ATLANTA (AP) — A veteran federal judge faces drug and firearms charges after an exotic dancer at an Atlanta strip club told authorities he used cocaine, marijuana and other illegal drugs with her.
Senior U.S. District Judge Jack T. Camp was arrested Friday minutes after he handed an undercover law enforcement agent $160 for cocaine and Roxycodone, a narcotic pain medication, that he intended to use with the exotic dancer, authorities said in a court document released Monday. They said they also found two firearms in the front seat of his vehicle.
Camp, 67, who has presided over some high-profile cases, was released Monday on a $50,000 bond. His attorney, William Morrison, said after a brief hearing that the judge intends to plead not guilty. Morrison said Camp would probably take a leave of absence and would not preside over any more cases until the charges are resolved.
“This is really a case between Judge Camp and his wife,” said Morrison. “It’s not about Judge Camp being a judge. It’s about him being a husband.”
Camp’s arrest set up an unusual domino effect in the federal courthouse. The district’s federal judges all recused themselves, so Magistrate Judge Charles S. Coody of Alabama was brought in to hear the case. Federal prosecutors from Washington also flew in to handle the government’s arguments.
The charges against Camp were laid out in a shocking eight-page affidavit released after the emergency hearing was finished.
Camp met the confidential informant, who recently began cooperating with the FBI, at the Goldrush Showbar in Atlanta in early 2010 and he soon began paying her for sex and buying cocaine from her at $40 to $50 a pop, according to the records.
In June 2010, Camp followed the informant to a drug dealer in Marietta to buy Roxycodone. He was also recorded in a wiretapped telephone call on Sept. 28 talking with her about getting together over the weekend to split more pills and cocaine with her, according to the charges.
He showed up at a Publix parking lot in northeast Atlanta around 7:15 p.m. Friday to meet with the an undercover agent posing as the dealer. When the informant told her she was worried about his safety, the judge told her, “I not only have my little pistol, I’ve got my big pistol so, uh, we’ll take care of any problems that come up,” according to the affidavit.
He handed over $160 in cash to pay for the drugs around 7:35 p.m. Ten minutes later, authorities arrested the judge and seized the two guns from the front seat of his vehicle.
The judge faces four drug-related charges and one count of possessing firearms while illegally using drugs.
It’s a stunning turn for Camp, a Vietnam War veteran who was appointed to the bench by Ronald Reagan in 1987. He is a former chief judge for the Northern District of Georgia.
Known for wearing suspenders around the courtroom, he handled hundreds of cases before taking senior status — and a lesser caseload — in 2008.
In 2004, he sentenced two men accused of killing DeKalb County Sheriff Derwin Brown to life in prison without parole. He also handled litigation from voting rights groups who sought to block Georgia from asking new voters to prove their identities and citizenship before casting their ballots.
The judge also handled several high-profile drug cases, including the May 2009 sentencing on prescription-related charges of the personal doctor to a professional wrestler who killed himself, his wife and their 7-year-old son.
Camp, wearing a pinstripe suit, said little during the brief hearing Monday but turned to flash a smile at his family after he walked in. He hired four defense attorneys over the weekend to represent him, and Morrison said his client was in “good spirits.”
“Judge Camp‘s wife is an extraordinarily strong woman and she’s going to stand by her husband,” said Morrison. “And this is a very strong man. He’s going to overcome these circumstances.”
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Comments (45)
Waiting4George
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:04amA man who is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. Being of good character is like being pregnant–either you iz or you ain’t.
Report Post »Love Bandit Bestid
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:47amelliot spitzer set the bar pretty high, and the rest of our government officials, no matter how old, are trying to meet expectations of the hookers.
Report Post »chasbronson
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:42amIs there any more coffee left ?Good job. Now tell us how you really feel.Just kidding. I share your frustration We are voting on the 2nd. I still can’t believe there are those who will vote stupidly..
Report Post »JohnDoe
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 9:06amOur great country was founded by and for the citizens of the thirteen colonies. It was designed to insure that a central government was controlled and limited by representatives of those citizens. It was given a limited amount of power, with many checks and balances, to secure the rights and freedoms for its citizens. They were making sure that an American Government would and could not become as Britian had. England enacted laws and taxes on their American subjects, but without allowing the colonies a say in their government. Ignoring the will of the people of America, they bullied and took away what limited rights they had and tried to force them to comply. Sound familiar? Yes, we don’t have to look far across the Atlantic at a despotic leader, we have only to look at the Oval Office in Washington, D. C. and to those whom we had entrusted the liberties of the people and the country. Our representatives, Senate and the House, are there to represent the will of the people. Instead, they have consistently lied to the constituents, both during campaigns and when in office. They have consistently rob the American people, not only of their money, but also by stealing their liberties, little by little. The incumbent office holders allow themselves to be above the law, they allow themselves to steal by back-room corrupt deals and the like. They ignore the very people who put them in office, they even resort to passing laws, under cover of darkness. They hide laws and corrupt deals in the midst of thousand of pages of laws. This has always been a trick of unethical lawyers. Their mindset is to bog down any opposition by inudating them with mountains of paperwork. Then, they laugh and call the people stupid and ignorant, or worse! No doubt, I could go on and on. Their lack of character, morals and ethics makes them unfit to be employed anywhere, let alone entrusted with the security, freedom, and economic growth of this great country. They have taken your freedom to worship, especially targeting Christianity. They have tried to rewrite the American history, to further their agendas, just like the Moslems continue to do with Israel.
