A former Prince George's County police officer was sentenced Monday to more than four years in prison for possession of child pornography, federal authorities said.
David J. LaRose, 35, of Lusby had acknowledged that he purchased child pornography from Web sites in 2006 and 2007, authorities said. LaRose, who was convicted in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, last worked as a patrol officer assigned to the Oxon Hill station.
LaRose, who had joined the Prince George's police in 1996, was suspended with pay in March 2008 pending the investigation.
U.S. District Judge Alexander Williams Jr. ordered LaRose to serve 51 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He also will be required to register as a sex offender.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Detective Bradley Hedrick Arrested for Domestic Violence
A detective with the Carmel Police Department has been punished following his arrest over the weekend.
Officers in Noblesville were called to Det. Bradley Hedrick's residence Saturday, where he was taken into custody for domestic battery. He has been with the Carmel Police Department for 18 years.
Det. Hedrick is on administrative leave pending an internal investigation by the department.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Man Dies After Being Tasered
An investigation is underway into the death of a man who was repeatedly tasered by an L.A. County Sheriff's deputy.
The man died after he was shocked three times by a deputy with an electric stun gun Wednesday night at the North Hollywood Red Line Subway.
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says the man, who was not immediately identified, was stopped by deputies and asked repeatedly if he had a ticket.
When the man didn't answer, a deputy grabbed the man's hands to stop and question him. A struggle ensued and the man broke free, Whitmore said. He then reportedly raised clenched fists and charged the deputy several times. He was tasered, then shocked two more times when he got up and charged at the deputy again.
Whitmore says deputies recovered a glass crack pipe that fell out of the man's pocket during the scuffle.
The man died after he was shocked three times by a deputy with an electric stun gun Wednesday night at the North Hollywood Red Line Subway.
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says the man, who was not immediately identified, was stopped by deputies and asked repeatedly if he had a ticket.
When the man didn't answer, a deputy grabbed the man's hands to stop and question him. A struggle ensued and the man broke free, Whitmore said. He then reportedly raised clenched fists and charged the deputy several times. He was tasered, then shocked two more times when he got up and charged at the deputy again.
Whitmore says deputies recovered a glass crack pipe that fell out of the man's pocket during the scuffle.
Former Sgt. Chris Doles Now Arrested for Domestic Assault
An altercation with his ex-wife has landed a former Waco police officer in jail for the second time in a week.
Former Sgt. Chris Doles bonded out of McLennan County Jail on Thursday, just six days after being arrested in connection with the Waco police double-dipping scandal.
Doles, 43, was among a list of several former officers who were accused of taking double pay from the department and from the Waco Housing Authority where they served as security guards.
Police say less than two hours after his release last Friday, Dole was involved in a dispute with his ex-wife that resulted in his arrest on a Class A misdemeanor assault-family violence charge.
An affidavit filed by Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton to support Doles' arrest stated Doles' ex-wife, Tamara Bott, told police the incident happened as she was attempting to get a child-support check from Doles in the parking lot at Gold's Gym parking on W. Waco Dr.
The assault resulted in injury to Bott's hand, according to the report.
Another person who was there at the time confirmed the assault had taken place.
Former Sgt. Chris Doles bonded out of McLennan County Jail on Thursday, just six days after being arrested in connection with the Waco police double-dipping scandal.
Doles, 43, was among a list of several former officers who were accused of taking double pay from the department and from the Waco Housing Authority where they served as security guards.
Police say less than two hours after his release last Friday, Dole was involved in a dispute with his ex-wife that resulted in his arrest on a Class A misdemeanor assault-family violence charge.
An affidavit filed by Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton to support Doles' arrest stated Doles' ex-wife, Tamara Bott, told police the incident happened as she was attempting to get a child-support check from Doles in the parking lot at Gold's Gym parking on W. Waco Dr.
The assault resulted in injury to Bott's hand, according to the report.
Another person who was there at the time confirmed the assault had taken place.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Officer Courtney Crooks Arrested for Harassment
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Grand Junction Police Department officer Friday afternoon on suspicion of misdemeanor harassment.
The Sheriff’s Department received an arrest warrant for police officer Courtney Crooks on Thursday, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.
Crooks was not booked into Mesa County Jail. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to the Police Department.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Department’s criminal investigation, the Police Department is conducting two internal investigations that involve Crooks, according to a police spokeswoman Kate Porras.
“This is something we take very seriously, and we will make sure each allegation is thoroughly investigated. Once the facts are known we will take the appropriate action,” Police Chief Bill Gardner said in a news release.
Crooks was born in Hartford, Conn., attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida, received his associate degree in law enforcement in May 2006 and became a police cadet in Grand Junction two years ago, according to a June 2007 Police Department newsletter. He is 24 years old, according to his MySpace.com page.
An arrest affidavit was not immediately available Friday evening from the Sheriff’s Department.
The Police Department was not able to elaborate on the internal investigations Friday because they are considered a “personnel matter,” the news release said.
-------------------------------
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/08/29/082909_1A_Crooks_arrested.html
The Sheriff’s Department received an arrest warrant for police officer Courtney Crooks on Thursday, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.
Crooks was not booked into Mesa County Jail. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to the Police Department.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Department’s criminal investigation, the Police Department is conducting two internal investigations that involve Crooks, according to a police spokeswoman Kate Porras.
“This is something we take very seriously, and we will make sure each allegation is thoroughly investigated. Once the facts are known we will take the appropriate action,” Police Chief Bill Gardner said in a news release.
Crooks was born in Hartford, Conn., attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida, received his associate degree in law enforcement in May 2006 and became a police cadet in Grand Junction two years ago, according to a June 2007 Police Department newsletter. He is 24 years old, according to his MySpace.com page.
An arrest affidavit was not immediately available Friday evening from the Sheriff’s Department.
The Police Department was not able to elaborate on the internal investigations Friday because they are considered a “personnel matter,” the news release said.
-------------------------------
http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/08/29/082909_1A_Crooks_arrested.html
Deputy John Harvey Arrested for DUI After He Hit Police Car
A Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested for DUI after he struck a police car last night. The police car was a marked vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Deputy John Harvey for rear-ending a police car early Saturday morning. Immediately following the fender-bender, Harvey attempted to flee the scene.
Officers located his vehicle shortly after and pulled him over for suspicion of DUI. He was eventually booked with charges of DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash. He was off-duty and in a personal vehicle at the time of the accident.
Leaving the scene of an accident in Florida is a misdemeanor in the second degree. This is the officer's first DUI offense, so he will additionally be charged with misdemeanor DUI. He will likely face a 6 to 12 month license suspension and fines.
Harvey works in the civil section of the sheriffs office. This typically means he would be responsible for filing and serving of papers that originate in the sheriff's office. This sections also executes court orders. There are both field jobs and administrative jobs within the civil section. There is no information as to whether Harvey works in the field or in an administrative capacity.
He has served the sheriff's office for 12 years. There has been no comment thus far regarding how long he will remain on administrative leave. Sheriff's employees typically face a criminal investigation and prosecution as well as one carried out by their employer.
The Internal Affairs investigation carried out by the employer will determine whether Harvey broke agency policies and how he should be held accountable.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Deputy John Harvey for rear-ending a police car early Saturday morning. Immediately following the fender-bender, Harvey attempted to flee the scene.
Officers located his vehicle shortly after and pulled him over for suspicion of DUI. He was eventually booked with charges of DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash. He was off-duty and in a personal vehicle at the time of the accident.
Leaving the scene of an accident in Florida is a misdemeanor in the second degree. This is the officer's first DUI offense, so he will additionally be charged with misdemeanor DUI. He will likely face a 6 to 12 month license suspension and fines.
Harvey works in the civil section of the sheriffs office. This typically means he would be responsible for filing and serving of papers that originate in the sheriff's office. This sections also executes court orders. There are both field jobs and administrative jobs within the civil section. There is no information as to whether Harvey works in the field or in an administrative capacity.
He has served the sheriff's office for 12 years. There has been no comment thus far regarding how long he will remain on administrative leave. Sheriff's employees typically face a criminal investigation and prosecution as well as one carried out by their employer.
The Internal Affairs investigation carried out by the employer will determine whether Harvey broke agency policies and how he should be held accountable.
Joe Rocha Charged with Possession of Child Porn
The Travis County Sheriff's Office filed charges on one of its own Friday.
Joe Rocha, 44, was taken into custody by the sheriff's deputies and charged with Possession of Child Pornography.
Rocha was most recently a Corrections Officer for the county.
The Sheriff's Office was tipped off on Tuesday that an employee was involved in illegal activities. Search warrants revealed several images on Rocha's computer that appeared to depict child pornography.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Rocha has been fired.
Possession of Child Pornography is a 3rd Degree Felony, punishable by two to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division and up to $10,000.00 in fines.
The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the case.
Officer Aaron Pepion Arrested for Having Sex with Young Girl
A Blackfeet police officer who resigned three weeks ago has been arrested on allegations that he had sex with a young girl.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Aaron Pepion is being held without bail. Pepion was in court before a magistrate Wednesday in Missoula and will be in court again today on a bond hearing.
Prosecutors say Pepion had sex in April with a girl who was born in 1994. No age was listed for Pepion in his charging documents.
Blackfeet Tribal Department of Public Safety Director Henry Devereaux says the FBI investigated Pepion in July and he resigned three weeks ago. Devereaux says Pepion had been an officer for about a year when officials began investigating the allegations against him.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Aaron Pepion is being held without bail. Pepion was in court before a magistrate Wednesday in Missoula and will be in court again today on a bond hearing.
Prosecutors say Pepion had sex in April with a girl who was born in 1994. No age was listed for Pepion in his charging documents.
Blackfeet Tribal Department of Public Safety Director Henry Devereaux says the FBI investigated Pepion in July and he resigned three weeks ago. Devereaux says Pepion had been an officer for about a year when officials began investigating the allegations against him.
Ex-Officer Frank Drummond Arrested for Molesting Two Teens
Authorities have arrested an ex-police officer for allegedly molesting two teenage girls at his Modesto home.
Modesto Police Department Sgt. Brian Findlen said Francisco "Frank" Drummond, 41, was arrested early Friday morning at Modesto Junior College where he's currently employed as an intructor. Drummond had recently resigned as a reserve police officer for the Ripon Police Department.
Findlen said he previously worked for the Patterson Police Department and the Modesto Police Department from 1994 to 2000.
Findlen said the two female victims were friends of Drummond's teenage daughter. The Modesto Police department was investigating Drummond after officers were dispatched to his home in the 900 block of Wellesley Drive on the evening of August 22.
The investigation suggests that the suspect touched each of the girls in a sexual nature while at his home, said Findlen. The investigation continued through the week and ended with Drummond's arrest Friday.
Drummond has been booked at the Stanislaus County Jail for felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14 and with a 14 or 15-year-old minor. His bail was set at $75,000.
Findlen said Modesto Police Department detectives have alerted officials at Modesto Junior College and the Ripon Police Department of the circumstances surrounding this case.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Judge Patrick McKay Arrested for DUI
An Anchorage superior court judge has been arrested for driving under the influence.
Police say Judge Patrick McKay was pulled over on the Glenn Highway for a traffic stop Thursday around 9 p.m., and the officer found him to be under the influence.
He was released on a $500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 14.
Police say Judge Patrick McKay was pulled over on the Glenn Highway for a traffic stop Thursday around 9 p.m., and the officer found him to be under the influence.
He was released on a $500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 14.
Officer Jennifer Cackler & Dispatchers Fired for Egging House
A Dallas area police officer and three dispatchers have been fired over the egging of the house of a resident known to file complaints.
Carrollton Police Chief David James on Thursday said the May 9 incident led to the firing of Officer Jennifer Cackler, plus dispatchers Laura Anderson, Ashley Cackler and Laken Schifelbein.
James said the terminations happened following an internal investigation of the off-duty incident.
No charges were immediately filed in the misdemeanor criminal mischief investigation.
The Carrollton home of Steven Benzer was pelted with eggs. Benzer said he believes a female neighbor, the target of some of his complaints, is friends with the officer.
No decision was immediately announced on whether the fired employees plan to appeal.
Carrollton Police Chief David James on Thursday said the May 9 incident led to the firing of Officer Jennifer Cackler, plus dispatchers Laura Anderson, Ashley Cackler and Laken Schifelbein.
James said the terminations happened following an internal investigation of the off-duty incident.
No charges were immediately filed in the misdemeanor criminal mischief investigation.
The Carrollton home of Steven Benzer was pelted with eggs. Benzer said he believes a female neighbor, the target of some of his complaints, is friends with the officer.
No decision was immediately announced on whether the fired employees plan to appeal.
Officer Lowell Duke Arrested on Drug Charges
Memphis Police say a tip during a routine traffic stop ended with Officer Lowell Duke being indicted on drug charges. Federal agents say Duke was part of a drug operation that worked the Lamar and Cherry area. Ten people including Duke are now facing charges.
Police would not give details about Duke's role in the operation, and would not say if other officers could be involved. Federal agents will say that the operation was sophisticated. Certain people worked security, others transported the drugs. Some were sellers and others were stashers.
Police say Duke has been under investigation for several months. During that time he was been off the streets on “desk duty.” Duke told Eyewitness News he would not comment on his arrest.
Police Director Larry Godwin says “There are good police officers out there. This is a guy that chose to go the wrong way.” Godwin admits this is a blemish on the department saying, “I know it doesn’t look good for the department, but on the other hand, we are taking care of our business.”
And Godwin points out this investigation was started by police officers, “ You’ve got good cops, locking up a bad cop.”
