Memphis police say an officer has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor.
The Memphis Police Department said Friday that 26-year-old officer Matthew Ashmore has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of an administrative investigation.
The department says officers received a complaint from someone who had found a cellphone at a business Thursday. While looking through the phone, the person who found it saw images of unknown adult men having sex with girls believed to be between the ages of 2 and 6.
Investigating officers said they discovered the phone belonged to Ashmore.
Online court records show Ashmore is out of jail on $15,000 bond. The records do not show if he has a lawyer.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Officer Markeith Council Charged with Beating Inmate to Death
A Wake County
corrections officer who faces charges of voluntary manslaughter in
relation to an incident in which an inmate died defended himself in
court Wednesday.
Markeith Council, 27, told the court he had a conversation with
Shon Demetrius McClain some time before the incident while Council was
handing out sheets.
Council testified, "McLain said, 'You almost shoved my [expletive]
hand in this trap.' Well, I said, 'If you didn't want your hand in the
[expletive] trap, get your hands out of the trap.'"
Council said people started urging McClain, 40, to fight during the
part the surveillance video shows. Council said he called McClain over.
"I said, 'Don't let your friends boost you up, pump you up,'" Council recalled. "I said, 'This is not the place to be tough.'"
Council said he thought he was going to be punched when McClain
raised his hand. He said he didn't have enough time to call for help.
Council said his goal is to be a warden and is on track to be a
sergeant. He is now a master detention officer, and is on suspension.
A video released in court Tuesday shows a fatal altercation between
Council and an inmate in June. Court documents show Council was
involved an incident with McClain at the Wake County Detention Center
June 4.
Council was indicted in August and turned himself into the Wake County Detention Center soon after.
McClain died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck, spinal and brain, damage that was sustained during the fight with Council, according to an autopsy. The inmate died 13 days after the incident.
McClain died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck, spinal and brain, damage that was sustained during the fight with Council, according to an autopsy. The inmate died 13 days after the incident.
McClain was in jail on misdemeanor drug charges when the assault
occurred. According to the Department of Public Safety, McClain's
convictions include possession of stolen goods, breaking and entering,
larceny, indecent liberty with a child, failing to register as a sex
offender and obstructing justice.
The jury deliberated for part of the day Wednesday but adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Former Corrections Officer Leon Brooks Sr Arrested for having Child Porn
A former JSO corrections officer is facing charges related to child pornography.
Leon Perry Brooks Sr., 39, is facing two counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
The indictment shows the reported offenses took place between June 19, 2012, and May 20, 2013, and involve a number of computer files showing minors engaged in sexually-explicit conduct.
Brooks' next court date is Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m.
Brooks was employed with the agency from April 20, 2000, until his resignation on Nov. 1, 2013. Brooks resigned, according to JSO, with an undisclosed medical disability.
He is the second JSO corrections officer to be arrested this week. Prosecutors indicted Harold Walbey III a week ago for tax fraud. Investigators say he took seven names to file tax returns for 2010 and 2011. Walbey also faces wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
Leon Perry Brooks Sr., 39, is facing two counts of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
The indictment shows the reported offenses took place between June 19, 2012, and May 20, 2013, and involve a number of computer files showing minors engaged in sexually-explicit conduct.
Brooks' next court date is Dec. 27 at 3:30 p.m.
Brooks was employed with the agency from April 20, 2000, until his resignation on Nov. 1, 2013. Brooks resigned, according to JSO, with an undisclosed medical disability.
He is the second JSO corrections officer to be arrested this week. Prosecutors indicted Harold Walbey III a week ago for tax fraud. Investigators say he took seven names to file tax returns for 2010 and 2011. Walbey also faces wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Corrections Officer Markeith Council Charged with Manslaughter
A Wake County corrections officer who faces charges of voluntary manslaughter in relation to an incident in which an inmate died defended himself in court Wednesday.
Markeith Council, 27, told the court he had a conversation with Shon Demetrius McClain some time before the incident while Council was handing out sheets.
Council testified, "McLain said, 'You almost shoved my [expletive] hand in this trap.' Well, I said, 'If you didn't want your hand in the [expletive] trap, get your hands out of the trap.'"
Council said people started urging McClain, 40, to fight during the part the surveillance video shows. Council said he called McClain over.
"I said, 'Don't let your friends boost you up, pump you up,'" Council recalled. "I said, 'This is not the place to be tough.'"
Council said he thought he was going to be punched when McClain raised his hand. He said he didn't have enough time to call for help.
Council said his goal is to be a warden and is on track to be a sergeant. He is now a master detention officer, and is on suspension.
A video released in court Tuesday shows a fatal altercation between Council and an inmate in June. Court documents show Council was involved an incident with McClain at the Wake County Detention Center June 4.
Council was indicted in August and turned himself into the Wake County Detention Center soon after.
McClain died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck, spinal and brain, damage that was sustained during the fight with Council, according to an autopsy. The inmate died 13 days after the incident.
McClain was in jail on misdemeanor drug charges when the assault occurred. According to the Department of Public Safety, McClain's convictions include possession of stolen goods, breaking and entering, larceny, indecent liberty with a child, failing to register as a sex offender and obstructing justice.
The jury deliberated for part of the day Wednesday but adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Markeith Council, 27, told the court he had a conversation with Shon Demetrius McClain some time before the incident while Council was handing out sheets.
Council testified, "McLain said, 'You almost shoved my [expletive] hand in this trap.' Well, I said, 'If you didn't want your hand in the [expletive] trap, get your hands out of the trap.'"
Council said people started urging McClain, 40, to fight during the part the surveillance video shows. Council said he called McClain over.
"I said, 'Don't let your friends boost you up, pump you up,'" Council recalled. "I said, 'This is not the place to be tough.'"
Council said he thought he was going to be punched when McClain raised his hand. He said he didn't have enough time to call for help.
Council said his goal is to be a warden and is on track to be a sergeant. He is now a master detention officer, and is on suspension.
A video released in court Tuesday shows a fatal altercation between Council and an inmate in June. Court documents show Council was involved an incident with McClain at the Wake County Detention Center June 4.
Council was indicted in August and turned himself into the Wake County Detention Center soon after.
McClain died from blunt force trauma to the head, neck, spinal and brain, damage that was sustained during the fight with Council, according to an autopsy. The inmate died 13 days after the incident.
McClain was in jail on misdemeanor drug charges when the assault occurred. According to the Department of Public Safety, McClain's convictions include possession of stolen goods, breaking and entering, larceny, indecent liberty with a child, failing to register as a sex offender and obstructing justice.
The jury deliberated for part of the day Wednesday but adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Officer Linwood Barnhill Investigated for Teen Prostitution Ring & Child Porn
A Washington D.C. police officer is under investigation for allegedly running a prostitution ring out of his apartment.
Officer Linwood Barnhill, 47, has not been arrested but is on paid administrative leave after police found a missing 16-year-old girl in his home Tuesday who told police Barnhill had arranged for her to have sex for money.
The girl told police that Barnhill had arranged for her to engage in sex acts with a man for $80 and that he told her that her working name would be ‘Juicy.’
Incredibly, a Photobucket account belonging to Linwood Barnhill discovered in an online search contains numerous pictures of scantily clad young women, a photograph that clearly shows a large amount of marijuana, a police officer in uniform handling piles of cash and several blank spaces that Photobucket has removed as inappropriate content.
Barnhill brazenly used his full name for the account, which has photographic evidence of potentially illegal behavior.
The girl told police that Barnhill took nude pictures of her and that six other women had also prostituted themselves for Barnhill.
A search warrant affidavit filed in federal court alleges sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography.
The Washington Times reports that in the apartment, located at 3066 Stanton Road Southeast near St. Elizabeth’s Hospital police also found marijuana along with a large number of condoms and nine pairs of women’s high heeled shoes.
Linwood Barnhill is a 24-year veteran of the city’s 7th District Police Department.
The Washington Post reports that investigating officers stayed at the Southeastern Washington DC apartment Tuesday night and most of Wednesday, and after obtaining the search warrant confiscated various items including women’s lingerie, computers and cell phones.
Court documents state that the girl told officers she had been to the apartment at least twice. Barnhill took nude pictures of her in sparkly high heels and showed them to a potential customer, who was scheduled to meet with the girl and pay $80 for sex.
Barnhill would keep $20, she said, and also pay for her to have her hair done and new clothes and shoes.
It’s not clear whether the girl had actually met with the customer.
D.C. Police Chief Cathy L Lanier said in a statement that the department ‘is very concerned about the recent allegations of egregious conduct.
Officer Linwood Barnhill, 47, has not been arrested but is on paid administrative leave after police found a missing 16-year-old girl in his home Tuesday who told police Barnhill had arranged for her to have sex for money.
The girl told police that Barnhill had arranged for her to engage in sex acts with a man for $80 and that he told her that her working name would be ‘Juicy.’
Incredibly, a Photobucket account belonging to Linwood Barnhill discovered in an online search contains numerous pictures of scantily clad young women, a photograph that clearly shows a large amount of marijuana, a police officer in uniform handling piles of cash and several blank spaces that Photobucket has removed as inappropriate content.
Barnhill brazenly used his full name for the account, which has photographic evidence of potentially illegal behavior.
The girl told police that Barnhill took nude pictures of her and that six other women had also prostituted themselves for Barnhill.
A search warrant affidavit filed in federal court alleges sex trafficking of a minor and production of child pornography.
The Washington Times reports that in the apartment, located at 3066 Stanton Road Southeast near St. Elizabeth’s Hospital police also found marijuana along with a large number of condoms and nine pairs of women’s high heeled shoes.
Linwood Barnhill is a 24-year veteran of the city’s 7th District Police Department.
The Washington Post reports that investigating officers stayed at the Southeastern Washington DC apartment Tuesday night and most of Wednesday, and after obtaining the search warrant confiscated various items including women’s lingerie, computers and cell phones.
Court documents state that the girl told officers she had been to the apartment at least twice. Barnhill took nude pictures of her in sparkly high heels and showed them to a potential customer, who was scheduled to meet with the girl and pay $80 for sex.
Barnhill would keep $20, she said, and also pay for her to have her hair done and new clothes and shoes.
It’s not clear whether the girl had actually met with the customer.
D.C. Police Chief Cathy L Lanier said in a statement that the department ‘is very concerned about the recent allegations of egregious conduct.
