Muskogee prosecutor gets crash course as a Secret Service agent

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Aug 27, 2008 by Marie Price

Muskogee U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling was among two dozen federal prosecutors who got a crash course recently in what U.S. Secret Service agents do, from protecting the president to conducting investigations.

He also witnessed a white-knuckle drive on a training course and found out there are not one, but 19 presidential limousines.

"The high-speed trip around the road training course generated a smile," Sperling said. "The specially built and powered Chargers have some serious 'See ya.'"

The prosecutor said he can attest to the fact that the powerful vehicles do not flip over when broadsided at high speeds.

"Tires didn't last too long, though," Sperling said. "Quick squalling 180-degree directional changes are hard on equipment."

One tip prosecutors received: Inflate vehicle tires to five pounds above the recommended level (first checking the tire's fine print and consulting the person who sells and services your tires).

Sperling said experienced evasive-driving instructors told the group that recommended inflation levels relate to ride comfort.

"They taught that the tires can handle the extra air, cars handle better and the tire won't buckle when you slide out," he said. "We'll get better gas mileage, too."

Sperling said the prosecutors spent a sobering week in the Washington, D.C., area with the agents who carry out a multi- faceted protective function.

"Special agents train to avoid and handle physical threats, medical situations, hazards and embarrassing situations," he said. "They become experts concerning buildings, terrain, utilities, HVAC, weather, vehicles, support crews and a host of relevant concerns."

The group also spent several hours in the service's weapons library, where Sperling got to carefully hold the golden pistol Elvis gave to President Nixon.

"We handled machine guns of all make, RPGs, stinger anti- aircraft guns and trick items which conceal guns," Sperling said.

Prosecutors also got a firsthand look at counterfeit currency, identity theft and related types of crimes.

"Our currency-security technology is advanced," Sperling said. "The challenge is that clerks moving shoppers at stores don't have access to analysis and equipment to discern counterfeit from real."

It is only a slight overstatement, he said, that if someone hasn't been hit by ID theft or a similar crime, "The thieves either haven't got around to you yet or you have no available credit."

The federal prosecutors were also briefed on terrorist trends and tactics and received a national threat assessment.

"Dedicated men and women put their lives on the line to protect national and political leaders," Sperling said. "The Secret Service does much more to protect our currency and investigate financial crimes."