--------------------------
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/082809_Memphis_Police_Officer_Charged_in_Drug_Investigatio
Police would not give details about Duke's role in the operation, and would not say if other officers could be involved. Federal agents will say that the operation was sophisticated. Certain people worked security, others transported the drugs. Some were sellers and others were stashers.
Police say Duke has been under investigation for several months. During that time he was been off the streets on “desk duty.” Duke told Eyewitness News he would not comment on his arrest.
Police Director Larry Godwin says “There are good police officers out there. This is a guy that chose to go the wrong way.” Godwin admits this is a blemish on the department saying, “I know it doesn’t look good for the department, but on the other hand, we are taking care of our business.”
And Godwin points out this investigation was started by police officers, “ You’ve got good cops, locking up a bad cop.”
--------------------------
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/082809_Memphis_Police_Officer_Charged_in_Drug_Investigatio
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Two Deputies in Trouble for Stealing Lobsters
An Orange County sheriff's deputy has been charged with misdemeanor lobster poaching, while a former deputy is accused of trying to obstruct an investigation to protect his friend and colleague.
District attorney's officials say Deputy William Robb was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of having 13 undersized spiny lobsters during an off-duty fishing trip with two other deputies last November.
The law allows a maximum of seven lobsters per person, which must measure at least 3 1/4 inches.
Phillip Glenn Romero is charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer, a state Fish and Game warden who confronted the pair in Dana Point Harbor.
Prosecutors say Romero told the game warden that Robb was a confidential informant for the sheriff.
District attorney's officials say Deputy William Robb was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of having 13 undersized spiny lobsters during an off-duty fishing trip with two other deputies last November.
The law allows a maximum of seven lobsters per person, which must measure at least 3 1/4 inches.
Phillip Glenn Romero is charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer, a state Fish and Game warden who confronted the pair in Dana Point Harbor.
Prosecutors say Romero told the game warden that Robb was a confidential informant for the sheriff.
Former Officer Michael Burch Arrested for Making Meth
A former Bennington police officer is behind bars following an arrest for methamphetamine manufacture, authorities said this morning.
Michael Shane Burch, 34, Bennington, was booked into jail late Wednesday afternoon for suspicion of methamphetamine manufacture and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Deputies said he was arrested at a residence east of Bennington and that he had items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine inside a diaper bag.
Another person, Jessica Kay Saddler, 21, Bennington, was arrested for endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine, according to jail records.
Burch had been a Bennington police officer in the late 1990s, according to court records.
No one answered the telephone at the Bennington Police Department this morning.
The Bryan County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force was preparing an affidavit at press time on the arrests and additional details were not available.
In other crime news, a man stole a 30-pack of beer this morning after the store clerk told him he could not purchase it because it was after legal hours.
According to a report by Durant Police Patrolman Drew Hale, the man placed the beer on the front counter at EZ Mart on Washington Avenue. He grabbed the beer and ran after the clerk told him it was after 2 a.m.
The store has video surveillance that the clerk said would be available from the store’s manager.
Patrolman Scott Phelps arrested a man at Walmart Wednesday morning who was walking around the store eating a package of meat he had picked up at the deli. Police were dispatched to the store called about an intoxicated person. When Phelps arrived, he found a 33-year-old man and saw a half-empty bottle of vodka in a pants pocket.
Phelps also found a camera that the man had concealed, plus two mosquito repellent devices attached to his belt, according to the report.
A manager told Phelps that the man also took a package of sandwich meat and was eating it while walking around the store. He was booked into jail.
Also at Walmart on Wednesday, Patrolman Damon Lewis arrested a woman store personnel had seen put drill bits in her purse and drink a soda pop without paying for it.
Officer Sgt Eddie Webb Accused of Beating Teen With Flashlight
An Upstate officer accused of beating a teen with a flashlight has been fired and is now under investigation.
Veteran Sgt. Eddie Webb was fired from the Honea Path Police Department after the police chief saw the video of the incident.
In his report, Webb said several young people were driving an all-terrain vehicle without lights and wouldn't pull over, even when the officer turned on his siren.
From dashcam video, Webb can be seen using a flashlight to knock a teenage suspect off the ATV. The 16-year-old was hit two more times before Webb pulled out his handcuffs.
It was Aug. 15 when the teenagers were first spotted on Sanders Street at 3 a.m. When Webb's blue lights came on, dashcam video showed that the teenagers didn't stop, but they did pull over for a moment.
A chase lasted for about two minutes. Webb's report said the teenagers ran four stop signs and, when the driver pulled over, the report said the ATV was still running and in a position to "pull back off." That's when Webb said he pushed the teenager off the vehicle.
Webb's report said he hit the teenager in a "straight baton technique to gain compliance" and that he found a "BB pistol" on the driver.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the Honea Path police chief wasn't able to go on camera but gave a statement to News 4.
"We have dealt with this situation that occurred on Aug. 15," the chief said. "Sgt. Webb was relieved of duty from the town of Honea Path on Aug. 17. Our findings in this case were forwarded to SLED and Solicitor Chrissy Adams. Because we're dealing with a personnel issue, there's no further comment."
Webb had been with the department for six years but was in law enforcement for about 20, according to the town.
SLED is investigating to determine if Webb should face charges.
Legally, police could only release the name of one of the four suspects because the other three are underage.
Veteran Sgt. Eddie Webb was fired from the Honea Path Police Department after the police chief saw the video of the incident.
In his report, Webb said several young people were driving an all-terrain vehicle without lights and wouldn't pull over, even when the officer turned on his siren.
From dashcam video, Webb can be seen using a flashlight to knock a teenage suspect off the ATV. The 16-year-old was hit two more times before Webb pulled out his handcuffs.
It was Aug. 15 when the teenagers were first spotted on Sanders Street at 3 a.m. When Webb's blue lights came on, dashcam video showed that the teenagers didn't stop, but they did pull over for a moment.
A chase lasted for about two minutes. Webb's report said the teenagers ran four stop signs and, when the driver pulled over, the report said the ATV was still running and in a position to "pull back off." That's when Webb said he pushed the teenager off the vehicle.
Webb's report said he hit the teenager in a "straight baton technique to gain compliance" and that he found a "BB pistol" on the driver.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the Honea Path police chief wasn't able to go on camera but gave a statement to News 4.
"We have dealt with this situation that occurred on Aug. 15," the chief said. "Sgt. Webb was relieved of duty from the town of Honea Path on Aug. 17. Our findings in this case were forwarded to SLED and Solicitor Chrissy Adams. Because we're dealing with a personnel issue, there's no further comment."
Webb had been with the department for six years but was in law enforcement for about 20, according to the town.
SLED is investigating to determine if Webb should face charges.
Legally, police could only release the name of one of the four suspects because the other three are underage.
Former Officer Calvin Schaffer Accepts Plea Deal
A former Goddard police officer accused of sending naked pictures of himself from a police department computer to a woman he had arrested apparently will accept a plea deal.
U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch told a federal judge Thursday during a hearing that he anticipated the case against Calvin Schaffer would be resolved with a plea agreement.
A change of plea hearing was set for Sept. 2 before U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown.
Prosecutors say Schaffer offered to seek dismissal of drunken driving charges against a Wichita woman in exchange for a sexual relationship.
The 44-year-old former officer was charged with one count of wire fraud after the woman, Angelique Mason, went to investigators with secretly recorded tapes.
Defense attorney Roger Falk and Schaffer declined comment.
U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch told a federal judge Thursday during a hearing that he anticipated the case against Calvin Schaffer would be resolved with a plea agreement.
A change of plea hearing was set for Sept. 2 before U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown.
Prosecutors say Schaffer offered to seek dismissal of drunken driving charges against a Wichita woman in exchange for a sexual relationship.
The 44-year-old former officer was charged with one count of wire fraud after the woman, Angelique Mason, went to investigators with secretly recorded tapes.
Defense attorney Roger Falk and Schaffer declined comment.
Officer Jason Rozacky Broke into Woman's Home & Assault Her
A San Antonio police officer has been arrested and accused of burglary and assault.
Investigators say Officer Jason Rozacky broke into a woman's home back on August 20th and assaulted her.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the 36-year-old officer made harassing phone calls and sent text messages to the woman that afteroon after she told him she did not want to see him that night and had other plans. The calls and messages continued throughout the evening as the woman and a guest had dinner.
Investigators say Rozacky then showed up at the woman's home around 10 p.m. and began banging on the front door. Police say after the woman refused to answer the door, Rozacky searched the exterior of the home, found a hidden key, and used it to enter the woman's home. The woman told police Rozacky charged at her after she pulled a gun and ordered him out of her house. After a brief struggle over the gun, the woman said Rozacky let her go and left her home.
The woman suffered minor injuries.
Rozacky now faces "burglary with the intent to commit assault" charges.
Sgt. Diron Carter Accused of Shooting into Crowd of People
The attorney of a police officer accused of pulling the trigger in a drive-by shooting said her client is innocent regardless of what the District Attorney has said.
Pattye High is the attorney for Sergeant Diron Carter who is accused of firing a shot at a crowd of people outside of Night Trips Club on June 16.
High said her client did not fire a shot that night and that Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater's words are ruining her client. Prater was quoted calling Carter and Officer Michael McKethan, who has also been charged in the incident, "gangbangers"
She said that has unfairly labeled Carter as a criminal.
"I think it's unfortunate that people would go on TV and call someone who they charged but who has not been proving to do anything wrong a ‘gangbanger,'" High said.
But according to the probable cause affidavit, Carter admitted to firing a shot outside of Night Trips Club.
The report states Carter called the incident an "accidental shooting," something Carter's attorney said is by no means an admission of guilt.
"He categorically and unequivocally denies that he did what he is charged with," High said.
But while High said her client is innocent, she also said she has yet to get any of the documents about the case from the District Attorney's office.
"If they are so certain my client did these acts, why won't they provide the information to him and to me so we can start the process of evaluating this case?" High said.
High said she thinks the case has been a witch hunt to destroy her client.
"In this country we are presumed innocent until we're proving guilty regardless of what people say in press conferences," High said.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Officer Corey Yocum Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse
A former Olney police officer was arrested on a district court warrant alleging two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Corey J. Yocum was arrested by the Dallas Police Department on Friday and held on a $100,000 bond.
According to two indictments issued by a Young County grand jury in May, Yocum intentionally caused a child under the age of 17 to touch him and he allegedly touched the girl in sexual manners. At the time of the alleged offense, Oct. 24, 2008, Yocum was a police officer in Olney.
“We received the allegation and forwarded it to an impartial agency to investigate,” said Randall Davis, chief of the Olney Police Department. “That investigation led to him being indicted. It’s embarrassing that it happened to us. We have every intention of policing ourselves, as well as the community.”
Jim Reeves, the investigator for 90th Judicial District Attorney Brenda Gray, said when he learned Yocum was still at large and might be in the Dallas area, he asked for help in finding the man who police have been looking for since May.
“I saw the guy hadn’t been arrested, and he had been indicted in May,” Reeves said. “I picked up the phone and contacted a Texas Ranger, Sgt. Eric Casper. Casper put out the information to his contacts in Dallas. As a result, he was arrested by the Child Sex Exploitation Unit of the Dallas PD.”
Yocum was taken to the Dallas County Jail on Friday and was transported to Young County on Monday. He is currently being held in the Young County Jail
Corey J. Yocum was arrested by the Dallas Police Department on Friday and held on a $100,000 bond.
According to two indictments issued by a Young County grand jury in May, Yocum intentionally caused a child under the age of 17 to touch him and he allegedly touched the girl in sexual manners. At the time of the alleged offense, Oct. 24, 2008, Yocum was a police officer in Olney.
“We received the allegation and forwarded it to an impartial agency to investigate,” said Randall Davis, chief of the Olney Police Department. “That investigation led to him being indicted. It’s embarrassing that it happened to us. We have every intention of policing ourselves, as well as the community.”
Jim Reeves, the investigator for 90th Judicial District Attorney Brenda Gray, said when he learned Yocum was still at large and might be in the Dallas area, he asked for help in finding the man who police have been looking for since May.
“I saw the guy hadn’t been arrested, and he had been indicted in May,” Reeves said. “I picked up the phone and contacted a Texas Ranger, Sgt. Eric Casper. Casper put out the information to his contacts in Dallas. As a result, he was arrested by the Child Sex Exploitation Unit of the Dallas PD.”
Yocum was taken to the Dallas County Jail on Friday and was transported to Young County on Monday. He is currently being held in the Young County Jail
Former Houston Officer & others Arrested for Sex Trafficking
A sex trade ring in which young girls were allegedly pistol-whipped and forced from their homes into sexual slavery was broken up in Houston this week and several suspects are in custody.
Five people, including a former Houston police officer, were arrested in the largest sex trafficking case in Texas' southern district, MyFOXHouston.com reported. A sixth remains on the run.
John Butler, 47, William Hornbeak, 34, Jamine Lake, 27, Andre McDaniels, 39, and Kristen Land, 28, all of Houston, as well as Tulsa, Okla., resident Ronnie Presley, 35, are named as suspects in the case.
All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women and children for the purposes of commercialized sex; sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and other offenses, according to the station.
The five Houston residents were arrested Monday and Tuesday; Presley is still at large, MyFOXHouston.com reported.
Butler was a Houston police officer for a brief period in the 1980s, sources told the station.
The sting was the result of a joint investigation by local and federal authorities.
“It is a horrible reflection on our society when adults prey on the vulnerabilities of children and reduce them to indentured sex slaves,” U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson said in a prepared statement.
