He wanted absolutely no part of this sinking ship. He was frantically trying to figure out how to save his own pension and avoid prison time. "Sheriff Wade Montgomery," the second FBI agent called out, pointing a stern finger at the gallery where the older man was attempting to shrink into the shadows. Don't think you're leaving this room. You are also under arrest for conspiracy to commit federal civil rights violations, obstruction of justice, and failing to intervene.
We have already secured the dashcam footage. We have the precinct radio logs. We have the recorded authenticated phone call to naval command that you blatantly ignored. Montgomery slumped over, putting his hands on top of his head, letting out a pitiful whimper. The two local junior deputies who were standing in the back of the courtroom immediately unbuckled their gun belts, dropped their weapons to the floor, and raised their hands, terrified of being swept up in the massive federal net.
Agent Reynolds moved aggressively toward Boyd, pulling a heavy set of federal handcuffs from his belt. Boyd resisted for a fraction of a second, his body tensing out of pure panic. But the MP standing next to him immediately drove the butt of his M4 rifle hard into the back of Boyd's knee. Boyd cried out in sharp pain, collapsing heavily onto the hardwood floor. Reynolds hauled him up roughly by the collar and ratcheted the steel cuffs tightly around his wrists, ensuring they dug into the skin.
Not so fun when you're on the other side of the bracelets, is it, Boyd? Reynolds muttered, reading him his Miranda rights in a rapid, practiced drone. Judge Higgins stood up again, her face flushed with desperate indignation, trying vainly to salvage her shattered authority. Officers, I demand order in my court. I was completely unaware of the deputy's rogue actions.
I was simply processing the standard paperwork as it was presented to me. Admiral Cole stepped up to the bench, leaning over the polished wood until he was face-to-face with the judge. The heat radiating from him was palpable. Do not insult my intelligence, Your Honor. The FBI has already seized your personal and professional financial records.
They are currently looking into the suspiciously high number of civil asset forfeitures you've rubber-stamped over the past 5 years and the massive cash kickbacks that miraculously ended up in your re-election campaign fund. Your days of running a corrupt kangaroo court to line your pockets are over. You will be facing a federal grand jury by the end of the month and I will personally ensure you never practice law again. Higgins collapsed back into her heavy chair, her face utterly defeated, the breath knocked out of her. The absolute power she had wielded for decades had evaporated into dust in less than 5 minutes.
Cole turned his back on the bench, facing his men once more. Chief, petty officer, are either of you injured? No, sir. Jackson replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders to work out the stiffness. Just eager to get back on the road.
We have a strict timeline to meet in California. Your truck and your operational gear have been secured by my perimeter team, Cole said. His voice softened slightly, a faint glimmer of paternal pride shining through his hard exterior. The local impound lot is currently under heavy federal guard. You will escort the MPs to retrieve your vehicle, physically verify the integrity of the transit cases, and then you will immediately resume your transit to Coronado.
I will handle the political and legal cleanup here. Understood, Admiral. Ty said, snapping his heels together and offering a sharp, crisp salute. Jackson mirrored the gesture perfectly. Their discipline, flawless.