Soon after deciding what sort of Government America was to become, that very question was asked of Benjamin Franklin. In reply Franklin said, “A Republic….if we can keep it”. This is a question that should be upon the lips of all true American patriots. If we can’t or more correctly, if we won’t, then we don’t deserve it. The choice is up to us, the American people, and the answer should be and must be yes we will!
You’re probably asking how do we insure that we will keep this nation a free Republic. Oh, we voted for only those who promised no more taxes, no more spending, etc., etc. Of course they all were proven to be liars again (or should I have said they were just not quite forthcoming or perhaps they were a little disingenuious?). Then we did the “best of the two evils” choice. This was no different than the “Magician’s Choice” trick! We now know that there is no difference between Republicans and the Democrats when it comes to which is telling the truth. Neither has the best interest of America at heart, probably not even in mind! Their goal is simply to acquire power, money, more power and more money while doing and saying anything to remain in office.
So what is the answer? They don’t listen when the people, overwhelmingly, protest and tries to voice their opposition. So the American people need to get their UNDIVIDED attention. How? WE THE PEOPLE, must vote any and all incumbents out of office. It doesn’t matter if they are better than most. If they haven’t been part of the solution, then they are part of the problem. THEY MUST KNOW AND WE MUST LET THEM KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT WILL NO LONGER BE RUN BY ROUGUE LAWYERS AND OPPORTUNISTS, PROGRESSIVES (AKA SOCIALISTS), ETC. THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN MODERN-DAY CARPETBAGGERS OR WANNA-BE DICTATORS. THEY MUST BE EDUCATED TO THE FACT THAT THEY WILL BE VOTED OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN, UNTIL THEY LEARN THAT OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO RUN THEIR OWN VERISON OF CRIME, INC.
AND THOSE THAT ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE, BUT CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT WILL SOON LEARN THEY WILL HAVE ONLY ONE TERM IN OFFICE.
We, the people, need to lobby our newly elected representatives to enact new laws to insure ALL our freedoms, our security, etc. Enact laws that ethical or criminal behavior of representatives will be prosecuted swiftly and severly, with no possibility of any pardon…not by a state Governor nor by a President! Enact laws or amendments to limit a President to one term only, ensuring that any damage to our country will not be as damaging as is obvious with this Government. Further limit the terms of our Representatives, both in the Senate and the House. Imperative to limit the term of all Supreme Court Justices to no more than an eight year term and make an amendment that the justices can no longer re-interpret the Constitution, but uphold the laws as it was written and intended by the original framers.
So, the bottom line is this: unless the American people get the undivided attention of those in government…when you and your family members are homeless and hungry or at the very least jobless…remember, you have only yourselves to blame.
THE ONLY WAY TO INSURE THAT YOUR FUTURE REPRESENTATIVES WILL LISTEN TO ITS CONSTITUENTS IS VOTE OUT ALL INCUMBENTS!!! FROM THAT POINT ON, EACH REPRESENTATIVE MUST KNOW WE WILL VOTE THEM OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN UNTIL WE HAVE RESPONSIBLE REPRESENTATIVES THAT UNDERSTAND THEY ARE THERE FOR THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.
Report Post »grnhrn
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 8:35amClarence thomas was smeared with false testimony, this UNhappy CAMPer was caught red handed. We shall see how the administer of justice learned how to get evidence suppressed through his expieriance ruling on such.
Report Post »missy8s
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 8:25amPower corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Report Post »claymoremacm
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:29ampower currupts,absolute power currupts absolutely,as the saying goes
Report Post »e-merlin
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:15amOne thing I don’t see in print is the word “convicted.” Remember Clarance Thomas?
Report Post »e-merlin
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 7:13amGuns and girls? Sounds like my kind of guy! Too bad he’s not running for President. He’d be too distracted to cause any more damage…
Report Post »DagneyT
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:51amIs this another case of “WE NEED TERM LIMITS!”
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:49amWonder when he is going to get a pay raise to pay for his “meds”
Report Post »Ohiowoman
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:09amThis man should be held to the same laws that he ruled on from the bench. He chose to break the public trust and needs to answer for his actions.
