Richard Thompson, portrait of a US Marine Vet

Introduction

If Richard "RC" Thompson sometimes sounds angry in his videos and his words, he has reason to be. In fact, it is impressive how he manages to keep things together and maintain good humour. This is the story of a Marine combat veteran who believes he experienced over 300 violations of his rights.

As a reporter, it certainly seems he has reason to feel this way, even though the organisations in question are hardly coming forward to explain or to help. The story is complex, it involves several US institutions, none of which seem to be able to fully explain their dealings with Richard in the past, or why they are failing to meet his needs and his rights now.

Here are some of the issues he's had; all agencies I have contacted have shut down communications with me- perhaps some more dogged reporter with better on-the-ground resources can help make a difference not just to RC, but to the tens of thousands who are in similar unacceptable situations. -Suzanne Kelly

The Mission:

* To get transparency and restitution from institutions that have wronged Mr Thompson;

* To get RC's arrest record erased and his injury in custody investigated;

* To have RC's parental rights recognized;

* To ensure RC and his family get decent, stable housing and that he receives all the support, training, financial aid a marine vet deserves;

* To raise awareness of RC's situation which is sadly not unique;

* To get explanations from institutions and individuals at fault;

* To hear from others who have similar stories they want to share with a view to building a support group; and

*By all of the above try to ensure that vets, minorities, people with mental and emotional health issues such as PTSD are not treated as criminals and are informed about medical treatment options; to ensure there is reform and improvement to adoption practices; and to ensure those who have earned care and support get help with dignity, efficiency and without discrimination.

(Photo taken by Bob Worsley staffer)

An introduction to Richard
"RC" Thompson

(by Suzanne Kelly)

Richard "RC" Thompson is a former marine; a veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in service - in Desert Storm. RC said he was given an array of drugs by the VA, he maintains he was not told what the side effects could be, including suicide. RC felt suicidal and reached out to Arizona police, who arrested and imprisoned him. While imprisoned, he says he was deliberately harmed. Richard says he received no medical treatment for his mental condition while imprisoned, and no meaningful subsequent mental, housing, advice, financial assistance from the Veterans' Administration.

RC had a girlfriend; they had a child. She then went to the courts for a restraining order; he was not informed about this, and on the court papers his address - known to the police - was incorrectly noted as 'no fixed address.' The child was put up for adoption. RC says he later found out the mother of this child had had children before which were put up for adoption (the adoption business is a means for a woman to make money in the US).

Richard is trying to do his part by being on film and radio and he does it "with support from God and my fiance to continue to progress with PTSD treatment and other health issues such as IBS".

So where are the institutions he joined the Marines to help uphold when it comes to helping him by either redressing their own serious shortcomings or give him the help he is entitled to? The answer is - nowhere to be found.

RC has the support of several family members, former vets who have similar tales, a documentary producer who has produced Shattered Redemption, and a few investigative journalists.

Do I think RC's life would be different if not for being black, being prescribed heavy medication for PTSD and not being wealthy? Absolutely.

Contact me here: sgvk27@aol.com

Unshattered Redemption

Unshattered Redemption is a documentary being produced by NO WAY OUT FILMS, producers Michael Butler and John Williams in association with Angel of Music Productions, who are currently working on the Unshattered Redemption documentary film featuring "RC" Thompson one of the the four Combat Veterans in the film.

Here are some of the videos produced to date:

Videos (click on red text for link)

Richard says: "THE PHX V.A. does not own ANY EMPMOYMENT AGENCIES or APARTMENT COMPLEXES, but they allow COMBAT VETERANS with PTSD to be sent to this STATE run shelter. I spoke with a representative of Gov. Ducey office and they said this is ON MAYOR STANTON...."

Caught in a system of misinformation and it seems state malice

RC has more than tried to help himself; here is a video showing the extent of some of the correspondence he has been involved with trying to get his rights upheld.

What RC says about the VA: " And yesterday (late December 2017), I found out from my Doctor the PHX V.A. was giving me the wrong medication for over 10yrs.... My Civilian Dr. informed me of that !!! My IBS keeps me FROM GOING TO THE RESTROOM...#1 and #2......... So my doctor was like......

"Why would the V.A. give me medication for an OVERACTIVE BLADDER, when I couldn't go in the first place The PHX V.A. was giving me OXYBUTININ CHLORIDE, when I HAVE NEVER HAD AN OVERACTIVE BLADDER So along with the LIE that MESA POLICE put on me.....IM PROVING ALL OF MY CASES To FRANCINE MARTIN. The V.A. already knows about these issues, and since the FRANCINE MARTIN says I don't have a case, which I disagree with.