Officer Damon Broussard Charged with Rape & Molestation of Juvenile
A Lake Arthur police officer has been charged with aggravated rape and molestation of a juvenile, state police said.
Troop spokesman Stephen Hammons said 37-year-old Damon Broussard, of Egan, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation.
"During the investigation, detectives found that Broussard engaged in sexual activity several years ago with a child who was under 15," Hammons said in a news release. "Detectives also discovered that Broussard engaged in sexual activity with a different child, who under 13."
Hammons said that there is no indication the alleged incidents occurred during Broussard's duties as an officer.
Troop spokesman Stephen Hammons said 37-year-old Damon Broussard, of Egan, was arrested Tuesday following an investigation.
"During the investigation, detectives found that Broussard engaged in sexual activity several years ago with a child who was under 15," Hammons said in a news release. "Detectives also discovered that Broussard engaged in sexual activity with a different child, who under 13."
Hammons said that there is no indication the alleged incidents occurred during Broussard's duties as an officer.
Monday, December 02, 2013
Former Officer Timothy Burns Charged with Murder Dies
A former Durham police officer charged with murder in his wife's death died Friday at Rex Hospital.
Jail officials said Timothy W. Burns, died of a heart attack.
The Durham County Sheriff's Office said Burns was in custody at Central Prison when the decision was made to transport him to Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
He had been transferred from the Durham County Jail because his medical needs "were beyond [the jail's] capability to provide."
Burns was in police custody on a murder charge for stabbing his wife Maxine to death in November in their home.
Burns left the Durham Police Department in the 1990s
Jail officials said Timothy W. Burns, died of a heart attack.
The Durham County Sheriff's Office said Burns was in custody at Central Prison when the decision was made to transport him to Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
He had been transferred from the Durham County Jail because his medical needs "were beyond [the jail's] capability to provide."
Burns was in police custody on a murder charge for stabbing his wife Maxine to death in November in their home.
Burns left the Durham Police Department in the 1990s
Monday, November 25, 2013
Officer Jackie Neal Rapes Teen in Back of Squad Car
Friday morning. On duty. Full Uniform. Marked Squad Car. Officer Jackie Neal, 40, made a traffic stop and then allegedly sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman, according to the San Antonio Police Department.
Police said the 11-year veteran pulled the victim over on the south side and managed to get her to stand behind his squad car. San Antonio police Chief William McManus described the events that followed as “unthinkable.”
An investigation was opened after the victim contacted police. According to a statement issued by the department, Neal was taken into custody by SAPD Special Victims’ Unit detectives after officers pulled him over around 2 a.m. Saturday. He was arrested on a warrant for sexual assault, a second-degree felony.
“I am angry. I am outraged. It’s a punch in the eye to the police department, this kind of conduct,” McManus said. “We won’t tolerate it for a second. And I think the swiftness of the investigation and the arrest is indicative of that.”
Neal has been placed on administrative leave with pay, in accordance with department protocol. If indicted, the pay would cease. He was released from custody Saturday morning at 7:25 a.m.
He was suspended in September, according to an agenda for the San Antonio Police and Firefighter Civil Service Commission, but circumstances surrounding that suspension have not been made clear.
Police said the 11-year veteran pulled the victim over on the south side and managed to get her to stand behind his squad car. San Antonio police Chief William McManus described the events that followed as “unthinkable.”
An investigation was opened after the victim contacted police. According to a statement issued by the department, Neal was taken into custody by SAPD Special Victims’ Unit detectives after officers pulled him over around 2 a.m. Saturday. He was arrested on a warrant for sexual assault, a second-degree felony.
“I am angry. I am outraged. It’s a punch in the eye to the police department, this kind of conduct,” McManus said. “We won’t tolerate it for a second. And I think the swiftness of the investigation and the arrest is indicative of that.”
Neal has been placed on administrative leave with pay, in accordance with department protocol. If indicted, the pay would cease. He was released from custody Saturday morning at 7:25 a.m.
He was suspended in September, according to an agenda for the San Antonio Police and Firefighter Civil Service Commission, but circumstances surrounding that suspension have not been made clear.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Retired Officer Joseph Ferrante Charged with Sharing Child Porn
A retired Peabody police officer has been charged with storing and sharing child pornography on his computer.
Joseph Ferrante, 60, of 30 Bresnahan St., Peabody, is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Peabody District Court on charges stemming from an investigation by the state police Internet Crimes Against Children unit, according to court papers.
Ferrante was arrested at his home on Monday after troopers obtained a search warrant that allowed them to seize and examine Ferrante’s computers. A preliminary search confirmed that among the items on the computer’s hard drive was a video of two boys engaging in sexual activity.
That is the same video Sgt. Michael Hill found when he visited a file-sharing network in September.
The video, with the name “bibcam,” (short for “boys in bedroom”) depicted adolescent boys, 12 and 14, engaging in sexual acts. It was one of the videos listed on the file-sharing site as being available from a specific computer within the group.
Hill also found another video showing a boy under the age of 10 engaging in sexual activity with an older male. As the investigation continued, Hill was able to link directly to the same computer and found another video, this one described as a “preteen hard-core” video of an 8-year-old girl.
Using the IP address of the computer, prosecutors sought a subpoena from Comcast and learned the identity of the subscriber, Ferrante.
On Monday, they showed up at Ferrante’s home with a search warrant.
Trooper James Dowling confronted Ferrante, who initially acknowledged only that he had “passed by” child porn.
Ferrante admitted to using the file-sharing service and admitted that he had both searched for and viewed child pornography. But he allegedly told investigators he did not believe there was child pornography on his computer.
A trooper who did a preliminary search found, in addition to the video of the two adolescent boys, files with names that suggested that they also contained child pornography. Police took the computer for a full search.
Ferrante, who is divorced, was released late Monday on $5,000 bail set by an assistant clerk magistrate following his arrest.
Ferrante is facing charges of possession and dissemination of child pornography. The possession charge carries up to a five-year prison term, but dissemination of child pornography carries a minimum mandatory 10-year term and up to 20 years in prison.
Joseph Ferrante, 60, of 30 Bresnahan St., Peabody, is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Peabody District Court on charges stemming from an investigation by the state police Internet Crimes Against Children unit, according to court papers.
Ferrante was arrested at his home on Monday after troopers obtained a search warrant that allowed them to seize and examine Ferrante’s computers. A preliminary search confirmed that among the items on the computer’s hard drive was a video of two boys engaging in sexual activity.
That is the same video Sgt. Michael Hill found when he visited a file-sharing network in September.
The video, with the name “bibcam,” (short for “boys in bedroom”) depicted adolescent boys, 12 and 14, engaging in sexual acts. It was one of the videos listed on the file-sharing site as being available from a specific computer within the group.
Hill also found another video showing a boy under the age of 10 engaging in sexual activity with an older male. As the investigation continued, Hill was able to link directly to the same computer and found another video, this one described as a “preteen hard-core” video of an 8-year-old girl.
Using the IP address of the computer, prosecutors sought a subpoena from Comcast and learned the identity of the subscriber, Ferrante.
On Monday, they showed up at Ferrante’s home with a search warrant.
Trooper James Dowling confronted Ferrante, who initially acknowledged only that he had “passed by” child porn.
Ferrante admitted to using the file-sharing service and admitted that he had both searched for and viewed child pornography. But he allegedly told investigators he did not believe there was child pornography on his computer.
A trooper who did a preliminary search found, in addition to the video of the two adolescent boys, files with names that suggested that they also contained child pornography. Police took the computer for a full search.
Ferrante, who is divorced, was released late Monday on $5,000 bail set by an assistant clerk magistrate following his arrest.
Ferrante is facing charges of possession and dissemination of child pornography. The possession charge carries up to a five-year prison term, but dissemination of child pornography carries a minimum mandatory 10-year term and up to 20 years in prison.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Officer Manuel Williams Arrested for Child Molestation
DeKalb County police on Wednesday confirmed that one of their officers was arrested and charged with child molestation.
It was alleged in a news conference that Officer Manuel Williams, 49, touched the 13-year-old victim while she was visiting his home.
The teen's father reported the incident on Oct. 12, when his daughter told him it happened in September of 2012.
Williams offered his resignation after an investigation was launched.
Williams is charged with one count of child molestation.
"It's very disheartening," said DeKalb County Chief of Police Cedric Alexander. "It's very hurtful for all of us here at DeKalb anytime we have an officer who goes outside of the law."
Williams served 18 years with the DeKalb Police Department, working most recently out of the south precinct.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Officer Daniel Talbot Arrested for DUI
A Moore police officer in training was arrested on DUI charges on Sunday, November 4 in Norman.
OU campus police arrested Daniel Talbot just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Officers say a vehicle driven by Talbot was going the wrong way in the 700 block of Buchanan Avenue.
Police stopped Talbot in the 400 block of W. Boyd Street. They say they could smell an odor of alcohol coming from Talbot's breath and person. Talbot reportedly admitted to drinking prior to driving.
Officers also found a loaded firearm, a glock .22 generation 4, in Talbot's vehicle.
Talbot was then taken into custody on charges of DUI, and carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol.
Talbot resigned from the Moore Police Department on Tuesday, November 5. He was also a former officer at the McAlester Police Department.
Just last month, another Moore officer was arrested for DUI following an off-duty car accident. Police say 13-year veteran officer Tony Towery was arrested after running into the back of another car.
OU campus police arrested Daniel Talbot just before 2 a.m. Sunday. Officers say a vehicle driven by Talbot was going the wrong way in the 700 block of Buchanan Avenue.
Police stopped Talbot in the 400 block of W. Boyd Street. They say they could smell an odor of alcohol coming from Talbot's breath and person. Talbot reportedly admitted to drinking prior to driving.
Officers also found a loaded firearm, a glock .22 generation 4, in Talbot's vehicle.
Talbot was then taken into custody on charges of DUI, and carrying a weapon under the influence of alcohol.
Talbot resigned from the Moore Police Department on Tuesday, November 5. He was also a former officer at the McAlester Police Department.
Just last month, another Moore officer was arrested for DUI following an off-duty car accident. Police say 13-year veteran officer Tony Towery was arrested after running into the back of another car.
Tuesday, November 05, 2013
Officer Patrick Williams Arrested for Worthless Checks
A Shreveport police officer has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest on a felony charge of issuing worthless checks.
