Friday, January 20, 2012

Frank Langdon was arrested for political reasons back in 1987 and it was all covered-up. Today Frank and his wife live in Philmont, New York, in a rented apartment. Sara works two jobs and Frank drives truck. It is far from the life Frank envisioned of taking over the 380 acre family farm and taking part in small town life. The farm lost because of the arrest was worth about 3 millions dollars.

It all started when a serial arsonist started burning farmers out back in the 1980's. Frank's Dad, known as Mike, (Grant) had three barns burned by the arsonist. He had enough of what was taking place is what can be called small town America. At the time of his arrest 19 year-old Frank already owned 20 head of Registered Holsteins and was taking part in major decisions on the farm. He was also going to collage.

The problem started after their third barn was burned by the arsonist. Mike, Frank's Dad even saw the arsonist running backward looking at the barn as flames shot 40 feet into the air. He demanded an arson investigation which did not suit the Republican Sheriff. Nothing was done at first, until Mike spoke to the New York Times reporter. He told the reporter the Republican Sheriff gave a lie detector test to a fireman that had been sent to arson detection school. He quoted the Sheriff when he told the reporter "they taught him how to do it." The reporter asked the Sheriff if he gave a lie detector test to a fireman that failed the test. The Sheriff, who was using the volunteer firemen as his political base, would not comment. A week later he arrested Frank. That took pressure off the Sheriff. He had forced Frank to sign a statement they wrote, but needed evidence to back up the statement. That was furnished by a fellow fireman Frank gave a ride to the firehouse. He, a friend of the Sheriff, told the Grand Jury Frank drove right to the fire and the only way he could have done that was if he set the fire. That was enough to indict Frank on 13 felony counts related to the arson.

When the Republican District Attorney discovered what the Sheriff did he ended the matter "for failure to go forward." That started a cover-up that stalled and went on for years. In all these years Frank and Mike have never testified about what they knew. Finally, 24 years latter, Mike published their affidavits telling the public what happened. Lawyers told Mike the statute of limitation prevents any damages from ever being paid. Today Mike is demanding the same District Attorney of Columbia County that ended the mater 24 years before, prosecute the fireman that lied to the Grand Jury or be removed from office.

Grant Langdon

Penfield, NY

585-388-4303