Thursday, December 04, 2008

Federal Probation Officer Joseph Gama Arrested for Molesting Girls

A federal probation officer from Redding has been arrested for allegedly molesting teenage girls.

Authorities say 45-year-old Joseph Gama surrendered to Redding police at his home on Wednesday.

Redding police launched their investigation last month after one of the alleged victims went to police. Sgt. Dean Stainberg says two other teenage girls have also accused Gama of similar charges.

Gama's family was honored in 2006 as the Shasta County Adoptive Family of the Year. Stainberg would not say if the girls lived at Gama's home.

Gama was being held at the Shasta County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

More Information: http://www.kcra.com/news/18202691/detail.html

Officer Scoot Hanley Accused of Pulling Gun on Couple

HILLSBORO, Ore.

An off-duty Hillsboro police officer is accused of pulling a gun on a Scappoose couple and threatening their lives while they were eating ice cream.

Kevin Deavers said he and his wife were eating ice cream outside a Dairy Queen last week when Deavers said off-duty officer, Scott Hanley pulled in front of him and shined his headlights into the couple's car.

Deavers asked the man to dim his lights. He said that's when officer Hanley pulled out his gun.

"He says you need to leave. You need to leave right now, you need to go. I was trying to reason with him. 'Bud, I'm just eating my ice cream, why do you have your high beams pointed at my eyes?' Then he pulls out a semi-automatic pistol and holds it sideways... and says 'I'll kill you and her,'" said Deavers.

The Hillsboro Police Department confirmed Hanley was under investigation, but he has not suspended been suspended and police said they're still working to verify the story and figure out exactly what happened. But police did not dispute the fact that Hanley pulled out a gun.

The couple said they want quick action.

"Take his gun away from him and put him behind a desk. I don't know, but if you're that unstable, they're supposed to be trained to react to something. I hope I'd get tased before I get shot in the face," said Deavers.

At this time the Columbia County District Attorney had not decided whether to file charges against Hanley.

Former Sheriff Von Thompson Wanted for Swindling 91-year old Man

MORA, Minn.

Authorities are ready to arrest former Kanabec County Sheriff Von Thompson -- as soon as they can find him.

Thompson was charged in October with four felonies for allegedly swindling a 91-year-old man of more than $179,000. He was judged a "low flight risk," but now a warrant has been issued for his arrest after he violated the terms of his release.

Mora Police officer Ken Rollins says Thompson has tried to persuade other people in the Mora area to invest money with him, which is a violation of his release.

Police tried to arrest Thompson on Nov. 26, but they weren't able to find him. Rollins says he was last seen around Mora on Nov. 24. The arrest warrant was issued last week.

Thompson was Kanabec County sheriff from 1983 to 1999. Mora is located about 70 miles north of Minneapolis.

More information: http://www.startribune.com/local/35580214.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUF