Sherron Rolax
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Sherron Rolax (born June 3, 1979) of Lawnside, New Jersey, United States first achieved public fame when his civil rights were allegedly violated by then New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman in 1996. The Governor was riding along in a police patrol car when the police officers stopped Rolax for suspicious activity in Camden, New Jersey; they frisked him, but found nothing. Whitman then also frisked the suspect while a state trooper photographed her. This photo drew fire from civil rights leaders who saw this as a violation of Rolax's civil rights and an endorsement of racial profiling by the Governor.
Rolax filed a tort claim to the United States District Court against Whitman, the State, the State Police, and other state officials on April 24, 2001. The case was dismissed, which was affirmed on appeal.
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On May 31, 2002 Rolax was arrested for possession of narcotics within 1000 feet of school property. Rolax plead guilty on January 27, 2003 and was sentenced on February 28, 2003 to South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Rolax will be eligibile for parole as of May 30, 2005 and will have completed his full term as of March 3, 2006. As of 2004, Rolax is living in a halfway house.
Rolax had two prior drug-related convictions before his guilty plea of January 27, 2003.
Bibliography
- Man frisked by Whitman receives 5-year sentence (March 1, 2003). Philadelphia Inquirer. Internet Article (http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/new_jersey/5291632.htm?1c)
- Camden County Prosecutor's Office Media Release (January 27, 2003). Internet Release (http://www.co.camden.nj.us/government/offices/prosecutor/mr2003/0127b2003.html)
- Rolax v. Whitman (3dCir. 2002) Villanova Law School (PDF) (http://vls.law.vill.edu/locator/3d/Dec2002/014229u.pdf)