Forks Police Officer Erik A. Hanson, who was arrested Thursday on investigation of second-degree rape -- a felony -- has been charged in Clallam County Superior Court with two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes -- a misdemeanor.
Hanson, 33, was arrested Thursday, with the Clallam County Sheriff's Department saying the alleged actions happened while he was off duty.
He was charged Tuesday.
"We're going to charge what we can prove," Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly said Wednesday.
"If further evidence comes forward that would warrant a greater or lesser charge, that's what we'll do."
Communication with 12-year-old
Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Ann Lundwall filed the misdemeanor counts for communication Hanson allegedly had with a 12-year-old girl between June and October of last year.
Hanson waived his right to a speedy arraignment so he could return to Iraq for duty with the Army National Guard.
The Forks man will be arraigned in Clallam County Superior Court on Aug. 28.
Forks Mayor Nedra Reed said that no personnel action has been taken.
"As far as the city is concerned, Officer Hanson is still on active duty with the military," Reed said.
"Any personnel action will be deferred to such time as he has his day in court."
Hanson posted $5,000 bail on Friday.
The court on Tuesday modified Hanson's conditions of release, lifting curfew and travel restrictions, and imposed a one-year sexual assault protection order.
New information filed in the case includes a detective's interview with the 12-year-old girl and e-mail correspondence she had with Hanson.
Court documents
According to court documents:
A three-month investigation by the Clallam County Sheriff's Department Criminal Investigations Bureau uncovered phone records and e-mail exchanges between Hanson and the girl.
Hanson was the arresting officer in a case in which the girl, who is unidentified because of her age and the nature of the charge, was sexually assaulted two years ago.
Casey Shoop, 21, was charged with first degree child rape, first degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. He was booked January 2008, and remains in custody at the Clallam County jail on $100,000 bail.
Hanson was initially asked to patrol the girl's neighborhood because she suffered from anxiety.
The girl told investigators that Hanson became less professional, and that her friends and family became suspicious. She said she already had a bad experience -- and now a police officer was talking the same way.
She told a sheriff's investigator that Hanson hugged her around the waist and kissed her repeatedly when he was off duty and after he had returned from military training in Yakima.
According to phone records in the case file, the victim initiated seven out of 10 calls totaling 217 minutes between June 26, 2008 and July 6, 2008.
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http://www.seattlepi.com/local/6420ap_wa_forks_officer_charged.html
Thursday, April 30, 2009
FBI Investigating Case of Alleged Brutality by Lumberton Police
The FBI has opened a civil rights investigation into the death of a man whose family alleges he died because Lumberton police officers beat him.
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap confirmed the investigation Thursday by phone, but cautioned that opening a case does not mean there was wrong-doing.
``One of the reasons we do confirm these types of investigations is so the community has extra reassurance,'' Dunlap said.
The family of Kevin Jibreel LaDay, 35, alleges that officers beat him to death after his car ran into a ditch in Lumberton.
``They beat my child,'' said Kevin's mother, Sandra LaDay of Port Arthur.Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said by phone Thursday that he ``strongly denies'' that allegation.
``He was not beaten, I'll tell you that right now,'' Sullins said. ``I can tell you that did not occur.''
LaDay was driving in Lumberton when his car ended up in a ditch on the side of Pine Burr.
Police got a call about the car about 3:30 a.m., according to a news release from Sullins.
When two Lumberton officers arrived, they saw LaDay walking from behind the nearby DuPont Goodrich Credit Union.
According to Sullins' release, LaDay ran from the officers.
The officers caught LaDay, and he began to fight them, Sullins said. Officers were able to ``gain control'' of LaDay after a ``lengthy altercation,'' according to Sullins release.
The officers called EMS to the scene and LaDay was transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two Hardin County Sheriff's deputies were also on the scene after responding to an ``officer in distress'' call, said Sheriff Ed Cain by phone.
``It's not my belief that anyone beat anyone,'' he said.
An autopsy has been ordered.
Sandra LaDay has a different set of facts.
She said her son, who had been living with a sister in Beaumont, called her at 3:47 a.m. to tell her the older model Geo was in the ditch. He had been visiting a friend in Lumberton.
While she was on the phone with him, the police drove up, she said.
``All of a sudden, he said, `don't do that, don't do that,''' LaDay said by phone. ``I said, `who you talking to, baby?' And then the phone just went silent.' ''
LaDay believes that the officers beat Kevin LaDay, causing his death. She has hired onetime Rodney King lawyer Milton Grimes of Los Angeles to represent the family in the lawsuit she plans to file.
LaDay said she also has contacted the Black Panthers, which plans a march in Lumberton on Monday; Al Sharpton; President Barack Obama's administration and the FBI.
The family plans to have a second autopsy done.
``I've been doing the necessary things,'' LaDay said. ``I won't let it go down like this.''
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6402488.html
FBI spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap confirmed the investigation Thursday by phone, but cautioned that opening a case does not mean there was wrong-doing.
``One of the reasons we do confirm these types of investigations is so the community has extra reassurance,'' Dunlap said.
The family of Kevin Jibreel LaDay, 35, alleges that officers beat him to death after his car ran into a ditch in Lumberton.
``They beat my child,'' said Kevin's mother, Sandra LaDay of Port Arthur.Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said by phone Thursday that he ``strongly denies'' that allegation.
``He was not beaten, I'll tell you that right now,'' Sullins said. ``I can tell you that did not occur.''
LaDay was driving in Lumberton when his car ended up in a ditch on the side of Pine Burr.
Police got a call about the car about 3:30 a.m., according to a news release from Sullins.
When two Lumberton officers arrived, they saw LaDay walking from behind the nearby DuPont Goodrich Credit Union.
According to Sullins' release, LaDay ran from the officers.
The officers caught LaDay, and he began to fight them, Sullins said. Officers were able to ``gain control'' of LaDay after a ``lengthy altercation,'' according to Sullins release.
The officers called EMS to the scene and LaDay was transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Two Hardin County Sheriff's deputies were also on the scene after responding to an ``officer in distress'' call, said Sheriff Ed Cain by phone.
``It's not my belief that anyone beat anyone,'' he said.
An autopsy has been ordered.
Sandra LaDay has a different set of facts.
She said her son, who had been living with a sister in Beaumont, called her at 3:47 a.m. to tell her the older model Geo was in the ditch. He had been visiting a friend in Lumberton.
While she was on the phone with him, the police drove up, she said.
``All of a sudden, he said, `don't do that, don't do that,''' LaDay said by phone. ``I said, `who you talking to, baby?' And then the phone just went silent.' ''
LaDay believes that the officers beat Kevin LaDay, causing his death. She has hired onetime Rodney King lawyer Milton Grimes of Los Angeles to represent the family in the lawsuit she plans to file.
LaDay said she also has contacted the Black Panthers, which plans a march in Lumberton on Monday; Al Sharpton; President Barack Obama's administration and the FBI.
The family plans to have a second autopsy done.
``I've been doing the necessary things,'' LaDay said. ``I won't let it go down like this.''
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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6402488.html
Hearing Postponed for Officer Anthony Maio
A court hearing on whether to grant a special form of probation to a police officer accused of groping two women was postponed Wednesday, as the city, police union and the officer’s lawyer discuss a potential deal under which he would leave the force.
Officer Anthony Maio, 41, came to court with his wife and several colleagues who might have been called as character witnesses in the 13-year veteran’s application for accelerated rehabilitation, but at the last minute the hearing was postponed until May 26.
In the hallway afterward, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Calistro explained that there were still some aspects of the case that needed to be examined. He also indicated that the two alleged victims, in conversations with him and the court victim advocate, had voiced conditions they wanted to have met before they would support accelerated rehabilitation — commonly referred to as A.R. — which would leave Maio without a criminal record if he successfully completes the probation.
“They have set a position, but because it’s a pending case I’m obligated not to disclose it,” said Calistro.
There was an implication, however, that the women’s concerns might be resolved by the ongoing discussions between the city and Maio.
Maoi’s defense attorney, Tim Pothin, said his client and the city are working on the framework of an agreement that he believes is in Maio’s best interest and would “put me in a better position to argue for A.R.”
Maio, of Durham, doesn’t have enough time on the job to retire. Under the union contract, an officer can receive an age annuity pension after 20 years on the force, although officers with as few as 15 years can trade in unused sick time to make up the difference. Maio remains about 1 1/2 years shy of the minimum threshold, but in one recent case involving another officer facing criminal charges, the city and union struck a deal for the detective to serve a one-year unpaid suspension so he could get a pension.
Craig Manemeit, the city’s director of labor relations, wouldn’t say whether the city was considering a similar deal for Maio, but did confirm that the city is “speaking with the union and Maio’s employment counsel and we are trying to come up with a resolution that’s best for all parties.”
Contacted Wednesday afternoon, Calistro said if a deal was struck that would remove Maio from the force, “it may address the conditions that the two young women were looking for.”
Maio is accused of leading the two women, both college students, upstairs while he was on duty and in uniform at an extra duty assignment at Bar, a nightclub at 245 Crown St., and groping them inside an employee bathroom. He faces two counts each of fourth-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint.
Maio has denied the allegations and has remained on paid administrative leave from the department since his arrest last June.
The department has brought internal charges for departmental violations against Maio but, even if it wanted to, can’t move forward with a disciplinary hearing before the Board of Police Commissioners until the criminal case is adjudicated.
“I can’t hold a hearing,” said Manemeit, referring to Rule 16 of the department manual, which states that if an accused officer is a defendant in a directly related criminal case, the department “shall not hold a hearing to handle the civilian complaint” unless the accused officer agrees, which Maio has not.
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Officer Anthony Maio, 41, came to court with his wife and several colleagues who might have been called as character witnesses in the 13-year veteran’s application for accelerated rehabilitation, but at the last minute the hearing was postponed until May 26.
In the hallway afterward, Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Calistro explained that there were still some aspects of the case that needed to be examined. He also indicated that the two alleged victims, in conversations with him and the court victim advocate, had voiced conditions they wanted to have met before they would support accelerated rehabilitation — commonly referred to as A.R. — which would leave Maio without a criminal record if he successfully completes the probation.
“They have set a position, but because it’s a pending case I’m obligated not to disclose it,” said Calistro.
There was an implication, however, that the women’s concerns might be resolved by the ongoing discussions between the city and Maio.
Maoi’s defense attorney, Tim Pothin, said his client and the city are working on the framework of an agreement that he believes is in Maio’s best interest and would “put me in a better position to argue for A.R.”
Maio, of Durham, doesn’t have enough time on the job to retire. Under the union contract, an officer can receive an age annuity pension after 20 years on the force, although officers with as few as 15 years can trade in unused sick time to make up the difference. Maio remains about 1 1/2 years shy of the minimum threshold, but in one recent case involving another officer facing criminal charges, the city and union struck a deal for the detective to serve a one-year unpaid suspension so he could get a pension.
Craig Manemeit, the city’s director of labor relations, wouldn’t say whether the city was considering a similar deal for Maio, but did confirm that the city is “speaking with the union and Maio’s employment counsel and we are trying to come up with a resolution that’s best for all parties.”
Contacted Wednesday afternoon, Calistro said if a deal was struck that would remove Maio from the force, “it may address the conditions that the two young women were looking for.”
Maio is accused of leading the two women, both college students, upstairs while he was on duty and in uniform at an extra duty assignment at Bar, a nightclub at 245 Crown St., and groping them inside an employee bathroom. He faces two counts each of fourth-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint.
Maio has denied the allegations and has remained on paid administrative leave from the department since his arrest last June.
The department has brought internal charges for departmental violations against Maio but, even if it wanted to, can’t move forward with a disciplinary hearing before the Board of Police Commissioners until the criminal case is adjudicated.
“I can’t hold a hearing,” said Manemeit, referring to Rule 16 of the department manual, which states that if an accused officer is a defendant in a directly related criminal case, the department “shall not hold a hearing to handle the civilian complaint” unless the accused officer agrees, which Maio has not.
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Officer Marcus Lemacks Arrested for Giving Alcohol to Minors
A Leesburg police officer was fired after his arrest for providing alcohol to minors.
Sheriff's Deputies arrested officer Marcus Lemacks on Monday and charged him with three counts of providing alcohol to an underage person.
Investigators say the 38-year old bought and drank beer with three people under the age of 21 on Saturday.
Major Chris Owens said, "We're trying to help protect those people each and everyday. We certainly didn't want one of our own fellow law enforcement officers to be in the middle of something like this."
He was fired from the Leesburg Police Department on Tuesday. He had worked there for a little more than a year.
Sheriff's Deputies arrested officer Marcus Lemacks on Monday and charged him with three counts of providing alcohol to an underage person.
Investigators say the 38-year old bought and drank beer with three people under the age of 21 on Saturday.
Major Chris Owens said, "We're trying to help protect those people each and everyday. We certainly didn't want one of our own fellow law enforcement officers to be in the middle of something like this."
He was fired from the Leesburg Police Department on Tuesday. He had worked there for a little more than a year.
Former Officer Michael Robinson Charged with Brandishing Gun at Motorist
A former Inglewood police officer was charged Wednesday with child abuse and brandishing a gun at another motorist during a freeway confrontation last year, prosecutors said.
Officer Michael Lewis Robinson, 44, surrendered to the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday and was later released on $100,000 bail.
According to the prosecutor on the case, Robinson was off-duty and driving on the 405 Freeway with his children -- ages 6 and 11 -- when he allegedly flashed a firearm in a threatening manner at another driver. Prosecutors said the confrontation occurred March 31, 2008.
In addition to one count of brandishing a weapon and two counts of child abuse, Robinson was charged with one misdemeanor count of obstructing CHP officers. If convicted, Robinson faces a maximum of nine years in prison, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 15.
Police spokesman Lt. Mike McBride said Robinson has not been an employee of the department for about a month, but declined to give details, saying that he could not discuss personnel matters.
John Baca, president of the Inglewood police officers' union, declined to discuss the case.
The 200-strong police force has been besieged in recent years by allegations that its officers used excessive force and shot at unarmed suspects. A Times investigation last December found that officers repeatedly resorted to physical or deadly force against suspects who were unarmed or accused of minor offenses. During a four-month period in 2008, Inglewood officers fatally shot four suspects -- three of whom were unarmed.
The U.S. Department of Justice last month announced that it was launching a civil rights inquiry into the department.
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http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12256766
Officer Michael Lewis Robinson, 44, surrendered to the California Highway Patrol on Wednesday and was later released on $100,000 bail.
According to the prosecutor on the case, Robinson was off-duty and driving on the 405 Freeway with his children -- ages 6 and 11 -- when he allegedly flashed a firearm in a threatening manner at another driver. Prosecutors said the confrontation occurred March 31, 2008.
In addition to one count of brandishing a weapon and two counts of child abuse, Robinson was charged with one misdemeanor count of obstructing CHP officers. If convicted, Robinson faces a maximum of nine years in prison, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 15.
Police spokesman Lt. Mike McBride said Robinson has not been an employee of the department for about a month, but declined to give details, saying that he could not discuss personnel matters.
John Baca, president of the Inglewood police officers' union, declined to discuss the case.
