[Junerain]

My roommate is wanted by the ATF, a federal agency that oversees gun usage, drugs, and alcohol.....he informed me his friends told him they went to 4 different friend's houses looking for him...to 'just talk to him' according to him..

He has been smoking weed in my house, along with all his eighteen year old friends who do not even greet me when I walk in the door. He pays a little rent from each paycheck but it is about 3 weeks late from when it was originally due, when i inform him this, his reply is, "I'm not worried about it.."

I plan on going to the police station tomorrow morning when I have a place to go other than home, and he WILL be home..

I have never turned anyone in before, I will inform them of the smoking weed in my home that I do not do that, that he is wanted by the ATF, that he had to move into my place within a week's time and that he mentioned his friend going to jail and that his friend ratted on him for the kind of gun he owned.

Any tips on how to communicate all this to the police? Things to say, things to avoid, how to get my key back, what to do with his pets if he is taken to jail, his things, etc etc

The only family he has is a step-dad and brother but his 'friends' seem to be his family and his brother is just a teen-ager..



Help?!!!??!!!

I dont understand why you are turning him him why not just move out ?

[Zen888]

You could see if any of your friends or family are willing to take in the pets or give them up to an animal humane shelter that has a no kill policy.

I would take evidence with you of your roommates illegal actions and pictures if possible. And tell the police that you may be worried about your roommate taking action against you for reporting him.

And I would also agree, find a new place to live ASAP!

[Naturefreak]

(((junerain)))

[Junerain]

My father bought this condominium for me and only charges me $100 rent, and does not know about the roommate, he would have asked the rent money to go to him, and I cannot afford the rent going to him, I need it just to get by, need the low rent to get by, until I am finished with grad school and become a teacher.

[Rmdctc]

I would say you are doing a good thing by turning him in but you also have to think about what this will do to you down the line. Sometimes the best thing to do is nothing ( I know as I type this im going to get alot of flack lol) I only say that because if it is going to mean your dad taking away your place to live or you feel like this guy is going to come back and hurt you then maybe its not the best for you. I would say maybe just ask him to leave. Make up any lie you need to just to get him out and then a few weeks later let the police know (without letting them know who you are) that he is in the area. I know you want to do the right thing but you also have to think of yourself. I wish you luck!

[Shangrala]

I've been through similar situations a few different times.

You can turn him in and remain anonymous.
Of course, this depends on each individual state laws. But from my experiences in California and Nevada...(yeah, I used to have a slight history of knowing the wrong individuals...Guilty through means of association...HONEST...lol)

The police do not need to involve you in their search and seizure of person, (so long as he answers the door). The police cannot do anything regarding arresting him so long as that front door remains closed. Someone will have to open that front door to allow police to enter, (unless an arrest &/or search warrant has been issued)...tho, again...not exactly sure....check with those at the station of procedure.

The police should notify you of your legal rights when you go to the cop shop. Request that you talk to a possible arresting officer, and make certain that you ask as many questions as you like....No matter how silly they may seem....AND that you fully understand their answers. Sometimes, (depending on the cop's ego), they offer answers which are as hard to understand as they are arrogant. However, I really think that because you are there requesting help, thus the victim, they will prove to be very helpful and patient.

I hope this has helped some.....I know this isn't all that informative, but laws differ with each state. Kinda hard to specify.

I wish you the best of luck. Please, keep us informed.

Shangrala

[bebop]

personally I would call the ATF and make an annon call. you don't have to give your name but tell them you know his whereabouts. if you need to then tell them you just found out and he is living in your condo and doing other illegal things as well. tell them you need protection.

[Elysium]

I agree with Bebop....call the ATF!! I would notify the local police as well and see about getting yourself an order of protection/restraining order.

When they come to get him....as soon as he is gone I would have someone come over and change all the locks in your house. Front door, back door, and any other door that he might have access to. Just forget about the key.

It might be pricey....but maybe you can tell your Dad that you lost a key at the mall and you would feel safer changing the locks and he would do it for you????

I really hope you get this person out of your life....and take care of you!!

Keep us posted...we're here for you.

If your dad owns it then you have to do all you can to get him out.

[Junerain]

Last night there was such a stench of pot coming from the upstairs I could NOT take it a second longer also those friends he brings over are sooo superficial I HATE THEM!!! 18 years olds who don't even greet me when I come home! So...I headed to the closest police station I could find, they direct me to a place called Cezon, gave me the wrond directions there, too. Then they told me Bezon, drove there looking for it for an hour, fianlly found it, wrong place- it's C zone!!! Found it, after going back to the original place twice etc etc The cops asked me questions, but eventually it came back that my 'roommate..' is an 'upstainding citizen.'

I felt manic, crazy. I had been driving a long time place to place trying to find the sheriff that dealt with where I live on hardly any gas no cash if something happened etc etc I flet definately like I was in the middle of an episode.

Today I am collecting a bit of rent from him THEN getting an eviction notice from the town hall(I know where that is, thank God) I guess he will be mad but I asked my best friend to be with me when I put the notice up and he said he had things to do. Some best friend.

He shouldn't get violent or anything, I just need to explain that although he DID give me a heads up that he was a pot smoker, I had only done it once and did not think it would bother me as much as it did, that my therapist says for my mental health he meeds to leave.

I told the police he was a pot smoker, that he was doing it right then- they did not care in the least.

[KathyM]

Is there any way to break it to him more gently than slapping an eviction notice on the door? You could tell him the same thing - i.e., it's not working out and the marijuana bothers you. You could even blame it on your father and say he's placing tighter controls on you. It would be much easier if you ended this on a good note.

