► US Judge Dwight Goains of Alpine, TX; Judge Roy Bean Wannabee Print

US Judge Dwight Goains of Alpine, TX; Judge Roy Bean Wannabee

 

FYI: Judge Roy Bean was an infamous Justice of the Peace and saloon owner in Texas who called himself the "The Law West of the Pecos." Roy was also affectionately referred to as the Hanging Judge.

 

The state of Texas presented B. Dwight Goins with a law license in 1987 after he graduated South Texas University Law School.

 

Judge Goains is a US Magistrate Judge who was appointed by a vote of the District Court Judges in the Western District of Texas. Magistrate judges are appointed to eight-year terms.

 

Judge Goains was assigned to handle the case of Ilana Lipsen regarding a search of her Alpine, Texas store for illegal drug evidence.

 

After her arrest, Ilana told news reporters that Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents at the scene violently threw and kicked her sister Arielle, who was charged with assaulting federal agents. Prosecutors contented that the agents never beat her.

 

Before the case could be decided at trial, Judge Goains included an unprecedented requirement as a condition of Ilana’s release from jail pending trial. Goains ordered that Ilana had to revoke her statements that the DEA assaulted her sister to the media and also apologize.

 

At a recent (05/16/14) hearing, Judge Goains signed off on a bond order that stated in a hand-written addendum that Ilana must:

  • “Provide a letter of apology to both local newspapers in Alpine, TX, advising DEA had a legitimate reason to execute a warrant at her business.”
  • “She will advise media … that her sister Arielle Lipsen was not beaten by agents carrying/using a M16 rifle, and her sister instigated/assaulted agents.”

In accordance with the illegal extortionist threats from Goains, Ilana agreed to write the letter in exchange for her freedom.

 

As one would suspect, Goains has never been disciplined for his outrageous conduct.

 

As we speak (ca. June 2014), Goins continues to sit as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Alpine, Texas.