The 200-strong police force has been besieged in recent years by allegations that its officers used excessive force and shot at unarmed suspects. A Times investigation last December found that officers repeatedly resorted to physical or deadly force against suspects who were unarmed or accused of minor offenses. During a four-month period in 2008, Inglewood officers fatally shot four suspects -- three of whom were unarmed.
The U.S. Department of Justice last month announced that it was launching a civil rights inquiry into the department.
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http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12256766
Judge Christine McEvoy Held up by Officer During Booking
A prominent judge arrested earlier this month in Lexington for drunken driving was held up by a police officer at her booking because “she was unsteady while walking or standing” after drinking at a 99 pub, according to Concord District Court records.
A high-heeled Superior Court Judge Christine M. McEvoy told Lexington police who stopped her 2007 Audi sedan just after 10:30 p.m. on April 15 she was headed home to Belmont from the 99 Restaurant and Pub in Woburn, where she’d had “a couple glasses of wine,” the arresting officers’ reports state.
But court filings obtained by the Herald yesterday show McEvoy, 58, who has been sitting in civil sessions at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, was followed down Route 128 south and onto Route 2A by a concerned Samaritan, who first notified state police about her alleged “erratic” driving, then sought out a Lexington cop to get her off the road.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles has suspended McEvoy’s license for 180 days for refusing a Breathalyzer test. Police reported she also refused to participate in field sobriety tests and wouldn’t even let a cop check her “glassy and bloodshot” eyes with a horizontal gaze nystagmus test because, the officer reported, “she responded that she did not believe in it".
She also told police she’d had hip surgery “and could not balance on one leg.”
McEvoy, who is charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and violating marked lanes, is due back in district court May 8 for a pretrial hearing. Her attorney, William H. Kettlewell, did not return a call yesterday seeking comment. Immediately after her arrest, McEvoy asked Superior Court Chief Justice Barbara J. Rouse to steer her clear of any civil or criminal cases involving drunken driving.
The Lexington officer who followed McEvoy on Waltham Street at the Samaritan’s urging noted in his report he observed her car “swerve within its own travel lane, touch the double yellow center line then at a later point completely cross over the double yellow center line.”
When he first rapped on the Audi’s driver’s window, he said McEvoy “did not react for a few seconds and then opened the door.” Her speech was “slurred,” he said.
McEvoy’s driving history includes three surchargeable accidents since 1994 and a speeding stop in Marshfield in 1991, according to RMV records.
A high-heeled Superior Court Judge Christine M. McEvoy told Lexington police who stopped her 2007 Audi sedan just after 10:30 p.m. on April 15 she was headed home to Belmont from the 99 Restaurant and Pub in Woburn, where she’d had “a couple glasses of wine,” the arresting officers’ reports state.
But court filings obtained by the Herald yesterday show McEvoy, 58, who has been sitting in civil sessions at Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn, was followed down Route 128 south and onto Route 2A by a concerned Samaritan, who first notified state police about her alleged “erratic” driving, then sought out a Lexington cop to get her off the road.
The Registry of Motor Vehicles has suspended McEvoy’s license for 180 days for refusing a Breathalyzer test. Police reported she also refused to participate in field sobriety tests and wouldn’t even let a cop check her “glassy and bloodshot” eyes with a horizontal gaze nystagmus test because, the officer reported, “she responded that she did not believe in it".
She also told police she’d had hip surgery “and could not balance on one leg.”
McEvoy, who is charged with operating under the influence of alcohol and violating marked lanes, is due back in district court May 8 for a pretrial hearing. Her attorney, William H. Kettlewell, did not return a call yesterday seeking comment. Immediately after her arrest, McEvoy asked Superior Court Chief Justice Barbara J. Rouse to steer her clear of any civil or criminal cases involving drunken driving.
The Lexington officer who followed McEvoy on Waltham Street at the Samaritan’s urging noted in his report he observed her car “swerve within its own travel lane, touch the double yellow center line then at a later point completely cross over the double yellow center line.”
When he first rapped on the Audi’s driver’s window, he said McEvoy “did not react for a few seconds and then opened the door.” Her speech was “slurred,” he said.
McEvoy’s driving history includes three surchargeable accidents since 1994 and a speeding stop in Marshfield in 1991, according to RMV records.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Detective Jose Quinoy Accused of Brutalizing 2 People
A veteran Sleepy Hollow police detective pleaded not guilty yesterday to a federal indictment that accuses him of brutalizing two people while they were restrained and handcuffed.
Jose Quinoy, 36, of Tarrytown was arrested by FBI agents from the civil rights division Tuesday night at Sleepy Hollow police headquarters.
He was arraigned yesterday in U.S. District Court in White Plains on two counts of violating the rights of individuals who had been arrested by Sleepy Hollow police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cynthia Dunne asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith to order Quinoy held without bail, saying he was a danger to the community who had tried to intimidate witnesses in the case.
"Detective Quinoy has a long history of being hot-headed and overreacting to incidents," she said.
The village board suspended Quinoy without pay pending a disciplinary hearing.
Quinoy's lawyer, Andrew Quinn, denied that the 11-year member of the Sleepy Hollow police had interfered in the investigation, pointing out that he was not charged with obstruction of justice or witness tampering.
"Why wasn't action taken within the last two and a half years if he was out there intimidating witnesses?" he asked, referring to the time since the first incident in the indictment, the Oct. 17, 2006, alleged beating of Mario Gomez, 50, of Tarrytown.
Gomez is not referred to by name in the indictment. But he has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Quinoy and the village over the incident. Gomez said he was called to Sleepy Hollow police headquarters by Quinoy that night. Gomez thought Quinoy had been romancing his 22-year-old daughter. At the police station, Gomez claims, he was assaulted by Quinoy and other officers, that he was kicked and beaten, as well as shocked with a stun gun in his neck and temple for 51 seconds.
Gomez came to the courthouse yesterday with his lawyer, Francis Young, after Quinoy had been arraigned.
"I thought that I was going to die right there on Beekman Avenue," he said, recalling the incident. "I don't wish that on nobody. It is the worst experience of my life."
Gomez's estranged wife, Awilda, has also filed a lawsuit over the incident, saying she was beaten by Quinoy and other cops as she tried to save her husband.
The Gomezes were arrested that night. Mario Gomez was charged with assault, obstructing governmental administration, harassment and resisting arrest. Awilda Gomez was arrested by Quinoy when she returned to the station house to pick up her husband's car after she had sought medical attention. She was charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.
The Gomezes are awaiting trial in Greenburgh Town Court. The case has been adjourned several times while the federal investigation was pending, and the couple is due in court May 19. Lucian Chalfen, a spokesman for the Westchester District Attorney's Office, would not say whether prosecutors plan to drop the charges against the couple as a result of Quinoy's indictment.
"I'm very satisfied that justice prevailed and this officer is not going to be able to hurt any other citizens," Gomez said.
The Gomez's lawsuits are two of three civil rights lawsuits pending against Quinoy in federal court. Last week, a 17-year-old village boy, Duanny Lara Mota, filed a lawsuit against Quinoy, Officer Paul Nelson, Police Chief Jimmy Warren and the village. The lawsuit stemmed from an Aug. 24, 2007, incident in which Mota said he was beaten and zapped with a Taser gun by Quinoy and Nelson after he was stopped by police for riding his bicycle on a village sidewalk. Mota, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. But those charges were dismissed in September.
At the time, Mota's lawyer, Jonathan Rice, said the charges might have been dropped by the District Attorney's Office so as not to interfere with the FBI probe of Quinoy. The other officer in the incident, Paul Nelson, had asked the village board in August to pay for his legal expenses after he was subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury in White Plains looking into, he believed, the Mota incident.
But the Mota incident was not part of yesterday's indictment. The second incident referred to an unnamed person, alleged to have been assaulted Dec. 17, 2006, by Quinoy after he had been "handcuffed and restained by a police officer, resulting in bodily injury."
Still, Mota's mother said yesterday that she welcomed the federal indictment of Quinoy.
"I've been waiting for a long time for this. I'm happy that they arrest him for everything he do," she said. "He thinks he's bigger than everybody. He thinks that Hispanic people are nothing. He thinks he's bigger because he has a gun."
In Spanish, she added, "He has abused everybody a lot. He thinks he's better than anyone, and especially the Hispanics. He doesn't want to know about Hispanics. I don't know why. It's not that I feel happy for what's happening, because I'm not that way. But in reality, I'm calm, because now I know the teenagers that go into the streets in the summer won't have that problem, because everybody has problems with him. He looks for trouble with them, chastising them, telling them things. I think that justice has been done."
Quinn said yesterday that Quinoy was a victim of being a good at his job.
"When you're an active police officer, you generate people who do not like you," he said. Quinn said after Quinoy's arraignment that he did not know the details of the Dec. 17, 2006, incident. Herbert Hadad, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney Lev Dassin, declined to elaborate on the charge.
Quinoy was released on $100,000 personal bond. He faces up to 20 years if convicted. He was ordered by Smith to surrender all guns, including his service weapons. Quinn said the guns were surrendered at the Sleepy Hollow police station Tuesday night when Quinoy came off patrol to find a half-dozen FBI agents waiting to arrest him.
Quinn decried federal authorities' decision to arrest Quinoy at the police station while he was on duty, saying that he had called Dunne months ago asking to be notified of any charge ahead of time so that he could arrange for Quinoy to surrender at the courthouse.
He said they chose instead to arrest Quinoy at work "for reasons that I cannot fathom."
But Dunne said that decision was made after Quinn called regarding media inquiries about the indictment.
She said what followed was a "2 1/2 -hour negotiation to get him to turn himself in." She said Quinoy was ordered back to police headquarters by his superiors during that time. "He would not comply," she said.
Quinn said that Quinoy had called him and that the lawyer was trying in vain to arrange a surrender at the courthouse or the FBI's White Plains office.
The lawyer said after the arraignment that the timing of Quinoy's arrest was suspect because Quinn is preparing for the May 11 federal trial of another police officer, Yonkers Officer Wayne Simoes, on brutality charges. He also said Gomez was no victim, that he had come to the police station to assault Quinoy and it took three officers to control him. "I strenuously disagree with the word 'victim,' " he said.
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Other Information: http://www.wpix.com/landing/?Detective-Arrested-For-Tasing-Teen-Beati=1&blockID=279087&feedID=1404
Detective Darryl Norris Arrested for Domestic Violence
A family disturbance ended with a Rusk County Sheriff’s deputy arrested and suspended from duty.
Sheriff officials released the information regarding an incident involving investigator Darryl Norris, a detective assigned to the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force.
Amber Rogers, the depart-ment’s public information officer, said deputies responded to a disturbance call at Norris’ home last Friday.
“Upon conclusion of the initial investigation, Norris was detained pending further investigation. Rusk County Sheriff Danny R. Pirtle contacted Texas Ranger Brent Davis and requested that Ranger Davis conduct the continued investigation,” she said.
Rogers said as a result of the Rangers’ investigation, Norris, the former chief deputy under former Sheriff Glenn Deason, was arrested and released after being arraigned for Class “A” misdemeanor assault family violence.
Norris took over as chief deputy for Deason after Daniel Flanagan was arrested for assaulting a handcuffed prisoner.
Rogers said in accordance to the sheriff’s office policy and procedure, Norris has been suspended from his duties pending results of the Rangers’ investigation.
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http://www.news-journal.com/money/content/news/stories/2009/04/30/04302009_Rusk_arrest.html
Sheriff officials released the information regarding an incident involving investigator Darryl Norris, a detective assigned to the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force.
Amber Rogers, the depart-ment’s public information officer, said deputies responded to a disturbance call at Norris’ home last Friday.
“Upon conclusion of the initial investigation, Norris was detained pending further investigation. Rusk County Sheriff Danny R. Pirtle contacted Texas Ranger Brent Davis and requested that Ranger Davis conduct the continued investigation,” she said.
Rogers said as a result of the Rangers’ investigation, Norris, the former chief deputy under former Sheriff Glenn Deason, was arrested and released after being arraigned for Class “A” misdemeanor assault family violence.
Norris took over as chief deputy for Deason after Daniel Flanagan was arrested for assaulting a handcuffed prisoner.
Rogers said in accordance to the sheriff’s office policy and procedure, Norris has been suspended from his duties pending results of the Rangers’ investigation.
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http://www.news-journal.com/money/content/news/stories/2009/04/30/04302009_Rusk_arrest.html
FBI Receives Complaints of Police Brutality at College Fest
Complaints have been filed at Akron's FBI office regarding College Fest this past weekend.
"I don't know how many complaints they had," said Scott Wilson, a media representative from the Cleveland Bureau. "They did receive a few complaints regarding that incident, but that doesn't mean we'll open any inquiries."
Special Agent Todd Wickerman of the Akron office, which covers Portage County, said he could not go into any details regarding those complaints.
"If we get specific complaints regarding an incident that alleges civil rights were violated, we will investigate," Wickerman said.
Wilson said complaints have to meet certain criteria before they will open a preliminary inquiry.
Once that's done, investigators gather facts to send to their department of justice in Washington D.C. to determine whether it rises to a federal level.
Wilson said his office gets calls and complaints about police brutality all the time. He said there would have to be a civil rights violation in regards to excessive force used in a situation to open an inquiry.
"We investigate individual events," Wilson said. "We're not going to look at the whole thing that happened over the weekend."
Wilson said complaints were filed after Kent's last Halloween celebrations, but the FBI did not open any investigations.
Anyone with complaints after Saturday's riots can contact the Akron FBI office at 330-535-6156.
"I don't know how many complaints they had," said Scott Wilson, a media representative from the Cleveland Bureau. "They did receive a few complaints regarding that incident, but that doesn't mean we'll open any inquiries."
Special Agent Todd Wickerman of the Akron office, which covers Portage County, said he could not go into any details regarding those complaints.
"If we get specific complaints regarding an incident that alleges civil rights were violated, we will investigate," Wickerman said.
Wilson said complaints have to meet certain criteria before they will open a preliminary inquiry.
Once that's done, investigators gather facts to send to their department of justice in Washington D.C. to determine whether it rises to a federal level.
Wilson said his office gets calls and complaints about police brutality all the time. He said there would have to be a civil rights violation in regards to excessive force used in a situation to open an inquiry.
"We investigate individual events," Wilson said. "We're not going to look at the whole thing that happened over the weekend."
Wilson said complaints were filed after Kent's last Halloween celebrations, but the FBI did not open any investigations.
Anyone with complaints after Saturday's riots can contact the Akron FBI office at 330-535-6156.
Officer Talib Muhammad Charged with Domestic Assault
A Philadelphia Police officer is charged in the alleged assault of his fiancee.
On Tuesday night at around 10:00 p.m., Philadelphia Police were called to the 500 block of Waterview Lane for a report of a domestic dispute.
When authorities arrived, they found a woman who appeared to have been slapped, punched, and hit with a handgun. She told police that her fiance was the one who beat her and then he fled the scene.
The woman was transported to Frankford-Torresdale Hospital.
The police were able to track down the fiance on I-95 in the area of Washington Avenue.
The fiance is identified as Talib Muhammad. Muhammad is a 13-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Narcotics Unit.
He was found in possession of two handguns.
Muhammad was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and possessing an instrument of crime in the alleged domestic assault.
On Tuesday night at around 10:00 p.m., Philadelphia Police were called to the 500 block of Waterview Lane for a report of a domestic dispute.
When authorities arrived, they found a woman who appeared to have been slapped, punched, and hit with a handgun. She told police that her fiance was the one who beat her and then he fled the scene.
The woman was transported to Frankford-Torresdale Hospital.
The police were able to track down the fiance on I-95 in the area of Washington Avenue.
The fiance is identified as Talib Muhammad. Muhammad is a 13-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Narcotics Unit.
He was found in possession of two handguns.
Muhammad was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and possessing an instrument of crime in the alleged domestic assault.
Officer Erik Hanson of Sexual Misconduct with 12-year-old Girl
A Forks police officer originally accused of child rape has been charged with lesser crimes in the case.
33-year old Erik Hanson was in Clallam County Superior Court yesterday to hear charges of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
He was arrested and booked into the county jail late last week for investigation of felony second-degree child rape. The charges filed this week are gross misdemeanors.
Hanson's arrest came after a three-month investigation when a 12-year-old girl made allegations of sexual contact against officer Hanson while he was off duty.
Hanson was serving military duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard Reserves during the investigation.
Investigators say detailed email correspondence and phone records corroborated the victim's allegations.
When, Hanson was home on military leave last week, he was arrested by Clallam County Sheriff Detectives.
Hanson was released without bail, no travel restrictions or curfew.
Hanson will be arraigned on the charges in August after he waived his right to a speedy arraignment.
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Other Information: http://www.sequimgazette.com/topstory/articleDetail.exm/Index/article/2009-04-29_Forks_officer_booked_for_child_rape/
33-year old Erik Hanson was in Clallam County Superior Court yesterday to hear charges of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
He was arrested and booked into the county jail late last week for investigation of felony second-degree child rape. The charges filed this week are gross misdemeanors.
Hanson's arrest came after a three-month investigation when a 12-year-old girl made allegations of sexual contact against officer Hanson while he was off duty.
Hanson was serving military duty in Iraq as a member of the National Guard Reserves during the investigation.
Investigators say detailed email correspondence and phone records corroborated the victim's allegations.
When, Hanson was home on military leave last week, he was arrested by Clallam County Sheriff Detectives.
Hanson was released without bail, no travel restrictions or curfew.
Hanson will be arraigned on the charges in August after he waived his right to a speedy arraignment.
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Other Information: http://www.sequimgazette.com/topstory/articleDetail.exm/Index/article/2009-04-29_Forks_officer_booked_for_child_rape/
Two More Detention Workers Charged with Having Sex with Teens
Two more Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center workers are charged with having sex with teenage inmates and more charges were filed against a lieutenant already accused of the crime.
Deputies also charged a corrections officer with threatening an inmate so she would not cooperate with detectives.
The arrests Tuesday come as more former inmates approach deputies with allegations that they had sex with workers at the Ashland detention center in exchange for privileges such as snacks and free phone calls, said Maj. Malcolm Wolfe of the Sheriff’s Office.
All of the sexual encounters allegedly happened over the past year, he said.
“We’re receiving more information from victims and victims’ parents and by word of mouth,” he said. “These girls are not in any shape or form connected, and their statements are consistent about how it took place.”
As more girls come forward, more arrests are likely, Wolfe said.
All of the corrections officers are employees of Terrebonne Parish government, which operates the juvenile detention center.
Deputies charged Angelo Vickers, 47, 390 Monarch Drive, Houma, Tuesday with an additional count of molestation of a juvenile and malfeasance in office.
Vickers was charged Thursday with two counts each of molestation and malfeasance after two former inmates of the detention center, both teen girls, informed deputies of their alleged contact with him.
The additional charge was added Tuesday after a 15-year-old girl who was a former inmate told deputies she had sex with Vickers in exchange for privileges, deputies said.
Vickers is being held at the Terrebonne Parish jail in lieu of a $400,000 bond.
Deputies also arrested Floyd Wesley Howard, 40, 1317 Division Ave., Houma, on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Howard is a sergeant at the center, deputies said.
Darwin Jamal Brown, 23, 159 Elmira Court, Thibodaux, a corrections officer at the center, was charged with malfeasance in office, molestation of a juvenile and three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.
Brown and Howard were arrested after deputies interviewed three 16-year-old inmates who said they had sex with them while incarcerated at the center, deputies said. Both workers are being held at the Terrebonne Parish jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.
Deputies also arrested Tiffany Denin Blakemore, 36, 3600 Friendswood Drive, Houma, a corrections officer at the center, for allegedly threatening one of the teenage inmates not to cooperate with detectives in the investigation.
Blakemore was charged with obstruction of justice and remains at the Terrebonne Parish jail on $50,000 bond.
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More Information:
Officer accused of having sex with girls at detention center
Deputies also charged a corrections officer with threatening an inmate so she would not cooperate with detectives.
The arrests Tuesday come as more former inmates approach deputies with allegations that they had sex with workers at the Ashland detention center in exchange for privileges such as snacks and free phone calls, said Maj. Malcolm Wolfe of the Sheriff’s Office.
All of the sexual encounters allegedly happened over the past year, he said.
“We’re receiving more information from victims and victims’ parents and by word of mouth,” he said. “These girls are not in any shape or form connected, and their statements are consistent about how it took place.”
As more girls come forward, more arrests are likely, Wolfe said.
All of the corrections officers are employees of Terrebonne Parish government, which operates the juvenile detention center.
Deputies charged Angelo Vickers, 47, 390 Monarch Drive, Houma, Tuesday with an additional count of molestation of a juvenile and malfeasance in office.
Vickers was charged Thursday with two counts each of molestation and malfeasance after two former inmates of the detention center, both teen girls, informed deputies of their alleged contact with him.
The additional charge was added Tuesday after a 15-year-old girl who was a former inmate told deputies she had sex with Vickers in exchange for privileges, deputies said.
Vickers is being held at the Terrebonne Parish jail in lieu of a $400,000 bond.
Deputies also arrested Floyd Wesley Howard, 40, 1317 Division Ave., Houma, on charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Howard is a sergeant at the center, deputies said.
Darwin Jamal Brown, 23, 159 Elmira Court, Thibodaux, a corrections officer at the center, was charged with malfeasance in office, molestation of a juvenile and three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.
Brown and Howard were arrested after deputies interviewed three 16-year-old inmates who said they had sex with them while incarcerated at the center, deputies said. Both workers are being held at the Terrebonne Parish jail in lieu of $200,000 bond.
Deputies also arrested Tiffany Denin Blakemore, 36, 3600 Friendswood Drive, Houma, a corrections officer at the center, for allegedly threatening one of the teenage inmates not to cooperate with detectives in the investigation.
Blakemore was charged with obstruction of justice and remains at the Terrebonne Parish jail on $50,000 bond.
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More Information:
Officer accused of having sex with girls at detention center
Former Deputy Kenneth Cannon Arrested for Stalking
A former Dawson County Sheriff's Office deputy found himself on the opposite end of the law last Friday afternoon when he was arrested in Murrayville on charges of aggravated stalking, computer invasion of privacy and impersonation of an officer.
Kenneth Cannon, 40, reportedly acted as though he was a Georgia State Patrol trooper last month, and violated a temporary protection order in the process, when he allegedly attempted to run a computer check on his ex-wife's tag number.
“Mr. Cannon had supposedly called a dispatch center in Banks County and ran the tag number,” said Major Mike Ramsey of the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office. “When he called the dispatch center he identified himself as a Georgia State Patrol trooper. Of course he's not identified with the Georgia State Patrol.”
After further investigations, Lumpkin County officers were able to trace this call to the 911 center back to the Murrayville resident's phone.
“We confirmed that the call had been made from his cellular phone from a location in Lumpkin County,” said Ramsey.
Cannon is a United States Marine and a veteran law enforcement official who worked at the Dawson County Sheriff's Office until reportedly resigning in February of this year.
Prior to his arrest, local deputies had received several unconfirmed reports throughout the month of March that Cannon had attempted to contact his ex-wife, a Lumpkin County resident, on several occasions despite a court-issued protective order.
Last Friday, Cannon's arrest caused a minor stir in Murrayville as Lanier Elementary School was placed on lock-down while the apprehension occurred in the nearby parking lot of the local library.
Officers from the Hall County Sheriff's Office reportedly requested the lock-down as a precautionary measure in the event that Cannon had been armed.
However, the arrest was made peacefully and without incident. Cannon was then turned over to the LCSO and transported to the Lumpkin County Detention Center.
Kenneth Cannon, 40, reportedly acted as though he was a Georgia State Patrol trooper last month, and violated a temporary protection order in the process, when he allegedly attempted to run a computer check on his ex-wife's tag number.
“Mr. Cannon had supposedly called a dispatch center in Banks County and ran the tag number,” said Major Mike Ramsey of the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office. “When he called the dispatch center he identified himself as a Georgia State Patrol trooper. Of course he's not identified with the Georgia State Patrol.”
After further investigations, Lumpkin County officers were able to trace this call to the 911 center back to the Murrayville resident's phone.
“We confirmed that the call had been made from his cellular phone from a location in Lumpkin County,” said Ramsey.
Cannon is a United States Marine and a veteran law enforcement official who worked at the Dawson County Sheriff's Office until reportedly resigning in February of this year.
Prior to his arrest, local deputies had received several unconfirmed reports throughout the month of March that Cannon had attempted to contact his ex-wife, a Lumpkin County resident, on several occasions despite a court-issued protective order.
Last Friday, Cannon's arrest caused a minor stir in Murrayville as Lanier Elementary School was placed on lock-down while the apprehension occurred in the nearby parking lot of the local library.
Officers from the Hall County Sheriff's Office reportedly requested the lock-down as a precautionary measure in the event that Cannon had been armed.
However, the arrest was made peacefully and without incident. Cannon was then turned over to the LCSO and transported to the Lumpkin County Detention Center.
Howard County Officer Disciplined in Brutality Case
Howard County's police chief said Tuesday that an internal investigation into a brutality accusation in the arrest of a man who led officers on a highway chase last year has been completed and resulted in disciplinary action and retraining.
Chief William McMahon said the internal affairs investigation into the Nov. 20 arrest of Jessup resident Stephen Zombro is closed. The chief declined to discuss details of the findings or the disciplinary actions taken, citing department policy on confidentiality of personnel matters.
"We looked at the incident from beginning to end," McMahon said. "Some disciplinary action was taken and there was some retraining. That's as far I can go with it."
Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said the investigation was completed at the end of March.
The chase began in Jessup when officers tried to serve Zombro with a warrant on a theft charge. Driving a white pickup truck, Zombro fled west on Route 32, colliding with two police cruisers along the way that were part of a rolling roadblock. Police used stop-sticks to flatten three tires on Zombro's truck, which came to a stop near U.S. 29.
Several officers converged on Zombro after he exited the truck. TV news video footage showed Zombro face down on the road and what appears to be an officer repeatedly punching him in the back.
McMahon later said the footage "concerned" him, and he called for an internal investigation.
Zombro, 41, was indicted on more than a dozen charges. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of malicious destruction of property and was sentenced to 18 months in the Howard County Detention Center. He also was ordered to pay restitution of $2,500 for damage to the cruisers.
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http://www.explorehoward.com/news/61520/police-discipline-officer-accused-brutality-arrest/
Chief William McMahon said the internal affairs investigation into the Nov. 20 arrest of Jessup resident Stephen Zombro is closed. The chief declined to discuss details of the findings or the disciplinary actions taken, citing department policy on confidentiality of personnel matters.
"We looked at the incident from beginning to end," McMahon said. "Some disciplinary action was taken and there was some retraining. That's as far I can go with it."
Police spokeswoman Sherry Llewellyn said the investigation was completed at the end of March.
The chase began in Jessup when officers tried to serve Zombro with a warrant on a theft charge. Driving a white pickup truck, Zombro fled west on Route 32, colliding with two police cruisers along the way that were part of a rolling roadblock. Police used stop-sticks to flatten three tires on Zombro's truck, which came to a stop near U.S. 29.
Several officers converged on Zombro after he exited the truck. TV news video footage showed Zombro face down on the road and what appears to be an officer repeatedly punching him in the back.
McMahon later said the footage "concerned" him, and he called for an internal investigation.
Zombro, 41, was indicted on more than a dozen charges. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of malicious destruction of property and was sentenced to 18 months in the Howard County Detention Center. He also was ordered to pay restitution of $2,500 for damage to the cruisers.
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http://www.explorehoward.com/news/61520/police-discipline-officer-accused-brutality-arrest/
Trooper Alexander Richardson Only Gets Community Service for Using his Car to Stop Man
Two years to the day after an S.C. trooper was captured on video using his patrol car to bump a running suspect, a federal judge on Tuesday approved a deal that will allow the trooper to perform community service and serve no prison time.
If he had gone to trial, Lance Cpl. Alexander Richardson could have faced up to a year in prison. Instead, he will perform about 100 hours of community service.
In January, Richardson was accused of a misdemeanor offense of violating Kevin Rucker's civil rights by using excessive force. An April 28, 2007, video shot from his patrol car dashboard camera shows the trooper chasing a black man through a Columbia apartment complex. The 46-year-old trooper drives between buildings, on sidewalks and past onlookers - including a small child - in an attempt to run down the man.
Richardson, who is also black, has said he accidentally bumped into Rucker, and records show he was reprimanded and completed a stress management course. He has been suspended since the investigation began, and his trial had been scheduled to begin next month.
Richardson was not in court Tuesday, but his attorney said he was pleased with the agreement.
"I appreciate the U.S. Attorney working with us," John O'Leary said after a brief hearing Tuesday. "We're working on the program for him."
Under the pretrial diversion program administered by the U.S. Probation Office, Richardson is videotaping safety messages to school, community and law enforcement groups, according to O'Leary.
During the program, which is expected to last 18 months, Richardson also will not be allowed to work as a law officer, a job that O'Leary said his client does not want to return to anyway.
Also Tuesday, prosecutors agreed to officially withdraw their complaint against Richardson, although Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said his office could renew the charges if Richardson fails to complete the program.
Richardson still faces a federal lawsuit from the man struck with his vehicle. Last year, Kevin Rucker filed a suit seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, alleging he was hit by the car three times.
Rucker's attorney did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday afternoon.
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http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090429/NEWS/904290346/1001/NEWS01
YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VjbAxCHgmU
If he had gone to trial, Lance Cpl. Alexander Richardson could have faced up to a year in prison. Instead, he will perform about 100 hours of community service.
In January, Richardson was accused of a misdemeanor offense of violating Kevin Rucker's civil rights by using excessive force. An April 28, 2007, video shot from his patrol car dashboard camera shows the trooper chasing a black man through a Columbia apartment complex. The 46-year-old trooper drives between buildings, on sidewalks and past onlookers - including a small child - in an attempt to run down the man.
Richardson, who is also black, has said he accidentally bumped into Rucker, and records show he was reprimanded and completed a stress management course. He has been suspended since the investigation began, and his trial had been scheduled to begin next month.
Richardson was not in court Tuesday, but his attorney said he was pleased with the agreement.
"I appreciate the U.S. Attorney working with us," John O'Leary said after a brief hearing Tuesday. "We're working on the program for him."
