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Fogderud convicted by jurors
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| Fogderud |
By Hillary Gavan
hgavan@beloitdailynews.com
Dressed in a blue T-shirt reading “Jesus is Eternal” and his floppy hat, pastor Dave Fogderud said he didn't look threatening at all on the day he was accused of obstructing an officer.
“I don't know why I was so mistreated,” Fogderud said.
The pastor was convicted by a jury on Tuesday afternoon for obstructing an officer after a two-day trial. The incident with police occurred after his 2007 arrest when law enforcement questioned him about inviting two teenagers to a Christian concert.
Fogderud's attorney Jeff Livingston said the charge of disorderly conduct regarding the teenagers was dropped in an earlier hearing, and that Fogderud was only accused of obstructing an officer. Fogderud's sentencing is scheduled for May 12. The maximum punishment is nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.
On Wednesday morning, Fogderud said he hadn't decided if he will appeal the decision because of a lack of money. He said he was extremely disappointed with the jury's decision, noting Janesville was a conservative town.
“Maybe they are not familiar with personal evangelism and talking to people about Jesus when they don't ask,” Fogderud said. “In traditional churches you go to church on Sunday and that's it. They don't see the importance of spreading the word.”
Fogderud said he had three character witness which spoke about his good works in the community. He added that his attorney Livingston did an excellent job representing him, but said the district attorney got the last word in, saying even Osama bin Laden and Adolph Hitler could scrounge up character witnesses.
“It's very sad,” Fogderud said. “The district attorney's job is to make you look as bad as possible.”
Fogderud, 66, was arrested Aug. 2, 2007 after leaving a fast food restaurant parking lot in Janesville.
According to reports, Fogderud, pastor at the Overflowing Cup Total Life Center in Beloit, was driving a man to a detox center when he stopped at the Burger King, 400 W. Center Way in Janesville. He ordered some fish sandwiches at the drive-through window and was waiting for his order when two 13-year-old boys passed by.
Fogderud said he talked to the boys, inviting them to a Christian rock concert that weekend at the Cup. But the boys became frightened and called 911 reporting an attempted kidnapping.
Janesville police officers arrived shortly after Fogderud left the parking lot. Fogderud drove a few blocks before he was stopped by police. According to police accounts, Fogderud was not cooperative and refused to identify himself.
On Wednesday, Fogderud said he only asked the boys - skateboarding in front of his truck - to come to the concert one time.
Fogderud said the boys probably were taught not to talk to strangers and he respected their decision to not respond.
Fogderud, who claimed Janesville can be a town with a lot of racial prejudice, said because he was traveling in a beat-up truck with an African American man, the boys may have been alarmed and ended up exaggerating their stories to their police.
“They claimed I got out of truck and tried to chase them,” Fogderud said.
The real confrontation began, however, when police stopped him for questioning. Fogderud claimed he was mistreated and manhandled.
While being held by police, Fogderud said he fell forward at one point. While being patted down with his feet spread apart, Fogderud admitted he jumped because he wasn't used to a man touching him.
During the search, police found a small jackknife in Fogderud's pocket and then took him in for more intense questioning.
Despite his sentencing on Tuesday, Fogderud said he will still continue his evangelism and will invite people to church.
“I didn't do anything wrong,” Fogderud said.
“I don't know why I was so mistreated,” Fogderud said.
The pastor was convicted by a jury on Tuesday afternoon for obstructing an officer after a two-day trial. The incident with police occurred after his 2007 arrest when law enforcement questioned him about inviting two teenagers to a Christian concert.
Fogderud's attorney Jeff Livingston said the charge of disorderly conduct regarding the teenagers was dropped in an earlier hearing, and that Fogderud was only accused of obstructing an officer. Fogderud's sentencing is scheduled for May 12. The maximum punishment is nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine.
On Wednesday morning, Fogderud said he hadn't decided if he will appeal the decision because of a lack of money. He said he was extremely disappointed with the jury's decision, noting Janesville was a conservative town.