The suspects allegedly used businesses like massage parlors, modeling studios and health spas to disguise their sex trade business, according to the 16-count indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
Women and teens as young as 16 were among the victims allegedly coerced into prostitution and regularly beaten and threatened, according to the U.S. attorney's statement.
Five people, including a former Houston police officer, were arrested in the largest sex trafficking case in Texas' southern district, MyFOXHouston.com reported. A sixth remains on the run.
John Butler, 47, William Hornbeak, 34, Jamine Lake, 27, Andre McDaniels, 39, and Kristen Land, 28, all of Houston, as well as Tulsa, Okla., resident Ronnie Presley, 35, are named as suspects in the case.
All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women and children for the purposes of commercialized sex; sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and other offenses, according to the station.
The five Houston residents were arrested Monday and Tuesday; Presley is still at large, MyFOXHouston.com reported.
Butler was a Houston police officer for a brief period in the 1980s, sources told the station.
The sting was the result of a joint investigation by local and federal authorities.
“It is a horrible reflection on our society when adults prey on the vulnerabilities of children and reduce them to indentured sex slaves,” U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson said in a prepared statement.
The suspects allegedly used businesses like massage parlors, modeling studios and health spas to disguise their sex trade business, according to the 16-count indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
Women and teens as young as 16 were among the victims allegedly coerced into prostitution and regularly beaten and threatened, according to the U.S. attorney's statement.
Former Officer Robert Starling Arrested for Armed Robbery
A former Santa Rosa police officer has been arrested after police said he got away with more than $400,000 in a series of armored car robberies.
Robert Stephen Starling was arrested Monday on suspicion of armed robbery and other charges in connection with four armed robberies between April 2008 and May 2009 in Sonoma and Marin counties, said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Lisa Banayat.
Starling, 35, worked as a Santa Rosa police officer in two separate stints between 2000 and 2006.
He worked for the department from December 2000 to April 2001, then again in May 2003 to July 2006, according to Banayat.
In one of the four heists Starling is suspected of, a Brinks armored car guard was held up as he walked into a bank in Novato in April 2009.
After pointing a gun at the guard, the suspect ran off with a bank bag that turned out to be empty. There was no financial loss in the incident.
But just prior to the holdup, police received a 911 call from an unidentified caller reporting a possible kidnapping.
It was later determined that the call was false and a possible attempt to divert officers from the robbery, Banayat said.
Through a check of cell phone records, investigators were able to link the calls to Starling and a second suspect, Andrew Esslinger, 26, of Santa Rosa, according to Banayat.
Esslinger was also arrested Monday in connection with two of the robberies.
Both suspects were being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
It was not known if the two suspects had attorneys, and police did not know if a court date had been set.
----------------------------
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/25/BA1S19DIGN.DTL
Robert Stephen Starling was arrested Monday on suspicion of armed robbery and other charges in connection with four armed robberies between April 2008 and May 2009 in Sonoma and Marin counties, said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Lisa Banayat.
Starling, 35, worked as a Santa Rosa police officer in two separate stints between 2000 and 2006.
He worked for the department from December 2000 to April 2001, then again in May 2003 to July 2006, according to Banayat.
In one of the four heists Starling is suspected of, a Brinks armored car guard was held up as he walked into a bank in Novato in April 2009.
After pointing a gun at the guard, the suspect ran off with a bank bag that turned out to be empty. There was no financial loss in the incident.
But just prior to the holdup, police received a 911 call from an unidentified caller reporting a possible kidnapping.
It was later determined that the call was false and a possible attempt to divert officers from the robbery, Banayat said.
Through a check of cell phone records, investigators were able to link the calls to Starling and a second suspect, Andrew Esslinger, 26, of Santa Rosa, according to Banayat.
Esslinger was also arrested Monday in connection with two of the robberies.
Both suspects were being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
It was not known if the two suspects had attorneys, and police did not know if a court date had been set.
----------------------------
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/25/BA1S19DIGN.DTL
Cpl Eddie Jimenez & His Brother Arrested for Battery
A Cedartown police officer and his brother have bonded out of the Polk County Jail after their early-morning arrests, but both face charges.
Cpl. Eddie Jimenez, 33, of 596 Dry Creek Road, Cedartown, is charged with battery under the Family Violence Act (FVA), cruelty to children and discharging a firearm under the influence. He was released on $1,500 bond and his own recognizance at the request of Judge Whitehead, according the jail docket book.
Martin Julian Jimenez, 34, of 602 Dry Creek Road, Cedartown is charged with battery under FVA. He was released on $500 bond and his own recognizance.
Both were arrested around 5:05 a.m. this morning after Polk County police received a domestic disturbance call. Both men were arrested by the Polk County police and county police are conducting the criminal investigation, according to Cedartown Police Department Assistant Chief Jamie Newsome.
Newsome said Jimenez was a school resource officer. He is still employed with the police department for now.
"Currently, as it stands right now, he's on adminstrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation, which I've called an outside agency to conduct," Newsome said, adding that he is sticking to protocal on the matter.
"I want the citizens to feel comfortable about the intregity of the investigation," he said.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Veteran Officer Charged with Battering his Wife
A veteran Casselberry police officer was suspended from his job after being arrested today on a charge of battering his wife, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
The man's ran to a neighbor's house about 10:45 p.m. Monday with her 4-year-old daughter and said her husband had slammed her head on a kitchen counter, according to a sheriff's report.
The couple, who have been having marital problems, argued over an affair the husband had been having, the report states. The wife called his girlfriend a name, so he lifted her out of bed by the arms and carried her into the kitchen, where he slammed her into a granite countertop, investigators wrote.
The wife had a lump on the back of her head and a bruise on the inside of her bicep, a deputy said.
The Casselberry Police Department took the officer's police car, gear and gun. The Orange County Sheriff's Office took his AR-15 rifle "for safekeeping," according to a news release.
Citing union rules and Florida law, a Casselberry police spokesman would say only that the officer is suspended with pay. The Sentinel is not naming him to protect the privacy of his wife.
He was being held early Wednesday without bail in the Orange County Jail.
The man's ran to a neighbor's house about 10:45 p.m. Monday with her 4-year-old daughter and said her husband had slammed her head on a kitchen counter, according to a sheriff's report.
The couple, who have been having marital problems, argued over an affair the husband had been having, the report states. The wife called his girlfriend a name, so he lifted her out of bed by the arms and carried her into the kitchen, where he slammed her into a granite countertop, investigators wrote.
The wife had a lump on the back of her head and a bruise on the inside of her bicep, a deputy said.
The Casselberry Police Department took the officer's police car, gear and gun. The Orange County Sheriff's Office took his AR-15 rifle "for safekeeping," according to a news release.
Citing union rules and Florida law, a Casselberry police spokesman would say only that the officer is suspended with pay. The Sentinel is not naming him to protect the privacy of his wife.
He was being held early Wednesday without bail in the Orange County Jail.
Officer Henry Hollins Arrested for Punching his Wife
A veteran New Orleans police officer has been reassigned to desk duty following his arrest on a domestic battery charge, and amid two other internal investigations into other possible violations.
Henry L. Hollins, 46, was arrested last Tuesday night after punching his wife in the mouth "with a closed fist, " according to an arrest report.
Hollins, 12-year police veteran, then pushed her to the floor, causing her to hit her face, "resulting in a two-inch raised area" in the center of her forehead, the report states. He was booked with simple domestic battery into Orleans Parish Prison.
He appeared before a magistrate judge the next day, and was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail, according to court records. He posted bond and was released.
Police Department spokesman Bob Young said Tuesday night that Hollins had been reassigned to desk duty in the wake of his arrest.
Young also acknowledged that Hollins is under investigation for two other possible violations, at least of one of which could be criminal in nature. The department's Public Integrity Bureau, which handles internal investigations, is looking into those allegations.
Young did not have details on the nature of the investigations.
Sgt Ball Accused of Covering up DWI Accident
A local police sergeant in the town of Greece, NY, just outside Rochester, has been accused of covering up a DWI accident that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Stephanie Olivia. Sgt. Brian Ball was one of the officers who responded when Oliva's boyfriend, Chad Kenyon, crashed the car he was driving.
Sgt. Ball turned himself into police this morning but pleaded not guilty. He is facing charges involved with the shredding of documents at the Greece Police Department. He is one of three men charged with the crime; Police Chief Merritt Rahn and Deputy Chief Bill Mackin are additionally charged with admitting a document they knew to hold false information as evidence in a case.
Chief Rahn has been arrested under suspicion of submitting a memo regarding the background check of a police officer which he knew contained false information. All told, 5 Greece police officers have been charged with similar crimes.
Sgt. Ball will be immediately suspended pending the ultimate decision of the court. Cheif Rahn has been suspended for some time, and all are awaiting the results of the several cases which will determine the future of the Greece police.
It is not clear at this point why Sgt. Ball aided in the cover up of the DWI fatality. The two young people involved in the crash had recently graduated from a local high school and were pursuing additional education, Oliva as a cosmetologist. The fatality shook what is a relatively small town due to its high publicity and the involvement of young people.
--------------------------
http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/200990824004
Sgt. Ball turned himself into police this morning but pleaded not guilty. He is facing charges involved with the shredding of documents at the Greece Police Department. He is one of three men charged with the crime; Police Chief Merritt Rahn and Deputy Chief Bill Mackin are additionally charged with admitting a document they knew to hold false information as evidence in a case.
Chief Rahn has been arrested under suspicion of submitting a memo regarding the background check of a police officer which he knew contained false information. All told, 5 Greece police officers have been charged with similar crimes.
Sgt. Ball will be immediately suspended pending the ultimate decision of the court. Cheif Rahn has been suspended for some time, and all are awaiting the results of the several cases which will determine the future of the Greece police.
It is not clear at this point why Sgt. Ball aided in the cover up of the DWI fatality. The two young people involved in the crash had recently graduated from a local high school and were pursuing additional education, Oliva as a cosmetologist. The fatality shook what is a relatively small town due to its high publicity and the involvement of young people.
--------------------------
http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/200990824004
Bexar County Deputy Accused of Sexual Assault Resigns
A deputy accused of sexually assaulting a Southwest Side woman resigned last week after serving 23 years with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.
“I can confirm that he has turned in his resignation,” said Deputy Ino Badillo, a Sheriff's Office spokesman.
The victim told San Antonio police that the deputy, a civil warrants officer, raped her inside her home on Aug. 11. According to police, the deputy insists that he was in a consensual sexual relationship with the woman.
Her family says that is not the case. They said on Tuesday that the woman was physically injured during a sexual assault and that she remained hospitalized in a psychiatric ward to cope with post-traumatic stress.
“My family is afraid he's going to get away with it,” said Monica Cerda, the victim's sister.
The woman told police that she was walking near South Presa Street and West Hermitage Court when the deputy drove up to her and said she had a warrant for her arrest. Fearing she was under arrest, the woman got into his car and they drove to her home, where she said he raped her.
Personnel records for the accused deputy show that he has received multiple commendations from supervisors and community members over the years. But he also had been disciplined for sleeping on the job, failing to report an accidental discharge of his service weapon and failing to secure an arrestee who kicked out the window of a patrol car.
The San Antonio Police Department is investigating the most recent allegations because the victim said she was sexually assaulted within San Antonio city limits.
SAPD detectives familiar with the case said they have been unable to confirm the victim's side of the story, in part, because she has been hospitalized.
“I can confirm that he has turned in his resignation,” said Deputy Ino Badillo, a Sheriff's Office spokesman.
The victim told San Antonio police that the deputy, a civil warrants officer, raped her inside her home on Aug. 11. According to police, the deputy insists that he was in a consensual sexual relationship with the woman.
Her family says that is not the case. They said on Tuesday that the woman was physically injured during a sexual assault and that she remained hospitalized in a psychiatric ward to cope with post-traumatic stress.
“My family is afraid he's going to get away with it,” said Monica Cerda, the victim's sister.
The woman told police that she was walking near South Presa Street and West Hermitage Court when the deputy drove up to her and said she had a warrant for her arrest. Fearing she was under arrest, the woman got into his car and they drove to her home, where she said he raped her.
Personnel records for the accused deputy show that he has received multiple commendations from supervisors and community members over the years. But he also had been disciplined for sleeping on the job, failing to report an accidental discharge of his service weapon and failing to secure an arrestee who kicked out the window of a patrol car.
The San Antonio Police Department is investigating the most recent allegations because the victim said she was sexually assaulted within San Antonio city limits.
SAPD detectives familiar with the case said they have been unable to confirm the victim's side of the story, in part, because she has been hospitalized.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Deputy Paul Wagner Charged with Soliciting Prostitution
A rookie Marion County Jail guard was arrested and accused of soliciting sex from a customer at a gas station where he moonlights on security duty.
Deputy Paul Wagner, 25, was charged preliminarily with soliciting prostitution and official misconduct while working at the Speedway station in the 5100 block of East Washington Street, said Col. John Layton of the Marion County Sheriff's Department.
Wagner was under surveillance by the Sheriff's Department when he offered a female customer a candy bar and Coke or a pack of cigarettes for oral sex, authorities said. Layton said the woman, who was not a prostitute but a regular customer at the gas station, had complained that Wagner had harassed her before.
The Sheriff's Department set up the sting and arrested Wagner early Saturday.
Wagner was charged with official misconduct because he was wearing his sheriff's uniform at the time.
Wagner has been with the department for 10 months and was suspended without pay.
Moonlighting by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, more than half of whom work second jobs, has come under close scrutiny over concerns the system in place now leaves the city open to safety and liability issues, as well as embarrassing or even potentially criminal instances of corruption.