Under the pretrial diversion program administered by the U.S. Probation Office, Richardson is videotaping safety messages to school, community and law enforcement groups, according to O'Leary.
During the program, which is expected to last 18 months, Richardson also will not be allowed to work as a law officer, a job that O'Leary said his client does not want to return to anyway.
Also Tuesday, prosecutors agreed to officially withdraw their complaint against Richardson, although Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said his office could renew the charges if Richardson fails to complete the program.
Richardson still faces a federal lawsuit from the man struck with his vehicle. Last year, Kevin Rucker filed a suit seeking unspecified actual and punitive damages, alleging he was hit by the car three times.
Rucker's attorney did not immediately return a phone message Tuesday afternoon.
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http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090429/NEWS/904290346/1001/NEWS01
YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VjbAxCHgmU
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Hearing for Officer Mark Maupin Set for July
A veteran Altamonte Springs police officer who is accused of seriously injuring two people last November after losing control of his patrol car did not appear in court this morning.
Instead, a lawyer was present on his behalf.
The hearing was to address the traffic citations that were issued to Officer Mark Maupin by the Florida Highway Patrol. Last month Maupin was issued a six-point ticket for unlawful speed. He does not face any criminal charges.
Lawyers for the two victims, Jennifer Hernandez and Erskin Bell, asked the judge to push back the hearing. A new hearing was set for July 7 at 11 a.m.
Investigative reports show that Maupin hit the back passenger side of Jennifer Hernandez's four-door Honda Civic at 104 mph. Hernandez, now 20, was hospitalized for several days. Her passenger, Erskin Bell, 20, remains in a coma from injuries he suffered in the crash.
Hernandez and Bell's lawyers planned to file a motion this morning to ask for a judge to be appointed to the case and request an investigation by the State Attorney's Office.
The motion states that the Florida Highway Patrol never interviewed Hernandez about the crash and that neither victim was notified of any charges against Maupin, nor were they notified of today's hearing.
Hernandez was stopped at a red light in the left turn lane on Maitland Boulevard near Bear Lake Road on Nov. 30 when they were hit.
Altamonte Springs police have not been able to determine why Maupin was driving at such a high speed at that time. Police spokesmen have said Maupin did not notify dispatchers of his actions immediately prior to the crash.
Troopers could not prove or disprove whether Maupin was taking law-enforcement action at the time, FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Miller said.
Maupin, a 28-year department veteran, had been reprimanded six times for accidents involving his patrol vehicle since he began working for the department.
The discipline includes a 1992 incident in which he was caught driving his cruiser 82 mph with his lights off in the middle of the night on State Road 436 that was "intended as a joke on the person operating the radar," according to police records.
The day he returned to work following the crash, he was reprimanded for insubordination and his police powers were taken from him. An internal investigation by the police department was launched.
Instead, a lawyer was present on his behalf.
The hearing was to address the traffic citations that were issued to Officer Mark Maupin by the Florida Highway Patrol. Last month Maupin was issued a six-point ticket for unlawful speed. He does not face any criminal charges.
Lawyers for the two victims, Jennifer Hernandez and Erskin Bell, asked the judge to push back the hearing. A new hearing was set for July 7 at 11 a.m.
Investigative reports show that Maupin hit the back passenger side of Jennifer Hernandez's four-door Honda Civic at 104 mph. Hernandez, now 20, was hospitalized for several days. Her passenger, Erskin Bell, 20, remains in a coma from injuries he suffered in the crash.
Hernandez and Bell's lawyers planned to file a motion this morning to ask for a judge to be appointed to the case and request an investigation by the State Attorney's Office.
The motion states that the Florida Highway Patrol never interviewed Hernandez about the crash and that neither victim was notified of any charges against Maupin, nor were they notified of today's hearing.
Hernandez was stopped at a red light in the left turn lane on Maitland Boulevard near Bear Lake Road on Nov. 30 when they were hit.
Altamonte Springs police have not been able to determine why Maupin was driving at such a high speed at that time. Police spokesmen have said Maupin did not notify dispatchers of his actions immediately prior to the crash.
Troopers could not prove or disprove whether Maupin was taking law-enforcement action at the time, FHP spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Miller said.
Maupin, a 28-year department veteran, had been reprimanded six times for accidents involving his patrol vehicle since he began working for the department.
The discipline includes a 1992 incident in which he was caught driving his cruiser 82 mph with his lights off in the middle of the night on State Road 436 that was "intended as a joke on the person operating the radar," according to police records.
The day he returned to work following the crash, he was reprimanded for insubordination and his police powers were taken from him. An internal investigation by the police department was launched.
Musicians Claim Philly Cop Roughed Them up
Armed with a blurry YouTube video and a flurry of blog and Twitter posts, several musicians claim that their crew members were roughed up by Philly bike cops late Sunday.
The musicians, who were among several bands that played the Bamboozle Road Show at the Theater of the Living Arts, took to the Web to post various accounts of their alleged encounter with a handful of officers in an alley next to the theater, on South Street near 3rd.
One musician, JD Perry of the band Valencia, claimed in a blog post that the officers had ticketed equipment vans that were parked in the side alley and then arrested a tour manager who protested the ticketing.
Perry contended at first that the officers then beat and arrested another man who tried to intervene. Later, he took down an Internet account of the incident that he had posted, noting: "I do not have a first-hand account of Police brutality."
Members of the Police Advisory Commission, a civilian oversight committee, were set to meet yesterday with several people who also claimed to have witnessed the incident.
No evidence of abuse was found in the mostly out-of-focus YouTube video, said Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman.
A complaint has yet to be filed with the police Internal Affairs Bureau. "If a complaint is filed, it will be investigated thoroughly," Vanore said.
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http://www.chartattack.com/news/69028/bands-upset-with-philly-cops
The musicians, who were among several bands that played the Bamboozle Road Show at the Theater of the Living Arts, took to the Web to post various accounts of their alleged encounter with a handful of officers in an alley next to the theater, on South Street near 3rd.
One musician, JD Perry of the band Valencia, claimed in a blog post that the officers had ticketed equipment vans that were parked in the side alley and then arrested a tour manager who protested the ticketing.
Perry contended at first that the officers then beat and arrested another man who tried to intervene. Later, he took down an Internet account of the incident that he had posted, noting: "I do not have a first-hand account of Police brutality."
Members of the Police Advisory Commission, a civilian oversight committee, were set to meet yesterday with several people who also claimed to have witnessed the incident.
No evidence of abuse was found in the mostly out-of-focus YouTube video, said Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman.
A complaint has yet to be filed with the police Internal Affairs Bureau. "If a complaint is filed, it will be investigated thoroughly," Vanore said.
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http://www.chartattack.com/news/69028/bands-upset-with-philly-cops
Two NYPD Officers Moreno & Mata Charged with Raping Semiconscious Woman
A New York police officer called to help a drunken woman get home safely has been accused of raping her as she lay face down in her bed, semiconscious and covered in vomit while his partner acted as a lookout, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were suspended from duty and were scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of rape, burglary and official misconduct in the Dec. 6, 2008 incident in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.
Their attorneys said Monday they expected their clients to plead not guilty. Moreno's attorney Stephen Worth said his client was eager to confront the evidence against him. Mata's attorney, Edward Mandery, said his client denied the allegations.
New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who rarely speaks on pending cases involving officers because he may have to make internal decisions, called the allegations "disgraceful" and said he did not want the charges to tarnish the department's reputation for helping people.
"This is a shocking aberration in stark contrast to the outstanding work that the men and women of the New York City police department do every day on the streets of our city," Kelly said. "The public needs to know that the police are there to protect them. And I believe that they do."
The two officers were working the late shift in the 9th Precinct that night as the woman, identified as 27-year-old professional, was out drinking with friends at a bar in Brooklyn. Her blood alcohol was at least double the legal limit and possibly more, investigators said, when her friends put her in a taxi and told the driver to take her to her apartment in Manhattan.
When the driver got to her address, she was so drunk she couldn't get out of the taxi, so he called 911 for help, prosecutor said. Mata, 27, and Moreno, 41, responded within minutes. Surveillance tape shows them helping the woman into her building and leaving a few minutes later.
But the tape also shows the officers entering and leaving the building two more times, when they had been assigned to respond to other incidents in the precinct, prosecutors said. The officers were inside the building 17 minutes the first time they returned and 34 minutes the next time, prosecutors said.
While they were in the apartment, Moreno, who has been a police officer for 17 years, raped the woman as she lay physically helpless on her bed, Morgenthau said. Mata acted as a lookout for Moreno, and "knew his partner was having sex with a semiconscious woman," but did nothing to stop it, Morgenthau said.
The woman reported the sexual assault the next morning and was treated at Beth Israel Hospital and released, investigators said. She reported the charges to the sex crimes unit of the district attorney's office.
Both officers were indicted on first-degree rape charges, two counts of second-degree burglary for re-entering the apartment twice, and nine counts of official misconduct.
Mata, who has been an officer for three years, also was indicted on charges of criminal facilitation and tampering with evidence for refusing to hand over his memo book used to record shift details and for not stopping the rape, prosecutors said.
During the investigation, a packet of heroin was found in Moreno's police locker, and he was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, prosecutors said.
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More Information & Photos: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/28/2009-04-28_nypd_cops_charged_in_rape_of_druken_woman_they_escorted_home.html
Kenneth Moreno and Franklin Mata were suspended from duty and were scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of rape, burglary and official misconduct in the Dec. 6, 2008 incident in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.
Their attorneys said Monday they expected their clients to plead not guilty. Moreno's attorney Stephen Worth said his client was eager to confront the evidence against him. Mata's attorney, Edward Mandery, said his client denied the allegations.
New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who rarely speaks on pending cases involving officers because he may have to make internal decisions, called the allegations "disgraceful" and said he did not want the charges to tarnish the department's reputation for helping people.
"This is a shocking aberration in stark contrast to the outstanding work that the men and women of the New York City police department do every day on the streets of our city," Kelly said. "The public needs to know that the police are there to protect them. And I believe that they do."
The two officers were working the late shift in the 9th Precinct that night as the woman, identified as 27-year-old professional, was out drinking with friends at a bar in Brooklyn. Her blood alcohol was at least double the legal limit and possibly more, investigators said, when her friends put her in a taxi and told the driver to take her to her apartment in Manhattan.
When the driver got to her address, she was so drunk she couldn't get out of the taxi, so he called 911 for help, prosecutor said. Mata, 27, and Moreno, 41, responded within minutes. Surveillance tape shows them helping the woman into her building and leaving a few minutes later.
But the tape also shows the officers entering and leaving the building two more times, when they had been assigned to respond to other incidents in the precinct, prosecutors said. The officers were inside the building 17 minutes the first time they returned and 34 minutes the next time, prosecutors said.
While they were in the apartment, Moreno, who has been a police officer for 17 years, raped the woman as she lay physically helpless on her bed, Morgenthau said. Mata acted as a lookout for Moreno, and "knew his partner was having sex with a semiconscious woman," but did nothing to stop it, Morgenthau said.
The woman reported the sexual assault the next morning and was treated at Beth Israel Hospital and released, investigators said. She reported the charges to the sex crimes unit of the district attorney's office.
Both officers were indicted on first-degree rape charges, two counts of second-degree burglary for re-entering the apartment twice, and nine counts of official misconduct.
Mata, who has been an officer for three years, also was indicted on charges of criminal facilitation and tampering with evidence for refusing to hand over his memo book used to record shift details and for not stopping the rape, prosecutors said.
During the investigation, a packet of heroin was found in Moreno's police locker, and he was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, prosecutors said.
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More Information & Photos: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/04/28/2009-04-28_nypd_cops_charged_in_rape_of_druken_woman_they_escorted_home.html
Rochester Woman Claims Police Brutality
A Rochester woman is alleging brutality from two Gates police officers and is meeting with two investigators this morning to talk about the incident.
Terasa Harris, 49, today said at 9:30 p.m. March 27 she was sitting in her car in an empty parking lot on Chili Avenue when an officer approached her vehicle because of an expired registration. After that, she alleges that one officer lunged toward her from the passenger side to remove her keys while the second officer pulled her out of her vehicle and dragged her toward the patrol car.
She said she suffered scratches all over the left side of her face and her chin.
“I couldn’t believe this was happening,” said Harris, who was also a third-degree burn victim. “When I complained to the officers to tell them I was in pain and felt scratches on my face, one officer told me I ‘already had scars and a few more wouldn’t be noticeable.’”
Gates Supervisor Ralph Esposito today said he discussed the issue with Gates Police Chief David DiCaro and is waiting to read Harris’ statement before deciding whether an internal investigation will take place.
“We just want to get the firsthand account of what occurred that night before going forward,” Esposito said.
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http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S902675.shtml?cat=566
Terasa Harris, 49, today said at 9:30 p.m. March 27 she was sitting in her car in an empty parking lot on Chili Avenue when an officer approached her vehicle because of an expired registration. After that, she alleges that one officer lunged toward her from the passenger side to remove her keys while the second officer pulled her out of her vehicle and dragged her toward the patrol car.
She said she suffered scratches all over the left side of her face and her chin.
“I couldn’t believe this was happening,” said Harris, who was also a third-degree burn victim. “When I complained to the officers to tell them I was in pain and felt scratches on my face, one officer told me I ‘already had scars and a few more wouldn’t be noticeable.’”
Gates Supervisor Ralph Esposito today said he discussed the issue with Gates Police Chief David DiCaro and is waiting to read Harris’ statement before deciding whether an internal investigation will take place.
“We just want to get the firsthand account of what occurred that night before going forward,” Esposito said.
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http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S902675.shtml?cat=566
Monday, April 27, 2009
Officers Kenneth Moreno & Franklin Mata Charged with Rape
A grand jury in Manhattan has voted to indict two New York City police officers in the December rape of a woman who claimed she was sexually attacked after the officers escorted her from a taxicab to her apartment in the East Village while she was intoxicated, according to law enforcement officials and other people familiar with the case.
The grand jury last week charged both officers — Kenneth Moreno and Franklin L. Mata — though the details of the indictment were not immediately disclosed, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The officers, who have been on modified duty, stripped of their guns and badges and working in administrative assignments, are expected to surrender on Tuesday morning and face arraignment in criminal court.
“Since I haven’t been advised of the formal charges, I am not in a position to comment at this time,” said Edward J. Mandery, a lawyer for Officer Mata.
Stephen C. Worth, a lawyer for Officer Moreno, said: “My client will appear in court tomorrow and enter a plea of not guilty. We look forward to a rigorous examination of the district attorney’s evidence.”
The case came to light in March when officials disclosed the nature of the investigation. Officials said the woman, who was not identified, went to the hospital on Dec. 7, the morning of the reported rape, and also contacted prosecutors who notified the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, law enforcement officials said.
Although both officers were at the woman’s apartment, only one of them is suspected of raping the woman, according to a person who has been briefed on the investigation. Investigators have been looking at a theory of rape in which someone has intercourse with a person too intoxicated to give consent, the person said. State law differentiates between rape under that circumstance and forcible sex.
Video surveillance helped internal investigators unravel what they say occurred.