"At the reference of National Association of Black Veterans, I sent the same information that was sent to the ACLU to the EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE...... I also sent the information to my first Dr. that diagnosed me with PTSD in 1999 and to Betty McGhee of the NAACP, I had already sent my information to NAACP headquarters, and they did me worse than non blacks even DENYING the renewal of my membership and sending my $30 back. ****SENATOR MCCAIN'S OFFICE CALLED THE POLICE ON ME FOR TRYING TO GET HELP FROM THEIR OFF"

Mesa and Maricopa Arizona police

Powers: To uphold the law while obeying the law

Position: They cannot explain to Richard's or my satisfaction why Richard was arrested, why and how he was assaulted while in custody, and why they arrested someone asking for help because they said they felt suicidal.

Above these unsatisfactory situations, Richard wants to know in particular how the State could have his address on his arrest papers, but then list his address as 'unknown' while the mother of his child was moving to have the child adopted - Richard did not know of the adoption, but allegedly a DNA test was done - he says he never took any test.

About Mesa Police:

A representative of Maricopa, Arizona Police replied that the state would not answer any of the submitted questions Kelly had emailed, saying: "Ms. Kelly – we will consider responding to specific questions regarding Mr. Thompson’s time in the Maricopa County Jail and nothing more."

Richard says:

"DURING MY RULE 11 MENTAL HEALTH HEARING.

"MARICOPA COUNTY COURTS LIED ABOUT AND SUPPRESSED MY MEDICAL RECORDS.....I HAD NO FAIR REPRESENTATION....ARIZONA LIED AND SAID I WAS GETTING COMBAT TREATMENT THROUGH MIHS...A LIE.

"I HAVE HAD TO MY OWN LEGAL BECAUSE ARIZONA AND THE AZ ATTY GEN OFFICE HAVE DRAGGED THEIR FEET AND USED STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS TO KEEP FROM GIVING ME A LAWYER...IN THE 324 CASE#2017-113556EA..MARIAN ADAN OF THE AZ ATTY GEN OFFICE TOLD ME THEY WERE GETTING ME A LAWYER.

"I FILED A COMPLAINT WHEN MESA POLICE LIED ABOUT HAVING MY ADDRESS TO GET A CONVICTION AND WARRANT.....I SPENT TWO MONTHS IN JAIL FOR THIS AND THAT IS A VIOLATION OF THE 13TH AMENDMENT."

"4. DURING MY RULE 11 MENTAL HEALTH HEARING. MARICOPA COUNTY COURTS LIED ABOUT AND SUPPRESSED MY MEDICAL RECORDS.....I HAD NO FAIR REPRESENTATION....ARIZONA LIED AND SAID I WAS GETTING COMBAT TREATMENT TRHOUGH MIHS...A LIE.

"MENTAL HEALTH HEARING. MARICOPA COUNTY COURTS LIED ABOUT AND SUPPRESSED MY MEDICAL RECORDS.....I HAD NO FAIR REPRESENTATION....ARIZONA LIED AND SAID I WAS GETTING COMBAT TREATMENT TRHOUGH MIHS...A LIE WHILE I WAS WAITING ON THAT..."

Private Accommodation Eviction

Richard's family have had visits from police and other agents and their home has been searched, the existence of a warrant is unknown.

One particular antagonist is Douglas Clark. There are number of documented instances of him exceeding his authority in over 30 cases involving several families. He still seems to be a form of deputised officer despite correspondence relating to his speeding, excessive expense claims for gasoline including during times he was not on duty - and for claiming he had a level of firearms competency and authority which was not the case.

Private Investigator who is looking into the actions of Mr Clark said:

!Mr. Thompson’s fiancé stated, that Mr. Clark threatened Mr. Thompson by poking him in the chest, and pushing, and telling him he was about to have a bad day. Mr. Thompson as he was talking to his fiancé, and making a phone call in reference to a letter stating he had until 11-30-2017 to leave where he was, this is when Mr. Clark went off. In the state of Arizona, it appears that Mr. Clark committed threatening and intimidation, along with assault. This is the issue I am investigating."

"The PPD did not take a report and they (Richard and his fiancé) were not aware the CAD (NOT A REPORT) did not include the fact of the assault by Douglas Clark as stated by Richard and fiancé. In the CAD it shows that Mr. Thompson was calling to address the assault which had happened. But the police did not make a report. As referenced by police in the cad Mr. Thompson is a known 918 subject."