According to the Shreveport Police Department, 23-year-old Patrick Williams was arrested Tuesday as a fugitive on an outstanding warrant obtained by the Bossier Parish District Attorney's Office.
Williams joined the Shreveport Police Department in July 2012.
In a brief statement released Tuesday afternoon regarding the arrest, Chief of Police Willie Shaw placed Williams on leave "as required by the rules and regulations of the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board which states: 'When an employee is charged with a felony he shall, and if a misdemeanor he may, be immediately relieved of duty and placed on "departmental leave' for up to one week at full pay and with continuing seniority."
Williams was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center.
According to the Shreveport Police Department, 23-year-old Patrick Williams was arrested Tuesday as a fugitive on an outstanding warrant obtained by the Bossier Parish District Attorney's Office.
Williams joined the Shreveport Police Department in July 2012.
In a brief statement released Tuesday afternoon regarding the arrest, Chief of Police Willie Shaw placed Williams on leave "as required by the rules and regulations of the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board which states: 'When an employee is charged with a felony he shall, and if a misdemeanor he may, be immediately relieved of duty and placed on "departmental leave' for up to one week at full pay and with continuing seniority."
Williams was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Officer Tony Towery Arrested for DUI
A Moore police officer was arrested on a complaint of driving under the influence.
Police say 13-year veteran officer Tony Towery was arrested Saturday after running into the back of another car.
He was off-duty at the time of the crash.
Right now, Towery is on paid administrative leave.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Officer Mary O'Callaghan Charged with Felony Assault
A Los Angeles police officer has been charged with assaulting a woman
under arrest, Alesia Thomas, who lost consciousness in a patrol car and
was declared dead soon thereafter, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Mary O'Callaghan, 48, was
charged a day earlier in a felony assault case, according to the Los
Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
The prosecutor's office
said it will request $35,000 bail for the officer who, if convicted,
could spend three years in state prison.
Tyler Izen, president of
the Los Angeles police union,in a statement said "the alleged actions of
the officer are incongruous with her reputation as an officer who was
known to be diligent, courteous and ethical." O'Callaghan's lawyer
Robert Rico describes his client, an 18-year veteran of the department,
as "devastated."
"As an officer, a Marine
and a mother, she's used to fighting and defending others," Rico said.
"And she will fight and defend herself in a court of law to prove her
innocence."
The charge stems from an incident July 22, 2012, when police investigating a possible child abandonment went to Thomas' home.
This was after Thomas had
dropped off her two children at a police station because she felt her
drug abuse had made her an unfit parent, according to Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.
At the mother's home, police talked with Thomas and arrested her.
It was then that
O'Callaghan arrived on the scene, helping her fellow officers put Thomas
-- then wearing handcuffs and leg restraints -- in a patrol car.
Video captured what
happened next, the prosecutor's office said, including "O'Callaghan
kicking Thomas in the stomach and groin area and pushing her in the
throat."
Thomas lost consciousness in the patrol car, then was transported by paramedics to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Prosecutors said they
didn't file involuntary manslaughter charges against O'Callaghan because
it couldn't be proven that she directly caused Thomas' death.
Her official cause of death was "undetermined," according to a coroner's report.
Thomas's relatives, though, believe O'Callaghan is responsible, family spokesman Najee Ali said Thursday.
The family is grateful
for the charge filed this week, added Ali. But they're not satisfied
yet, pushing for the public release of the video showing Thomas' final
moments.
"We want to have the whole truth of what happened to Alesia Thomas," Ali said. "... This is not over with."
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Three Officers Under Investigation in Bikers' Clash with SUV Driver
Three bikers have been indicted in connection with a well-publicized
clash with a New York SUV driver, the Manhattan District Attorney's
office said Friday.
Craig Wright, 29, and
Reginald Chance, 37, were indicted Friday, according to the district
attorney's office. A third man, Robert Sims, 35, was indicted on
Thursday, it said.
Authorities say Alexander
Lien was chased by bikers after he initially bumped one during a biker
rally on September 29. When his SUV was surrounded by several bikers,
Lien called 9-1-1, told police he feared for his life and drove off,
running over bikers and critically injuring one.
Lien's wife and 2-year-old daughter were in the vehicle with him. Lien has not been charged.
The chase that followed
ended in traffic. Police say Lien's windows were smashed; he was dragged
out of the SUV and beaten. He was treated and released from a hospital.
Officials did not detail
the formal charges against the three men. In New York, charges in an
indictment are not announced until defendants have been arraigned and
can enter a plea.
Chance was accused of
using his helmet to smash the SUV window, according to police. The
lawyer for Chance concedes his client "overreacted," but claims he did
not take part in beating the driver.
Authorities arrested Wright for allegedly hitting the SUV driver through the window of his vehicle.
Sims was accused of stomping on the driver after he was pulled from his SUV, authorities said.
Wright, Chance and Sims are scheduled to be arraigned on October 30, according to the district attorney's office.
At least seven people have been arrested, including the three who were indicted.
Authorities, who have appealed for the public's help in identifying people in photos, haven't ruled out more arrests or charges.
Meanwhile, a New York
Police officer who works in Internal Affairs joins the ranks of at least
two others with the NYPD who waited several days to tell their
superiors they were at the rally where the SUV driver was beaten and
kicked, according to the lawyer for the officer.
"He did what he had to do (by coming forward)," the officer's attorney, Pat Bonanno, told CNN.
A law enforcement
source, with knowledge of the case, told CNN the Internal Affairs
officer didn't report he was at the rally for at least a week.
CNN is withholding the
officer's name, who worked for Internal Affairs for five years, because
he has not been charged with any wrongdoing at this time. The story was
first reported by DNAInfo.com, a site specializing in crime news.
Bonanno says the officer
belongs to a motorcycle club and was riding with hundreds of bikers who
participated in the September 29th rally, but insists he didn't witness
the assault on Lien.
"He wasn't aware of
anything of the nature posted on YouTube and he doesn't have any
firsthand knowledge of what was going on," Bonanno said.
"Once all the videos are
reviewed and witnesses interviewed, we'll find that my client has no
culpability for anything that happened that day."
Bonanno offered no
explanation as to why the officer waited so long to tell his superiors
he was there. "That will be addressed in an appropriate time and
manner," he said.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, tells CNN authorities are investigating his account.
Law enforcement sources have told CNN there were no on-duty police officers riding with the bikers in an undercover capacity.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner John McCarthy declined comment as did the Manhattan District Attorney's office.
At least two other officers are under investigation.
One of them is Detective
Wojciech Braszczok, who faces three felony counts including gang
assault. Prosecutors say the off-duty cop is on video allegedly using
his fist to bash in the rear window of Lien's SUV and kick it.
Braszczok's lawyer has denied his client did anything wrong and says video will exonerate him.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Officer Dan Hamlin Arrested for Grand Theft
A JSO officer has been arrested on 26 counts of official misconduct and grand theft.
JSO said officer Dan Hamlin was arrested after a warrant was issued Wednesday.
Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt said Hamlin was fraudulently claiming overtime. Senterfitt said Hamlin claimed he was consulting with the State Attorney's Office on pre-trial cases but listed a state attorney on his timesheet who was no longer at the office.
According to JSO, this case has been under investigation since June. Senterfitt said Hamlin was made aware at the time, and the overtime stopped.
Senterfitt said Hamlin has resigned.
JSO said officer Dan Hamlin was arrested after a warrant was issued Wednesday.
Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt said Hamlin was fraudulently claiming overtime. Senterfitt said Hamlin claimed he was consulting with the State Attorney's Office on pre-trial cases but listed a state attorney on his timesheet who was no longer at the office.
According to JSO, this case has been under investigation since June. Senterfitt said Hamlin was made aware at the time, and the overtime stopped.
Senterfitt said Hamlin has resigned.
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Officer Andrew Alan Haney Charged with Sending Obscene Material to Child
A West Columbia police officer was charged in federal court after sending explicit photos of himself to a 13-year-old girl in Iowa last month, authorities said.
Andrew Alan Haney, 30, was charged with interstate commerce of obscene materials to a person under 16, according to court records. He was appointed a public defender.
According to court records, Haney was involved in chatting with the girl in Polk County, Iowa from Sept. 22-28. The girl said she met Haney through a social media website.
Authorities identified Haney as a suspect after he sent the girl a photo with his police badge with the state seal visible in the photo, according to court records.
West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said Haney was fired.
Tyndall said the situation was an "embarrassment" for the department.
Haney was being held in the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
Andrew Alan Haney, 30, was charged with interstate commerce of obscene materials to a person under 16, according to court records. He was appointed a public defender.
According to court records, Haney was involved in chatting with the girl in Polk County, Iowa from Sept. 22-28. The girl said she met Haney through a social media website.
Authorities identified Haney as a suspect after he sent the girl a photo with his police badge with the state seal visible in the photo, according to court records.
West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said Haney was fired.
Tyndall said the situation was an "embarrassment" for the department.
Haney was being held in the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.
Friday, October 04, 2013
Officer John Marcus Weber Arrested for Giving Alcohol to Minors
A Sallisaw police lieutenant turned himself in Friday after an investigation into alcohol-related misconduct led to a warrant.
John Marcus Weber was booked on two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor Friday morning. Weber, 29, allegedly provided hard liquor or high-point beer and 3.2 beer to teenagers.
The warrant, issued Thursday and signed Friday morning, came about after the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office requested that the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation look into complaints against the officer.
Weber's bail was set at $10,000 for which he has made bond.
John Marcus Weber was booked on two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor Friday morning. Weber, 29, allegedly provided hard liquor or high-point beer and 3.2 beer to teenagers.
The warrant, issued Thursday and signed Friday morning, came about after the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Office requested that the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation look into complaints against the officer.
Weber's bail was set at $10,000 for which he has made bond.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Officer Julio Pagan Arrested for Sexual Battery
Another sex scandal at the Lakeland Police Department, and this time, the officer involved faces criminal charges.
Officer Julio Pagan, 31, was arrested today on two counts of sexual battery and one count of stalking.
"There are simply no words to describe my shock, my outrage, my disgust about this," said Chief Lisa Womack.
Chief Womack says the investigation dates back to a time right in the middle of the department's highly publicized sex scandal.
Investigators say Officer Pagan responded to a July 4th call near a trailer park and that's where he first met the alleged victim.
Six weeks later, during another call, the woman says Pagan coerced her to have sex with him in her bathroom while he was still armed, in uniform, and on duty.
