Thursday, September 17, 2009

Officer Stephen Olenchak Charged with Rape

A Davie police officer facing charges he raped a young woman while his wife slept in the same bed should be ready for trial early next year, his attorney says.

The officer, Stephen Olenchak, 35, has pleaded not guilty.

During a hearing today, attorney John Fry said Olenchak has been suspended without pay from his $74,000-a-year job with the Davie Police Department. Because Olenchak cannot afford his court costs, taxpayers will foot the bill.

Broward Circuit Judge Carlos Rodriguez granted Fry's request for a continuance. The next hearing is set for Nov. 19.

Davie officers arrested Olenchak on March 26 and charged him with two counts of sexual assault.

According to the arrest report, the victim told investigators Olenchak brought his wife a drink before going to bed on March 22. After his wife fell asleep, he brought the victim something to drink. At the time, police said they were investigating whether the drinks were spiked with drugs.

According to the report, Olenchak then fondled and had intercourse with the victim, who said she did not consent and was not coherent enough to call out to Olenchak's wife for help.

Olenchak, an 11-year veteran, was put on administrative leave without pay on May 13, town records show. He will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case.

Officer Patricia Beardsley Arrested for Pointing Gun

An off-duty police officer was arrested Thursday afternoon after pointing a gun at a woman in her car with children inside.

Patricia Ann Beardsley, 50, was arrested. She has been with the Longboat Police Department for eight years.

Investigators say the woman in the car was picking her child up from nearby Southside Elementary School in Sarasota. After picking her daughter up, she went into Beardsley's driveway to turn her car around.

According to the Sarastota Police Department, Beardsley came out of the home with a handgun, and pointed into the passenger side of the car.

The victim and a witness called 911. Beardsley was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. She has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.

Parole Officer Richard Riley Arrested for Sexual Assault

A Colorado Department of Corrections parole officer was arrested today on suspicion of sexual assault, Colorado Springs police said.

Richard L. Riley, 45, turned himself in at the police operations center.

Police said they had been investigating Riley for two months, but would not release details of the accusations against him.

Rilery has been a Senior Community Parole Officer for the DOC since 1998.