The video, from a surveillance camera at a bar near the woman’s building, shows two uniformed officers helping her into the building at 1:10 a.m. and then returning twice over the next two hours — spending 34 minutes in the building during their final visit, according to the bar owner, who gave the video to the district attorney’s office.
During the investigation, the authorities said, officials were unable to find Officer Mata’s memo book — a notebook officers use to log their activities and movements.
At some point after the officers escorted the woman back to her apartment, they were dispatched on a ”radio run,” to report to the scene of an accident, according to one person briefed on the investigation.
After finishing at the accident scene, the officers returned to the woman’s apartment, but they did not report that they had completed their run, the person said. Instead, according to the surveillance tape, the officers did not indicate that their duties at the accident site were completed until after they left the woman’s apartment for the final time, at 3:33 a.m., the person said.
In a search of Officer Moreno’s locker on Dec. 19, police officials found a packet of heroin, the authorities said. The drugs were believed to be unrelated to the rape allegations, but it is unclear why the heroin was in the locker.
The person familiar with the case said the officer could be charged with possession of a controlled substance — though the officer could argue that he had confiscated the heroin but simply forgot to formally turn it in as evidence.
Alicia Maxey Greene, a spokeswoman for the office of the Manhattan district attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, declined to comment on the developments.
The grand jury last week charged both officers — Kenneth Moreno and Franklin L. Mata — though the details of the indictment were not immediately disclosed, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The officers, who have been on modified duty, stripped of their guns and badges and working in administrative assignments, are expected to surrender on Tuesday morning and face arraignment in criminal court.
“Since I haven’t been advised of the formal charges, I am not in a position to comment at this time,” said Edward J. Mandery, a lawyer for Officer Mata.
Stephen C. Worth, a lawyer for Officer Moreno, said: “My client will appear in court tomorrow and enter a plea of not guilty. We look forward to a rigorous examination of the district attorney’s evidence.”
The case came to light in March when officials disclosed the nature of the investigation. Officials said the woman, who was not identified, went to the hospital on Dec. 7, the morning of the reported rape, and also contacted prosecutors who notified the Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau, law enforcement officials said.
Although both officers were at the woman’s apartment, only one of them is suspected of raping the woman, according to a person who has been briefed on the investigation. Investigators have been looking at a theory of rape in which someone has intercourse with a person too intoxicated to give consent, the person said. State law differentiates between rape under that circumstance and forcible sex.
Video surveillance helped internal investigators unravel what they say occurred.
The video, from a surveillance camera at a bar near the woman’s building, shows two uniformed officers helping her into the building at 1:10 a.m. and then returning twice over the next two hours — spending 34 minutes in the building during their final visit, according to the bar owner, who gave the video to the district attorney’s office.
During the investigation, the authorities said, officials were unable to find Officer Mata’s memo book — a notebook officers use to log their activities and movements.
At some point after the officers escorted the woman back to her apartment, they were dispatched on a ”radio run,” to report to the scene of an accident, according to one person briefed on the investigation.
After finishing at the accident scene, the officers returned to the woman’s apartment, but they did not report that they had completed their run, the person said. Instead, according to the surveillance tape, the officers did not indicate that their duties at the accident site were completed until after they left the woman’s apartment for the final time, at 3:33 a.m., the person said.
In a search of Officer Moreno’s locker on Dec. 19, police officials found a packet of heroin, the authorities said. The drugs were believed to be unrelated to the rape allegations, but it is unclear why the heroin was in the locker.
The person familiar with the case said the officer could be charged with possession of a controlled substance — though the officer could argue that he had confiscated the heroin but simply forgot to formally turn it in as evidence.
Alicia Maxey Greene, a spokeswoman for the office of the Manhattan district attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, declined to comment on the developments.
Sheriff Charlie Morris Pleads Not Guilty to Money Laundering
A suspended Florida sheriff pleaded not guilty to money laundering and conspiracy charges on Monday, two days after two of his former deputies were killed by a National Guard soldier they were trying to arrest.
Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris and Teresa Adams, his administrative assistant, made no comments following the brief hearing.
On Sunday, Interim Sheriff Ed Spooner, who was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to take over the troubled department just eight weeks ago, met with his department's 300 employees to try and explain what went wrong in the weekend shooting that left two deputies and the man they were trying to arrest for domestic battery dead.
Another deputy, Anthony Forgione, died in July after he was shot by a suicidal man who had barricaded himself in a home.
"All the things that keep happening, it's like a scab that keeps getting peeled back over and over," said Larry Carter, the department's senior chaplain.
FBI agents arrested Morris in February while he was on a gambling trip to Las Vegas.
Morris and Adams were indicted by a federal grand jury Thursday in a scheme to create fictitious bonuses for department employees and pocket the money.
Carter said employees had been preparing a May memorial service for Forgione and trying to put Morris' arrest behind them when Deputies Burt Lopez and Warren "Skip" York were killed.
Lopez and York had no warning a confrontation would occur when they tried to arrest Joshua Cartwright, 28, in the parking lot of a gun range, Spooner said. The deputies used a stun gun to subdue Cartwright, but he was able to start shooting at them from the ground.
"Within seconds he sat up and began firing a weapon that came out of nowhere, it was somewhere on his body we assume," Spooner said as employees joined hands in prayer, cried and hugged Sunday night.
Cartwright was killed in a shootout at a roadblock after a car chase into a neighboring county. The deputies had gone to a shooting range to arrest him after his wife sought treatment for domestic abuse injures at an area hospital.
Spooner said the deputies had no information to make them think Cartwright would turn his weapons on them.
"This went from zero to 100 in a matter of minutes. In three minutes it turned from a passive discussion to a shooting, it was one heck of a mess," the sheriff said.
According to a domestic violence report, Cartwright's wife, Elizabeth Marie Cartwright, 21, told deputies after her husband died that he believed the government was conspiring against him and that he had been upset by Barack Obama's election.
Authorities said the National Guard solider was interested in militias and in weapons training.
Both deputies were shot in areas not protected by their bulletproof vests, Spooner said.
In the chase that followed, Cartwright's truck flipped on its side after spikes at a roadblock punctured the tires. The soldier came out shooting, Spooner said.
Investigators say Cartwright and deputies at the roadblock exchanged about 60 rounds in 30 to 40 seconds before he was killed.
Both Lopez and York had retired from careers with the Air Force at nearby Eglin Air Force Base when they joined the department. A joint visitation for the officers is planned for Wednesday in Crestview. Lopez's funeral is set for Thursday afternoon in Niceville, and services for York are scheduled for Friday morning in Pensacola.
Capt. J.D. Peacock said Lopez, a father of five, was especially good at defusing tense situations such as domestic abuse calls.
"He was the person you would want in a confrontation because he calmed people down," he said.
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Other Information: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=7438388&page=1
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Corrections Officer Angelo Vickers Arrested for Molestation Teen
A corrections officer at Terrebonne’s Juvenile Detention center is accused of having sex with two teen inmates and offering the teenage girls favors in exchange, deputies said.
The officer denies the allegations.
Angelo Knighton Vickers, 47, 390 Monarch Drive, Houma, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts each of molestation of a juvenile and sexual malfeasance in prison.
The investigation is ongoing, said Maj. Malcolm Wolfe of the Sheriff’s Office.
It’s unclear whether there are more victims.
The investigation began after a former inmate of the center contacted officials and claimed she had sex with a corrections officer while incarcerated, according to deputies. Another girl made similar allegations during the investigation.
In exchange for sex, Vickers offered the girls favors, such as free phone calls and snacks, deputies said. The inmates were 15 and 16 at the time.
The incidents happened within the past year, Wolfe said.
Vickers was questioned at the Sheriff’s Office before his arrest and denied the accusations, deputies said.
Vickers, who was fired after the allegations surfaced, worked as a corrections officer for Terrebonne Parish government, Wolfe said.
He has worked at the Juvenile Detention Center for six and a half years, said Jason Hutchinson, the center’s director. At the time of his arrest, Vickers was working as a watch commander, supervising a security team of about nine.
“We’ve all been devastated by this,” Hutchinson said. “We’re terribly disappointed. It’s a sad situation for everyone.”
Vickers is being held at the Terrebonne Courthouse Annex Jail on $200,000 bond.
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http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090426/HURBLOG/904269979/1223?Title=Terrebonne-Juvenile-Detention-Center-worker-jailed-on-molestation-charges
The officer denies the allegations.
Angelo Knighton Vickers, 47, 390 Monarch Drive, Houma, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts each of molestation of a juvenile and sexual malfeasance in prison.
The investigation is ongoing, said Maj. Malcolm Wolfe of the Sheriff’s Office.
It’s unclear whether there are more victims.
The investigation began after a former inmate of the center contacted officials and claimed she had sex with a corrections officer while incarcerated, according to deputies. Another girl made similar allegations during the investigation.
In exchange for sex, Vickers offered the girls favors, such as free phone calls and snacks, deputies said. The inmates were 15 and 16 at the time.
The incidents happened within the past year, Wolfe said.
Vickers was questioned at the Sheriff’s Office before his arrest and denied the accusations, deputies said.
Vickers, who was fired after the allegations surfaced, worked as a corrections officer for Terrebonne Parish government, Wolfe said.
He has worked at the Juvenile Detention Center for six and a half years, said Jason Hutchinson, the center’s director. At the time of his arrest, Vickers was working as a watch commander, supervising a security team of about nine.
“We’ve all been devastated by this,” Hutchinson said. “We’re terribly disappointed. It’s a sad situation for everyone.”
Vickers is being held at the Terrebonne Courthouse Annex Jail on $200,000 bond.
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http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20090426/HURBLOG/904269979/1223?Title=Terrebonne-Juvenile-Detention-Center-worker-jailed-on-molestation-charges
Chatham Officer Investigated for Firing Shots at Fleeing Vehicle
The Sangamon County Sheriff's department is investigating an incident in which a Chatham police officer fired shots at a fleeing vehicle after a traffic stop.
A 19-year-old Springfield man, Anthony Crawford Jr., was arrested shortly after the incident Friday night.
Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson and Chatham Police Chief Roy Barnett declined to release the officer's name on Saturday. Barnett confirmed the officer is on leave and that the sheriff's office has been asked to handle the investigation.
Williamson said Chatham police arrested Crawford on an outstanding warrant for retail theft as well as driving on a suspended driver's license, fleeing and eluding a police officer and an equipment violation for not having a front license plate.
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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com
A 19-year-old Springfield man, Anthony Crawford Jr., was arrested shortly after the incident Friday night.
Sangamon County Sheriff Neil Williamson and Chatham Police Chief Roy Barnett declined to release the officer's name on Saturday. Barnett confirmed the officer is on leave and that the sheriff's office has been asked to handle the investigation.
Williamson said Chatham police arrested Crawford on an outstanding warrant for retail theft as well as driving on a suspended driver's license, fleeing and eluding a police officer and an equipment violation for not having a front license plate.
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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com
Tulsa PD Suspends 3 Officers in Drinking Probe
Drinking during a barbecue at the Tulsa Police Department's training center last year led to the totaling of a police car and the suspensions of three officers, Police Chief Ron Palmer told the Tulsa World.
Nearly 20 Tulsa police officers, including one who crashed the patrol car, drank alcohol during the cookout, an investigation has revealed.
The Oct. 16 cookout ended a week of training for the agency's Special Operations Team, Palmer said.
Officer Danny Bean told investigators that he drank two beers before heading home in his department- issued squad car, Palmer said. He reportedly knocked over a power pole and crashed into a security gate as he left the facility at 6066 E. 66th St. North.
Bean was suspended for 80 hours without pay and will not be allowed to take his new patrol car home for 120 days, Palmer said.
Neither Bean nor his lawyer, Scott Wood, returned telephone calls seeking comment.
Palmer said the suspensions were handed down this month and emphasize the increased level of responsibility that officers must meet.
"It should be a higher standard; there's no doubt in my mind," he said. "Anybody, lay person or police person, can see that it's conduct unbecoming" an officer.
The department's Internal Affairs Unit found that Bean was not given a field sobriety test and that his blood-alcohol level was never measured. Palmer said it also wasn't clear who brought the beer or how many officers were drinking at the event.
Several supervisors talked with Bean after the crash and said he didn't show any signs of intoxication, Palmer said.
Bean, who works in the department's Gilcrease Division, was a newer member of the Special Operations Team and stayed late to help clean up after the barbecue. He was driving nearly 55 mph when he rounded a curved stretch of road as he was leaving, police records show.
His 2007 Dodge Charger police car crashed into a power pole shortly after 10:30 p.m. and then hit a gate, according to an accident report. The cruiser, valued at $19,774, was destroyed.
Sgt. Luke Sherman, who was in charge of the barbecue, was suspended for five days without pay for failure to supervise and for conduct unbecoming an officer.
Capt. John Brooks was suspended for two days without pay and was removed as the Special Operations Team's interim commander for the same offenses, Palmer said.
The police union appealed the decision shortly after the officers were suspended, said Ron Bartmier, chairman of the union's board.
Bartmier would not discuss the appeal because it is an ongoing personnel issue.
Palmer said the department's lack of a specific alcohol policy likely is behind the appeal.
Beer isn't specifically banned at the training center, but Palmer said the department follows the city of Tulsa's broader rules about drinking, which prohibit city employees from drinking at work or coming to work drunk.
"It's my desire to make those policies stricter so there's no misunderstanding," he said.
Nearly 20 Tulsa police officers, including one who crashed the patrol car, drank alcohol during the cookout, an investigation has revealed.
The Oct. 16 cookout ended a week of training for the agency's Special Operations Team, Palmer said.
Officer Danny Bean told investigators that he drank two beers before heading home in his department- issued squad car, Palmer said. He reportedly knocked over a power pole and crashed into a security gate as he left the facility at 6066 E. 66th St. North.
Bean was suspended for 80 hours without pay and will not be allowed to take his new patrol car home for 120 days, Palmer said.
Neither Bean nor his lawyer, Scott Wood, returned telephone calls seeking comment.
Palmer said the suspensions were handed down this month and emphasize the increased level of responsibility that officers must meet.
"It should be a higher standard; there's no doubt in my mind," he said. "Anybody, lay person or police person, can see that it's conduct unbecoming" an officer.
The department's Internal Affairs Unit found that Bean was not given a field sobriety test and that his blood-alcohol level was never measured. Palmer said it also wasn't clear who brought the beer or how many officers were drinking at the event.
Several supervisors talked with Bean after the crash and said he didn't show any signs of intoxication, Palmer said.
Bean, who works in the department's Gilcrease Division, was a newer member of the Special Operations Team and stayed late to help clean up after the barbecue. He was driving nearly 55 mph when he rounded a curved stretch of road as he was leaving, police records show.
His 2007 Dodge Charger police car crashed into a power pole shortly after 10:30 p.m. and then hit a gate, according to an accident report. The cruiser, valued at $19,774, was destroyed.
Sgt. Luke Sherman, who was in charge of the barbecue, was suspended for five days without pay for failure to supervise and for conduct unbecoming an officer.
Capt. John Brooks was suspended for two days without pay and was removed as the Special Operations Team's interim commander for the same offenses, Palmer said.
The police union appealed the decision shortly after the officers were suspended, said Ron Bartmier, chairman of the union's board.
Bartmier would not discuss the appeal because it is an ongoing personnel issue.