Asked if this will only promote talk of persistent culture problems now under her command as well at Lakeland P.D., Chief Womack was clearly frustrated.
"This is not a departmental issue," she said pausing for moment, "You want to know how I feel about it? Fed up," she said.
The alleged victim says three weeks later, Pagan, again on-duty, was back, asking her for a "quickie" according to the police report.
Surveillance video shows Pagan's cruiser pulling up to a nearby Circle K store, where images, say detectives, show the woman buys alcohol before both return to her house.
Investigators say Pagan then came back a second time on that same date,August 29th, but that the woman made an excuse to fend off his advances and called police to complain about Pagan's visits.
However the dispatcher, identified as Christinia Jordan, now on administrative leave, never sent an officer.
"I have no valid explanation as to at this point why that that did not occur," said Chief Womack. An investigation into the matter was "about 90%" complete, she said.
The victim, who never had a police officer respond, got another uninvited visit from Pagan about three weeks later.
Relatives called to complain yet again, and this time Lakeland sent an investigator.
Austin Garcia, a neighbor, says a short time later, the trailer park area was visited by multiple officers.
"I did see a couple of squad cars go over there and stuff, like about 5 or 6 of them," he said, "They stayed there about an hour or two and left."
Chief Womack says she knows the public is already commenting about how this may yet again be an example of the "culture" within Lakeland P.D., but she took issue with that assertion.
This was not a departmental culture issue, she said -it's a crime.
Pagan, she said,will likely be formally fire dover the next couple of days.
He faces life in prison if convicted.
Officer Julio Pagan, 31, was arrested today on two counts of sexual battery and one count of stalking.
"There are simply no words to describe my shock, my outrage, my disgust about this," said Chief Lisa Womack.
Chief Womack says the investigation dates back to a time right in the middle of the department's highly publicized sex scandal.
Investigators say Officer Pagan responded to a July 4th call near a trailer park and that's where he first met the alleged victim.
Six weeks later, during another call, the woman says Pagan coerced her to have sex with him in her bathroom while he was still armed, in uniform, and on duty.
Asked if this will only promote talk of persistent culture problems now under her command as well at Lakeland P.D., Chief Womack was clearly frustrated.
"This is not a departmental issue," she said pausing for moment, "You want to know how I feel about it? Fed up," she said.
The alleged victim says three weeks later, Pagan, again on-duty, was back, asking her for a "quickie" according to the police report.
Surveillance video shows Pagan's cruiser pulling up to a nearby Circle K store, where images, say detectives, show the woman buys alcohol before both return to her house.
Investigators say Pagan then came back a second time on that same date,August 29th, but that the woman made an excuse to fend off his advances and called police to complain about Pagan's visits.
However the dispatcher, identified as Christinia Jordan, now on administrative leave, never sent an officer.
"I have no valid explanation as to at this point why that that did not occur," said Chief Womack. An investigation into the matter was "about 90%" complete, she said.
The victim, who never had a police officer respond, got another uninvited visit from Pagan about three weeks later.
Relatives called to complain yet again, and this time Lakeland sent an investigator.
Austin Garcia, a neighbor, says a short time later, the trailer park area was visited by multiple officers.
"I did see a couple of squad cars go over there and stuff, like about 5 or 6 of them," he said, "They stayed there about an hour or two and left."
Chief Womack says she knows the public is already commenting about how this may yet again be an example of the "culture" within Lakeland P.D., but she took issue with that assertion.
This was not a departmental culture issue, she said -it's a crime.
Pagan, she said,will likely be formally fire dover the next couple of days.
He faces life in prison if convicted.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Deputy Darrell Mathis Arrested for Selling Marijuana Out of His Police Car
An undercover sting operation nabbed an Atlanta-area sheriff's deputy
who was selling marijuana out of his patrol car and in uniform, federal
authorities say.
Newton County Deputy Darrell Mathis told an informant that he could sell pot without fear because "he drives safely and flashes police credentials to get out of tickets if stopped," according to court papers. Mathis, a five-year veteran deputy, was freed on bond after his arrest last week, the FBI said.
"This defendant used his position as a police officer to openly violate the very laws that he was sworn to uphold," U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a written statement.
"Selling marijuana out of his police car while wearing a badge and uniform is outrageous. This case is a reminder that no one is above the law."
Mathis has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and with carrying a firearm during a drug offense -- a charge that could bring a possible life sentence if convicted. He did not immediately return messages seeking comment Sunday.
Newton County is about 30 miles east of Atlanta. Sheriff Ezell Brown said Mathis has been placed on administrative leave, and his office is cooperating with the investigation.
"This is an embarrassment to the Newton County Sheriff's Office, as well as law enforcement in general," Brown said in a joint statement with Yates.
According to the charges against him, Mathis attracted the attention of the FBI in April after what officials called a "social visit" by a person who went on to become a confidential informant. The informant visited Mathis at his apartment and saw large bags of what was "believed to be marijuana" on the living room table.
The complaint states that Mathis told the informant that he wasn't concerned about getting caught, because of his safe driving and police credentials.
Apparently unnerved by the exchange, the informant went to the authorities and offered to help with an investigation. The FBI then set up a half dozen meetings among Mathis, the informant and eventually two undercover agents, court papers recount.
Mathis and the informant discussed a drug sale during their next meeting, the charges state. Mathis sold the informant an ounce of marijuana later that day, showing up for the deal in his cruiser, in uniform and carrying his service pistol.
After that, an undercover agent got involved -- and the amounts of marijuana increased.
In June, as the agent bought a pound of pot, Mathis boasted, "I do my little 10 to 15 a week" -- a phrase the agent "understood to mean selling 10 to 15 pounds a week," the arrest affidavit states.
Then in early August, according to the complaint, Mathis met with another undercover agent, a supposed cocaine dealer. The two agents and Mathis sat down at a restaurant to discuss buying and transporting marijuana and cocaine, according to the complaint.
While the three spoke, Mathis allegedly pulled out his badge and told the undercover agent, "Don't worry, I'm on your side." By the end of the meeting, the complaint alleges, Mathis had agreed to run marijuana and cocaine from Alabama to North Carolina at the behest of the undercover agent.
Federal agents found a pound of pot on Mathis when he was arrested last week, the FBI said.
Newton County Deputy Darrell Mathis told an informant that he could sell pot without fear because "he drives safely and flashes police credentials to get out of tickets if stopped," according to court papers. Mathis, a five-year veteran deputy, was freed on bond after his arrest last week, the FBI said.
"This defendant used his position as a police officer to openly violate the very laws that he was sworn to uphold," U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said in a written statement.
"Selling marijuana out of his police car while wearing a badge and uniform is outrageous. This case is a reminder that no one is above the law."
Mathis has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and with carrying a firearm during a drug offense -- a charge that could bring a possible life sentence if convicted. He did not immediately return messages seeking comment Sunday.
Newton County is about 30 miles east of Atlanta. Sheriff Ezell Brown said Mathis has been placed on administrative leave, and his office is cooperating with the investigation.
"This is an embarrassment to the Newton County Sheriff's Office, as well as law enforcement in general," Brown said in a joint statement with Yates.
According to the charges against him, Mathis attracted the attention of the FBI in April after what officials called a "social visit" by a person who went on to become a confidential informant. The informant visited Mathis at his apartment and saw large bags of what was "believed to be marijuana" on the living room table.
The complaint states that Mathis told the informant that he wasn't concerned about getting caught, because of his safe driving and police credentials.
Apparently unnerved by the exchange, the informant went to the authorities and offered to help with an investigation. The FBI then set up a half dozen meetings among Mathis, the informant and eventually two undercover agents, court papers recount.
Mathis and the informant discussed a drug sale during their next meeting, the charges state. Mathis sold the informant an ounce of marijuana later that day, showing up for the deal in his cruiser, in uniform and carrying his service pistol.
After that, an undercover agent got involved -- and the amounts of marijuana increased.
In June, as the agent bought a pound of pot, Mathis boasted, "I do my little 10 to 15 a week" -- a phrase the agent "understood to mean selling 10 to 15 pounds a week," the arrest affidavit states.
Then in early August, according to the complaint, Mathis met with another undercover agent, a supposed cocaine dealer. The two agents and Mathis sat down at a restaurant to discuss buying and transporting marijuana and cocaine, according to the complaint.
While the three spoke, Mathis allegedly pulled out his badge and told the undercover agent, "Don't worry, I'm on your side." By the end of the meeting, the complaint alleges, Mathis had agreed to run marijuana and cocaine from Alabama to North Carolina at the behest of the undercover agent.
Federal agents found a pound of pot on Mathis when he was arrested last week, the FBI said.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Lt Marcus LeMacks Accused of Stealing from Sears
A Dawson Police officer who also worked part-time for Warwick, was booked into the Dougherty County jail Thursday night, accused of stealing from Sears in the Albany Mall, and it's not his first arrest.
42-year-old Lt. Marcus LeMacks resigned his Warwick post Friday afternoon, and remains suspended in Dawson.
LeMacks worked part-time at Sears. Store loss prevention officers investigated him for two months before Albany Police arrested him a little before 5:30 p.m.
They say surveillance video shows LeMacks taking items from the store and putting them in his vehicle. Investigators believe he stole about $1,200 worth of merchandise. They plan to search his home to try to recover items.
Dawson Police Charlie Whitehead says officer Marcus LeMacks has been suspended without pay until his legal case is adjudicated, and he has been notified of his suspension.
Chief Whitehead added that LeMacks' POST certification had just come off probation in June, after his misdemeanor conviction of supplying alcohol to minors. In 2009 LeMacks was fired from the Leesburg Police Department after being charged with providing alcohol to people under age 21.
Chief Whitehead says LeMacks has been employed by the Dawson Police Department since 2009.
42-year-old Lt. Marcus LeMacks resigned his Warwick post Friday afternoon, and remains suspended in Dawson.
LeMacks worked part-time at Sears. Store loss prevention officers investigated him for two months before Albany Police arrested him a little before 5:30 p.m.
They say surveillance video shows LeMacks taking items from the store and putting them in his vehicle. Investigators believe he stole about $1,200 worth of merchandise. They plan to search his home to try to recover items.
Dawson Police Charlie Whitehead says officer Marcus LeMacks has been suspended without pay until his legal case is adjudicated, and he has been notified of his suspension.