Deputy Paul Wagner, 25, was charged preliminarily with soliciting prostitution and official misconduct while working at the Speedway station in the 5100 block of East Washington Street, said Col. John Layton of the Marion County Sheriff's Department.
Wagner was under surveillance by the Sheriff's Department when he offered a female customer a candy bar and Coke or a pack of cigarettes for oral sex, authorities said. Layton said the woman, who was not a prostitute but a regular customer at the gas station, had complained that Wagner had harassed her before.
The Sheriff's Department set up the sting and arrested Wagner early Saturday.
Wagner was charged with official misconduct because he was wearing his sheriff's uniform at the time.
Wagner has been with the department for 10 months and was suspended without pay.
Moonlighting by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers, more than half of whom work second jobs, has come under close scrutiny over concerns the system in place now leaves the city open to safety and liability issues, as well as embarrassing or even potentially criminal instances of corruption.
Officer Dirk Piggott Returns to Work After Drunk Driving Arrest
Dirk Piggott has returned to work as an Aurora police officer after being arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
Piggott, 52, of Ravenna, pleaded guilty May 16 in Morrow County Municipal Court to being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, just north of Columbus, where a trooper arrested him March 13. The "physical control" violation is a lesser charge in the state's DUI law.
Piggott was found guilty, fined $499, required to attend a three-day alcohol seminar and placed on probation for two years. His driver's license was suspended for six months, but he can drive for work.
Aurora Mayor Lynn McGill removed Piggott from unpaid leave, acknowledging his otherwise unblemished 24 years with the department. The mayor disciplined him for improper conduct. Piggott was demoted from sergeant to patrolman and he was suspended without pay from May 11 through June 12.
Piggott, 52, of Ravenna, pleaded guilty May 16 in Morrow County Municipal Court to being in physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, just north of Columbus, where a trooper arrested him March 13. The "physical control" violation is a lesser charge in the state's DUI law.
Piggott was found guilty, fined $499, required to attend a three-day alcohol seminar and placed on probation for two years. His driver's license was suspended for six months, but he can drive for work.
Aurora Mayor Lynn McGill removed Piggott from unpaid leave, acknowledging his otherwise unblemished 24 years with the department. The mayor disciplined him for improper conduct. Piggott was demoted from sergeant to patrolman and he was suspended without pay from May 11 through June 12.
Officer Anthony Plummer Accused of Using Excessive Force on Councilman's Daughter
Cincinnati Police Chief Tom Streicher says an officer used excessive force when tasing a city councilman's daughter over the weekend.
Cincinnati Councilman Cecil Thomas says Chief Streicher has apologized for the incident.
Chief Streicher released video of the incident that led up to the early Sunday morning tasing of 26-year-old Celeste Thomas.
Investigators say 33-year-old Demetri Washington was driving at the time of the incident in Clifton Heights.
Officers pulled the vehicle over after Washington allegedly struck a garbage truck along West McMillan Street around 1:10 a.m.
A female officer asked Washington for his driver's license several times. He could be heard on the tape offering his social security information. The officer eventually had him step out of the car where he was taken into custody for an earlier felony warrant of burglary as well as resisting arrest.
During the arrest, Thomas gets out of the vehicle. She asks what's going on and officers order her back into the vehicle.
You can see a third police officer, identified as Anthony Plummer, arrive on the scene.
The two other officers ask him to keep Thomas away from them and Washington.
That's when you can hear Officer Plummer ask Thomas to get on the ground.
Thomas says my father is a councilman. What did I do wrong?
She's ordered to the ground again and warned she would be tased.
Chief Streicher says a preliminary investigation shows Thomas fell to her knees and put her hands in the air but was then tased by Officer Plummer.
Streicher says the tasing was excessive force.
Officer Plummer's police powers have been suspended until an internal investigation is complete. Plummer was investigated by the Cincinnati’s Citizen Complaint Authority in a 2006 complaint stemming from another Tasing incident in which use of excessive force was alleged. In that incident, Plummer was found to have used excessive force.
Thomas was processed at the Hamilton County Justice Center and then released. Washington remains jailed on a $53,000 bond.
Streicher says he wants the internal investigation to be completed by the end of the week.
Cincinnati Councilman Cecil Thomas says Chief Streicher has apologized for the incident.
Chief Streicher released video of the incident that led up to the early Sunday morning tasing of 26-year-old Celeste Thomas.
Investigators say 33-year-old Demetri Washington was driving at the time of the incident in Clifton Heights.
Officers pulled the vehicle over after Washington allegedly struck a garbage truck along West McMillan Street around 1:10 a.m.
A female officer asked Washington for his driver's license several times. He could be heard on the tape offering his social security information. The officer eventually had him step out of the car where he was taken into custody for an earlier felony warrant of burglary as well as resisting arrest.
During the arrest, Thomas gets out of the vehicle. She asks what's going on and officers order her back into the vehicle.
You can see a third police officer, identified as Anthony Plummer, arrive on the scene.
The two other officers ask him to keep Thomas away from them and Washington.
That's when you can hear Officer Plummer ask Thomas to get on the ground.
Thomas says my father is a councilman. What did I do wrong?
She's ordered to the ground again and warned she would be tased.
Chief Streicher says a preliminary investigation shows Thomas fell to her knees and put her hands in the air but was then tased by Officer Plummer.
Streicher says the tasing was excessive force.
Officer Plummer's police powers have been suspended until an internal investigation is complete. Plummer was investigated by the Cincinnati’s Citizen Complaint Authority in a 2006 complaint stemming from another Tasing incident in which use of excessive force was alleged. In that incident, Plummer was found to have used excessive force.
Thomas was processed at the Hamilton County Justice Center and then released. Washington remains jailed on a $53,000 bond.
Streicher says he wants the internal investigation to be completed by the end of the week.
Officer Suspended After Man Found Dead in Police Cruiser
Punxsutawney's police chief says an officer is on paid leave until authorities finish their investigation of how a man died in police custody more than a week ago.
Chief Tom Fedigan isn't releasing the name of the officer suspended in connection with the death of 48-year-old Stephen Obbish on Aug. 15.
Obbish had been picked up on suspicion of public drunkenness about 9:50 a.m. and was found dead in the same police cruiser about five hours later. Authorities aren't saying if the man was in the car the entire time, on a day when temperatures were in the 80s.
State police are trying to determine if a crime was committed and are awaiting autopsy results to determine if Obbish was drunk or suffering from a diabetic condition instead.
Punxsutawney is about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Chief Tom Fedigan isn't releasing the name of the officer suspended in connection with the death of 48-year-old Stephen Obbish on Aug. 15.
Obbish had been picked up on suspicion of public drunkenness about 9:50 a.m. and was found dead in the same police cruiser about five hours later. Authorities aren't saying if the man was in the car the entire time, on a day when temperatures were in the 80s.
State police are trying to determine if a crime was committed and are awaiting autopsy results to determine if Obbish was drunk or suffering from a diabetic condition instead.
Punxsutawney is about 60 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Officer Davy Jones Arrested for Choking 15-year-old
An Abbeville police officer has found himself on the opposite side of the law, arrested for allegedly choking a juvenile until he passed out.
The incident took place in the early morning hours of Saturday according to the Henry County Sheriff's office.
Investigators say Davy Jones, 22, was off duty when he assaulted the 15-year-old boy.
The victim's mother signed a warrant Monday morning and Jones turned himself in to authorities.
Jones was charged with reckless endangerment and posted a $500.00 bond.
Abbeville Police Chief Mike Jones placed the officer on administrative leave without pay until further notice. He said the city would continue to seek updates from the Sheriff's Department and would make futher decisions when the investigation is completed.
Jones faces up to one year in jail and a $6,000 fine.
Officer Jonnie Hicks Arrested for Assaulting Woman
A Newport News police officer was arrested early Friday morning and charged with assaulting a woman in her home.
Johnnie Hicks, 30, assigned to the South Precinct High Impact Patrol Unit, is charged with assault and battery and brandishing a firearm. He has been with the Newport News police almost two years.
Hicks has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal and criminal investigation.
Police spokeswoman Holly McPherson said Hicks was arrested about 1:48 a.m. on Youngs Mill Lane.
She said officers responded to the address after receiving reports of a person with a gun.
She said investigators determined that, while off duty, Hicks got into "a confrontation" with a 30-year-old Newport News woman, described as "a neighbor," in her residence.
During the incident, he assaulted her and brandished a firearm, McPherson said.
Johnnie Hicks, 30, assigned to the South Precinct High Impact Patrol Unit, is charged with assault and battery and brandishing a firearm. He has been with the Newport News police almost two years.
Hicks has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal and criminal investigation.
Police spokeswoman Holly McPherson said Hicks was arrested about 1:48 a.m. on Youngs Mill Lane.
She said officers responded to the address after receiving reports of a person with a gun.
She said investigators determined that, while off duty, Hicks got into "a confrontation" with a 30-year-old Newport News woman, described as "a neighbor," in her residence.
During the incident, he assaulted her and brandished a firearm, McPherson said.
Officer Joseph Mellon Wanted for Stealing Car
A McKeesport police officer was on the wrong side of the law after he allegedly stole a car.
Port Vue police are searching for Joseph Mellon, 64. Police said Mellon was helping a woman pay off a car that she could no longer afford.
When the woman didn't pay him back, police said Mellon took the car.
Police said the woman got the car back and called police, but they were unable to find Mellon to arrest him.
Port Vue police said Mellon will be charged with theft by unlawful taking.
Port Vue police are searching for Joseph Mellon, 64. Police said Mellon was helping a woman pay off a car that she could no longer afford.
When the woman didn't pay him back, police said Mellon took the car.
Police said the woman got the car back and called police, but they were unable to find Mellon to arrest him.
Port Vue police said Mellon will be charged with theft by unlawful taking.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Deputy Paul Wagner Arrested for Sexual Misconduct
Marion County Sheriff's deputies arrested one of their own after an undercover operation. Now, a deputy who worked as a guard at the jail, is himself behind bars.
"You know there is 775 deputy sheriff's in this department full time police officers and when one gets out of line the other 774 don't care for it," Col. John Layton with the Marion Co. Sheriff's Department said,
When women complained about that one sheriff's deputy, Paul Wagner, fellow deputies began a month long investigation.
Wagner worked part-time security at a Speedway gas station on the city's east side. Investigators say female Speedway customers complained Wagner tried to solicit them for sex on several occassions. Detectives worked with one of the women who complained.
"He had known her from being in there before actually she was the complainant to the Sheriff's department, one of the main complainants and upon the two of them having conversation he offered goods for sexual favors," explained Col. Layton.
Those goods were a pack of cigarettes and a soft drink.
"Its very unfortunate because he was in the sheriff's uniform which that is the reason there is a charge of official misconduct besides the patronizing a prostitute," Col. Layton said.
Paul Wagner is now suspended without pay. Next week he faces a court appearance and an internal investigation.
"You know there is 775 deputy sheriff's in this department full time police officers and when one gets out of line the other 774 don't care for it," Col. John Layton with the Marion Co. Sheriff's Department said,
When women complained about that one sheriff's deputy, Paul Wagner, fellow deputies began a month long investigation.
Wagner worked part-time security at a Speedway gas station on the city's east side. Investigators say female Speedway customers complained Wagner tried to solicit them for sex on several occassions. Detectives worked with one of the women who complained.
"He had known her from being in there before actually she was the complainant to the Sheriff's department, one of the main complainants and upon the two of them having conversation he offered goods for sexual favors," explained Col. Layton.
Those goods were a pack of cigarettes and a soft drink.
"Its very unfortunate because he was in the sheriff's uniform which that is the reason there is a charge of official misconduct besides the patronizing a prostitute," Col. Layton said.
Paul Wagner is now suspended without pay. Next week he faces a court appearance and an internal investigation.
Officer William Robert Queen Resigns After Arrest for Arson
The Bullhead City police officer who was arrested in July by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police has turned in his resignation, officials confirmed.
William Robert Queen, 36, turned in his resignation to Police Chief Rodney Head on Aug. 4.
Queen was placed on administrative leave by Head on July 20, prior to his arrest by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said Bullhead City Police Department spokeswoman Emily Montague.
Queen was arrested July 21 by Las Vegas Metropolitan police on suspicion of arson for insurance fraud, said spokeswoman Barbara Morgan.
“On July 17, firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in a vacant lot in the 13000 block of South Western,” Morgan said.
Crews responded to a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe on fire. Morgan said there was nothing missing on the vehicle.
“The auto theft unit conducted an investigation and determined the vehicle fire was for the purposes of insurance fraud,” Morgan said. Police allege Queen hired 26-year-old Gary Miller to burn the vehicle. Miller was arrested Aug. 10 on suspicion of arson for insurance fraud, Morgan said.
The case has been turned over to the state attorney general's office, she said.
Queen joined the Bullhead City Police Department on Jan. 10, 2000.
William Robert Queen, 36, turned in his resignation to Police Chief Rodney Head on Aug. 4.
Queen was placed on administrative leave by Head on July 20, prior to his arrest by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said Bullhead City Police Department spokeswoman Emily Montague.
Queen was arrested July 21 by Las Vegas Metropolitan police on suspicion of arson for insurance fraud, said spokeswoman Barbara Morgan.
“On July 17, firefighters responded to a vehicle fire in a vacant lot in the 13000 block of South Western,” Morgan said.
Crews responded to a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe on fire. Morgan said there was nothing missing on the vehicle.