I say this only because eviction is a confrontational act and it doesn't look like you are prepared for any serious confrontation with this guy. People tend to get angry when they're thrown out on the streets. There could be repercussions, depending on his personality. I'm not concerned about his feelings - I'm concerned about your safety.

[nowheretorun]

((June))) be careful but its your house and your rules... your sanity matters and they can find another place to hang, i think they've given plenty of cause for how you feel... i hope you can safely resolve this and dont give up asking for help, its scary alone

[leahcim]

If you can, I think you should move out. You definitely don't want to be around if the ATF raids your place in the middle of the night. Then, if you still intend to report anything, please make sure you are safe, hopefully far away from any of those people.

[Rmdctc]

I hope him leaving goes smooth and maybe just talk to him first instead of placing an order on him. I mean thats if he is a resonable kind of person if not get the order then. Again hope all goes well and keep yourself safe!

[Shangrala]

Originally Posted by Junerain

Last night there was such a stench of pot coming from the upstairs I could NOT take it a second longer also those friends he brings over are sooo superficial I HATE THEM!!! 18 years olds who don't even greet me when I come home! So...I headed to the closest police station I could find, they direct me to a place called Cezon, gave me the wrond directions there, too. Then they told me Bezon, drove there looking for it for an hour, fianlly found it, wrong place- it's C zone!!! Found it, after going back to the original place twice etc etc The cops asked me questions, but eventually it came back that my 'roommate..' is an 'upstainding citizen.'

I felt manic, crazy. I had been driving a long time place to place trying to find the sheriff that dealt with where I live on hardly any gas no cash if something happened etc etc I flet definately like I was in the middle of an episode.

Today I am collecting a bit of rent from him THEN getting an eviction notice from the town hall(I know where that is, thank God) I guess he will be mad but I asked my best friend to be with me when I put the notice up and he said he had things to do. Some best friend.

He shouldn't get violent or anything, I just need to explain that although he DID give me a heads up that he was a pot smoker, I had only done it once and did not think it would bother me as much as it did, that my therapist says for my mental health he meeds to leave.

I told the police he was a pot smoker, that he was doing it right then- they did not care in the least.

I'm a little bit confused on this.
You actually went to the police station and explained the entire situation to them...from start to finish..including all the details..and they still told you that not only is there no cause for alarm, but there is no justifiable cause for evicting him?
I'm sorry, but.....something does NOT sound right about that!!
Maybe I've completely overlooked something.

I so agree with Kathy...
There definately is a far better way to handle this situation.
Rather than taking the chance of placing your roommate on the defensive with an eviction notice, divert the cause onto your father. This will not only eliminate any chance of his possible anger directed toward you, but minimize the chance of him trying to con his way into staying.

You are simply diverting the responsibility of this situation onto your dad, therefore removing yourself entirely from having any control in the matter, thus eliminating any probable manipulative tactics he WOULD use against you...

Just tell him..."Whoaaa! ..Harsh, but my dad found out that you're living here....and, like, wants you to leave.....Sorry, Dude...Whatta bummer, I know!"... ..something like that.

Ahhh...diplomacy...gotta love it!

Be careful in your approach. Try not to attend to this matter on your own, (have someone on your side with you). It is ALWAYS a good idea to have a witness on YOUR behalf at times like these. (Learned that one the hard way from experience).
Especially do not address him when HIS friends are present. It's hard saying what might happen.

Take care.

Shangrala

[sunsetsunrise]

yep, I agree with the people who say start with the more innocent approach. Use your dad as an excuse. He found out. Or your health. cant handle the smell of pot. this may be settled peacefully. So there is no fear of reprecussions. He probably can crash at one of his friend's places. Give it a try. See what happens. I dont think that police often care of people smoke pot. They are after the dealers when it comes to pot. Not the people who have small amounts of it. Or so I have heard. So maybe save the eviction notice for a last resort. And handle it as innocently as possible. but give him a date. because your dad or health (whichever you chose to use as a reason) wont let it go on for long at all. dont leave it open ended. And breatheeeeeeeeee. try not to let anger show. Firmness and kindness maybe???

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by Junerain

The cops asked me questions, but eventually it came back that my 'roommate..' is an 'upstainding citizen.'
...
I told the police he was a pot smoker, that he was doing it right then- they did not care in the least.

'Upstanding citizen" would mean they don't have any warrants for him in their database. If ATF were investigating him (or actually after him), would the local cops even know about it?

If you involve your dad in getting rid of your roommate, things are likely to get very messy unless you also level with him about the rent you've been collecting. You'll come out looking a lot better if, for instance, you say you made a mistake letting the guy live there than if your dad finds out about the arrangement from him after you've told him a different story like losing your key or something.

I don't know about tenancy laws where you live; here, there are strict limits on what landlords get to do and you can get in big legal trouble for trying to get rid of a tenant improperly.

Good luck!

[leahcim]

My apologies...I did not read the posts correctly. I did not know that it was your dad's condo for you and I suggested you move out. Sorry about that.

I'm going to think on this with my facts straight now.

[Junerain]

I do not even posses the 'trait' of anger, never have. People have COMPLETELY walked all over me whole entire life, and I let them. I only learned in nursing school I NEED to develop a PRETEND assertiveness, for me to even ask someone to move out breaks my heart desperately, I feel so, so bad for him, genuinely, as I feel deeply, too deeply for all. I was going to post an eviction note because I could not face him I felt so badly, sorry, and empathy for him, I ended up crying when he cried. For someone to think I had to NOT let anger show, I have NEVER felt anger at anyone, let alone this time, and when I learned at nursing school to be assertive, I have to stretch and stretch myself to even come across as a little bit assertive!!