Stormgod
02-15-2007, 01:07 PM
Local freelancer that gave his pics to FD for FREE now in trouble for selling those shots to a newspaper!! I do this, many of us do. I guess we need to be careful!
Photographer indicted for accident photos
By Stephen Palkot Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:31 PM CST
Freelance photographer Elmer Cavender of Wharton for years has offered no-cost photographs to the Wharton Volunteer Fire Department.
Recently, however, this self-described "private citizen that helps out" became the subject of a felony indictment and he faces the potential of a costly trial and legal fees, all for doing what he has done for years.
Cavender, 64, faces a count of misuse of official information in Wharton County for taking pictures of an automobile accident scene on Jan. 19 and selling those photos to several newspapers. That accident claimed the life of Needville ISD Police Chief Ernest Mendoza.
The Texas Department of Public Safety contends Cavender abused his position as the Wharton VFD's photographer - which arguably grants him special access to emergency scenes - to take photos for non-official purposes.
Ron Sanders, editor of the Wharton Journal-Spectator, said the charge against Cavender amounts to "nothing other than harassment."
Misuse of official information, a third-degree felony indictment, carries with it a punishment range from probation to 10 years in prison and the potential for a fine up to $10,000.
On Tuesday morning, Cavender said he has taken photographs of emergency scenes for years, which the fire department uses for investigations.
Photographer indicted for accident photos
By Stephen Palkot Tuesday, February 13, 2007 12:31 PM CST
Freelance photographer Elmer Cavender of Wharton for years has offered no-cost photographs to the Wharton Volunteer Fire Department.
Recently, however, this self-described "private citizen that helps out" became the subject of a felony indictment and he faces the potential of a costly trial and legal fees, all for doing what he has done for years.
Cavender, 64, faces a count of misuse of official information in Wharton County for taking pictures of an automobile accident scene on Jan. 19 and selling those photos to several newspapers. That accident claimed the life of Needville ISD Police Chief Ernest Mendoza.
The Texas Department of Public Safety contends Cavender abused his position as the Wharton VFD's photographer - which arguably grants him special access to emergency scenes - to take photos for non-official purposes.
Ron Sanders, editor of the Wharton Journal-Spectator, said the charge against Cavender amounts to "nothing other than harassment."
Misuse of official information, a third-degree felony indictment, carries with it a punishment range from probation to 10 years in prison and the potential for a fine up to $10,000.
On Tuesday morning, Cavender said he has taken photographs of emergency scenes for years, which the fire department uses for investigations.