Chief Whitehead added that LeMacks' POST certification had just come off probation in June, after his misdemeanor conviction of supplying alcohol to minors. In 2009 LeMacks was fired from the Leesburg Police Department after being charged with providing alcohol to people under age 21.
Chief Whitehead says LeMacks has been employed by the Dawson Police Department since 2009.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Officer Randall Kerrick Accused of Shooting Jonathan Ferrell
A North Carolina police officer accused of shooting and killing an
unarmed man who had apparently been in an automobile wreck is scheduled
to appear in court today to face a voluntary manslaughter charge.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Randall Kerrick is charged in the case.
Twenty-four-year-old Jonathan Ferrell, a former Florida A&M University football player, was killed early Saturday.
Charlotte-Meckleburg police say he had sought help at a nearby house. A woman answered the door and called 911 when she didn't recognize the man.
Officers responding to the breaking and entering call found Ferrell nearby. Ferrell ran toward the officers, who tried to stop him with a Taser. Police said he continued to run toward them when officer Randall Kerrick fired his gun, hitting Ferrell several times.
Ferrell died at the scene.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Randall Kerrick is charged in the case.
Twenty-four-year-old Jonathan Ferrell, a former Florida A&M University football player, was killed early Saturday.
Charlotte-Meckleburg police say he had sought help at a nearby house. A woman answered the door and called 911 when she didn't recognize the man.
Officers responding to the breaking and entering call found Ferrell nearby. Ferrell ran toward the officers, who tried to stop him with a Taser. Police said he continued to run toward them when officer Randall Kerrick fired his gun, hitting Ferrell several times.
Ferrell died at the scene.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
Cpl. David Turner Arrested for Prostitution Near School
A Tulsa police officer was arrested for soliciting a prostitute within 1,000 feet of a school Thursday afternoon.
Cpl. David Turner also faces a charge of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.
A source close to the situation said Turner was taken into custody at the Executive Inn at 11th and Garnett just after 3 p.m. following an undercover operation performed by TPD and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. "The Tulsa Police Department received information regarding alleged criminal activity involving Turner and in return launched an investigation which included the Tulsa Police Departments Special Investigations Division and agents with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs," Chief of Police Chuck Jordan said in a release.
Turner was released on bond less than two hours after being booked in the Tulsa jail. He was placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.
A source close to the situation said Turner was taken into custody at the Executive Inn at 11th and Garnett just after 3 p.m. following an undercover operation performed by TPD and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. "The Tulsa Police Department received information regarding alleged criminal activity involving Turner and in return launched an investigation which included the Tulsa Police Departments Special Investigations Division and agents with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs," Chief of Police Chuck Jordan said in a release.
Turner was released on bond less than two hours after being booked in the Tulsa jail. He was placed on paid administrative leave pending further investigation.
Sunday, September 01, 2013
Correctional Officer Cory Colvin Arrested for Sexual Assault on Child
An East Texas correctional officer is behind bars and is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child.
According to Upshur County records, 33-year-old Cory Colvin was arrested Monday, and is charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
Texas Department of Corrections Public Information Officer Jason Clark said that Colvin is a correctional officer at the Telford Unit, which is located in New Boston, Texas.
Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said that Colvin confessed the assault to authorities in the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and was arrested on site.
He is being held in the Upshur County Jail on one hundred Thousand dollars bond.
According to Upshur County records, 33-year-old Cory Colvin was arrested Monday, and is charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.
Texas Department of Corrections Public Information Officer Jason Clark said that Colvin is a correctional officer at the Telford Unit, which is located in New Boston, Texas.
Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd said that Colvin confessed the assault to authorities in the Upshur County Sheriff's Office and was arrested on site.
He is being held in the Upshur County Jail on one hundred Thousand dollars bond.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Officer Calvin Aaron Jr Arrested for Sexting with Juvenile
Investigators from the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations/Alexandria Field Office arrested Zwolle Police Officer Calvin L. Aaron Jr., 33, of Zwolle, LA, Wednesday.
Aaron Jr. is accused of pornography involving juveniles, indecent behavior with juveniles, obstruction of justice, and malfeasance in office.
In July 2013, Louisiana State Police received information and a request from the Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office in reference to investigating alleged inappropriate conduct and behavior that was/is sexual in nature, between a Zwolle Police Officer and a juvenile.
The investigation revealed that Aaron Jr. and a female juvenile (16 yrs) were using cell phones to transmit sexually explicit and/or lewd images of each other to one another.
The investigation also revealed that Aaron Jr. had engaged in indecent behavior with the juvenile and attempted to destroy evidence of their activities after knowing that an investigation into the matter had begun.
Wednesday, Aaron Jr. was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center on the above listed charges.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Officer David Bisard Arrested for Drunk Driving
Suspended Indianapolis Metro Police Officer David Bisard has been arrested for Operating a vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI) following an accident Saturday afternoon in Lawrence.
According to sources, Bisard blew a .16 on an alcohol breath test but refused a chemical test, so he was taken to the hospital for a blood draw.
Officers were dispatched to the 10000 block of Indian Lake Boulevard South in Lawrence around 2:30 p.m. for a property damage accident. Police say Bisard was the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident.
Police say Bisard smelled of alcohol and that he failed a field sobriety test and a Breathalyzer test at the scene of the crash. According to police, Bisard was eastbound on Indiana Lake Boulevard when he struck a speed limit sign, knocking it down, and then hit the guardrail.
Lawrence Police walked Bisard into Wishard Hospital for a blood draw. They arrived in an unmarked vehicle and Bisard was taken inside handcuffed. After the blood draw, Bisard was taken to the Marion County Arrestee Processing Center.
Bisard's Attorney John Kautzmann tells Eyewitness News he is not commenting on his client's arrests nor his possible release from jail.
IMPD Chief Rick Hite told Eyewitness News he was aware of Bisard's arrest Saturday and that it's in the hands of the prosecutors.
August 2010 crash
David Bisard was involved in an August 2010 crash that resulted in the death of motorcyclist Eric Wells. Two others, Mary Mills and Kurt Weekly, were critically injured in the crash and Weekly has permanent brain damage.
Bisard was charged with reckless homicide and other charges in connection with the crash. A blood alcohol content test determined he was over twice the legal limit to drive at the time of the crash. But botched procedures - both with the blood draw itself and later in the IMPD evidence room - led to drunk driving charges being thrown out.
Last year, an appeals court ruled that the blood draw could be allowed as evidence. Bisard's attorneys had argued that the blood draw should not be allowed on the grounds that the medical assistant who took the blood had not followed proper protocols and that the draw should have been taken at a hospital, not a clinic.
In September, the appeals court ruled that the medical assistant did in fact follow physician-approved protocols, "and that the statutes cited by Bisard do not reflect that the General Assembly intended to suppress blood evidence taken in a medical facility by a trained operator in the presence of the suspect's lawyer. We therefore reverse."
A trial date has been set for October 15th, 2013.
Meantime, the city has agreed to pay Weekly and Mills, who are married, a total of $2.3 million. Weekly was awarded $1.35 million and Mills $975,000.
A $1.5 million settlement was reached with the family of Eric Wells in June 2012.
Recent developments:
March 4: IMPD officers, demoted after Bisard crash, now promoted - The Indianapolis Metro Police Department promoted some of its officers to high-ranking positions Monday. Ronald Hicks and John Conley both played roles at the scene where suspended Officer David Bisard is accused of crashing into three motorcycle riders while driving drunk in August 2010.
Ronald Hicks was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police and John Conley is now Commander of the Southeast District. Both were promoted in a ceremony held in the Chief's Conference Room.
Hicks and Conley, along with then- Assistant Chief Darryl Pierce, were demoted a few weeks after the Bisard crash, which claimed the life of Eric Wells, due to a "failure in leadership" amid claims of a flawed investigation. Bisard's blood alcohol content was tested at well over the legal limit, but drunk driving charges were thrown out on a technicality stemming from the way the blood sample was handled.
Jan. 3: IMPD evidence room undergoes changes after Bisard blood removed - Critical blood evidence from a deadly drunk driving case against Officer David Bisard was mistakenly removed from a refrigeration unit in the IMPD property room and transferred to storage. It sat unrefrigerated from mid-November 2011 to April 2012.
Police Chief Paul Ciesielski stepped down and the FBI stepped in to investigate. But the only culprit found was outdated and poorly constructed property room guidelines.
13 Investigates and its cameras ventured inside the property room for a rare look at how evidence in some of the city's worst and highest profile cases are now stored.
According to sources, Bisard blew a .16 on an alcohol breath test but refused a chemical test, so he was taken to the hospital for a blood draw.
Officers were dispatched to the 10000 block of Indian Lake Boulevard South in Lawrence around 2:30 p.m. for a property damage accident. Police say Bisard was the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident.
Police say Bisard smelled of alcohol and that he failed a field sobriety test and a Breathalyzer test at the scene of the crash. According to police, Bisard was eastbound on Indiana Lake Boulevard when he struck a speed limit sign, knocking it down, and then hit the guardrail.
Lawrence Police walked Bisard into Wishard Hospital for a blood draw. They arrived in an unmarked vehicle and Bisard was taken inside handcuffed. After the blood draw, Bisard was taken to the Marion County Arrestee Processing Center.
Bisard's Attorney John Kautzmann tells Eyewitness News he is not commenting on his client's arrests nor his possible release from jail.
IMPD Chief Rick Hite told Eyewitness News he was aware of Bisard's arrest Saturday and that it's in the hands of the prosecutors.
August 2010 crash
David Bisard was involved in an August 2010 crash that resulted in the death of motorcyclist Eric Wells. Two others, Mary Mills and Kurt Weekly, were critically injured in the crash and Weekly has permanent brain damage.
Bisard was charged with reckless homicide and other charges in connection with the crash. A blood alcohol content test determined he was over twice the legal limit to drive at the time of the crash. But botched procedures - both with the blood draw itself and later in the IMPD evidence room - led to drunk driving charges being thrown out.
Last year, an appeals court ruled that the blood draw could be allowed as evidence. Bisard's attorneys had argued that the blood draw should not be allowed on the grounds that the medical assistant who took the blood had not followed proper protocols and that the draw should have been taken at a hospital, not a clinic.
In September, the appeals court ruled that the medical assistant did in fact follow physician-approved protocols, "and that the statutes cited by Bisard do not reflect that the General Assembly intended to suppress blood evidence taken in a medical facility by a trained operator in the presence of the suspect's lawyer. We therefore reverse."
