Key Takeaways:
– Mathew Mustard, a key character in Netflix’s ‘American Nightmare,’ does not believe in Aaron Quinn’s kidnapping story.
– Despite controversies, Mustard was elevated to a sergeant post the from detective in the Vallejo Police Department.
– Mustard, once acting as the head of the Vallejo Police Officers Association, has been embroiled in multiple accusations and controversies.
– He had faced accusations of racist comments, misconduct, and even malpractice during investigations.
In Netflix’s new docuseries, “American Nightmare,” former Detective Mat Mustard emerges as a contentious figure for his skepticism about the alleged 2015 kidnapping of Denise Huskins by her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn. The intriguing punctuations in Mustard’s career, unsolicited controversies, and his present status form the backbone of this narrative.
Mat Mustard’s Rise within the Vallejo Police Department
Mat Mustard ascended the ranks within the Vallejo law enforcement, earning a sergeant’s designation, reported Vallejo Sun in March 2023. Throughout, he held a significant position, leading the Vallejo Police Officers Association. Despite the complexities of the American Nightmare case and the erroneous allegation towards Quinn, Mustard’s career progression was largely unaffected.
Even though Quinn’s story was later authenticated and Huskins was genuinely kidnapped by Matthew Muller, a U.S. Marine, Mustard brushed off these revelations. This validation and the subsequent city settlement worth $2.5 million did little to dent Mustard’s standing within the department. Surprisingly, even in 2015, Mustard bagged the Officer of The Year award from the Vallejo Police Department amidst these revelations.
Mustard’s Involvement in the Whistleblower Controversy
Despite attaining accolades and a stable position within the department, Mustard found himself caught in a web of disputes. A prominent accusation came from former Police Captain, John Whitney, who implicated Mustard in his 2022 unlawful termination suit. Whitney asserted that Mustard manipulated the sergeant’s examination protocol to secure a promotion. This accusation of procedural interference painted a tarnished image of Mustard’s professional methods.
Mustard led the Vallejo Police Officers Association from 2009 to 2020, undertaking the responsibility of several investigations. However, his dual role as the union leader and the investigator raised concerns, leading to his stepping down following revelations by The Appeal. Their investigation exposed Mustard’s subjective handling of crucial inquiries, particularly regarding officer-involved shootings.
Accusations and Controversies Surrounding Mat Mustard
The shadows of controversies extended beyond professional conduct, with accusations of racist comments leveled against Mustard. A black subordinate accused him of mistreatment, including the use of a racial slur. Further tarnishing his reputation, Mustard was also implicated in jesting about a town’s blackout with an unpardonable racial remark.
In another incident, Mustard faced accusations of tampering with a post-mortem report to sway a homicide trial. The forensic pathologist Susan Hogan accused Mustard of pressuring her to declare Jessica Brastow’s death as a homicide. Hogan’s denial led to the acquittal of the accused, marking another setback for Mustard.
From his disbelief in Quinn’s abduction story to various accusations of professional and racial misconduct, former Detective Mat Mustard’s career has seen an intriguing mix of advancements and controversies. His story forms a key subtext within the engaging narrative of Netflix’s ‘American Nightmare.’ Today, while Mustard enjoys a respectable sergeant’s position in the Vallejo Police Department, questions on his practices, integrity, and racial sensitivity continue to echo in the corridors of American criminal justice.