Craig Patty, the owner of a small Texas trucking company, was under the impression that one of his trucks was in the shop getting repairs. But one morning he got an unexpected phone call. “Your driver was shot in your truck, your truck was loaded with marijuana.”
Patty later found out that one of his drivers was secretly working for federal agents in an underground drug sting operation. The truck was used to haul marijuana from the border. Craig had no idea that the DEA was paying Craig’s driver, Lawrence Chapa, to use his truck to perform drug busts.
Chapa was killed in a shootout between drug cartels and the police. The truck was also riddled with bullets and completely totaled. Craig’s insurance wouldn’t pay for it because they don’t cover bullet holes. His small two-fleet trucking company, was now down to one truck.
Patty sued the U.S. government for the damages to his truck, and the loss of business that resulted in having one of his trucks out of service. According to the Washington Post, Patty sought $6.4 million in his case against the DEA, however a judge dismissed his case, ruling that the DEA’s actions were done for the “greater good” of society therefore they would not be on the hook for monetary damages.
Patty and his lawyer, Andy Vickery, were shocked with the judges decision. Vickery, commented on the ruling: “She is basically saying you can’t sue the feds. They never offered a penny for any of his damages.” They have since filed an appeal.