“The auto theft unit conducted an investigation and determined the vehicle fire was for the purposes of insurance fraud,” Morgan said. Police allege Queen hired 26-year-old Gary Miller to burn the vehicle. Miller was arrested Aug. 10 on suspicion of arson for insurance fraud, Morgan said.
The case has been turned over to the state attorney general's office, she said.
Queen joined the Bullhead City Police Department on Jan. 10, 2000.
Trooper Anthony Scott Under Investigation
The State Highway Patrol has launched an internal investigation into a state trooper assigned to Chatham County.
Trooper Anthony E. Scott, 38, was placed on administrative leave Aug. 19, four days after the Patrol began an internal investigation, spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin said.
Scott, a 15-year veteran of the force, is assigned to Siler City.
Clendenin did not release details of the investigation, citing state personnel law.
He did confirm that a trooper – whose identity hasn't been released – was on the property of a Pittsboro home at the approximate time of an Aug. 14 incident.
Then, real estate broker Eric Andrews, 40, was arrested after his estranged wife, Jennifer Andrews, told authorities he pointed a gun at her, choked her and threatened her life, according to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. Deputies recovered a Smith & Wesson revolver.
Andrews, of 7324 Silk Hope-Gum Springs Road, was being held in the Chatham County Jail Saturday under a $1 million bond.
----
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news&id=6978337
Trooper Anthony E. Scott, 38, was placed on administrative leave Aug. 19, four days after the Patrol began an internal investigation, spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin said.
Scott, a 15-year veteran of the force, is assigned to Siler City.
Clendenin did not release details of the investigation, citing state personnel law.
He did confirm that a trooper – whose identity hasn't been released – was on the property of a Pittsboro home at the approximate time of an Aug. 14 incident.
Then, real estate broker Eric Andrews, 40, was arrested after his estranged wife, Jennifer Andrews, told authorities he pointed a gun at her, choked her and threatened her life, according to the Chatham County Sheriff's Office. Deputies recovered a Smith & Wesson revolver.
Andrews, of 7324 Silk Hope-Gum Springs Road, was being held in the Chatham County Jail Saturday under a $1 million bond.
----
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news&id=6978337
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Officer Anthony Rollins Will Get Public Defender
An Anchorage police officer accused of sexually assaulting women while on duty will get a public defender despite his $100,000 annual salary.
Superior Court Judge Phillip Volland on Friday said the case would be very expensive and Anthony Rollins cannot afford a lawyer to defend himself.
Prosecutors had asked the judge to revisit his initial decision granting Rollins, a 13-year officer, a state-paid attorney.
The Anchorage Daily News reports Rollins was paid $142,892 by the Anchorage police department in 2008.
Rollins, 41, was indicted last month on multiple charges of sexual assault and other offenses. He pleaded not guilty to 14 felonies and six misdemeanors.
___
Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com/
Superior Court Judge Phillip Volland on Friday said the case would be very expensive and Anthony Rollins cannot afford a lawyer to defend himself.
Prosecutors had asked the judge to revisit his initial decision granting Rollins, a 13-year officer, a state-paid attorney.
The Anchorage Daily News reports Rollins was paid $142,892 by the Anchorage police department in 2008.
Rollins, 41, was indicted last month on multiple charges of sexual assault and other offenses. He pleaded not guilty to 14 felonies and six misdemeanors.
___
Information from: Anchorage Daily News, http://www.adn.com/
More Information: http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10973217
Correctional Officer Brandon Goodson Arrested for Child Molestation
A 33-year-old Clovis man turned himself in to Clovis Police Saturday morning, after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest for child molestation. Brandon Goodson is currently free on bond.
Clovis Police learned of the molestation last Thursday. The incident allegedly took place on Aug. 12, in the 3200 block of Bellaire. The investigation led to the arrest of Goodson for child molestation, penetration with a foreign object on a victim under 16 years of age and oral copulation on a victim under 16 years of age. Clovis Police detectives are not looking for any additional victims.
The suspect and the confidential victim had recently met each other and corresponded via text messaging. The alleged victim's name was not released.
Goodson’s employer is Avenal State Prison, where he works as a correctional officer. The status of his employment is unknown.
------------------------------
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/54206162.html
Clovis Police learned of the molestation last Thursday. The incident allegedly took place on Aug. 12, in the 3200 block of Bellaire. The investigation led to the arrest of Goodson for child molestation, penetration with a foreign object on a victim under 16 years of age and oral copulation on a victim under 16 years of age. Clovis Police detectives are not looking for any additional victims.
The suspect and the confidential victim had recently met each other and corresponded via text messaging. The alleged victim's name was not released.
Goodson’s employer is Avenal State Prison, where he works as a correctional officer. The status of his employment is unknown.
------------------------------
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/54206162.html
Officer Hikeen Crampton Charged with Insurance Fraud
A Baltimore police officer who overcame the odds growing up in West Baltimore to patrol his old neighborhood, was indicted Friday on charges of insurance fraud and attempted felony theft, the state attorney general said.
Hikeen D. Crampton Sr., 30, of Rosedale, is accused of fraudulently claiming in late 2008 that his Cadillac Escalade had been stolen when he had traded it in for another vehicle. The indictment follows an investigation by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force, the insurance fraud division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the attorney general's office.
The charges were filed in Frederick County, where the claim was filed, said Shanetta J. Paskel, an official with the attorney general's office.
Crampton was profiled in a front-page article in The Baltimore Sun in 2001 after he graduated from the Baltimore Police Academy and requested a patrol assignment in his old neighborhood, a notorious drug zone. The youngest of 10 children, he graduated from Douglass High School and managed a McDonald's before joining the police academy.
"Some people ask me, 'Why do you want to come back?' " Crampton said at the time. "I want to help my community."
He received an award from Baltimore County last year after he observed the robbery of an armored car while off duty and caught the suspect, holding him until county officers arrived. In 2005, while working plainclothes in the Western District, he also arrested one of the stars of the infamous "Stop Snitching" video.
Anthony Guglielmi, a city police spokesman, said the Police Department learned of the allegations in June, when Crampton was suspended with pay.
"The allegations are concerning, but we have an obligation to see the system through and we're going to reserve comment until this is over," Guglielmi said.
Attempts to reach Crampton for comment were unsuccessful.
An arraignment has been scheduled for Sept. 25.
Hikeen D. Crampton Sr., 30, of Rosedale, is accused of fraudulently claiming in late 2008 that his Cadillac Escalade had been stolen when he had traded it in for another vehicle. The indictment follows an investigation by the Regional Auto Theft Task Force, the insurance fraud division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the attorney general's office.
The charges were filed in Frederick County, where the claim was filed, said Shanetta J. Paskel, an official with the attorney general's office.
Crampton was profiled in a front-page article in The Baltimore Sun in 2001 after he graduated from the Baltimore Police Academy and requested a patrol assignment in his old neighborhood, a notorious drug zone. The youngest of 10 children, he graduated from Douglass High School and managed a McDonald's before joining the police academy.
"Some people ask me, 'Why do you want to come back?' " Crampton said at the time. "I want to help my community."
He received an award from Baltimore County last year after he observed the robbery of an armored car while off duty and caught the suspect, holding him until county officers arrived. In 2005, while working plainclothes in the Western District, he also arrested one of the stars of the infamous "Stop Snitching" video.
Anthony Guglielmi, a city police spokesman, said the Police Department learned of the allegations in June, when Crampton was suspended with pay.
"The allegations are concerning, but we have an obligation to see the system through and we're going to reserve comment until this is over," Guglielmi said.
Attempts to reach Crampton for comment were unsuccessful.
An arraignment has been scheduled for Sept. 25.
Sheriff Fires Deputy After Waitress Poses with Weapons on Patrol Car
An embarrassed Sheriff Gary Painter fired one Midland County deputy and suspended three others without pay after a scantily dressed waitress holding a rifle posed for photographs on the trunk of a patrol vehicle.
Round Rock officers were dispatched to the restaurant after someone reported the waitress with the weapon, which had been given to her by one of the deputies who had been attending a training session near Austin.
The incident occurred last week in the parking lot of a Twin Peaks restaurant, which promotes its "fun, friendly and sometimes flirty atmosphere!"
The deputies told Painter that they had about three to five beers each.
A fifth deputy who remained inside the eatery got a letter of reprimand.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cody Crews Harp Arrested for Trying to Hir Hit Man
A 30-year-old Eureka Springs firefighter, medic and reserve police officer, Cody Crews Harp, has been arrested for conspiracy to commit murder for trying to hire a hit man to kill his wife, police say.
The Eureka Springs High School graduate, who is well known in the community, reportedly passed money and information about his wife to an undercover FBI agent in the parking lot of a Eureka Springs lodging facility Tuesday evening.
He and his wife, Latisha Harp, were reportedly embroiled in a custody battle and divorce.
According to a press release issued by the Eureka Springs Police Department, Officer Brian Williams received information on Aug. 11 from a local man who said Harp was trying to hire a hit man to kill Latisha.
An investigation was initiated, and "over the course of a week, Harp made clear his intention to hire someone to kill his wife," the press release stated.
Eureka police said they contacted FBI Special Agent Dave Blakely and requested assistance with additional manpower, equipment and a certified undercover officer.
"The FBI gave their complete support and assisted Detective (Joe) Barbalance with the investigation," police said.
According to the press release issued by police, on Tuesday afternoon, Harp was contacted by an undercover officer posing as the hit man and agreed to meet him at a city motel, the Inn of the Ozarks parking lot.
Harp reportedly told the officer that he would have to go home to get a picture of his wife, the press release stated.
"Just after 5 p.m., Harp arrived and got into the undercover officer's vehicle. He provided a photograph and address of his wife, and paid money to the officer while under surveillance from Eureka Springs officers and FBI agents," police said in their report.
Once the money was paid and the deal was set, Harp reportedly exited the undercover vehicle and began walking back to his vehicle, where officers arrested him without incident.
Harp was transported to the Eureka Springs Police Department for questioning and processing, police say, and later taken to the Carroll County Detention Center, where he was booked on the conspiracy charge.
Authorities say he was a paramedic firefighter for the Eureka Springs Fire Department, and a reserve police officer with the ESPD serving as a medic on the Tri-City Special Response Team.
Officer Johnnie Hicks Arrested for Assault on Neighbor
A Newport News police officer has been arrested for assault and for pulling a gun on his neighbor.
Triesha Elderkin says her neighbor stormed over to her townhouse early this morning, yelling and screaming.
"I don't want to stay here any more. I don't feel safe. He's the cops. He can do anything. He showed his gun and said I will shoot every one of you, all this stuff. I told him to get out of my house. You can't do that. Get out of my house. Get out of my house."
Elderkin's neighbor is a police officer, Johnnie Hicks. She says Hicks was mad his fiance and daughter were at a party at her home. The screaming up outside where Elderkin says she confronted the officer, angry he brought a gun into her house.
"I went towards him and he pulled out his gun, and chocked me. My boyfriend pulled me off and said, baby, he's got a gun. He's the cops. You can't do that. He's the cops. He'll shoot us. He'll shoot us all."
When NewsChannel 3's Mike Mather walked into the townhouse neighborhood, he saw the officer duck into his home. He wouldn't answer the door. Elderkin says officers told her the neighbor would be gone through the weekend, but that hasn't happened.
Court papers show that police first wrote that Hicks pulled his gun. Then they scratched it out and wrote "grasped."
And when a magistrate wrote about the victims, he put "victims" in quotes.
The police report says when officers showed up at Triesha Elderkin's home everyone was drunk, except of course the accused officer. But Elderkin says that's just not true.
Elkerkin says it happened just like she said. And she's not convinced police are taking this seriously because the man she accused came right back home.
"How do I know that, when everybody else is gone, he's not going to come to my back door and try to get payback for getting him in trouble?"
Triesha Elderkin says her neighbor stormed over to her townhouse early this morning, yelling and screaming.
"I don't want to stay here any more. I don't feel safe. He's the cops. He can do anything. He showed his gun and said I will shoot every one of you, all this stuff. I told him to get out of my house. You can't do that. Get out of my house. Get out of my house."
Elderkin's neighbor is a police officer, Johnnie Hicks. She says Hicks was mad his fiance and daughter were at a party at her home. The screaming up outside where Elderkin says she confronted the officer, angry he brought a gun into her house.
"I went towards him and he pulled out his gun, and chocked me. My boyfriend pulled me off and said, baby, he's got a gun. He's the cops. You can't do that. He's the cops. He'll shoot us. He'll shoot us all."
When NewsChannel 3's Mike Mather walked into the townhouse neighborhood, he saw the officer duck into his home. He wouldn't answer the door. Elderkin says officers told her the neighbor would be gone through the weekend, but that hasn't happened.
Court papers show that police first wrote that Hicks pulled his gun. Then they scratched it out and wrote "grasped."
And when a magistrate wrote about the victims, he put "victims" in quotes.
The police report says when officers showed up at Triesha Elderkin's home everyone was drunk, except of course the accused officer. But Elderkin says that's just not true.
Elkerkin says it happened just like she said. And she's not convinced police are taking this seriously because the man she accused came right back home.
"How do I know that, when everybody else is gone, he's not going to come to my back door and try to get payback for getting him in trouble?"
----------------------------
Officer Jared Rohrig Accused of Sexual Assault
MILFORD, Conn.
An Orange police officer is accused of pretending to be his twin brother in order to engage in a sexual encounter with a woman.
Officer Jared Rohrig, of Milford, was arrested Friday in connection with the sexual assault.
Police said a woman told police that she went to meet Rohrig's twin brother, Joe, whom she was in a relationship with. The woman got into a hot tub with Jared Rohrig, thinking it was his brother, police said.
