Had Taken Pictures Of A Military Display Helicopter, Accused Of Being A Terrorist

A woman in New York who had been detained by police for four days after taking photographs of a military helicopter for a website supporting U.S. military troops has won $1.12 million in damages in a lawsuit stemming from the incident.

The website petapixel.com reports that 58-year-old Nancy Genovese had taken some digital images of a helicopter on display outside the Gabreski Airport Air National Guard facility in Long Island. As she drove away, she was stopped by Southampton Town Police Lt. Robert Iberger, who demanded to know why she had taken the photos. The website Personal Liberty reports that Iberger confiscated the SD card that contained the images, and then called the airport authorities and the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office to say he was detaining a possible terrorist. He reportedly told Genovese he wanted to set an example for other "right wingers."

Genovese spent 4 days in jail. She was allegedly strip-searched and was required to post a $50,000 bond to get out. She was eventually charged only with misdemeanor trespassing, and that charge was dismissed in November.

So far, Genovese has been awarded $1.12 million in compensatory damages by a jury in New York, and that may not be the end of her compensation. The jury may still award punitive damages to the photographer.

(TSA poster warning about photographers pictured in file photo)

FMI: http://personalliberty.com/arrested-for-taking-pictures-tortured-for-being-a-teabagger/