Sherron Rolax
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sherron Rolax (born June 3, 1979) of Lawnside, New Jersey, United States, first achieved public fame after an incident involving then New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman in 1996.
Governor Whitman was riding along in a police patrol car when officers stopped Rolax for suspicious activity in Camden, New Jersey; they frisked him, but found nothing. Whitman then also frisked Rolax while a state trooper photographed her. The picture was later published in newspapers statewide, drawing criticism 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 because it was not filed early enough,[1] which was affirmed on appeal.
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 was eligible for parole as of May 30, 2005, and will have completed his full term as of March 3, 2006.
Rolax had two prior drug-related convictions before his guilty plea on January 27, 2003.
[edit] References
- ^ "Metro Briefing: New Jersey: Trenton: Whitman Frisk Suit Dropped", The New York Times, 2001-11-02. Retrieved on October 10, 2006.
- Man frisked by Whitman receives 5-year sentence (March 1, 2003). Philadelphia Inquirer. Internet Article
- Camden County Prosecutor's Office Media Release (January 27, 2003). Internet Release
- Rolax v. Whitman (3dCir. 2002) Villanova Law School (PDF)