Police said the hot tub activity moved into one of the home's bedrooms, where the two began having sex.
"During the sexual intercourse, she realized the male she was with did not have a tattoo on his left buttocks. The female victim said she immediately began to cry and asked where his tattoo went," according to the arrest affidavit.
The woman said Joe, whom she had been having a sexual relationship with since March 2009, has a tattoo of a cowboy, according to the affidavit.
Police said when the woman tried to leave, Jared Rohrig pushed her down onto the bed, covered her face with a pillow and continued having sex.
Rohrig was charged with sexual assault in the first degree and criminal impersonation. His bond was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 8.
He was put on paid leave from the Orange Police Department.
An Orange police officer is accused of pretending to be his twin brother in order to engage in a sexual encounter with a woman.
Officer Jared Rohrig, of Milford, was arrested Friday in connection with the sexual assault.
Police said a woman told police that she went to meet Rohrig's twin brother, Joe, whom she was in a relationship with. The woman got into a hot tub with Jared Rohrig, thinking it was his brother, police said.
Police said the hot tub activity moved into one of the home's bedrooms, where the two began having sex.
"During the sexual intercourse, she realized the male she was with did not have a tattoo on his left buttocks. The female victim said she immediately began to cry and asked where his tattoo went," according to the arrest affidavit.
The woman said Joe, whom she had been having a sexual relationship with since March 2009, has a tattoo of a cowboy, according to the affidavit.
Police said when the woman tried to leave, Jared Rohrig pushed her down onto the bed, covered her face with a pillow and continued having sex.
Rohrig was charged with sexual assault in the first degree and criminal impersonation. His bond was set at $50,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 8.
He was put on paid leave from the Orange Police Department.
Officer Evangelin Carr Charged with DWI
A Fort Worth police officer has been placed on restricted duty after his arrest this week in Keller on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Evangelin G. Carr, 28, was charged Thursday with DWI, according to Tarrant County records.
Keller police Lt. Brenda Slovak said Carr was pulled over in the 300 block of Bear Creek Parkway shortly after 3 a.m. Monday because his Chevrolet pickup had a defective tail light and he failed to use his turn signal.
Slovak said Carr was given a field sobriety test after the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol and Carr acknowledged having had two drinks. She said that in addition to failing the test, Breathalyzer results showed that Carr was over the legal limit for driving.
Sgt. Pedro Criado, a Fort Worth police spokesman, said an internal investigation is under way into the DWI allegations against Carr, as well as allegations of neglect of duty and causing unfavorable criticism to the department.
"As a Keller officer approached, he did indicate he was a police officer and he did not want to lose his job," Criado said.
He said Carr, who was hired in October 2007, also briefly struggled with officers as they tried to handcuff him.
While on restricted duty, Carr is prohibited from wearing a uniform or carrying a gun or badge.
_------------------
Video at star-telegram.com/extras
Officer Dina Hoffman Charged with Perjury
ROCKVILLE, Md.
Montgomery County police say an officer is facing perjury charges.
The Howard County State's Attorney's Office announced the indictment of Officer Dina Hoffman on Friday, charging her with one count of perjury and one count of misconduct in office.
Hoffman is accused of testifying in court in April that a driver, who was cited for drunken driving in May 2008, had been behind the wheel of the vehicle when she first encountered him. But surveillance video from a building shows the driver was in the back seat of the car when she arrived.
Police say Hoffman, a three-year veteran of the Montgomery County force, is now on administrative leave. Officials asked Howard County to handle the case because two Montgomery County state prosecutors were witnesses to Hoffman's testimony.
________________
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/082109_police_officer_charged_with_perjury_in_dui_case
Montgomery County police say an officer is facing perjury charges.
The Howard County State's Attorney's Office announced the indictment of Officer Dina Hoffman on Friday, charging her with one count of perjury and one count of misconduct in office.
Hoffman is accused of testifying in court in April that a driver, who was cited for drunken driving in May 2008, had been behind the wheel of the vehicle when she first encountered him. But surveillance video from a building shows the driver was in the back seat of the car when she arrived.
Police say Hoffman, a three-year veteran of the Montgomery County force, is now on administrative leave. Officials asked Howard County to handle the case because two Montgomery County state prosecutors were witnesses to Hoffman's testimony.
________________
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/082109_police_officer_charged_with_perjury_in_dui_case
Former Officer Humberto Delgado Jr Shoots Officer
"I shot a police officer," Humberto Delgado Jr. told his uncle by cell phone. "I think I killed him."
Those words, related by Tampa police Thursday, were spoken just before police arrested Delgado and charged him with killing Cpl. Mike Roberts.
It stunned those who knew he had mental health issues but never saw him display violent tendencies.
Told Thursday that the father of her 2-year-old son has been accused of killing the officer, Shayla Evans asked, "Are you serious? Oh, my lord. Oh, lord."
Delgado, a former police officer and U.S. Army private, may have mental health issues, but he wasn't the type of man who would shoot a cop, Evans and his friends said. Delgado was arrested late Wednesday and charged with murder of a law enforcement officer.
Delgado is confined in Orient Road Jail on suicide watch, with a deputy keeping an eye on him 24 hours a day. He is being held in the highest security level, meaning any time he leaves his cell, he will be in handcuffs and box chains, Hillsborough County sheriff's Col. Jim Previtera said. Delgado only will be allowed to leave the cell one hour a day, and during that time he can shower or walk around inside his jail pod.
Evans said Delgado, who served as a police officer in the Virgin Islands from April 1996 to October 2000, had been staying with family in Oldsmar since April but had become "basically homeless." He declined to get real help for his health issues, she said.
Family at the Oldsmar home declined to comment. But Evans said he had been clinically diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
"I knew something was wrong, because I hadn't heard from him," she said.
She said he has a temper and doesn't know what he's doing, and that he had been medically discharged from the Army because of an injured back and the mental health issue.
According to Army spokesman Lt. Col. Richard McNorton, Delgado was a former private first class for the Army, joining in August 2004 and serving until December 2005. McNorton said for privacy reasons he could not say why Delgado left, but that his character of service was "honorable."
Delgado was a petroleum supply specialist, fueling vehicles or aircraft. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, given to soldiers who serve honorably during a time of national emergency, McNorton said. He did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan during his time of service.
He worked at Fort Lee in Virginia and had his last duty station with the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, according to his separation records from the Army. He then was sent to Company C, Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, N.C., a base hospital. Separation papers don't indicate whether he worked at the hospital or received treatment there.
Delgado has three children, including two who live in the Virgin Islands, Evans said.
Glenda Cruz, who has known Delgado since she was 15 and they grew up in St. Croix, said his life has been filed with trials and tribulation but that she always considered him a sweet person and a good father.
In their last conversations, which occurred via email months ago, Cruz said Delgado told her he felt lonely. She said he told her a lot of bad things happen to him but he keeps hopeful in God's name.
"I did not invent a lot of stuff to happen, but I'm still trying to overcome all the evil and trying to keep it real," she said he wrote.
She said she always knew he had a mental health issue, but that when she spent time with him years ago, he didn't display violent tendencies. "He's a very, very smart, very bright kid, very artistic. I'm just surprised. I'm surprised."
Asked whether there was anything else to say about what had happened, she said, "There's nothing really right to say at this moment. The only thing is that we'll pray for him. Pray for him and pray for the family that lost their dad or their husband or whatever that police officer was."
Tampa Police Chief Steve Hogue said the fact that Delgado himself had been a police officer "makes it even more difficult to understand how somebody with a law enforcement background could do something like this."
But in the years after leaving the police force, Delgado's mental health deteriorated, said Gabriel Reyes, who also attended St. Croix Central High School with Delgado. Still, Reyes said he had never known Delgado to be a violent person. In fact, in school, Delgado protected Reyes from bullying.
Wednesday's arrest wasn't Delgado's first encounter with local law enforcement this week.
About 1 a.m. Monday, Pinellas County Deputy Russell Klar saw Delgado, who "appeared to be living at the Veterans Memorial Park in the city of Oldsmar," a report states. Delgado was sleeping near a restroom in the picnic pavilion at the park's northeast corner. Delgado had been seen walking east on Lafayette Boulevard with a large tan desert camouflage backpack.
"Delgado stated that he is a disabled veteran who is trying to gain additional financial assistance from the government in order to obtain or arrange some housing," the report states. "Delgado does have family in Oldsmar to whom he is currently not talking."
Delgado told the deputy he had a nearby storage locker.
The deputy warned Delgado about the park's hours and that Monday would be his last morning to spend there. He told Delgado to make other arrangements. Delgado said he understood he could be issued a trespass warning or be cited for violating an ordinance if he continued living in the park, the report states.
Nearly three days later, he was arrested for Roberts' death. He is scheduled to have an initial court appearance this morning before Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Walter Heinrich.
Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi said her office would oppose any bail for Delgado.
Prosecutors have 45 days from the time a suspect is arraigned to decide whether to seek the death penalty.
Legal experts said that decision is based on the nature of the crime and the personal and criminal history of the accused.
In March 2007, while living in Fayetteville, Delgado and Shayla Evans had a son – Gadieloh Delgado.
On Facebook, Delgado said he believes in a higher power. He said he loves his children, that his activities include dominoes, fishing and real estate.
On his MySpace profile, Delgado wrote: "Hi people of the world I am here just chilling in my own meditation. Enjoying life without any judgment because we all got the same blessings, we just have to wait patiently and we receive, One Love. In this world of transgression we go through our differences and disagreements a whole lot more than we really notice but that's why we survive. We survive through realness."
Naked Man Dies After Being Tasered
A naked man who reportedly was running around a convenience store parking lot Thursday died hours after Mesa police used a Taser to restrain him.
At approximately 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Mesa police officers were dispatched to the QuikTrip convenience store at Southern Avenue and Country Club Drive after a report of a disturbance.
When the first officer arrived, he found the suspect near the front door of the store. Prior to the officer's arrival, witnesses had reported the man was naked and running around the parking lot jumping on parked vehicles.
According to the Mesa Police Department, back-up officers arrived and were able to restrain the suspect with a Taser.
The officers noticed that the suspect stopped breathing. Paramedics were called and were able to revive the man, who was transported to a local hospital.
The suspect's condition continued to deteriorate and he was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m.
The Mesa Police Department is investigating the case. Police are awaiting autopsy results in order to determine the cause of death.
At approximately 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Mesa police officers were dispatched to the QuikTrip convenience store at Southern Avenue and Country Club Drive after a report of a disturbance.
When the first officer arrived, he found the suspect near the front door of the store. Prior to the officer's arrival, witnesses had reported the man was naked and running around the parking lot jumping on parked vehicles.
According to the Mesa Police Department, back-up officers arrived and were able to restrain the suspect with a Taser.
The officers noticed that the suspect stopped breathing. Paramedics were called and were able to revive the man, who was transported to a local hospital.
The suspect's condition continued to deteriorate and he was pronounced dead just before 9 p.m.
The Mesa Police Department is investigating the case. Police are awaiting autopsy results in order to determine the cause of death.
Former Officer Michael Ciancio Pleads Guilty to Extortion
A former Chicago police officer has been sentenced to two years in prison for taking cash from a tow-truck driver to help him beat rivals to accident scenes.
Prosecutors say veteran officer Michael Ciancio got $600 to $800 a week from 2005 to 2007 from a tow-truck driver who was working undercover with the FBI.
Ciancio is accused of using scare tactics, including the threat of arrest, to chase away other tow-truck drivers.
The 21-year veteran pleaded guilty in January to attempted extortion for taking cash one time in 2007.
But two tow-truck drivers who testified at his sentencing say he'd been shaking down truck operators since the 1990s.
___
Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com
Prosecutors say veteran officer Michael Ciancio got $600 to $800 a week from 2005 to 2007 from a tow-truck driver who was working undercover with the FBI.
Ciancio is accused of using scare tactics, including the threat of arrest, to chase away other tow-truck drivers.
The 21-year veteran pleaded guilty in January to attempted extortion for taking cash one time in 2007.
But two tow-truck drivers who testified at his sentencing say he'd been shaking down truck operators since the 1990s.
___
Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com
Thursday, August 20, 2009
New Details on Officer Patrick Luckett
There are new developments in the case involving a Mobile Police officer accused of beating a suspect. FOX10 first told you about the video that emerged on the Internet showing an officer throwing punches after a high speed chase. That internal investigation has now come to an end.
The incident was first reported two weeks ago, after video emerged on the internet showing the officer throwing punches after a high speed chase.
The Officer in question is Patrick Luckett. Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett said Luckett has been on the force for about four years, and he's never had any other disciplinary problems before.
Garrett said everything regarding the pursuit and the arrest of the suspect was fine, because he was a danger to the public. But Garrett did have an issue with the force used by Officer Luckett, after the suspect was taken from the car. Garrett called it "unnecessary."
Police pulled the suspect, David Pate, from a car. After the arrest, Officer Patrick Luckett was videotaped swinging at the suspect. Wednesday, Chief Phillip Garrett said too much force was used.
"He did come forward and admit it and it was an error," said Chief Garrett. "He was upset with Mr. Pate for the actions. We certainly don't condone unnecessary force and I think this was. I think Mr. Pate certainly deserves some part of the responsibility for the position he put a lot of people in that day."
Pate is accused of hitting his wife, kidnapping her, then leading police on a high speed chase. Police were able to surround the suspect on Hillcrest Road, where they tried to get him under control.
Garrett said he only agrees with the arrest and pursuit.