“Maybe they are not familiar with personal evangelism and talking to people about Jesus when they don't ask,” Fogderud said. “In traditional churches you go to church on Sunday and that's it. They don't see the importance of spreading the word.”
Fogderud said he had three character witness which spoke about his good works in the community. He added that his attorney Livingston did an excellent job representing him, but said the district attorney got the last word in, saying even Osama bin Laden and Adolph Hitler could scrounge up character witnesses.
“It's very sad,” Fogderud said. “The district attorney's job is to make you look as bad as possible.”
Fogderud, 66, was arrested Aug. 2, 2007 after leaving a fast food restaurant parking lot in Janesville.
According to reports, Fogderud, pastor at the Overflowing Cup Total Life Center in Beloit, was driving a man to a detox center when he stopped at the Burger King, 400 W. Center Way in Janesville. He ordered some fish sandwiches at the drive-through window and was waiting for his order when two 13-year-old boys passed by.
Fogderud said he talked to the boys, inviting them to a Christian rock concert that weekend at the Cup. But the boys became frightened and called 911 reporting an attempted kidnapping.
Janesville police officers arrived shortly after Fogderud left the parking lot. Fogderud drove a few blocks before he was stopped by police. According to police accounts, Fogderud was not cooperative and refused to identify himself.
On Wednesday, Fogderud said he only asked the boys - skateboarding in front of his truck - to come to the concert one time.
Fogderud said the boys probably were taught not to talk to strangers and he respected their decision to not respond.
Fogderud, who claimed Janesville can be a town with a lot of racial prejudice, said because he was traveling in a beat-up truck with an African American man, the boys may have been alarmed and ended up exaggerating their stories to their police.
“They claimed I got out of truck and tried to chase them,” Fogderud said.
The real confrontation began, however, when police stopped him for questioning. Fogderud claimed he was mistreated and manhandled.
While being held by police, Fogderud said he fell forward at one point. While being patted down with his feet spread apart, Fogderud admitted he jumped because he wasn't used to a man touching him.
During the search, police found a small jackknife in Fogderud's pocket and then took him in for more intense questioning.
Despite his sentencing on Tuesday, Fogderud said he will still continue his evangelism and will invite people to church.
“I didn't do anything wrong,” Fogderud said.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
smclark09 wrote on Apr 29, 2009 6:20 PM:
" You know its getting bad in the world when you get arrested for inviting people to church.....But if you had read the bible this was told this was going to happen "
ambush wrote on Apr 30, 2009 8:20 AM:
" I am sure this is just another situation where the police crossed the line and insisted on getting their way. If you ever stand up to them and insist on your rights they arrest you for obstruction. Its pathetic and unreasonable. MY lord the man is a pastor for crying out loud "
Concerned Citizen wrote on Apr 30, 2009 9:03 AM:
" A jury of his peers convicted this man. Something with his story must have sounded a little shady. The police say he obstructed justice, the jury said he obstructed justice. I was always told if it looked like a duck, quacked like a duck and walked like a duck it was probably a duck. Pastor Fogderud needs to take his punishment and move on. "
tpav wrote on Apr 30, 2009 9:13 AM:
" As I read it in scripture, getting arrested for seeking to spread the message of Christ was part of the life of Christians. Paul was a convict. John was too--exiled. Peter also a convict. Can you say Jesus.
Yet today, people think such occurances would tarnish their Christian witness. Also, there isn't a minister around that would risk his social standing. They're all too worried about not offending anyone. Then again, no need to send the dogs to chase the trustee serving prison slop. "
Yet today, people think such occurances would tarnish their Christian witness. Also, there isn't a minister around that would risk his social standing. They're all too worried about not offending anyone. Then again, no need to send the dogs to chase the trustee serving prison slop. "
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captaincrunch wrote on Apr 29, 2009 12:32 PM: