A man police call a person of interest in the kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling has penned a five-page letter as part of a campaign to clear his name.
Dan Rassier sent the missive to more than a dozen state officials. In it, he claimed his civil rights have been violated -- and he spoke with FOX 9 News off-camera to explain his point of view.
Rassier maintains his innocence, but he says law enforcement gave the public the perception that he is guilty even though he has never been arrested or charged in the case.
According to Rassier, law enforcement officers participated in a "farm invasion" when they brought equipment onto his property in order to dig in search of clues in 2010.
Wetterling disappeared nearly 23 years ago, and the FOX 9 Investigators first reported that police were looking into Rassier in 2004. Rassier told FOX 9 News that the life he and his family live has been hellish ever since media reports linked him to the case.
"To leave my family and myself hanging in the ugly winds of suspicion and evil is the most brutal harassment on a daily basis," he wrote.
In the letter, Rassier goes on to complain that the investigation was handled poorly.
"Jacob Wetterling never had a chance of being found based on what I observed law enforcement doing," Rassier told FOX 9 News.
Rassier wrote that he sympathizes with Wetterling's family, saying he "can't imagine the pain the Wetterlings still feel," but he still says destroying his family's name over a hunch is a serious crime.
"To leave the whole thing open to speculation and open to the public's imagination is just wrong," he wrote. "Jacob Wetterling and his family, along with the public, deserve nothing less than the truth."
Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner is named in the letter but didn't receive one, but he said Rassier still has not been ruled out as a suspect. Sanner said his office will continue to work on the case until it is solved.
Calls to Patty Wetterling seeking comment were not returned.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:30:42 GMT
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:13:39 GMT
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
The driver of the vehicle that left several people injured and a trail of destruction in the area of 2nd Avenue and East 4th Street in the East Village has been arrested.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 3:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 19:38:42 GMT
By MATT ALVAREZ NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY) -- Nearly eight months later after Superstorm Sandy, many Jersey Shore families are still displaced from their homes. The storm destroyed Pam Vasquez's family home
By MATT ALVAREZ NEW JERSEY (MYFOXNY) -- Nearly eight months later after Superstorm Sandy, many Jersey Shore families are still displaced from their homes. The storm destroyed Pam Vasquez's family home
Wednesday, June 19 2013 1:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 17:46:33 GMT
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.
