officers, the police said.

https://www.whig.com/article/20190129/AP/301299841#

Houston's police chief says what began as an attempt to serve a search warrant at a suspected drug house turned into a gunbattle that killed two suspects and injured five officers, including four who were shot.

Chief Art Acevedo says the suspects were killed Monday after firing at officers who were trying to enter a southeast Houston home where authorities allege black tar heroin was being sold.

Four of the officers were shot and a fifth suffered a knee injury.

Acevedo says two of the officers who were shot were hit in the neck by gunfire and are in critical but stable condition.

Two other officers, including the one who injured a knee, are in good condition. One officer who was shot in the shoulder has been released.

Two shot in the neck, two shot in the shoulder. The consistent pattern suggests the shooter did not aim at center mass.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/houston/article/Powder-found-in-police-raid-identified-13578839.php

Police identify powder recovered in deadly drug raid

Keri Blakinger
Houston Chronicle
Jan. 31, 2019 Updated: Feb. 2, 2019 2:57 p.m.

“The Thursday news conference revealed that the powder was cocaine, perhaps answering one of the nagging questions raised after the Pecan Park raid targeting a pair of alleged heroin dealers.”

nolu chan posted on 2019-02-02 18:54:12   Reply   Private Reply

#15: Gatlin    To: nolu chan (#14)

Adequate factual presentations are mostly uncommon while documented and verified factual presentations become as rare as basilisk teeth.

You continue to present great documented and verified data that is thoroughly fact-checked, accurate, and never misleading.

Keep on kicking ass with truth because the truth always wins in the end since it can never be destroyed.

Gatlin posted on 2019-02-02 19:59:42   Reply   Private Reply

#16: A K A Stone    To: Gatlin, nolu chan, tooconservative (#15)

Damned. Nolu chan and Gatlin the same day. Now all we need is tooconservative.

A K A Stone posted on 2019-02-02 20:05:20   Reply   Private Reply

#17: GrandIsland    To: Justified (#4)

The confidential informant was provided U.S. currency by the Affiant for the purpose of buying narcotics from any individuals located at the above location in question. The Affiant observed the confidential informant go directly to the above location in question, where the confidential informant was met by a male from inside the above residence in question. After several minutes, the Affiant observed the confidential informant leave the residence in question and return directly to the Affiant. The confidential informant surrendered a quantity of brown powder substance

It was a buy bust.

Your first mistake is EVER siding with an AGENDA driven anarchist shitbag like Dicktard

GrandIsland posted on 2019-02-02 20:19:20   Reply   Private Reply

#18: Amish Rake Fight    To: A K A Stone (#16)

Damned. Nolu chan and Gatlin the same day. Now all we need is tooconservative.

True

You never know who might show up for a dance

Amish Rake Fight posted on 2019-02-02 20:33:32   Reply   Private Reply

#19: GrandIsland    To: Amish Rake Fight (#18)

A new poster... welcome aboard

GrandIsland posted on 2019-02-02 21:46:39   Reply   Private Reply

#20: Hondo68    To: GrandIsland, dumbass newb 773, Amish Rake Fight (#19)

A new poster... welcome aboard

ARF's user ID is 12, joined around the same time as A K A Stone.

Welcome aboard dumbass newb #773, GI!

Hondo68 posted on 2019-02-02 22:04:14   Reply   Private Reply

#21: Tooconservative    To: A K A Stone (#16)

Damned. Nolu chan and Gatlin the same day. Now all we need is tooconservative.

I still read some articles here (as Neil could have told you). I just don't post any more.

Tooconservative posted on 2019-02-03 15:52:18   Reply   Private Reply

#22: Gatlin    To: Tooconservative (#21)

I still read some articles here ...
I just don't post any more.

I also stop by occasionally.
I no longer post either.
My warm regards to you.
Stay safe and stay well.

Gatlin posted on 2019-02-03 17:17:24   Reply   Private Reply

#23: GrandIsland    To: Tooconservative (#21)

I just don't post any more

A shame

GrandIsland posted on 2019-02-03 17:35:39   Reply   Private Reply

#24: Justified    To: GrandIsland (#17)

I would sure like to know what is going on. I have always been a supporter of law and order. Things are not "jiving" which means that either the neighbors are in on the coverup or police did not do their do diligence.

I guess when it gets to this stage I prefer someone like the Texas Rangers to investigate to make sure there is no local coverup.

Justified posted on 2019-02-05 12:33:07   Reply   Private Reply

#25: GrandIsland    To: Justified (#24)

I would sure like to know what is going on

Nulu did everyone’s homework for them. He posted intimate details on this drug raid. All anyone needs to know is it was a BUY-BUST. That means LE took an undercover officer or a CI, stripped them down naked, then wired that person and had them put clothing on that was checked and free from any other items. Then that person is given a certain amount of MONEY that’s been photographed and photocopied. That person, while under constant visual surveillance, is watched until they ENTER the target location. Then once they go in, the wire records the conversations. The CI then gives a person within the target household THE MONEY that’s been photographed for an amount of DRUGS. Then the CI leaves... he’s visually watched by surveillance until that CI can be STIP SEARCHED AGAIN...to find the buy money missing and the only thing on the CI (besides the wire) ARE THE FUCKING DRUGS HE BOUGHT FROM THE TARGET HOME.

Then, after a presumptive test of the drugs is complete, a SEARCH WARRANT for the scumbag residence is applied for. On that search warrant application, all the FACTS of the buy are contained on the app... and that gives AMPLE probable cause to ROCK that scumbag house’s front door, without warning, at zero dark thirty... especially if a shotgun is seen on the kitchen table.

During the search of the house... FINDING THE MARKED MONEY IS GOLDEN. Time to seize ALL ASSETS FROM THE CRIMINAL LOW LIFES that refuse to fucking WORK for a living.

GrandIsland posted on 2019-02-05 18:56:51   Reply   Private Reply