A trial date has been set for October 15th, 2013.
Meantime, the city has agreed to pay Weekly and Mills, who are married, a total of $2.3 million. Weekly was awarded $1.35 million and Mills $975,000.
A $1.5 million settlement was reached with the family of Eric Wells in June 2012.
Recent developments:
March 4: IMPD officers, demoted after Bisard crash, now promoted - The Indianapolis Metro Police Department promoted some of its officers to high-ranking positions Monday. Ronald Hicks and John Conley both played roles at the scene where suspended Officer David Bisard is accused of crashing into three motorcycle riders while driving drunk in August 2010.
Ronald Hicks was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police and John Conley is now Commander of the Southeast District. Both were promoted in a ceremony held in the Chief's Conference Room.
Hicks and Conley, along with then- Assistant Chief Darryl Pierce, were demoted a few weeks after the Bisard crash, which claimed the life of Eric Wells, due to a "failure in leadership" amid claims of a flawed investigation. Bisard's blood alcohol content was tested at well over the legal limit, but drunk driving charges were thrown out on a technicality stemming from the way the blood sample was handled.
Jan. 3: IMPD evidence room undergoes changes after Bisard blood removed - Critical blood evidence from a deadly drunk driving case against Officer David Bisard was mistakenly removed from a refrigeration unit in the IMPD property room and transferred to storage. It sat unrefrigerated from mid-November 2011 to April 2012.
Police Chief Paul Ciesielski stepped down and the FBI stepped in to investigate. But the only culprit found was outdated and poorly constructed property room guidelines.
13 Investigates and its cameras ventured inside the property room for a rare look at how evidence in some of the city's worst and highest profile cases are now stored.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Officer Robert Barthelemy Arrested for Kidnapping
Authorities in central Louisiana have spent the weekend searching for a
man they believe was kidnapped from his home at gunpoint by a
Natchitoches police officer.
Twenty-five year-old Tony Procell has been missing for almost a week.
The Shreveport Times reports that security video at Procell's mobile home showed Natchitoches police Officer Robert Barthelemy leading Procell out at gunpoint last Tuesday.
Barthelemy was booked Wednesday with aggravated kidnapping and home invasion. Bond has not been set.
Defense attorney Brian McRae did not immediately return a call and an email Sunday.
Search crews have been looking in Sabine, DeSoto and Natchitoches parishes.
Twenty-five year-old Tony Procell has been missing for almost a week.
The Shreveport Times reports that security video at Procell's mobile home showed Natchitoches police Officer Robert Barthelemy leading Procell out at gunpoint last Tuesday.
Barthelemy was booked Wednesday with aggravated kidnapping and home invasion. Bond has not been set.
Defense attorney Brian McRae did not immediately return a call and an email Sunday.
Search crews have been looking in Sabine, DeSoto and Natchitoches parishes.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Corrections Officer Michael Mangarillo Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Child
A New York Corrections officer is behind bars for allegedly sexually assaulting a child.
Police say Michael Mangarillo, 55, sexually abused the 12-year-old girl last year at his Mooers home.
Police say Mangarillo knew the child and the alleged abuse happened while she was visiting him from New Jersey.
Mangarillo works at Altona Correctional Facility. He's being held without bail.
Police say Michael Mangarillo, 55, sexually abused the 12-year-old girl last year at his Mooers home.
Police say Mangarillo knew the child and the alleged abuse happened while she was visiting him from New Jersey.
Mangarillo works at Altona Correctional Facility. He's being held without bail.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Two Sergeants Arrested After Robbery
A Good Samaritan snapped photos of what appeared to be two men impersonating police officers involved in a pistol-whipping and robbery outside a Citgo gas station on Detroit's east side on July 21.
"Several unidentified police officers were working this particular robbery case, recognized one of the suspects in the photographs as being a member of the Detroit Police Department," Chief James Craig said Monday.
Now under arrest are two police sergeants, a 47-year-old officer and 20-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department and his 42-year-old buddy from the police academy, who is a former DPD cop and 17-year veteran of the St. Clair Shores Police Department. The later recently received a distinguished service award.
"In fact, they were police officers, just not working on-duty at the time," Craig said.
One of the alleged victims identified the St. Clair Shores sergeant from a photo lineup.
It is alleged the two sergeants pulled up in a black pickup, got out of the truck with their guns drawn and their badges around their necks, detained two young men in their early twenties, searched them and pistol-whipped one of them, stealing his wallet and cell phone. The other alleged victim told police they also stole his money.
"At this time, there is no evidence to support that both sergeants were involved in any other police impersonation cases that have been reported in recent weeks," Craig said.
"Know that if we have officers engaging in criminal misconduct that we will investigate. We will always be transparent about this business and making sure that our community is aware of how we're conducting our investigations."
The Detroit police sergeant was arrested at work at the 12th Precinct on Saturday. The St. Clair Shores sergeant was picked up at his home.
While a warrant has been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, no charges have yet been authorized.
Meanwhile, the attorney for the St. Clair Shores sergeant said this case is not at all what it seems and that the alleged victims are far from innocent.
"I think there is going to be a totally different story to this case. These are two highly decorated police officers. They're not rogue cops. They're not cops out on the street trying to take down innocent people," said Todd Flood.
Sources said the teenage daughter of the St. Clair Shores sergeant was recently robbed of her cell phone and that the two officers were tracking down the people responsible. Flood would not confirm or deny that.
"This is a situation where there's more to it than what meets the eye or what's being reported," he said.
"Several unidentified police officers were working this particular robbery case, recognized one of the suspects in the photographs as being a member of the Detroit Police Department," Chief James Craig said Monday.
Now under arrest are two police sergeants, a 47-year-old officer and 20-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department and his 42-year-old buddy from the police academy, who is a former DPD cop and 17-year veteran of the St. Clair Shores Police Department. The later recently received a distinguished service award.
"In fact, they were police officers, just not working on-duty at the time," Craig said.
One of the alleged victims identified the St. Clair Shores sergeant from a photo lineup.
It is alleged the two sergeants pulled up in a black pickup, got out of the truck with their guns drawn and their badges around their necks, detained two young men in their early twenties, searched them and pistol-whipped one of them, stealing his wallet and cell phone. The other alleged victim told police they also stole his money.
"At this time, there is no evidence to support that both sergeants were involved in any other police impersonation cases that have been reported in recent weeks," Craig said.
"Know that if we have officers engaging in criminal misconduct that we will investigate. We will always be transparent about this business and making sure that our community is aware of how we're conducting our investigations."
The Detroit police sergeant was arrested at work at the 12th Precinct on Saturday. The St. Clair Shores sergeant was picked up at his home.
While a warrant has been submitted to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, no charges have yet been authorized.
Meanwhile, the attorney for the St. Clair Shores sergeant said this case is not at all what it seems and that the alleged victims are far from innocent.
"I think there is going to be a totally different story to this case. These are two highly decorated police officers. They're not rogue cops. They're not cops out on the street trying to take down innocent people," said Todd Flood.
Sources said the teenage daughter of the St. Clair Shores sergeant was recently robbed of her cell phone and that the two officers were tracking down the people responsible. Flood would not confirm or deny that.
"This is a situation where there's more to it than what meets the eye or what's being reported," he said.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Deputy Chief Andi Higbee Arrested for DUI
Deputy Chief Andi Higbee, of the Burlington Police Department, has been arrested for Driving Under the Influence.
According to the Vermont State Police, Higbee was pulled over on Route 105 in Sheldon early Sunday morning. Officials say the reason he was stopped was for failing to use a turn signal. Higbee was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the St. Albans Barracks and released on a citation. Higbee is due in court on August 12th.
According to Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling, Higbee has been placed on paid administrative leave. No one from the department was available for further comment Sunday.
This is not Higbee's first arrest. In 1999, Higbee pleaded guilty to drunk driving after crashing his car in Charlotte. In both cases, Higbee was off-duty.
According to the Vermont State Police, Higbee was pulled over on Route 105 in Sheldon early Sunday morning. Officials say the reason he was stopped was for failing to use a turn signal. Higbee was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the St. Albans Barracks and released on a citation. Higbee is due in court on August 12th.
According to Burlington Police Chief Michael Schirling, Higbee has been placed on paid administrative leave. No one from the department was available for further comment Sunday.
This is not Higbee's first arrest. In 1999, Higbee pleaded guilty to drunk driving after crashing his car in Charlotte. In both cases, Higbee was off-duty.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Officer Peter Ciollo Arrested for Attempted Rape
An off-duty New York City police officer has been arrested and charged with the attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl.
Officer Peter Ciollo, 29, is accused of having sex with the teen relative at his Staten Island house on the Fourth of July.
The victim is reportedly his sister in law's sister or other immediate relative on his wife's side of the family.
Authorities say Ciollo gave the girl alcohol to drink, then let her drive his car around the neighborhood.
Then they returned to his home, where he allegedly showed her computer porn before they started touching each other in his bed.
The girl says she doesn't remember what happened next, but she told police that when she woke up, she was in the bed and Ciollo's wife had walked in on them.
A wedding notice in the Staten Island Advance says he was married in 2009.
Ciollo is charged with attempted rape, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual abuse and unlawfully dealing with a child-alcohol. He has been an officer since 2006, assigned to the 120th Precinct.
He has been suspended without pay.
Officer Peter Ciollo, 29, is accused of having sex with the teen relative at his Staten Island house on the Fourth of July.
The victim is reportedly his sister in law's sister or other immediate relative on his wife's side of the family.
Authorities say Ciollo gave the girl alcohol to drink, then let her drive his car around the neighborhood.
Then they returned to his home, where he allegedly showed her computer porn before they started touching each other in his bed.
The girl says she doesn't remember what happened next, but she told police that when she woke up, she was in the bed and Ciollo's wife had walked in on them.
A wedding notice in the Staten Island Advance says he was married in 2009.
Ciollo is charged with attempted rape, endangering the welfare of a child, sexual abuse and unlawfully dealing with a child-alcohol. He has been an officer since 2006, assigned to the 120th Precinct.
He has been suspended without pay.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Officer Ernest Wilson Charged with Domestic Assault
A decommissioned Metro police officer has been charged for shoving his wife.
According to authorities, 43-year-old Ernest Wilson faces a misdemeanor domestic assault charge for shoving his wife into a wall during a dispute at their home last month.