"They did right by physically taking him out and literally breaking the window out of the car and pulling him out of the car. They needed to be able to stop him from being able to leave the scene again," he added.
But it's what happened next that caused Officer Luckett to also be investigated.
"We don't condone that. We're not going to condone it. Never have, and never will," said Garrett.
Since the incident, Officer Luckett has been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of a hearing. Garrett said Luckett will have the chance to tell his side of the story in front of a panel on the trial board.
"The penalty could be minimal, it could be termination. There's a wide range. There's a lot it's based on; the officer's actions, the way he presents himself for taking responsibility for his actions," Garrett said.
The trial board will evaluate the case and present its recommendations to Chief Garrett. Garrett will then turn it over to the Mayor. That process may take a few weeks.
The incident was first reported two weeks ago, after video emerged on the internet showing the officer throwing punches after a high speed chase.
The Officer in question is Patrick Luckett. Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett said Luckett has been on the force for about four years, and he's never had any other disciplinary problems before.
Garrett said everything regarding the pursuit and the arrest of the suspect was fine, because he was a danger to the public. But Garrett did have an issue with the force used by Officer Luckett, after the suspect was taken from the car. Garrett called it "unnecessary."
Police pulled the suspect, David Pate, from a car. After the arrest, Officer Patrick Luckett was videotaped swinging at the suspect. Wednesday, Chief Phillip Garrett said too much force was used.
"He did come forward and admit it and it was an error," said Chief Garrett. "He was upset with Mr. Pate for the actions. We certainly don't condone unnecessary force and I think this was. I think Mr. Pate certainly deserves some part of the responsibility for the position he put a lot of people in that day."
Pate is accused of hitting his wife, kidnapping her, then leading police on a high speed chase. Police were able to surround the suspect on Hillcrest Road, where they tried to get him under control.
Garrett said he only agrees with the arrest and pursuit.
"They did right by physically taking him out and literally breaking the window out of the car and pulling him out of the car. They needed to be able to stop him from being able to leave the scene again," he added.
But it's what happened next that caused Officer Luckett to also be investigated.
"We don't condone that. We're not going to condone it. Never have, and never will," said Garrett.
Since the incident, Officer Luckett has been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of a hearing. Garrett said Luckett will have the chance to tell his side of the story in front of a panel on the trial board.
"The penalty could be minimal, it could be termination. There's a wide range. There's a lot it's based on; the officer's actions, the way he presents himself for taking responsibility for his actions," Garrett said.
The trial board will evaluate the case and present its recommendations to Chief Garrett. Garrett will then turn it over to the Mayor. That process may take a few weeks.
Officer Matthew Shelton Accused of Using Excessive Force
A Shafter police officer is accused of using inappropriate force and filing a false report.
The alleged misdeeds by Officer Matthew Shelton were discovered during an internal audit on use-of-force issues and not from an outside complaint, according to the Shafter Police Department.
Shelton, 30, was arrested earlier this month but is currently free on $50,000 bail. He's on paid administrative leave pending completion of an independent investigation.
The arrest stems from a Jan. 30 burglary call at Golden Oak Elementary School. Shelton was filmed by a camera on his Taser as he beat the suspect with a baton and stepped on the suspect's head. The suspect, Immanuel Perez, was reportedly not fighting back.
Perez was left with a 3-inch laceration on his head, chipped tooth, punctured cheek and bruised jaw after the attack.
The officer is accused of then falsifying his report, claiming that Perez was not following orders and resisting arrest.
Kern County court records show Shelton will be charged Friday with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, assault by a public officer and false report by a peace officer.
In an unrelated case, Shelton was one of two officers cleared for fatally shooting a woman in May. In that incident, 52-year-old Dora Luis, who had a history of mental illness, lunged at the officers with a knife.
Chief Charlie Fivecoat said Wednesday that it's "a sad day for the Shafter Police Department."
"I would hope that the public and certainly the officers in this organization understand that we have professional people doing a professional job every day, and occasionally things like this happen," Fivecoat said.
The alleged misdeeds by Officer Matthew Shelton were discovered during an internal audit on use-of-force issues and not from an outside complaint, according to the Shafter Police Department.
Shelton, 30, was arrested earlier this month but is currently free on $50,000 bail. He's on paid administrative leave pending completion of an independent investigation.
The arrest stems from a Jan. 30 burglary call at Golden Oak Elementary School. Shelton was filmed by a camera on his Taser as he beat the suspect with a baton and stepped on the suspect's head. The suspect, Immanuel Perez, was reportedly not fighting back.
Perez was left with a 3-inch laceration on his head, chipped tooth, punctured cheek and bruised jaw after the attack.
The officer is accused of then falsifying his report, claiming that Perez was not following orders and resisting arrest.
Kern County court records show Shelton will be charged Friday with three felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, assault by a public officer and false report by a peace officer.
In an unrelated case, Shelton was one of two officers cleared for fatally shooting a woman in May. In that incident, 52-year-old Dora Luis, who had a history of mental illness, lunged at the officers with a knife.
Chief Charlie Fivecoat said Wednesday that it's "a sad day for the Shafter Police Department."
"I would hope that the public and certainly the officers in this organization understand that we have professional people doing a professional job every day, and occasionally things like this happen," Fivecoat said.
Sheriff Sue Rahr Will Decide if 2 Deputies will be Fired
King County Sheriff Sue Rahr could decide next month whether to fire two deputies accused of using excessive force , including one officer caught on video as he roughed up a 15-year-old girl.
In both cases, the officers' top-level commanders have recommended terminating them.
The most serious misconduct charges were against Deputy Paul Schene, 31, who is charged with misdemeanor assault for beating a mouthy teenager inside a holding cell. Schene is set for trial on Sept. 9 in King County Superior Court, where he could face up to a year in jail.
Another deputy, Don Griffee, was accused of slugging a handcuffed suspect in the back of his patrol car on Aug. 3, 2008. The suspect turned out to have been falsely accused of threatning a woman with a gun. Griffee, 61, was charged with misdemeanor assault in King County District Court, where a jury acquitted him. Both officers worked out of the Burien precinct.
In addition to criminal charges, both deputies were investigated for whether their conduct violated Sheriff's Office policy. The standard for proving misconduct in an internal disciplinary action is lower than the burden of proof required for a conviction in criminal court.
Schene is facing termination for a litany of policy violations, including making false or fraudulent statements, committing conduct that is criminal in nature, use of excessive or unnecessary force, inappropriate use of authority, acts in violation of Sheriff's Office rules or directives, and conduct involving discrimination, incivility and/or bigotry, according to sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart.
Schene's law enforcement certification also would be in jeopardy if the sheriff agrees that he made dishonest statements.
Schene's conduct came to light because he alleged in a report that the teenager had resisted arrest and assaulted him inside a holding cell at a SeaTac police precinct on Nov. 29, 2008. Detectives sought video evidence from the cell's security camera and instead, found footage of Schene as he punched, kicked and tossed the girl to the floor after she had kicked her shoe at him. In his report, Schene, a training officer and 8-year veteran, said the girl's shoe struck his shin, causing "injury and pain."
Schene and a second deputy, Travis Brunner, had arrested the girl, Malika Calhoun, and her 15-year-old friend, on suspicion of auto theft. Brunner assisted Schene in handcuffing Calhoun inside the holding cell, although prosecutors did not file charges against Brunner. Later, police learned the girls were driving a car that they'd taken without permission from another friend's mother. Schene wrote that he "placed" the girl in handcuffs.
"The discipline recommended to Sheriff Rahr by Schene's precinct commander was termination from the Sheriff's Office. The Chief of Field Operations concurred with the recommendation," Urquhart said in an e-mail.
Under his union protections, Schene is entitled to present mitigating evidence in what's called a "Loudermill hearing" with the sheriff. Typically, the officer is represented by a guild representative or attorney, and can present evidence to counter the findings or argue for less severe discipline.
Seattlepi.com reported earlier this summer that prosecutors offered Schene a plea bargain that might have spared him a longer term in prison if he agreed to resign and give up his police certification. Schene, who has been on paid administrative leave since December, turned down the offer.
Griffee, 61, was found not guilty of fourth-degree assault. He'd been accused of striking Johnny R. Bradford, a 21-year-old Burien man who'd been falsely accused of threatening a woman with a gun.
During his trial, Griffee said that he never punched Bradford. He said he'd forcefully grabbed Bradford's chin to focus his attention while the man was in the back of his patrol car on Aug. 3, 2008. Jurors thought Bradford was truthful, but also felt Griffee's story was plausible enough to raise doubts about the state's case.
Internal investigators, however found Bradford more credible than the deputy. Griffee was found to have used excessive force and engaged in "conduct that is criminal in nature," according to the Sheriff's Office.
The officer's precinct commander, Maj. Jim Graddon, recommended that he be fired. Chief Deputy Tony Burtt, who oversees patrol operations, concurred with that decision, Urquhart said. The same two men also were Schene's superiors.
The sheriff is expected to hear from both officers in September, Urquhart said.
"Sheriff Rahr will review the file, listen to (Deputy) Griffee, and can change any of the sustained findings and/or the discipline," Urquhart said. "Therefore, the final outcome of the investigation and the final discipline will not be set until after the Loudermill hearing."
In both cases, the officers' top-level commanders have recommended terminating them.
The most serious misconduct charges were against Deputy Paul Schene, 31, who is charged with misdemeanor assault for beating a mouthy teenager inside a holding cell. Schene is set for trial on Sept. 9 in King County Superior Court, where he could face up to a year in jail.
Another deputy, Don Griffee, was accused of slugging a handcuffed suspect in the back of his patrol car on Aug. 3, 2008. The suspect turned out to have been falsely accused of threatning a woman with a gun. Griffee, 61, was charged with misdemeanor assault in King County District Court, where a jury acquitted him. Both officers worked out of the Burien precinct.
In addition to criminal charges, both deputies were investigated for whether their conduct violated Sheriff's Office policy. The standard for proving misconduct in an internal disciplinary action is lower than the burden of proof required for a conviction in criminal court.
Schene is facing termination for a litany of policy violations, including making false or fraudulent statements, committing conduct that is criminal in nature, use of excessive or unnecessary force, inappropriate use of authority, acts in violation of Sheriff's Office rules or directives, and conduct involving discrimination, incivility and/or bigotry, according to sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart.
Schene's law enforcement certification also would be in jeopardy if the sheriff agrees that he made dishonest statements.
Schene's conduct came to light because he alleged in a report that the teenager had resisted arrest and assaulted him inside a holding cell at a SeaTac police precinct on Nov. 29, 2008. Detectives sought video evidence from the cell's security camera and instead, found footage of Schene as he punched, kicked and tossed the girl to the floor after she had kicked her shoe at him. In his report, Schene, a training officer and 8-year veteran, said the girl's shoe struck his shin, causing "injury and pain."
Schene and a second deputy, Travis Brunner, had arrested the girl, Malika Calhoun, and her 15-year-old friend, on suspicion of auto theft. Brunner assisted Schene in handcuffing Calhoun inside the holding cell, although prosecutors did not file charges against Brunner. Later, police learned the girls were driving a car that they'd taken without permission from another friend's mother. Schene wrote that he "placed" the girl in handcuffs.
"The discipline recommended to Sheriff Rahr by Schene's precinct commander was termination from the Sheriff's Office. The Chief of Field Operations concurred with the recommendation," Urquhart said in an e-mail.
Under his union protections, Schene is entitled to present mitigating evidence in what's called a "Loudermill hearing" with the sheriff. Typically, the officer is represented by a guild representative or attorney, and can present evidence to counter the findings or argue for less severe discipline.
Seattlepi.com reported earlier this summer that prosecutors offered Schene a plea bargain that might have spared him a longer term in prison if he agreed to resign and give up his police certification. Schene, who has been on paid administrative leave since December, turned down the offer.
Griffee, 61, was found not guilty of fourth-degree assault. He'd been accused of striking Johnny R. Bradford, a 21-year-old Burien man who'd been falsely accused of threatening a woman with a gun.
During his trial, Griffee said that he never punched Bradford. He said he'd forcefully grabbed Bradford's chin to focus his attention while the man was in the back of his patrol car on Aug. 3, 2008. Jurors thought Bradford was truthful, but also felt Griffee's story was plausible enough to raise doubts about the state's case.
Internal investigators, however found Bradford more credible than the deputy. Griffee was found to have used excessive force and engaged in "conduct that is criminal in nature," according to the Sheriff's Office.
The officer's precinct commander, Maj. Jim Graddon, recommended that he be fired. Chief Deputy Tony Burtt, who oversees patrol operations, concurred with that decision, Urquhart said. The same two men also were Schene's superiors.
The sheriff is expected to hear from both officers in September, Urquhart said.
"Sheriff Rahr will review the file, listen to (Deputy) Griffee, and can change any of the sustained findings and/or the discipline," Urquhart said. "Therefore, the final outcome of the investigation and the final discipline will not be set until after the Loudermill hearing."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sheriff David Kinney Charged with Abuse of Power
The suspended Hockley County sheriff said he won't resign and plans on fighting civil charges of incompetence and abuse of power.
David Kinney says he was not aware of nor responsible for the behavior of two of his deputies arrested on drug trafficking charges.
Two Hockley County deputies were arrested last month on federal drug charges related to a major methamphetamine ring. About a third of the deputies are either under federal indictment or investigation or been fired, according to a petition for Sheriff David Kinney's removal.
Speaking to supporters Monday on the Hockley County Courthouse lawn, Kinney said for him to "take responsibility for others is crazy."
District Judge Blair Cherry signed an order Thursday temporarily ousting Kinney as sheriff.