Palmer said the department's lack of a specific alcohol policy likely is behind the appeal.
Beer isn't specifically banned at the training center, but Palmer said the department follows the city of Tulsa's broader rules about drinking, which prohibit city employees from drinking at work or coming to work drunk.
"It's my desire to make those policies stricter so there's no misunderstanding," he said.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Captain Randy Burke Accused of Stealing $100
An internal investigation into theft and misconduct has led to the firing of a Bunnell Police Department captain.
According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Captain Randy Burke was fired after he was accused of stealing $100 meant as a gift for a former officer in 2007.
According to the internal investigation documents, police department employees pooled together $100 and some household items to help out fired officer Ed Culver.
Investigators say because Burke lived next door to Culver, they asked him to present the gifts to Culver.
When the department moved into its new facility, officers told investigators the household items were found in Burke's old office.
Investigators say Burke told them he forgot to give the donations to Culver.
The investigation couldn't confirm Burke stole the money, but concluded he did misappropriate it.
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-bk-bunnell-police-captain-fire-042509,0,243821.story
According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Captain Randy Burke was fired after he was accused of stealing $100 meant as a gift for a former officer in 2007.
According to the internal investigation documents, police department employees pooled together $100 and some household items to help out fired officer Ed Culver.
Investigators say because Burke lived next door to Culver, they asked him to present the gifts to Culver.
When the department moved into its new facility, officers told investigators the household items were found in Burke's old office.
Investigators say Burke told them he forgot to give the donations to Culver.
The investigation couldn't confirm Burke stole the money, but concluded he did misappropriate it.
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-bk-bunnell-police-captain-fire-042509,0,243821.story
Taser Policy Examined
The video, now made famous by youtube and other sites, shows San Louis Obisbo man Christopher Felch tasered by police at the Coachella Music Festival. Police asked the man to put his clothes on. He refused and resisted when officers tried dressing him. They eventually used their taser to subdue the man. Law enforcement's use of tasers varies which each department.
"Some departments are going to the taser prior to going to the baton or if theres an incident with a lot of people or a closed indoor area you may not want to use the pepper spray and therefore go directly to the taser so each department has there own policy and procedure that they follow," says David Chandler, President of the Coachella Valley Security Academy.
Three officers made the arrest, two from Indio P.D.and one Banning, he's the one who tasered the man police say was drunk in public. We couldn't reach the Banning Police Department for comment. Video shows the officers tasing the man several times after the first tase. Dozen sat and watched the incident unfold, making it hard for officers to use other non-lethal weapons.
"From somebody looking on from a distance it may look like it's excessive force but it's a lot less lethal then using a baton on someone or pepper spray on entire crowd," says Chandler.
There's a difference between a consumer taser and a law enforcement taser. The consumer taser's last 30 seconds so the victim can taser the suspect can drop the taser and run away. Law Enforcement taser's last 5 seconds just enough time for the officer to gain control of the suspect.
Some festival-goers supported Felch, some even going up and shaking the man's hand. They voiced their anger after police tasered the man. The incident has the internet community talking. Indio Police are confident they did what's right.
"Everybody's entitled to give there opinions and what not. All our purpose is that people are safe and enjoy themselves and be able to leave on there own terms and not break the law," says Indio Police Department's Ben Guitron.
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News Video: After the Arrest: Law Enforcement Taser Policy Examined (4/24)
"Some departments are going to the taser prior to going to the baton or if theres an incident with a lot of people or a closed indoor area you may not want to use the pepper spray and therefore go directly to the taser so each department has there own policy and procedure that they follow," says David Chandler, President of the Coachella Valley Security Academy.
Three officers made the arrest, two from Indio P.D.and one Banning, he's the one who tasered the man police say was drunk in public. We couldn't reach the Banning Police Department for comment. Video shows the officers tasing the man several times after the first tase. Dozen sat and watched the incident unfold, making it hard for officers to use other non-lethal weapons.
"From somebody looking on from a distance it may look like it's excessive force but it's a lot less lethal then using a baton on someone or pepper spray on entire crowd," says Chandler.
There's a difference between a consumer taser and a law enforcement taser. The consumer taser's last 30 seconds so the victim can taser the suspect can drop the taser and run away. Law Enforcement taser's last 5 seconds just enough time for the officer to gain control of the suspect.
Some festival-goers supported Felch, some even going up and shaking the man's hand. They voiced their anger after police tasered the man. The incident has the internet community talking. Indio Police are confident they did what's right.
"Everybody's entitled to give there opinions and what not. All our purpose is that people are safe and enjoy themselves and be able to leave on there own terms and not break the law," says Indio Police Department's Ben Guitron.
-----------------------------
News Video: After the Arrest: Law Enforcement Taser Policy Examined (4/24)
Detective Russell Littleton Arrested for Drunk Driving
An undercover Little Rock police officer was suspended for 30 days after being arrested for drunken driving and trying to get out of it by asking for "professional courtesy."
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, using records it obtained through a public disclosure request, says detective Russell C. Littleton completed his suspension in January. The newspaper says the 35-year-old also lost the privilege of taking an unmarked police truck home at night and had to have an interlock installed on the truck.
Littleton is an 11-year department veteran assigned to a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives task force. He was arrested in August 2008 by Benton police, who say he tried to talk his way out of being arrested.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, using records it obtained through a public disclosure request, says detective Russell C. Littleton completed his suspension in January. The newspaper says the 35-year-old also lost the privilege of taking an unmarked police truck home at night and had to have an interlock installed on the truck.
Littleton is an 11-year department veteran assigned to a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives task force. He was arrested in August 2008 by Benton police, who say he tried to talk his way out of being arrested.
Retired Deputy Terrence Greenwald Charged with Sexually Abusing Two Children
A retired Waukesha County sheriff's deputy was charged Friday with sexual crimes involving two children that occurred between July 1, 1997, and September 1, 2008, according to a criminal complaint.
Terrence L. Greenwald, 55, of Summit was charged with seven counts of first-degree sexual assault, three counts of second-degree sexual assault, eight counts of child enticement and one count of causing a child age 13 to 18 to view sexual activity. All the charges are felonies.
He was arrested on a warrant Friday, sheriff's Capt. Karen Ruff said.
Greenwald retired from the Sheriff's Department on Dec. 7, 2007, said Sue Zastrow of the Waukesha County Human Resources Division. He was hired as a correctional officer Oct. 10, 1992, and promoted to deputy Aug. 27, 1994.
According to the complaint filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court, the incidents involved Greenwald committing sexual acts individually with a boy and a girl. The girl told authorities that the first incident involving her that she could recall occurred when she was a first-grader in 1998. The last incident occurred in fall 2008, the complaint says. All of the sexual assault charges involve indecent touching, according to the complaint.
The boy told authorities that Greenwald exposed himself to the child in July 1997, when the boy was about 8, and that Greenwald caused the boy to view sexual activity in May 2004, the complaint says.
District Attorney Brad Schimel said Friday that he has appointed a special prosecutor from the Racine County district attorney's office to handle the case because the charges involve a former Waukesha County sheriff's deputy.
Former Officer Shane Alldredge Arrested for Domestic Violence
A former Arab police officer who just got out of prison is now back behind bars.
Investigators said Shane Alldredge was arrested on domestic violence charges. He told sheriff's deputies he would turn himself in this past Monday for these charges, but no one heard from him until 3 p.m. Friday.
Alldredge was paroled from prison just 11 days ago. Since then, his wife has filed a domestic violence charge and Cullman County sheriff's deputies issued an arrest warrant.
Alldredge was a former Arab police officer convicted in 2006 on ethics violations and sentenced to three years in prison. He was found guilty of soliciting sexual favors from women in exchange for dismissing traffic tickets and other charges.
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted him parole and Alldredge was released April 13.
The Cullman County Sheriff said probation violation charges are pending.
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http://www.al.com/crime/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/124065093781170.xml&coll=1
Investigators said Shane Alldredge was arrested on domestic violence charges. He told sheriff's deputies he would turn himself in this past Monday for these charges, but no one heard from him until 3 p.m. Friday.
Alldredge was paroled from prison just 11 days ago. Since then, his wife has filed a domestic violence charge and Cullman County sheriff's deputies issued an arrest warrant.
Alldredge was a former Arab police officer convicted in 2006 on ethics violations and sentenced to three years in prison. He was found guilty of soliciting sexual favors from women in exchange for dismissing traffic tickets and other charges.
The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted him parole and Alldredge was released April 13.
The Cullman County Sheriff said probation violation charges are pending.
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http://www.al.com/crime/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/124065093781170.xml&coll=1
Suspended Officer Kyle Hunter Charged with Violating Protection Order
SCHENECTADY
Suspended Schenectady police Officer Kyle Hunter, charged last month with stealing his girlfriend's car, was arrested Friday and charged with violating an order to stay away from her, police said.
Hunter was arrested on a felony contempt charge for violating an order of protection after a complaint that he was near the woman's home, said Sgt. Eric S. Clifford, police spokesman.
Hunter was being held overnight in the city lockup and was expected to be arraigned Saturday morning, Clifford said.
At 12:25 a.m. Friday, police responded to a city residence to investigate a reported domestic disturbance involving Hunter.
Hunter allegedly damaged the woman's property and fled the residence before officers arrived. A thorough search was conducted to locate him, including the use of a Schenectady County Sheriff's K-9 Team.
The investigation continued later in the day and led police to Amsterdam where Hunter was arrested, Clifford said.
Hunter was charged March 27 with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle after police allege he fought with the woman, a corrections officer, then took her car without permission.
Hunter, an eight-year member of the force, was already the subject of an internal investigation for allegedly abusing the department's extended sick leave policy. He also lost his service weapon, but the department has declined to provide details about that prior incident.
Hunter was placed on unpaid leave for 30 days after the first incident and will be placed on another unpaid 30-day suspension beginning Tuesday, Clifford said.
Suspended Schenectady police Officer Kyle Hunter, charged last month with stealing his girlfriend's car, was arrested Friday and charged with violating an order to stay away from her, police said.
Hunter was arrested on a felony contempt charge for violating an order of protection after a complaint that he was near the woman's home, said Sgt. Eric S. Clifford, police spokesman.
Hunter was being held overnight in the city lockup and was expected to be arraigned Saturday morning, Clifford said.
At 12:25 a.m. Friday, police responded to a city residence to investigate a reported domestic disturbance involving Hunter.
Hunter allegedly damaged the woman's property and fled the residence before officers arrived. A thorough search was conducted to locate him, including the use of a Schenectady County Sheriff's K-9 Team.
The investigation continued later in the day and led police to Amsterdam where Hunter was arrested, Clifford said.
Hunter was charged March 27 with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle after police allege he fought with the woman, a corrections officer, then took her car without permission.
Hunter, an eight-year member of the force, was already the subject of an internal investigation for allegedly abusing the department's extended sick leave policy. He also lost his service weapon, but the department has declined to provide details about that prior incident.
Hunter was placed on unpaid leave for 30 days after the first incident and will be placed on another unpaid 30-day suspension beginning Tuesday, Clifford said.
Lethal Weapon: Tasers Kill
I thought the purpose of the Taser was to avoid lethal force… but I guess when you look at what T.A.S.E.R actually stands for (Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle) and the occurrences of deaths by taser, we must remember the R stands for Rifle. What do rifles do?
According to Amnesty International:
More than 330 people are reported to have died since 2001 after being struck by police Tasers in the USA 90 per cent of those who died after being struck with a Taser were unarmed and many did not appear to present a serious threat.
Many were subjected to repeated or prolonged shocks – far more than the five-second “standard” cycle – or by more than one officer at a time.
Perhaps tasers were not meant to be lethal weapons…The facts show that they are indeed lethal in some cases.
So why does law enforcement continue to use them? Is it because they believe Tasers are a safe non lethal means to subdue people?
There were a number of Police officers that were tasered voluntarily during taser training classes. These officers were under the impression that the taser was safe with no lasting affects. None of the officers died, but some of them experienced serious health problems after being tasered and have filed lawsuits against Taser International! What does that tell you?
How many more people have to die before we understand that the T.A.S.E.R. does not qualify as a non lethal weapon? How many more people have to suffer health problems and taser related injuries before we recognize that the T.A.S.E.R. is not safe?
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For the rest of the story please visit: http://marenda.biz/2009/04/24/lethal-weapon-tasers-kill/
According to Amnesty International:
More than 330 people are reported to have died since 2001 after being struck by police Tasers in the USA 90 per cent of those who died after being struck with a Taser were unarmed and many did not appear to present a serious threat.
Many were subjected to repeated or prolonged shocks – far more than the five-second “standard” cycle – or by more than one officer at a time.
Perhaps tasers were not meant to be lethal weapons…The facts show that they are indeed lethal in some cases.
So why does law enforcement continue to use them? Is it because they believe Tasers are a safe non lethal means to subdue people?
There were a number of Police officers that were tasered voluntarily during taser training classes. These officers were under the impression that the taser was safe with no lasting affects. None of the officers died, but some of them experienced serious health problems after being tasered and have filed lawsuits against Taser International! What does that tell you?
How many more people have to die before we understand that the T.A.S.E.R. does not qualify as a non lethal weapon? How many more people have to suffer health problems and taser related injuries before we recognize that the T.A.S.E.R. is not safe?
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For the rest of the story please visit: http://marenda.biz/2009/04/24/lethal-weapon-tasers-kill/
Death of Jerard Drew While in Custody Being Investigated
Tulsa police and relatives of a man who died late Wednesday while in police custody offered differing versions of the chain of events that preceded his death.
But both police and relatives will have to await the results of an autopsy by the state Medical Examiner's Office, which will determine the cause and manner of Jerard M. Drew's death.
Drew, 38, who was wearing only boxer shorts when he died, had recently been prescribed prescription pain and anti-inflammatory drugs and might have been drinking alcohol Wednesday, but he was otherwise healthy, relatives said.
Police said Drew became unresponsive while they were trying to put leg shackles on him after he was pepper-sprayed but continued to resist officers' attempts to detain him.
The man was cursing and kicking at officers, at which time the officers decided to put leg shackles on him "to keep him from hurting officers or hurting himself," police spokesman Officer Leland Ashley said.
Drew's mother, Ruth Woodfork, said officers were chatting and laughing when she came upon them and her son, who was lying face-down and handcuffed on the grassy north side of the road in the 2700 block of West Edison Street.
Ashley said officers performed CPR until an ambulance arrived and took Drew to St. John Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m.
Ashley said there was no indication that excessive force was used but that homicide detectives will investigate.
Six officers — Jeff Dosser, Jason Kelley, Jay Chiarito-Mazzarella, Naresh Persaud, Herbert Hardman and Sgt. Mike Williams — were placed on restrictive duty as a routine matter, he said.
Ashley denied a request for a copy of the police report, saying such reports are not public documents.
Ashley said Dosser was on patrol when he reported seeing a man, wearing only boxer shorts, running in the 2700 block of West Edison Street just before 10 p.m.
The man fled, and the officer caught up with him in a drainage culvert just north of Edison, Ashley said.
The officer pepper-sprayed the man when he "clenched his fist in a menacing manner as if to punch the officer," he said.
The officer reported that the spray appeared to have very little effect on the man.