Wilson's wife reported the matter to the police department's domestic violence division, and Wilson was decommissioned pending further investigation.
Wilson is an eight year police department veteran who was last assigned to the north precinct.
According to authorities, 43-year-old Ernest Wilson faces a misdemeanor domestic assault charge for shoving his wife into a wall during a dispute at their home last month.
Wilson's wife reported the matter to the police department's domestic violence division, and Wilson was decommissioned pending further investigation.
Wilson is an eight year police department veteran who was last assigned to the north precinct.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Officer Brian Blue Arrested for DWI
The Fort Worth Police Department is once again dealing with the arrest of an officer accused of driving while intoxicated.
On June 26th, Officer Brian S. Blue was arrested after being involved in a minor crash while off duty. He was driving his personal vehicle.
Toxicology tests are pending to determine if Blue was drunk, or under the influence of another substance.
Officer Blue remains on restricted duty.
No one was hurt in the crash.
On June 26th, Officer Brian S. Blue was arrested after being involved in a minor crash while off duty. He was driving his personal vehicle.
Toxicology tests are pending to determine if Blue was drunk, or under the influence of another substance.
Officer Blue remains on restricted duty.
No one was hurt in the crash.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Lt. Michael Hayes Charged with Solicitation of Minor
The second in command of a small Brunswick County police force paid a teen $60 for sex acts, an arrest warrant detailed Wednesday.
Michael Alan Hayes, 38, a lieutenant with the Northwest Police Department, surrendered to police Wednesday morning on charges of solicitation of a minor for sex and filing a false police report. He has since been released.
According to the warrant, Hayes contacted the girl via Craigslist.org and met with her Nov. 27.
The warrant also charges that on the same day, Hayes filed a false report with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office "concerning the sources and circumstances of the damage to the vehicle" he was operating. The warrant alleges Hayes' false report prevented a deputy from fully investigating "the cause of bullet strikes to the vehicle."
According to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, Hayes reported he was driving his personal vehicle along River Road near Sunny Point on Nov. 27 when someone shot at his car. Hayes reported finding a dent in the body of the vehicle and a hole in his tire.
How that relates to the prostitution charge was not immediately clear.
Hayes, an eight-year veteran of the Northwest Police Department, tendered his resignation to Chief Copelan Taylor on Tuesday, Taylor said.
"I have some issues I need to attend to in my personal life," Hayes wrote in the two-sentence resignation provided to the StarNews by Taylor.
The chief said the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation contacted him Saturday to say that Hayes was being investigated. Taylor said he put Hayes on 30 days of paid leave that night.
According to Jennifer Canada, spokeswoman for the SBI, the investigation into Hayes followed a request from the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department, which recently arrested two men in connection with a prostitution investigation that began there in November 2012.
On May 4, Boiling Spring Lakes police arrested Kyle Bradley Wolfe, 20, and Shawn Christopher Conley, 20, on charges of prostitution of a minor.
Boiling Spring Lakes Police Chief Brad Shirley said at the time of the arrests the investigation involved advertisements on the Internet via different social media websites. The warrant for Hayes names the same 17-year-old girl as the warrants for Wolfe and Conley.
Hayes has a misdemeanor death by vehicle conviction on his record from May 1991 in New Hanover County.
According to an article in the Wilmington Morning Star, Hayes was 16 when the car he was driving ran into the back of a vehicle on Gordon Road. His 14-year-old girlfriend, Jennifer Allen, was killed and two others – Sharon Shivar, 15, and Kevin Francis Dwyer, 16 – were injured. The group was on the way to school at Laney High, the article states.
Hayes was convicted of the misdemeanor in August 1993.
Chief Taylor said he was unaware of the incident, but it would not have prevented Hayes from becoming a police officer.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Former Officer Bennie Hand Charged with Sexually Abusing Vulnerable Adult
A former Wellford police officer was arrested Tuesday by state agents after they said he sexually and physically abused a vulnerable adult.
The State Law Enforcement Division said between July 1, 2012 and Jan. 1, 2013, 32-year-old Bennie Hand sexually battered and physically abused the victim, who suffers from a mental condition impairing her from providing her own care or protecting herself.
During the abuse, SLED said Hand worked as a Wellford police officer.
Wellford Mayor Thomas Watson said the city received a complaint about the allegations made against Hand and called in SLED to investigate. He was placed on administrative leave when the investigation began and was fired following his arrest, Watson said.
Hand was arrested on charges of misconduct in office, criminal sexual conduct third degree and abuse of a vulnerable adult.
State agents were called in to investigate at the request of Wellford police and the 13th Circuit Solicitor's Office will prosecute the case.
Hand is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
The State Law Enforcement Division said between July 1, 2012 and Jan. 1, 2013, 32-year-old Bennie Hand sexually battered and physically abused the victim, who suffers from a mental condition impairing her from providing her own care or protecting herself.
During the abuse, SLED said Hand worked as a Wellford police officer.
Wellford Mayor Thomas Watson said the city received a complaint about the allegations made against Hand and called in SLED to investigate. He was placed on administrative leave when the investigation began and was fired following his arrest, Watson said.
Hand was arrested on charges of misconduct in office, criminal sexual conduct third degree and abuse of a vulnerable adult.
State agents were called in to investigate at the request of Wellford police and the 13th Circuit Solicitor's Office will prosecute the case.
Hand is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center.
Friday, May 03, 2013
Officer Kristopher Landis Arrested for Drinking and Driving
A Farmington Hills police officer has been suspended without pay after investigators say he was drinking and driving.
Officer Kristopher Landis has been with the Farmington Hills police department for 7 years.
On the night of March 10, police in South Lyon say Landis crashed his Buick into an unoccupied parked car on South Parkwood Drive.
The owner of the car said his car was totaled.
According to the police report, Landis told investigators he was driving home when he hit the other car. The report says Landis' "speech was greatly slurred" and there was a "very strong odor of intoxicants on his breath".
Documents show Officer Landis had a blood alcohol content of .17 which is more than twice the legal limit of .08.
A second test showed he had a blood alcohol content of .15. Officer Landis says he plead guilty to drinking and driving. He gave this statement to 7 Action News:
"I was going through an extremely hard time in my life. I made a mistake. I'm grateful
no one was hurt. I've learned from it. I'm using it to better myself as an officer and a person.
I'm extremely grateful for all the support from my immediate family and my brothers
at the police department."
We reached out to Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus. He says Officer Landis is a good officer with a good record. As for when Landis could be back on the force, Chief Nebus said he can't legally comment since the internal matter hasn't been resolved yet.
Officer Kristopher Landis has been with the Farmington Hills police department for 7 years.
On the night of March 10, police in South Lyon say Landis crashed his Buick into an unoccupied parked car on South Parkwood Drive.
The owner of the car said his car was totaled.
According to the police report, Landis told investigators he was driving home when he hit the other car. The report says Landis' "speech was greatly slurred" and there was a "very strong odor of intoxicants on his breath".
Documents show Officer Landis had a blood alcohol content of .17 which is more than twice the legal limit of .08.
A second test showed he had a blood alcohol content of .15. Officer Landis says he plead guilty to drinking and driving. He gave this statement to 7 Action News:
"I was going through an extremely hard time in my life. I made a mistake. I'm grateful
no one was hurt. I've learned from it. I'm using it to better myself as an officer and a person.
I'm extremely grateful for all the support from my immediate family and my brothers
at the police department."
We reached out to Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus. He says Officer Landis is a good officer with a good record. As for when Landis could be back on the force, Chief Nebus said he can't legally comment since the internal matter hasn't been resolved yet.
Thursday, May 02, 2013
Officer Jefferson Taylor III Charged with DUI
A Williamson Police officer is suspended without pay after
State Police charged him with driving under the influence.
Jefferson Taylor III, 23, was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident after troopers in Pike County, Kentucky say he crashed his cruiser before 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to court documents.
Williamson Police Chief Dave Rockel told us his department is conducting an internal investigation into the matter which will coincide with the Kentucky State Police investigation.
Rockel also noted how surprised he was because Taylor is an educated and very promising officer.
Jefferson Taylor III, 23, was charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident after troopers in Pike County, Kentucky say he crashed his cruiser before 4 a.m. Tuesday, according to court documents.
Williamson Police Chief Dave Rockel told us his department is conducting an internal investigation into the matter which will coincide with the Kentucky State Police investigation.
Rockel also noted how surprised he was because Taylor is an educated and very promising officer.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Officer Jeffrey Taylor Arrested for Falsifying Time Sheets
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department arrested one of its own Wednesday.
Detectives arrested Officer Jeffrey T. Taylor after he turned himself in Wednesday evening.
Taylor is charged with obtaining property by false pretense, stemming from a criminal investigation which concluded Taylor falsified time sheets while working a secondary, off-duty job at the Arboretum Shopping Center between October 2012 and January 2013.
Chief Rodney Monroe released the following statement:
"The actions of this officer do not reflect the character of the dedicated men and women that wear the badge of the CMPD with honor.
The public deserves to know that the officers sworn to protect our community are of the highest integrity. We will continue to hold our officers to the highest standards and accountable for their actions."
Taylor is now on unpaid administrative leave pending a criminal and internal investigation. He was hired by the CMPD on April 26, 1989. He was assigned to the Metro Division and worked as a school resource officer at Phillip O. Berry High School.
Detectives arrested Officer Jeffrey T. Taylor after he turned himself in Wednesday evening.
Taylor is charged with obtaining property by false pretense, stemming from a criminal investigation which concluded Taylor falsified time sheets while working a secondary, off-duty job at the Arboretum Shopping Center between October 2012 and January 2013.
Chief Rodney Monroe released the following statement:
"The actions of this officer do not reflect the character of the dedicated men and women that wear the badge of the CMPD with honor.
The public deserves to know that the officers sworn to protect our community are of the highest integrity. We will continue to hold our officers to the highest standards and accountable for their actions."
Taylor is now on unpaid administrative leave pending a criminal and internal investigation. He was hired by the CMPD on April 26, 1989. He was assigned to the Metro Division and worked as a school resource officer at Phillip O. Berry High School.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Former Officer Kirk Chapman Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Teen
A former Powell police officer accused of having unwanted sexual contact with a woman while on duty in 2011 has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge against him.