Report Post »Jimmers46
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:48amScum always floats to the top of a farm pond.
Report Post »justice
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:40amwe need to stop accepting the higher than mightys excuses, they need to be flushed out of power asap….
Report Post »Major League Infedel
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:39amI first thought Congressman Greyson was the lowest form of scum at the bottom of a pigs scrotum. Then Gloria Allred crawled out of the wood work by crucifying that house keeper by having her confess to identity, social security, and income tax fraud. Not to mention perjury live on television. To save the Democrat running for governor of California. Then this peice of garbage floats to the surface. WOW!!!!!!! I guess Charles Manson isn’t such a bad guy after all. At least I can respect him for being true to form. He at least admits he is a peice of garbage.
Report Post »cparkian
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:23amThis is more than damaging to the people who have cases pending. A College Park Ga former development director was unjustly fired and sued the city for discrimination and in Judge Camp’s court won with the jury awarding damages and other costs to be determined. This was over a year ago and Camp has failed to complete the case, guess he was too busy, and now the guy, Christopher Jones, after having been sandbagged by years of delay by a corrupt city council, now faces possibly over a year before it can be picked up and closed out by another judge. Justice delayed is justice denied. For shame “Judge” Camp for the damage your misconduct has caused to so many.
Report Post »free2bme1961
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 5:14amSuch a shame how many that decide how we all shall live, often do not follow their own rules:
1 Corinthians 10:29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:55amI’d have to ask a lot of question before commenting one way or the other. Didn’t he behave honorablably otherwise and specifically as a judge? What broke him and when did he break?
Report Post »How does this effect the judgements he’s made?
Okpulot Taha
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 4:53amBOIL IT DOWN asks, “What broke him…?”
A darn good looking stripper. Dumb boy, had himself a good thing going and totally screwed this up. This is what happens when boys take to sniffing at the wrong stuff.
BOIL IT DOWN also asks, “How does this effect the judgements he’s made?”
Maybe the old boy has a penchant for strippers and hookers? If I was popped for turning tricks, I would want to appear before Judge Camp. A little wink, a sly smile, those go a long ways with boys.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
cheezwhiz
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:42amComing soon to primetime CNN :
A new show hosted by
Report Post »Cane and Spitzer
420 and # 9
whitaker
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:30amThis sound like an anti-gun law to anyone else “possessing firearms while illegally using drugs”
Report Post »Fletch
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:50amPaging Congresscritter Alcee Hastings (D)
another democrat federal judge on his way to congress
As a federal judge, Alcee Hastings was impeached by congress before he became a member of congress
Hastings was caught with the bag full of cash by the FBI but never did any time because a black democrat federal judge is virtually bulletproof
Alcee Hastings is running for election again and will landslide back in West Palm Beach, FL
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:39amThis is not just between his wife and him, he held a public trust to be a judge of the public. This is a disgrace and shameful to all parties involved. I hope he does not get to buy his way out of this with high priced lawyers. I don’t begin to understand some thing like this.
http://www.josephfawcettart.com ( Western Artist)
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:36amthe lack of morals in our leaders is disgusting
Report Post »blacksmith
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:31amThis is the typical behavior of a public servant that has been in a high position for way to long. The lawdoes not seem to apply to him. Throw him in the same jail as those that he judged.
Report Post »hempstead1944
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 8:57amLittle better than those he sentenced……..
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 10:13am“The judge also handled several high-profile drug cases, including the May 2009 sentencing on prescription-related charges of the personal doctor to a professional wrestler who killed himself, his wife and their 7-year-old son.”
==========================
But he goes out and does Roxy’s and cocaine with a ******……
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:15am“This is really a case between Judge Camp and his wife,” said Morrison. “It’s not about Judge Camp being a judge. It’s about him being a husband.”
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Report Post »WRONG
WRONG and WRONG
Venom
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:21amI second this
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:41amI strongly disagree, he held the public trust and judged the public while doing all this stuff.
Report Post »Brian Richard Allen
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 3:09amYou got that, RIGHT, RIGHT AND RIGHT!
Report Post »RONALDREAGAN1980
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:55amJack T Camp is a fine libertarian and conservative, and I am proud to have appointed him.
Report Post »Compete or Lose
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 11:11am.
.
.
POWER CORRUPTS
He obviously thought since he was the judicial system he could do what he wanted without concern.
THe courts need to make an example of this guy…….
Report Post »Thommy
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 2:58pmI can almost hear a song in there somewhere… “From a Judge to a Joke” Its all good Now… He got another Toke”
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on October 5, 2010 at 6:02pmI think it is between the judge, his wife, and the Great State of Georgia. Hope he gets what any citizen in the state would, for his indiscretions!
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