By this time, two more officers had arrived and helped detain Drew, Ashley said.
Woodfork said she could hear her son yelling from a block away.
"I could hear him screaming, 'Stop kicking me! Stop kicking me!' " she said.
By the time Woodfork made it to her son, he was unresponsive, she said.
"I'm not holding a grudge against anybody, because that's not God's will, but I think his life was taken before it should have been," Woodfork said.
"He's had his run-ins with the law, but he was changing his life," she said.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections records indicate that Drew had convictions for possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a controlled drug, false impersonation and escape.
But both police and relatives will have to await the results of an autopsy by the state Medical Examiner's Office, which will determine the cause and manner of Jerard M. Drew's death.
Drew, 38, who was wearing only boxer shorts when he died, had recently been prescribed prescription pain and anti-inflammatory drugs and might have been drinking alcohol Wednesday, but he was otherwise healthy, relatives said.
Police said Drew became unresponsive while they were trying to put leg shackles on him after he was pepper-sprayed but continued to resist officers' attempts to detain him.
The man was cursing and kicking at officers, at which time the officers decided to put leg shackles on him "to keep him from hurting officers or hurting himself," police spokesman Officer Leland Ashley said.
Drew's mother, Ruth Woodfork, said officers were chatting and laughing when she came upon them and her son, who was lying face-down and handcuffed on the grassy north side of the road in the 2700 block of West Edison Street.
Ashley said officers performed CPR until an ambulance arrived and took Drew to St. John Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 10:55 p.m.
Ashley said there was no indication that excessive force was used but that homicide detectives will investigate.
Six officers — Jeff Dosser, Jason Kelley, Jay Chiarito-Mazzarella, Naresh Persaud, Herbert Hardman and Sgt. Mike Williams — were placed on restrictive duty as a routine matter, he said.
Ashley denied a request for a copy of the police report, saying such reports are not public documents.
Ashley said Dosser was on patrol when he reported seeing a man, wearing only boxer shorts, running in the 2700 block of West Edison Street just before 10 p.m.
The man fled, and the officer caught up with him in a drainage culvert just north of Edison, Ashley said.
The officer pepper-sprayed the man when he "clenched his fist in a menacing manner as if to punch the officer," he said.
The officer reported that the spray appeared to have very little effect on the man.
By this time, two more officers had arrived and helped detain Drew, Ashley said.
Woodfork said she could hear her son yelling from a block away.
"I could hear him screaming, 'Stop kicking me! Stop kicking me!' " she said.
By the time Woodfork made it to her son, he was unresponsive, she said.
"I'm not holding a grudge against anybody, because that's not God's will, but I think his life was taken before it should have been," Woodfork said.
"He's had his run-ins with the law, but he was changing his life," she said.
Oklahoma Department of Corrections records indicate that Drew had convictions for possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful possession of a controlled drug, false impersonation and escape.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Reverend Harvey Burnett & Others Complain About Police Brutality
One local community activist worries that efforts to hear complaints are not being taken seriously.
Reverend Harvey Burnett and half dozen residents with complaints about police brutality brought their concerns to city hall today.
Burnett argues that the police department, Mayor Ardis and the States Attorney office are derelict in addressing complaints from residents about allged abuse by some police officers.
Rev. Harvey Burnett said, "When we do complete forms it seems that the forms evaporate in thin air. No action is taken, whatever action is taken they send out letters saying after investigating this we find there is no warrant for your particular claim."
Peoria Police Spokesman Doug Burgess said, "Any complaint is looked into, it's taken very seriously and we investigate every complaint we get. As far as allegations of complaints getting lost I know of no complaints that have been lost."
The group took their complaints to the city's legal department.
Each of the individuals is scheduled to meet with a city attorney to talk about their particular allegations.
Three Peoria police officers Jeremy Layman, Andrew Smith and Gerald Suelter were recently indicted for official misconduct, battery and mob action for allegedly abusing a man last May during a car chase.
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http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=56112
Reverend Harvey Burnett and half dozen residents with complaints about police brutality brought their concerns to city hall today.
Burnett argues that the police department, Mayor Ardis and the States Attorney office are derelict in addressing complaints from residents about allged abuse by some police officers.
Rev. Harvey Burnett said, "When we do complete forms it seems that the forms evaporate in thin air. No action is taken, whatever action is taken they send out letters saying after investigating this we find there is no warrant for your particular claim."
Peoria Police Spokesman Doug Burgess said, "Any complaint is looked into, it's taken very seriously and we investigate every complaint we get. As far as allegations of complaints getting lost I know of no complaints that have been lost."
The group took their complaints to the city's legal department.
Each of the individuals is scheduled to meet with a city attorney to talk about their particular allegations.
Three Peoria police officers Jeremy Layman, Andrew Smith and Gerald Suelter were recently indicted for official misconduct, battery and mob action for allegedly abusing a man last May during a car chase.
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http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=56112
Arizona VS Gant Changes Rules on Vehicle Searches
MADISON, Wis.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court limits the ability of police officers to search a vehicle after making an arrest, and the decision means changes for local law enforcement agencies after 28 years of standard procedures.
The deciding case, "Arizona v. Gant," took 10 years to make it to the high court. Citing the Fourth Amendment's guard against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Supreme Court's 5-to-4 decision ruled that enforcement should not come at the expense of privacy.
The court's ruling means that when an officer makes a traffic arrest, the decision to search the vehicle cannot start without a warrant, which is a change from the past three decades of warrantless searches.
Local drivers said they have mixed feelings about the ruling.
"If you got pulled over and arrested for something to begin with, you've kind of waived your rights to privacy," said Mark Spaith, an area driver.
But driver Tony Ried said police should have a warrant to search.
"They got to have a search warrant, because if you didn't have a search warrant, police be searching through your stuff, tearing your stuff up, pulling papers out," Ried said. "And then you got to go and put the papers back in. You got to clean up your van."
But Capt. Vic Wahl, of the Madison Police Department, said he's concerned that potential crimes might now be overlooked.
"With this decision, it really turns that area of the law on its head and really limited the situations now," Wahl said. "I do think there will be certainly instances where, two weeks ago, we would've discovered weapons, drugs or contraband that now we will not discover because of the restrictions from this ruling."
Defense attorney Stephen Mays said the decision rightfully puts citizens' privacy in the forefront.
"Constitutional protections are big," Mays said. "It's not one of those situations where you look to protect the 1 percent of the people that are out committing crimes, (but) rather the 99 percent of us that aren't. So I think it gives back a little bit of expectation of privacy."
There are exceptions to the new requirement. The Supreme Court ruled that police can search without a warrant if there is a threat to an officer's safety or if the officer believes the vehicle contains evidence pertaining only to the arrest.
The exceptions provide some gray areas for law enforcement, and those exceptions will weigh heavily on an officer's prerogative, WISC-TV reported. The Madison Police Department said it hopes to continue educating its force on the law's subtle details.
"You have officers that make decisions in a snap of a finger in a few seconds, dealing with very complicated legal issues every day out on the street," Wahl said.
Meanwhile, those supporting this ruling said they hope a dialogue on privacy rights remains on the minds of law enforcement.
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VIDEO: Watch The Report
Other information: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705299543,00.html
A recent U.S. Supreme Court limits the ability of police officers to search a vehicle after making an arrest, and the decision means changes for local law enforcement agencies after 28 years of standard procedures.
The deciding case, "Arizona v. Gant," took 10 years to make it to the high court. Citing the Fourth Amendment's guard against unreasonable searches and seizures, the Supreme Court's 5-to-4 decision ruled that enforcement should not come at the expense of privacy.
The court's ruling means that when an officer makes a traffic arrest, the decision to search the vehicle cannot start without a warrant, which is a change from the past three decades of warrantless searches.
Local drivers said they have mixed feelings about the ruling.
"If you got pulled over and arrested for something to begin with, you've kind of waived your rights to privacy," said Mark Spaith, an area driver.
But driver Tony Ried said police should have a warrant to search.
"They got to have a search warrant, because if you didn't have a search warrant, police be searching through your stuff, tearing your stuff up, pulling papers out," Ried said. "And then you got to go and put the papers back in. You got to clean up your van."
But Capt. Vic Wahl, of the Madison Police Department, said he's concerned that potential crimes might now be overlooked.
"With this decision, it really turns that area of the law on its head and really limited the situations now," Wahl said. "I do think there will be certainly instances where, two weeks ago, we would've discovered weapons, drugs or contraband that now we will not discover because of the restrictions from this ruling."
Defense attorney Stephen Mays said the decision rightfully puts citizens' privacy in the forefront.
"Constitutional protections are big," Mays said. "It's not one of those situations where you look to protect the 1 percent of the people that are out committing crimes, (but) rather the 99 percent of us that aren't. So I think it gives back a little bit of expectation of privacy."
There are exceptions to the new requirement. The Supreme Court ruled that police can search without a warrant if there is a threat to an officer's safety or if the officer believes the vehicle contains evidence pertaining only to the arrest.
The exceptions provide some gray areas for law enforcement, and those exceptions will weigh heavily on an officer's prerogative, WISC-TV reported. The Madison Police Department said it hopes to continue educating its force on the law's subtle details.
"You have officers that make decisions in a snap of a finger in a few seconds, dealing with very complicated legal issues every day out on the street," Wahl said.
Meanwhile, those supporting this ruling said they hope a dialogue on privacy rights remains on the minds of law enforcement.
_________________________
VIDEO: Watch The Report
Other information: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705299543,00.html
Officer Kevin Sowell in Trouble for Exchanging Threatening E-Mails with Teen
Officials with the DeKalb Police Department said a 15-year veteran of their department and an 18-year-old girl were exchanging e-mails that threatened her family.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter spent the day digging through the officer’s personnel file and she found two offenses of conduct unbecoming – both within the past four months, and both over contact and e-mails with teenage girls.
DeKalb County police confirmed Kevin Sowell resigned two weeks ago after the department said it would fire him for two offenses – including a string of e-mails that threatened a young girl’s family.
The first offense allegedly took place in January. Sowell was suspended after he “developed a friendly relationship with a 16-year-old child,” according to officials. According to his file, after the girl’s parents requested that he discontinue contact, he continued with the child in person, by e-mail, and by a cell phone he purchased for her.
Just two months later, the second offense allegedly occurred. The internal affairs memo said, “The content of the messages was threatening in nature and spoke of violent acts towards the female’s parents” and said he “admitted to sending the correspondence.”
And another report noted, “They were both planning to harm her parents and sister-in-law. Instead of discouraging her, he responded in a manner that encouraged further thoughts on the act to harm.”
Channel 2 Action News went to Sowell’s DeKalb County home and knocked on the door to ask him about it, but no one answered the door.
Channel 2 Action News did ask DeKalb officials why Sowell was allowed to resign, even after Acting Police Chief William O’Brien "concurred with the termination," calling it "a very serious issue that cannot be taken lightly."
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Video: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/19274177/detail.html
Channel 2 Action News reporter Amanda Rosseter spent the day digging through the officer’s personnel file and she found two offenses of conduct unbecoming – both within the past four months, and both over contact and e-mails with teenage girls.
DeKalb County police confirmed Kevin Sowell resigned two weeks ago after the department said it would fire him for two offenses – including a string of e-mails that threatened a young girl’s family.
The first offense allegedly took place in January. Sowell was suspended after he “developed a friendly relationship with a 16-year-old child,” according to officials. According to his file, after the girl’s parents requested that he discontinue contact, he continued with the child in person, by e-mail, and by a cell phone he purchased for her.
Just two months later, the second offense allegedly occurred. The internal affairs memo said, “The content of the messages was threatening in nature and spoke of violent acts towards the female’s parents” and said he “admitted to sending the correspondence.”
And another report noted, “They were both planning to harm her parents and sister-in-law. Instead of discouraging her, he responded in a manner that encouraged further thoughts on the act to harm.”
Channel 2 Action News went to Sowell’s DeKalb County home and knocked on the door to ask him about it, but no one answered the door.
Channel 2 Action News did ask DeKalb officials why Sowell was allowed to resign, even after Acting Police Chief William O’Brien "concurred with the termination," calling it "a very serious issue that cannot be taken lightly."
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Video: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/19274177/detail.html
Officer Erik Hanson Arrrested for Child Rape
A Forks police officer was arrested Thursday and has been booked on charges of second-degree child rape, said Det. Sgt. Lyman Moores of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department.
Forks Police Chief Mike Powell and the sheriff’s department have been investigating the officer since February when a 12-year-old girl reported the officer had inappropriate sexual contact with her, Moores said.
During the three month investigation, the accused officer, 33-year-old Erik Hanson, was in Iraq serving as a member of the National Guard Reserves.
Detectives interviewed the 12-year-old and as a result search warrants were served on Hanson, including phone records that supported the victim’s statement, Moores said.
Hanson was home on military leave when he was arrested by Clallam County Sheriff Detectives.
Moores said Hanson was off duty when the alleged incident occurred.
The case has been referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office for review and a charging decision.
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More Information: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090426/news/304269982
Forks Police Chief Mike Powell and the sheriff’s department have been investigating the officer since February when a 12-year-old girl reported the officer had inappropriate sexual contact with her, Moores said.
During the three month investigation, the accused officer, 33-year-old Erik Hanson, was in Iraq serving as a member of the National Guard Reserves.
Detectives interviewed the 12-year-old and as a result search warrants were served on Hanson, including phone records that supported the victim’s statement, Moores said.
Hanson was home on military leave when he was arrested by Clallam County Sheriff Detectives.
Moores said Hanson was off duty when the alleged incident occurred.
The case has been referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office for review and a charging decision.
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More Information: http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20090426/news/304269982
Sheriff Joe Arpaio Being Investigated Again
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office arrested 22 people yesterday, including 14 illegal immigrants, as part of a crime sweep in the West Valley.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at least two of those arrested were violent criminals. The crime sweep is continuing Friday.
Arpaio has conducted similar sweeps in Mesa, Phoenix and Guadalupe. Critics of the sheriff, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, charge the actions unfairly target Hispanics. The ACLU and Hispanic activists filed a federal lawsuit against MCSO’s sweeps, and the U.S. Justice Department is investigating its sweeps and raids.
Some of those raids have been conducted at businesses suspected of hiring illegal immigrants.
The sheriff has said many times that criticism of his actions is unjustified and he’s simply enforcing the law.
Arpaio on Friday derided attempts by political opponents to move forward some kind of county or state measure that would make sheriff’s positions appointed rather than elected. Some Arpaio critics are looking at a statewide referendum that would make sheriff and perhaps county prosecutor positions appointed by their county boards, not chosen by voters.
Arpaio was elected to a fifth four-year term in November.
“It’s never going to happen,” Arpaio said of his job becoming an appointed position. “I would leave in one second. I get my strength from the people.”
A recent poll by Rasmussen Reports shows Arpaio remains popular among Arizona voters -- more popular than President Barack Obama.
Sixty-eight percent of state voters have a favorable view of Arpaio, compared with a 53 percent approval rating for Obama and 57 percent for new Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Forty-seven percent disapprove of Obama’s performance during his first months in office, compared with a 37 percent disapproval rate for Brewer and 26 percent for Arpaio.
