Morgan: Arrest 'hurtful'
Navajo Nation Speaker criticizes law enforcement's use of out-dated information

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

Lawrence T. Morgan

WINDOW ROCK — Newly re-elected Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan is criticizing the Navajo Nation Law Enforcement Department for an illegitimate arrest that landed him in jail Thursday evening.

"I was placed in handcuffs, put in solitary confinement," stated Morgan in a news release. "This happened in a blink of an eye because of ... outdated data carried by the Navajo Nation law enforcement department."

According to law enforcement officials, Morgan was pulled over by Navajo Nation police around 5:40 p.m. after running a stop sign outside the Council chamber offices. When police ran a standard check on Morgan's driver's license, the system showed that he had an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest. It later turned out that the warrant was dismissed nearly eight years ago.

Morgan stated that he was both shocked and scared when he was pulled over by the unmarked police car and told there was a warrant for his arrest. Morgan was transported to the Window Rock Detention Center, where he posted bail for $50 the same night.

"In my mind, I stopped at the stop sign," said Morgan. "Yes, I take responsibility for my actions as I have always done, but, in this case, I sincerely believe I am in the right."

Morgan said he is committed to the Nation's laws, but when the enforcers of the laws have "bad data, it is very hurtful ... ."

"I can say I'm with those that have gone through the same unnecessary and inappropriate treatment," he said, adding that the incident devastated him and his family.

Police records show that the warrant was issued after Morgan failed to appear for an arraignment for hauling livestock with no permit in 1997; however, Friday morning, officials from the Prosecutor's office discovered that the warrant was dismissed in 1999 by the District Court, though the information was never updated in the National Crime Information Center database.

Morgan said when the same laws and people the Council represents treat them in the manner he was treated on Thursday night "it gets very interesting, to put it lightly."

"No one else should be thrown in jail, treated like a criminal, because of outdated data," said Morgan. "Perhaps my ordeal is a blessing in disguise."