_____
Some information from:
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, http://www.lubbockonline.com
David Kinney says he was not aware of nor responsible for the behavior of two of his deputies arrested on drug trafficking charges.
Two Hockley County deputies were arrested last month on federal drug charges related to a major methamphetamine ring. About a third of the deputies are either under federal indictment or investigation or been fired, according to a petition for Sheriff David Kinney's removal.
Speaking to supporters Monday on the Hockley County Courthouse lawn, Kinney said for him to "take responsibility for others is crazy."
District Judge Blair Cherry signed an order Thursday temporarily ousting Kinney as sheriff.
_____
Some information from:
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, http://www.lubbockonline.com
Cpl David Aguilar Charged with Leaving the Scene of Accident
A Dallas police officer was arrested early Wednesday in Plano on suspicion of leaving the scene of a wreck in which a person in another vehicle was hurt, police said.
Senior Cpl. David Aguilar, 35, faces charges of driving while intoxicated and failing to stop and render aid, according to a Plano police report.
The wreck happened at 12:53 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Custer Road and Plano Parkway, the report stated.
The other driver received minor injuries in the wreck, said Lt. Andy Harvey, Dallas police spokesman.
About an hour later, Plano police stopped Aguilar, who was driving a 2008 Toyota Tacoma pickup near the intersection of Parkhaven Drive and Independence Parkway. That location is about five miles northwest of the wreck.
Aguilar is a 12-year DPD veteran who is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division, Harvey said. He added that Aguilar has been placed on administration leave, pending the outcome of the case.
The officer was still in the Plano jail at 1:30 p.m., but bail had not yet been set, said Heather Bowden, Plano police spokeswoman.
Officer Donald Silcott Free on Bond
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
A Jacksonville police officer arrested on sexual battery charges is now out on bond.
Donald Silcott, an evidence technician, was arrested on Aug. 8 and went before a judge after his arrest.
He was initially held on $600,000 bond, but it was reduced to $150,000.
He's since posted bail.
Police said Silcott sexually battered a girl over the age of 12.
Previous Stories: August 11, 2009: Officer Arrested Had Complaints In Past
August 10, 2009: JSO Officer Accused Of Sex With Minor
August 9, 2009: JSO Officer Arrested On Sex Charges
A Jacksonville police officer arrested on sexual battery charges is now out on bond.
Donald Silcott, an evidence technician, was arrested on Aug. 8 and went before a judge after his arrest.
He was initially held on $600,000 bond, but it was reduced to $150,000.
He's since posted bail.
Police said Silcott sexually battered a girl over the age of 12.
Previous Stories: August 11, 2009: Officer Arrested Had Complaints In Past
August 10, 2009: JSO Officer Accused Of Sex With Minor
August 9, 2009: JSO Officer Arrested On Sex Charges
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Derryl Jenkins Beat by Officers for Speeding
The police chief in Minneapolis says he will ask the FBI to investigate the beating of a man who was stopped for speeding by officers.
The beating was captured on a squad car dash camera and shows six officers punching and kicking the 42-year-old man. Derryl Jenkins was stopped Feb. 19 for allegedly going 15 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Chief Tim Dolan says "the public will want an investigation" into the incident.
Officers said in their police reports that Jenkins resisted arrest so they had to subdue him before placing him in two sets of handcuffs.
Jenkins ended up at North Memorial Medical Center where he had seven stitches above his eye. He was charged with assault and with refusing to submit to alcohol tests, but those charges have been dropped.
Officer Christopher Hughes Arrested for Drunk Driving
A Sacramento police officer has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday.
Officer Christopher Hughes, 39, was booked over the weekend, CHP Officer Lizz Dutton said.
Dutton said the case was reported as a medical emergency Saturday afternoon at Hazel Avenue and Piedra Way.
Hughes' vehicle was spotted in a lane of the road and he slumped over the steering wheel, Dutton said.
When CHP officers responded, they found Hughes was found to be intoxicated, the CHP said.
Sacramento police Sgt. Norm Leong confirmed the arrest and said the department is conducting an administrative investigation.
Officer Christopher Hughes, 39, was booked over the weekend, CHP Officer Lizz Dutton said.
Dutton said the case was reported as a medical emergency Saturday afternoon at Hazel Avenue and Piedra Way.
Hughes' vehicle was spotted in a lane of the road and he slumped over the steering wheel, Dutton said.
When CHP officers responded, they found Hughes was found to be intoxicated, the CHP said.
Sacramento police Sgt. Norm Leong confirmed the arrest and said the department is conducting an administrative investigation.
Officer Finess Brown Accused of Hitting Wife for the Third Time
No charges were placed against a Murfreesboro Police officer accused by his wife for the third time of hitting her during an argument Thursday at their home, a supervisor reported.
Wife Catina D. Brown, 36, accused husband, Officer Finess Brown, 37, of hitting her in her right eye during an argument over the car keys, a cellular telephone and her reference to a man about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Sgt. Garry Carter reported.
The wife didn’t have any visible injuries, Carter reported.
She accused him in June 2007 and in February of domestic assault. She agreed in court in February to attend counseling sessions with her husband with a minister. She has an order of protection against her husband but agreed to let him live with her.
Circuit Court Judge J. Mark Rogers told Officer Brown in February he didn’t want a pattern to develop.
“Mr. Brown, if things fall through, you should remove yourself from the process,” Rogers said. “If something develops — and I’m not going to order it — you remove yourself from the situation.”
Mrs. Brown told Carter Thursday she was trying to leave the home but her husband would not give her the keys. They argued earlier because she said he would not let her see the phone numbers on his cell phone.
The wife told her husband, “The man was right. I can make it on my own,” Carter reported.
She accused her husband of going into a rage and demanded to know who the man was. She reported he hit her in the eye between 8 and 8:30 a.m. She also told Carter her husband told her she deserved what she got when he hit her in the temple and spit on her.
The wife said she replied, “OK, you finally admit that,” Carter reported.
She told Carter her husband threatened her if she called police. She did not want to prosecute him.
Police spokesman Kyle Evans said Detective Jennifer West is investigating.
Officer Brown didn’t want to comment, except to say he worked during the weekend and no one from the police department has questioned him about his wife’s report.
Wife Catina D. Brown, 36, accused husband, Officer Finess Brown, 37, of hitting her in her right eye during an argument over the car keys, a cellular telephone and her reference to a man about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Sgt. Garry Carter reported.
The wife didn’t have any visible injuries, Carter reported.
She accused him in June 2007 and in February of domestic assault. She agreed in court in February to attend counseling sessions with her husband with a minister. She has an order of protection against her husband but agreed to let him live with her.
Circuit Court Judge J. Mark Rogers told Officer Brown in February he didn’t want a pattern to develop.
“Mr. Brown, if things fall through, you should remove yourself from the process,” Rogers said. “If something develops — and I’m not going to order it — you remove yourself from the situation.”
Mrs. Brown told Carter Thursday she was trying to leave the home but her husband would not give her the keys. They argued earlier because she said he would not let her see the phone numbers on his cell phone.
The wife told her husband, “The man was right. I can make it on my own,” Carter reported.
She accused her husband of going into a rage and demanded to know who the man was. She reported he hit her in the eye between 8 and 8:30 a.m. She also told Carter her husband told her she deserved what she got when he hit her in the temple and spit on her.
The wife said she replied, “OK, you finally admit that,” Carter reported.
She told Carter her husband threatened her if she called police. She did not want to prosecute him.
Police spokesman Kyle Evans said Detective Jennifer West is investigating.
Officer Brown didn’t want to comment, except to say he worked during the weekend and no one from the police department has questioned him about his wife’s report.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Officer Anthony Miller Sentenced to Prison for Child Porn
A police officer, who lives in western Wisconsin, is sentenced to serve time in prison for possessing child pornography.
Monday, Anthony T. Miller was sentenced to five years in prison. He lives in New Richmond, but works in Minnesota. He has been a police officer with the city of Hastings for 11 years.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice says Miller admitted downloading and trading child pornography for the past two years.
Press Release:
NEW RICHMOND - Anthony Miller, who told investigators he was a Hastings Minnesota police officer, was sentenced by Judge Vlack today on two counts of Possession of Child Pornography. He received 14 years on the first count with 4 years of initial confinement and 10 years of extended supervision. On count two Miller received 15 years with 5 years of initial confinement and 10 years extended supervision to be served concurrently.
In addition, Miller must provide a DNA sample, register as a Sex Offender, not use a computer or access the Internet without prior written approval, not possess pornography and may not have contact with any child under 18 without prior written approval.
Miller was originally charged on December 18, 2008 with Possession of Child Pornography and Sexual Exploitation of a Child.
"Sadly, a man sworn to protect society has committed a crime victimizing our most vulnerable," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, whose office investigated the crime with the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and the New Richmond Police Department. "Today's sentence sends a strong message: download and distribute child pornography and you will go to prison for a long time."
Audra Harmon Sues Sheriff's Department for Tasering
A mother who was zapped with a stun gun in front of her children during a New York traffic stop has filed notice she’ll sue the sheriff’s department.
A police video captured by a dashboard camera shows Deputy Sean Andrews yanking Audra Harmon out of her minivan by the arm and knocking her down with two Taser shots in January.
Harmon was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and speeding. Her lawyer says prosecutors dismissed the charges after watching the videotape.
Harmon claims Andrews was improperly trained. She says a Taser isn’t supposed to be used against people who pose no threat.
In a notice of claim filed Thursday with the Onondaga (ahn-uhn-DAH’-guh) County clerk, Harmon accuses Andrews of wrongful conduct. She’s seeking unspecified monetary damages.
You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dik-mgCDcg
A police video captured by a dashboard camera shows Deputy Sean Andrews yanking Audra Harmon out of her minivan by the arm and knocking her down with two Taser shots in January.
Harmon was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and speeding. Her lawyer says prosecutors dismissed the charges after watching the videotape.
Harmon claims Andrews was improperly trained. She says a Taser isn’t supposed to be used against people who pose no threat.
In a notice of claim filed Thursday with the Onondaga (ahn-uhn-DAH’-guh) County clerk, Harmon accuses Andrews of wrongful conduct. She’s seeking unspecified monetary damages.
You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Dik-mgCDcg
Officers Kevin Fujioka & Shayne Souza Arrested
Two Honolulu law enforcers in Las Vegas to play in a softball tournament for police and firefighters were arrested on marijuana charges after leading authorities on a short chase.
Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said officers Kevin Fujioka, 37, and Shayne Souza, 47, were arrested Saturday night near Desert Breeze Park, about six miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Scott Wilson, a 38-year-old social worker from Honolulu, also was arrested, Welling said Monday.
Park police approached the men in a white van because it was parked sideways across two spots in the parking lot, Welling said. As officers approached, the van drove off.
After a short pursuit, Souza and Fujioka got out of the van and ran from police, authorities said. Welling said officers pepper-sprayed Souza when he resisted arrest.
All three men were charged with marijuana possession, Welling said. Fujioka also was charged with driving under the influence of a narcotic, and Souza was charged with drug paraphernalia possession, resisting a police officer and obstruction of justice. Wilson was charged with having an open alcohol container in a vehicle, Welling said.
Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department, confirmed that the agency has two officers with the same names as Fujioka and Souza, but she said the department had not heard about the arrests and could not immediately comment.
Yu said Fujioka is a patrol officer who has worked at the department 13 years, while Souza is a SWAT officer who has been with the department 20 years.
Welling said the men identified themselves as police officers from the Hawaii city.
Tom Wagner, president of the Nevada Police Athletic Federation, said the arrests happened during a men's softball tournament that was part of the 2009 Nevada Police & Fire Games. The five-day event of various sports and games involves about 2,000 police and firefighters from across the country, Wagner said.
He called the arrests "shocking" and said it's possible that the players and their team would not be invited to return to the games.
"It's unfortunate but we definitely are going to be speaking to that coach and that police department and getting the story and deciding what our action will be as a federation," Wagner said.
Clark County spokeswoman Stacey Welling said officers Kevin Fujioka, 37, and Shayne Souza, 47, were arrested Saturday night near Desert Breeze Park, about six miles west of the Las Vegas Strip.
Scott Wilson, a 38-year-old social worker from Honolulu, also was arrested, Welling said Monday.
Park police approached the men in a white van because it was parked sideways across two spots in the parking lot, Welling said. As officers approached, the van drove off.
After a short pursuit, Souza and Fujioka got out of the van and ran from police, authorities said. Welling said officers pepper-sprayed Souza when he resisted arrest.
All three men were charged with marijuana possession, Welling said. Fujioka also was charged with driving under the influence of a narcotic, and Souza was charged with drug paraphernalia possession, resisting a police officer and obstruction of justice. Wilson was charged with having an open alcohol container in a vehicle, Welling said.
Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department, confirmed that the agency has two officers with the same names as Fujioka and Souza, but she said the department had not heard about the arrests and could not immediately comment.
Yu said Fujioka is a patrol officer who has worked at the department 13 years, while Souza is a SWAT officer who has been with the department 20 years.
Welling said the men identified themselves as police officers from the Hawaii city.
Tom Wagner, president of the Nevada Police Athletic Federation, said the arrests happened during a men's softball tournament that was part of the 2009 Nevada Police & Fire Games. The five-day event of various sports and games involves about 2,000 police and firefighters from across the country, Wagner said.
He called the arrests "shocking" and said it's possible that the players and their team would not be invited to return to the games.
"It's unfortunate but we definitely are going to be speaking to that coach and that police department and getting the story and deciding what our action will be as a federation," Wagner said.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)