Sgt. Jeffrey M. Rothecker, a Minnesota policeman, has been placed on leave pending an internal investigation into allegations that he encouraged drivers to hit Black Lives Matter protestors. In a Facebook comment responding to an article about an upcoming Black Lives Matter protest, “JM Roth” said to “run them over” and then proceeded to detail how you can avoid being charged with a crime if you hit someone with your car.
The Facebook post, which has since been deleted, was documented in a screen capture and reported to St. Paul’s internal affairs. The person who reported the post, Andrew Henderson, also said he found evidence that JM Roth is indeed Sgt. Jeffrey M. Rothecker. In a statement, the police department said they will be investigating thoroughly into this matter, and if the investigation produces evidence that someone in the police department wrote the comment, “swift, strong and decisive disciplinary action will be taken.”