The poll surveyed 500 likely voters in March.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at least two of those arrested were violent criminals. The crime sweep is continuing Friday.
Arpaio has conducted similar sweeps in Mesa, Phoenix and Guadalupe. Critics of the sheriff, including the American Civil Liberties Union and Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, charge the actions unfairly target Hispanics. The ACLU and Hispanic activists filed a federal lawsuit against MCSO’s sweeps, and the U.S. Justice Department is investigating its sweeps and raids.
Some of those raids have been conducted at businesses suspected of hiring illegal immigrants.
The sheriff has said many times that criticism of his actions is unjustified and he’s simply enforcing the law.
Arpaio on Friday derided attempts by political opponents to move forward some kind of county or state measure that would make sheriff’s positions appointed rather than elected. Some Arpaio critics are looking at a statewide referendum that would make sheriff and perhaps county prosecutor positions appointed by their county boards, not chosen by voters.
Arpaio was elected to a fifth four-year term in November.
“It’s never going to happen,” Arpaio said of his job becoming an appointed position. “I would leave in one second. I get my strength from the people.”
A recent poll by Rasmussen Reports shows Arpaio remains popular among Arizona voters -- more popular than President Barack Obama.
Sixty-eight percent of state voters have a favorable view of Arpaio, compared with a 53 percent approval rating for Obama and 57 percent for new Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.
Forty-seven percent disapprove of Obama’s performance during his first months in office, compared with a 37 percent disapproval rate for Brewer and 26 percent for Arpaio.
The poll surveyed 500 likely voters in March.
Officer Martray Proctor Charged with Manslaughter
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Martray Proctor was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter in the wreck last month that killed a 20-year-old woman.
Proctor, 24, turned himself in just after noon and was fingerprinted, photographed and released on $10,000 bond.
Proctor's attorney George Laughrun wouldn't discuss the case, but said: “We are going to plead not guilty – absolutely not guilty – to involuntary manslaughter.”
Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by 10 months to nearly five years in prison, and is generally defined an unintentional killing stemming from recklessness, negligence or an unlawful act.
Shatona Robinson was a popular cafe worker at The Pines retirement home in Davidson, where residents recalled her compassion and sunny nature.
Her cousin Crystal Robinson said she thinks the charge is fair. She'd feared Proctor might not be prosecuted.
“I was surprised and relieved they're actually taking care of it,” said Robinson, 29. “They're doing something about it and letting the officers know it's not OK for you to go out and speed and do what you want to do.”
Proctor, who has been cited three times for speeding in North Carolina, was driving his patrol car on Old Statesville Road on March 29 and collided with a 1991 Ford Escort. Robinson, the driver of the Escort, died at the scene. Three passengers in her car and Proctor were injured.
Proctor was en route to assist another officer who had made a routine traffic stop. Police Chief Rodney Monroe said Proctor was driving over 90mph with the siren off. The speed limit on that part of Old Statesville Road is 45.
Investigators said they received conflicting statements on whether Proctor had his emergency blue lights on. But police said an in-car camera that starts automatically when the blue lights come on never activated.
N.C. law and department rules require that officers obey posted speed limits unless their vehicle's blue lights and siren are activated.
Proctor has been on paid leave as police do an internal investigation into the wreck.
“This is a most tragic incident for both the Robinson family and the Proctor family, who, along with their friends and relatives, have been impacted the most,” police said in a statement Thursday.
Police and prosecutors on Thursday didn't have statistics on how many times officers have been involved in fatal wrecks. But they recalled only two other cases in which officers were charged in several decades.
District Attorney Peter Gilchrist declined to comment on the case against Proctor.
“We do not discuss the facts in pending cases,” he said.
Proctor has been ticketed for speeding three times, according to court records, twice before he became an officer.
In June 2007, he was stopped in Cleveland County and accused of driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to court records. The charge was later reduced to driving 44 mph in a 35mph zone and a clerk waived the case, documents show.
In October 2005, authorities in Gaston County stopped Proctor for driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to court documents. The charge was later reduced to 74 mph in a 60 mph zone. Proctor received a prayer for judgment, which typically means the driver admits to an infraction, but does not receive points on their driver's license. Proctor paid $110 in court costs, records show
In the third case, Proctor was cited for driving 30 mph in a 20 mph zone in 2003 in Cleveland County, records show. He paid a fine and court costs, records show.
Proctor, who works in the department's north division, has not had any complaints lodged against him and has never been disciplined by his superiors since becoming an officer, officials said.
CMPD said it conducted a background check on Proctor in February 2007 and hired him the next month.
The department looks into the driving histories of all prospective officers during background searches, officials said. A history of speeding tickets does not automatically disqualify a candidate from becoming an officer. But offenses such as driving while impaired, negligent accidents, incidents of road rage and recent violations could disqualify a job candidate, they said.
Sworn officers are not required to inform the department of speeding tickets they get on their own time. If their license is suspended or revoked or if they are cited for a crime more serious than speeding, such as drunken driving, they must inform the department.
On Thursday, Crystal Robinson said the family hasn't heard from Proctor.
“We forgive him, but it's hard to forget,” she said. “You have to believe in God – that's the only way. If you didn't you'd be angry forever.”
Proctor, 24, turned himself in just after noon and was fingerprinted, photographed and released on $10,000 bond.
Proctor's attorney George Laughrun wouldn't discuss the case, but said: “We are going to plead not guilty – absolutely not guilty – to involuntary manslaughter.”
Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by 10 months to nearly five years in prison, and is generally defined an unintentional killing stemming from recklessness, negligence or an unlawful act.
Shatona Robinson was a popular cafe worker at The Pines retirement home in Davidson, where residents recalled her compassion and sunny nature.
Her cousin Crystal Robinson said she thinks the charge is fair. She'd feared Proctor might not be prosecuted.
“I was surprised and relieved they're actually taking care of it,” said Robinson, 29. “They're doing something about it and letting the officers know it's not OK for you to go out and speed and do what you want to do.”
Proctor, who has been cited three times for speeding in North Carolina, was driving his patrol car on Old Statesville Road on March 29 and collided with a 1991 Ford Escort. Robinson, the driver of the Escort, died at the scene. Three passengers in her car and Proctor were injured.
Proctor was en route to assist another officer who had made a routine traffic stop. Police Chief Rodney Monroe said Proctor was driving over 90mph with the siren off. The speed limit on that part of Old Statesville Road is 45.
Investigators said they received conflicting statements on whether Proctor had his emergency blue lights on. But police said an in-car camera that starts automatically when the blue lights come on never activated.
N.C. law and department rules require that officers obey posted speed limits unless their vehicle's blue lights and siren are activated.
Proctor has been on paid leave as police do an internal investigation into the wreck.
“This is a most tragic incident for both the Robinson family and the Proctor family, who, along with their friends and relatives, have been impacted the most,” police said in a statement Thursday.
Police and prosecutors on Thursday didn't have statistics on how many times officers have been involved in fatal wrecks. But they recalled only two other cases in which officers were charged in several decades.
District Attorney Peter Gilchrist declined to comment on the case against Proctor.
“We do not discuss the facts in pending cases,” he said.
Proctor has been ticketed for speeding three times, according to court records, twice before he became an officer.
In June 2007, he was stopped in Cleveland County and accused of driving 63 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to court records. The charge was later reduced to driving 44 mph in a 35mph zone and a clerk waived the case, documents show.
In October 2005, authorities in Gaston County stopped Proctor for driving 86 mph in a 60 mph zone, according to court documents. The charge was later reduced to 74 mph in a 60 mph zone. Proctor received a prayer for judgment, which typically means the driver admits to an infraction, but does not receive points on their driver's license. Proctor paid $110 in court costs, records show
In the third case, Proctor was cited for driving 30 mph in a 20 mph zone in 2003 in Cleveland County, records show. He paid a fine and court costs, records show.
Proctor, who works in the department's north division, has not had any complaints lodged against him and has never been disciplined by his superiors since becoming an officer, officials said.
CMPD said it conducted a background check on Proctor in February 2007 and hired him the next month.
The department looks into the driving histories of all prospective officers during background searches, officials said. A history of speeding tickets does not automatically disqualify a candidate from becoming an officer. But offenses such as driving while impaired, negligent accidents, incidents of road rage and recent violations could disqualify a job candidate, they said.
Sworn officers are not required to inform the department of speeding tickets they get on their own time. If their license is suspended or revoked or if they are cited for a crime more serious than speeding, such as drunken driving, they must inform the department.
On Thursday, Crystal Robinson said the family hasn't heard from Proctor.
“We forgive him, but it's hard to forget,” she said. “You have to believe in God – that's the only way. If you didn't you'd be angry forever.”
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Sgt. Burney Hayes Accused of Biting Teen on Nose
A Lake Wales police officer who was named the 2008 Public Servant of the Year by the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce has been charged with biting a teenager's nose.
As a lieutenant last year, Lake Wales police Sgt. Burney Hayes received the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Public Servant of the Year award. Saturday, Sgt. Burney Hayes, 48, who is also a coach for the Lake Wales High School junior varsity team, is accused of biting a player's nose during a football game in Winter Haven on Oct. 16, 2008.
According to the State Attorney's Office, which received the complaint on March 2, Hayes denied biting the student but said he placed his teeth over the student's nose.
"But I did not bite because if you are talking you can't bite," Hayes said, according to the complaint affidavit.
When a State Attorney's Office investigator called Hayes on April 17, Hayes said he didn't understand why the State Attorney's Office was looking into the matter because he was acting like a coach that night, the affidavit states.
The student who allegedly was bitten stated that Hayes had previously disciplined him by slapping him on the head. Despite these incidents, the student stated that Hayes has done a lot for him and considers him a positive role model, according to the affidavit.
Hayes told an attorney while under oath that he was at the game in a coaching position and what he did during halftime was a "motivating factor for a group of young men who were whining."
He said the team was losing 21-7 at halftime but later won the game "when everybody stopped whining and started playing."
According to the affidavit, the student at the center of the alleged incident acknowledged that he was bitten and that he stated he was scared, embarrassed and mad for a short time, but forgot about the incident.
Four of the seven students interviewed as witnesses claimed they saw the biting incident and three of them claimed they saw teeth marks.
One student said he was "intimidated by what Coach Hayes did and backed up because he did not want it to happen to him," according to the affidavit.
"He stated that he felt it could happen to him or any other player if they got out of line," the affidavit states. "He stated that Coach Hayes could 'snap at any given time and get super mad quick.' "
Lake Wales Police Chief Herb Gillis said Hayes has been placed on administrative leave. Hayes' hearing on this case is set for May 20.
Hayes recently was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant because of insubordinate behavior against Gillis, the police chief said.
Hayes appealed the demotion with Lake Wales City Manager Tony Otte, but a hearing determined the discipline was appropriate, Gillis said.
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http://www.theledger.com/article/20090423/NEWS/904235078/1338?Title=Coach-Had-Faced-Other-Reprimands
As a lieutenant last year, Lake Wales police Sgt. Burney Hayes received the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Public Servant of the Year award. Saturday, Sgt. Burney Hayes, 48, who is also a coach for the Lake Wales High School junior varsity team, is accused of biting a player's nose during a football game in Winter Haven on Oct. 16, 2008.
According to the State Attorney's Office, which received the complaint on March 2, Hayes denied biting the student but said he placed his teeth over the student's nose.
"But I did not bite because if you are talking you can't bite," Hayes said, according to the complaint affidavit.
When a State Attorney's Office investigator called Hayes on April 17, Hayes said he didn't understand why the State Attorney's Office was looking into the matter because he was acting like a coach that night, the affidavit states.
The student who allegedly was bitten stated that Hayes had previously disciplined him by slapping him on the head. Despite these incidents, the student stated that Hayes has done a lot for him and considers him a positive role model, according to the affidavit.
Hayes told an attorney while under oath that he was at the game in a coaching position and what he did during halftime was a "motivating factor for a group of young men who were whining."
He said the team was losing 21-7 at halftime but later won the game "when everybody stopped whining and started playing."
According to the affidavit, the student at the center of the alleged incident acknowledged that he was bitten and that he stated he was scared, embarrassed and mad for a short time, but forgot about the incident.
Four of the seven students interviewed as witnesses claimed they saw the biting incident and three of them claimed they saw teeth marks.
One student said he was "intimidated by what Coach Hayes did and backed up because he did not want it to happen to him," according to the affidavit.
"He stated that he felt it could happen to him or any other player if they got out of line," the affidavit states. "He stated that Coach Hayes could 'snap at any given time and get super mad quick.' "
Lake Wales Police Chief Herb Gillis said Hayes has been placed on administrative leave. Hayes' hearing on this case is set for May 20.
Hayes recently was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant because of insubordinate behavior against Gillis, the police chief said.
Hayes appealed the demotion with Lake Wales City Manager Tony Otte, but a hearing determined the discipline was appropriate, Gillis said.
---------------------------------
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090423/NEWS/904235078/1338?Title=Coach-Had-Faced-Other-Reprimands
Sgt. Jeff Reagan Arrested for DUI
A veteran South Lake Tahoe police officer has been placed on administrative leave after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
The Nevada Highway Patrol says Sgt. Jeff Reagan was off duty when he was stopped early the morning of April 16 in Carson City, Nev., by a trooper.
NHP spokesman Chuck Allen says preliminary tests indicate Reagan's blood alcohol content was about 0.12 percent—1 1/2 times the legal limit.
Reagan, who works in the detective division, also is the subject of an internal affairs investigation by Police Chief Terry Daniels.
In 2005, Reagan was charged with domestic battery after being accused of pushing his wife out the back door of their home in Minden. But the charge was later dropped.
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Information: http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090424/NEWS/904239969/1056/NONE&parentprofile=1056
The Nevada Highway Patrol says Sgt. Jeff Reagan was off duty when he was stopped early the morning of April 16 in Carson City, Nev., by a trooper.
NHP spokesman Chuck Allen says preliminary tests indicate Reagan's blood alcohol content was about 0.12 percent—1 1/2 times the legal limit.
Reagan, who works in the detective division, also is the subject of an internal affairs investigation by Police Chief Terry Daniels.
In 2005, Reagan was charged with domestic battery after being accused of pushing his wife out the back door of their home in Minden. But the charge was later dropped.
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Information: http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090424/NEWS/904239969/1056/NONE&parentprofile=1056
Correctional Officer Kenon Arnold Charged with Sexual Contact with Inmate
A correctional officer at the Hamilton County Workhouse has been indicted by the Hamilton County Grand Jury for having sex with a female prisoner.
Kenon Dontae Arnold, an employee of the Corrections Corporation of America, is charged with having sexual contact with an inmate.
The indictment says on Dec. 9 he "did unlawfully engage in sexual contact or sexual penetration" with the female prisoner.
Arnold, 28, of 5220 Hickory Woods Lane in Hixson, had no prior record except for a seat belt case and for having a loud muffler.
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Kenon Dontae Arnold, an employee of the Corrections Corporation of America, is charged with having sexual contact with an inmate.
The indictment says on Dec. 9 he "did unlawfully engage in sexual contact or sexual penetration" with the female prisoner.
Arnold, 28, of 5220 Hickory Woods Lane in Hixson, had no prior record except for a seat belt case and for having a loud muffler.
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