Date: Tue, 19 Nov 1996 02:17:16 -0500 (EST) From: David McGuire <[davidm c g] at [oz.sunflower.org]> To: Multiple recipients of list <[n--b--n] at [mainstream.net]> Subject: DEA AGENT receives jail time Houston Chronicle Friday Nov. 15, 1996 Headline: JAIL ADDED TO EX-AGENT'S PROBATION By JO ANN ZUNIGA Houston Chronicle A state district judge Thursday added 30 days in jail and 500 hours of community service to the probationary sentence against a former federal drug agent for shooting a night-club owner. State District Judge Caprice Cosper ordered the former agent, Pete Sinclair, to fulfill the community service requirement by speaking to to other probationers and to criminal-justice training classes. "The judge wants him to talk specifically about how an error in judgement can ruin a law enforcement career and on the dangers of drinking while armed," said prosecutor Belinda Hill, who had asked the jury for a 12-year prison sentence. The jury sentenced Sinclair, 30, to 10 years probation Monday after convicting him of aggravated assault in the July 23, 1995, shooting of Stavros Fotinopoulis outside of the Ritz Plaza topless bar at 10520 Gulf Freeway . Sinclair, accompanied by his wife, declined to comment. But his attorney, George Parnham, said: "Any time spent in jail is not pleasant. We need to discuss an appeal. But overall, we are very fortunate.: The shooting occurred while Sinclair was touring bars with a group of friends and relatives for his bachelor party. Testimony showed that Sinclair was touring bars with a group of friends and relatives for his bachelor party. Testimony showed that Sinclair has a blood-alcohol content of .23 percent -- more than double the standard for intoxication. His group stopped at the Ritz Plaza and sought free admittance, but was informed that they had to pay the $5 cover charge. They left, but returned -- only to be refused again. The third time Sinclair tried entering the bar, testimony showed, he got into a fight with Fotinopoulis, Bar manager Lynn Turner became involved as well. Witnesses said Sinclair was on his back, with Fotinopoulis on top of him, when the agent fired one shot into Fotinopoulis' face. After he collapsed on the ground just outside the bar, Fotinopoulis said, the agent shot him six more times <9mm>, Turner went back into the bar, got a pistol, returned and shot Sinclair twice. . Sinclair testified he shot Fotinopoulis only after the bar owner pulled a derringer on him. Sincliar also was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and restitution for court costs. **END OF ARTICLE** =================================================================== Ten thousand dollar fine, 30 days in jail, 10 years probation. For shooting someone -= SIX =- times while under the influence. And a federal agent at that. He's lucky. D*A*M*N lucky. Courthouse gossip/opinion says he got off very *light*. Don't know why. 'cept maybe the obvious. For you 9mm fans, food for thought. The bar-owner made a *full* recovery after being drilled at point-blank range *SIX* times. I only wish I could relay the "street" version of this story as I heard it. It wasn't as sanitized at the newspaper article. Here's the PG-13 version: Agent's out partying with pals, bachelor party. Agent attempts to "muscle" in the topless bar by either flashing his credentials or saying "Look how many people I'm bringing with me". Neither argument works. Bar-owner *UN* impressed with either. Fist-fight ensues between bar-owner and agent. Agent shoots bar-owner. Bouncer get pistol from club, shoots agent. Cops arrives. SH$$ hits fan when they realize one of the shooters is a FED. Press have field day. *NO ONE* at scene talks to anyone. Reporters Pi$$ed. Normal cooperation non-existent. Bystanders runoff by local PD. Hospital looks like Fort Knox where agent is sent. Wonder why. Not your typical bar-fight when the boys from D.C. are involved. .... * Origin: The Arena Paul Revere Net (713) 362-9772 (176:200/400) --=====================_848393721==_--