The attorney for Kirk B. Chapman entered the denial of the allegations on his client’s behalf at a Wednesday appearance in Park County District Court in Cody. As is the norm at such arraignment hearings, Chapman spoke only to give brief answers to routine questions from District Court Judge Steven Cranfill.
The third-degree sexual assault charge alleges Chapman used his then-position as a police officer to get a Powell woman to submit to sexual contact in September 2011. The charge was filed against Chapman in July 2012 following a Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and Park County Attorney’s Office review of the woman’s allegations.
Chapman had dropped the intoxicated woman off at her home after she asked police for a ride from a bar.
What happened later is what makes up the criminal allegations — and what is in dispute.
The woman says Chapman returned about an hour later. She told DCI investigators that Chapman kissed her, touched her body and genitals and rubbed himself up against her while in uniform. The woman said she told Chapman he should return to work before and during the contact, according to charging documents.
As for the allegation that Chapman used his position as a police officer to force the woman to submit, Circuit Court Judge Bruce Waters noted during a preliminary hearing last year that there are no allegations Chapman threatened the woman. However, the woman told DCI investigators she believed Chapman showed her a knife in his boot to intimidate her and believed he “used his position” to “violate” her, court records say.
For his part, Chapman flatly denied the allegations. He told DCI investigators he never returned to the woman’s residence after dropping her off. During the preliminary hearing, Chapman’s court-appointed attorney, Bill Simpson of Cody, argued the woman’s timeline of events doesn’t match up with police logs and questioned her credibility by noting past mental health issues. Simpson suggested the woman had been angry with Chapman over a misdemeanor, alcohol-related arrest from a year earlier.
Deputy Park County Attorney Sam Krone, however, highlighted a part of the woman’s account in which she recalled Chapman tripped the mic key on his radio while rubbing against her. She recounted to DCI investigators that Chapman had told dispatch he’d bumped his knee. The investigators found an audio recording of radio traffic from that early morning that appears to match the woman’s recollection of events, wrote DCI agent Andrew Hanson in the charging affidavit.
Wednesday’s arraignment had been delayed several times.
In late November, Simpson asked for the hearing to be pushed back. Simpson said he and prosecutors were “currently negotiating a plea agreement” that would take a few weeks to finish.
On Jan. 9, Simpson asked Judge Cranfill to schedule his client for a change of plea hearing — a hearing where a defendant typically switches their plea from not guilty to guilty or no contest as part of plea bargain. It was an unusual request because 1) Chapman hadn’t entered a plea to change, and 2) according to Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric, there was no deal in place. In a March filing, deputy county attorney Krone asked for the change of plea hearing to be scrapped, saying that “the parties have not entered into plea negotiations.”
Simpson didn’t respond to a request for comment about why he originally asked for the hearing.
Now that Chapman has pleaded not guilty, the case will be set for a trial.
Chapman began serving with the department in January 2007 and resigned in November 2011. The Powell Police Department placed Chapman on administrative leave after the allegations were reported in September, and he resigned without returning to duty, Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt has said.
The attorney for Kirk B. Chapman entered the denial of the allegations on his client’s behalf at a Wednesday appearance in Park County District Court in Cody. As is the norm at such arraignment hearings, Chapman spoke only to give brief answers to routine questions from District Court Judge Steven Cranfill.
The third-degree sexual assault charge alleges Chapman used his then-position as a police officer to get a Powell woman to submit to sexual contact in September 2011. The charge was filed against Chapman in July 2012 following a Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and Park County Attorney’s Office review of the woman’s allegations.
Chapman had dropped the intoxicated woman off at her home after she asked police for a ride from a bar.
What happened later is what makes up the criminal allegations — and what is in dispute.
The woman says Chapman returned about an hour later. She told DCI investigators that Chapman kissed her, touched her body and genitals and rubbed himself up against her while in uniform. The woman said she told Chapman he should return to work before and during the contact, according to charging documents.
As for the allegation that Chapman used his position as a police officer to force the woman to submit, Circuit Court Judge Bruce Waters noted during a preliminary hearing last year that there are no allegations Chapman threatened the woman. However, the woman told DCI investigators she believed Chapman showed her a knife in his boot to intimidate her and believed he “used his position” to “violate” her, court records say.
For his part, Chapman flatly denied the allegations. He told DCI investigators he never returned to the woman’s residence after dropping her off. During the preliminary hearing, Chapman’s court-appointed attorney, Bill Simpson of Cody, argued the woman’s timeline of events doesn’t match up with police logs and questioned her credibility by noting past mental health issues. Simpson suggested the woman had been angry with Chapman over a misdemeanor, alcohol-related arrest from a year earlier.
Deputy Park County Attorney Sam Krone, however, highlighted a part of the woman’s account in which she recalled Chapman tripped the mic key on his radio while rubbing against her. She recounted to DCI investigators that Chapman had told dispatch he’d bumped his knee. The investigators found an audio recording of radio traffic from that early morning that appears to match the woman’s recollection of events, wrote DCI agent Andrew Hanson in the charging affidavit.
Wednesday’s arraignment had been delayed several times.
In late November, Simpson asked for the hearing to be pushed back. Simpson said he and prosecutors were “currently negotiating a plea agreement” that would take a few weeks to finish.
On Jan. 9, Simpson asked Judge Cranfill to schedule his client for a change of plea hearing — a hearing where a defendant typically switches their plea from not guilty to guilty or no contest as part of plea bargain. It was an unusual request because 1) Chapman hadn’t entered a plea to change, and 2) according to Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric, there was no deal in place. In a March filing, deputy county attorney Krone asked for the change of plea hearing to be scrapped, saying that “the parties have not entered into plea negotiations.”
Simpson didn’t respond to a request for comment about why he originally asked for the hearing.
Now that Chapman has pleaded not guilty, the case will be set for a trial.
Chapman began serving with the department in January 2007 and resigned in November 2011. The Powell Police Department placed Chapman on administrative leave after the allegations were reported in September, and he resigned without returning to duty, Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt has said.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Ex NYPD officer Arrested for Conspiring to Cook and Eat Women
Two more people are under arrest in connection
with the so-called "Cannibal Cop", Gilberto Valle, the ex-NYPD officer
convicted of conspiring to cook and eat women.
60-year old Christopher Asch was arrested at his Greenwich Village home, and was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He was initially removed from his job as a librarian at Stuyvesant High School for improperly touching male students.
Asch was charged criminally, but the case was subsequently dismissed and sealed.
A second person, Richard Meltz, was arrested Sunday in Rockaway, New Jersey. He is chief of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service, based in Bedford, Massachusetts, and a former Sussex County, New Jersey law enforcement officer.
Valle was convicted last month of conspiring to kidnap women, then cook, kill and eat them. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced June 19 - his first wedding anniversary.
Authorities say Asch is quoted in the criminal complaint discussing kidnapping, killing and eating women and children, at one point calling it an "exciting proposition."
60-year old Christopher Asch was arrested at his Greenwich Village home, and was charged with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He was initially removed from his job as a librarian at Stuyvesant High School for improperly touching male students.
Asch was charged criminally, but the case was subsequently dismissed and sealed.
A second person, Richard Meltz, was arrested Sunday in Rockaway, New Jersey. He is chief of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Police Service, based in Bedford, Massachusetts, and a former Sussex County, New Jersey law enforcement officer.
Valle was convicted last month of conspiring to kidnap women, then cook, kill and eat them. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced June 19 - his first wedding anniversary.
Authorities say Asch is quoted in the criminal complaint discussing kidnapping, killing and eating women and children, at one point calling it an "exciting proposition."
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Reserve Officer Charles Shamblin Arrested for Arson
A reserve police officer for the town of Gore has been jailed on a complaint of first-degree arson.
Charles Shamblin, 45, of Webbers Falls, is being held in the Muskogee County jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest Tuesday.
According to court documents, Shamblin caused a domestic disturbance by bringing a can of gas into his home and telling his wife and daughter he was going to "burn the house down" on March 31.
Shamblin allegedly had already started one fire while his wife and daughter were inside the Webbers Falls home when he used a cigarette lighter to set a pillowcase and shirt on fire, according to a court affidavit.
Shamblin has been suspended as a reserve officer pending the outcome of these allegations, according to Gore Town Administrator Horace E. Lindley.
He is set to appear in court April 17 for a sounding docket in Muskogee County.
Charles Shamblin, 45, of Webbers Falls, is being held in the Muskogee County jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest Tuesday.
According to court documents, Shamblin caused a domestic disturbance by bringing a can of gas into his home and telling his wife and daughter he was going to "burn the house down" on March 31.
Shamblin allegedly had already started one fire while his wife and daughter were inside the Webbers Falls home when he used a cigarette lighter to set a pillowcase and shirt on fire, according to a court affidavit.
Shamblin has been suspended as a reserve officer pending the outcome of these allegations, according to Gore Town Administrator Horace E. Lindley.
He is set to appear in court April 17 for a sounding docket in Muskogee County.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sergeant Alberto Randazzo Arrested for Child Porn
A New York City police sergeant was arraigned on Tuesday on numerous child pornography charges, after internal affairs investigators found several explicit images and videos on his laptop computer.
In several recordings found on the computer, the sergeant, Alberto Randazzo, is heard providing “verbal instructions during a cyber video chat session” to an unidentified woman lying in bed with an infant, who appears to be 1 to 2 years old, and directing the woman to “perform certain sex acts on the infant,” the police said.
Also uncovered were two videos involving a man engaged in sex acts with a girl, about 8 to 10 years old, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Queens district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors charged Sergeant Randazzo, 36, with 11 counts of use of a child in a sexual performance, 23 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child and 23 counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child, the complaint states. He has been suspended from the force.
Sergeant Randazzo’s lawyer, Anthony DiFiore, did not return a phone call on Tuesday evening.
In several recordings found on the computer, the sergeant, Alberto Randazzo, is heard providing “verbal instructions during a cyber video chat session” to an unidentified woman lying in bed with an infant, who appears to be 1 to 2 years old, and directing the woman to “perform certain sex acts on the infant,” the police said.
Also uncovered were two videos involving a man engaged in sex acts with a girl, about 8 to 10 years old, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Queens district attorney’s office.
Prosecutors charged Sergeant Randazzo, 36, with 11 counts of use of a child in a sexual performance, 23 counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child and 23 counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child, the complaint states. He has been suspended from the force.
Sergeant Randazzo’s lawyer, Anthony DiFiore, did not return a phone call on Tuesday evening.
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