Richard says: "On July 21st( 2017-12-69919); PHOENIX POLICE and VETERANS COURTS , VERONICA PENA and officers Metcalf and brown, forced my family outside in the heat, after my fiancee told them I was not home !! THEY FORCED MY FAMILY OUTSIDE AND SEARCH MY APT.....I WAS OUT JOGGING !! 3. AFTER MY APT. WAS ILLEGALLY SEARCHED AND MY ENTIRE FAMILIES CIVIL RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED. THE EXCUSE IS THAT I WAS ON VETERANS COURT PROBATION. BUT I HAVE THE NAME AND PHOTOS OF A WHITE COMBAT VETERAN, WHO POSTED PICS OF HIM WITH HIS FIREARM...HE WAS ON PROBATION AS WELL...

"THEY WOULD TERMINATE MY PROBATION EARLY AND GAVE ME $300 BACK...$150 SHOWED IN THE PIC ARCADIA JUSTICE COURTS DID A LOCKOUT AND EVICTED ME !!! AND THAT'S WHEN CONSTABLE, DOUG CLARK ASSAULTED ME BY PUSHING ME TWICE AS HARD AS HE COULD, HE THEN TRIED TO HEAD BUTT ME, AND WAS REACHING FOR HIS WEAPON AT THE SAME TIME... HE GOT NO AGGRESSIVE ACTION AND HE CAUGHT."

MY FIANCEE WAS CRYING WHEN PHOENIX POLICE GOT THERE, BECAUSE SHE WITNESSED EVERTHING. I HAD CALLED 911 TO PRESS CHARGES, AND THATS WHEN OFFICER DEMPSEY REFUSED TO TAKE MY COMPLAINT !! HE TOLD ME I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO FILE A COMPLAINT !! CONSTABLE BRANHAM WAS TRYING TO TALK ME DOWN, WHILE THE PHX POLICE OFFICER WAS TRYING TO TALK MY FIANCEE INTO SAYING SHE WAS AFRAID OF ME, SO THAT THEY COULD ADMIT ME."

What Richard Needs:

Answers, apologies and restitution from the institutions that have at best not supplied the support he needed and at worst violated his rights, and damaged his help

A stable, clean, decent permanent home for him and his family

Employment training and support for a meaningful career

Counseling for PTSD issues

Medical support for his health problems

Re-examination and subsequent restitution concerning his medical care, arrest, injury, how his legal issues were handled, particularly the adoption of his child.

All of the above will require assistance from agencies that have been aware of the situations Richard describes, help from the community, and financial help.

Suzanne Kelly

sgvk27@aol.com

Richard can be contacted by email here: laugborne@rocketmail.com

This website contains the opinions of both Suzanne Kelly and Richard "RC" Thompson, factual data, and quotes. Should any individual or agency come forward to claim any portion of this page is inaccurate or untrue, they will be welcome to send in documentation to support such a claim. Any such claim that is verified will result in a revision and an apology. No such corrective action is anticipated. Should any organisation wish to help Richard Thompson and wish such help to be included in this page, then the page will be updated. There is a considerable body of work outside this summary page that supports the content .

What Richard's fellow vet says

My Marine Brother Richard Thompson. He is a good man, The VA is messed up bad. There has to be a way to right the wrong they have done to him. If this was a civilian doc there would be a malpractice suit. I don’t know your position but thank you from this 62 yr old marine who’s got the run around by them still to this day but giving the wrong Meds for 10yrs wow. I pray he gets compensated for this wrong doing. Someone needs to be fired.
Thank you very much. - Mr W DeMartini.
PS.... If I can help let me know ok.

What a friend (Ms Lockett) says

I am sending this email in regards to my soon to be son-in-law Richard Thompson. I first met Richard in April 2017 via my daughter Latosha who has known him since 2004 and learned of his dealings with PTSD, in the time I've known Richard he has been a kind soul dispite the bouts of having to deal with something I can't possibly imagine, I strongly feel that seeing how Richard and Latosha communicate with one another, learning, teaching and complementing each other has made me truly blessed to know such a man that strives on expressing his feelings and take necessary steps that are and should be in my opinion of the care and rights of all those who have served this country with the aftermaths of their struggles to cope as civilians with PTSD...I love, care about and respect all servicemen and woman for their unyielding services!