Friday, June 06, 2008

Denver Police Officer Arrested on Sex Assault Charge

Police have arrested a former officer accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile female on the 16th Street Mall.

On May 27, family members of the juvenile told police that she had been sexually assaulted at the GNC store at the Denver Pavilions. Police later identified a second juvenile victim and a possible suspect.

On Monday, police issued an arrest warrant for that suspect, former Denver Police officer Joseph Bini. The fugitive unit of the Denver Police Department arrested Bini after the warrant was issued.

Denver Police say the case was presented to the Denver District Attorney's Office, who accepted the case for child enticement and unlawful sexual contact.

It was previously reported Officer Bini was responsible for giving the Denver Police Department SWAT team the wrong address for a search warrant. The SWAT team raided the wrong house.

SWAT team members shot and killed Ishmael Mena, who threatened officers with a gun. Mena's family eventually settled with the city for $400,000. It was later found out Mena was wanted for murder in Mexico.

Officer Bini pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misconduct and returned to the force after a three-month suspension.

No comments: