A 911 dispatch supervisor was arrested for grand theft after investigators determined she falsified her time sheets over the course of about a year to receive $1,872 more pay than she should have.
Melissa Leigh Sharkey of Jacksonville was arrested Monday, two weeks after an internal investigation into her time records was complete.
"During the investigation, ... Sharkey's signed time sheets were reviewed and compared against her actual computer-generated log in and log out times for the last year," said Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves. "Upon careful review of these documents, it revealed 42 discrepancies from Sept. 11, 2007 through Nov. 1, 2008."
Seagraves said most of the discrepancies caused Sharkey to get overtime pay she was not entitled to.
"When tabulating the monetary value received, through the fraudulently obtained hours, it was revealed that the amount totaled $1,872.11," Seagraves said.
The results of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office internal investigation were given to the State Attorney's Office and a warrant for Sharkey's arrest was issued on the charge of grand theft.
Sharkey has been released from jail on $2,002 bond.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Former Officer Michael Johnson Charged with Raping Woman
The president of a York County township's board of commissioners — a former police officer and Army veteran — was arrested after a two-hour standoff at his home Monday and charged with raping a woman in Baltimore last month, police said.
Michael L. Johnson Jr., 40, of Hanover in southwestern York County, Pa., is accused of posing as a police officer and picking up a 21-year-old woman in the Baltimore Highlands area of Southeast Baltimore on Nov. 2.
He allegedly told her he was arresting her for prostitution as part of a sting operation and handcuffed her to the back seat of his minivan, which had its windows covered with sheets. Police allege in charging documents that he then drove her to an industrial area in the rear of the 4400 block of E. Monument St. and offered to let her go if she had sex with him.
"She said that she thought he was a police officer, so she complied with his demands," said Agent Donny Moses, a spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department.
Police said that after the assault, Johnson drove the woman around, offering to pay her and provide her help in her personal life, then pushed her out of the vehicle behind Sherrie's Show Bar and Lounge, a strip club in the 3700 block of Pulaski Highway.
The victim, who told police that she had been buying heroin when Johnson picked her up, gave investigators a license plate number and a description of the silver van, including a sticker on the back windshield that read "Fort Benning." She later identified him in a photo lineup, according to records.
A law enforcement source said the van did not belong to Johnson but had been loaned to him by a family friend of he and his wife.
Members of Baltimore's Warrant Apprehension Task Force, along with Pennsylvania State Police, arrested Johnson at his home in Hanover, Pa., after a two-hour standoff, Moses said. He was taken to the York County Prison, where he was being held on $100,000 bond on a fugitive warrant pending a hearing on his extradition to Baltimore on charges of first-degree rape, sexual assault, kidnapping and false imprisonment.
Johnson, a Republican, finished last among four candidates against Rep. Todd R. Platts in 2002, and he was described in news reports as a former champion kick boxer and Army infantryman. He worked for the York Police Department for four years and was a small-business owner. He has two young children.
He retired from the York Police Department in 1999 after his wrist was slashed during an arrest, according to a report in the Hanover Evening Sun. He was on disability and unable to use his right arm for almost two years but in 2002 told the newspaper that he had recovered and was looking to get back into police work.
Johnson was elected to the board of commissioners in Penn Township, a community of about 15,000 people, in 2000. In January, he became president of the board, and he also chairs the Public Safety Committee. As township commissioner, Johnson's duties include overseeing the local police department.
More Information: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iUtusppZVRCkKFkQo_DLd2gPC_5wD94QU2500
Officer Alberto Perez Arrested for Extortion
AVON PARK
Alberto Perez, 33, who has been an officer with the Avon Park Police Department since July 2007, has been arrested for extortion.
The Tuesday evening arrest comes on the heels of a lengthy investigation of complaints about police misconduct.
It started in June 2008 in reference to complaints that APPD officers were stealing from citizens, namely those of a Hispanic background.
The first arrest was of Adam Willis, 31, on Nov. 19.
An undercover operation with a vehicle made to look like it was abandoned on the side of the road allegedly caught Willis stealing money from the car and not making any attempts to locate the owner.
When he was arrested, he still had $40 of the marked bills in his pocket, arrest reports said.
Since Willis's arrest, Perez was put on paid administrative leave.
The two officers worked the same shift, and were commended for their actions early in November at an Avon Park City Council meeting for thwarting an alleged robbery in progress.
The two men noticed the suspicious activity behind All Star Video along the 1500 block of U.S. 27 and their efforts resulted in the arrest of three suspects.
At this time any other affiliations between the two men are unknown.
According to Patrica Austin with the Avon Park chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, she fielded complaints of extortion that made her "furious."
They included citizens paying the officers between $200 and $300 to avoid being written a ticket.
Officials from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which organized the Willis investigation and undercover operation, would not comment on the allegations of money for tickets.
More Information: http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2008/dec/03/Second_AP_Police_Officer_Arrested/
Alberto Perez, 33, who has been an officer with the Avon Park Police Department since July 2007, has been arrested for extortion.
The Tuesday evening arrest comes on the heels of a lengthy investigation of complaints about police misconduct.
It started in June 2008 in reference to complaints that APPD officers were stealing from citizens, namely those of a Hispanic background.
The first arrest was of Adam Willis, 31, on Nov. 19.
An undercover operation with a vehicle made to look like it was abandoned on the side of the road allegedly caught Willis stealing money from the car and not making any attempts to locate the owner.
When he was arrested, he still had $40 of the marked bills in his pocket, arrest reports said.
Since Willis's arrest, Perez was put on paid administrative leave.
The two officers worked the same shift, and were commended for their actions early in November at an Avon Park City Council meeting for thwarting an alleged robbery in progress.
The two men noticed the suspicious activity behind All Star Video along the 1500 block of U.S. 27 and their efforts resulted in the arrest of three suspects.
At this time any other affiliations between the two men are unknown.
According to Patrica Austin with the Avon Park chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, she fielded complaints of extortion that made her "furious."
They included citizens paying the officers between $200 and $300 to avoid being written a ticket.
Officials from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, which organized the Willis investigation and undercover operation, would not comment on the allegations of money for tickets.
More Information: http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2008/dec/03/Second_AP_Police_Officer_Arrested/
Officer Lisa Staples Arrested for DUI
Lisa Staples was arrested early Sunday morning for DUI after she was caught driving on the wrong side of the road on Interstate 72.
The police chief says she's been with the department more than a decade and never had any problems like this. Police received calls before 3 a.m. Sunday to report a car driving on the wrong side of interstate 72.
State police arrested 39 year old Lisa Staples near the Mahomet exit after they realized she was under the influence of alcohol. Staples was not carrying her drivers license.
"It's a regrettable incident we wish wouldn't have been made. She will be going through criminal investigations with Illinois State Police, as well as an internal investigation. She could face anything up to termination," said Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney.
A special prosecutor will handle the case because of Staples' close relationship with county officials. She will be back in court December 19th.
The police chief says she's been with the department more than a decade and never had any problems like this. Police received calls before 3 a.m. Sunday to report a car driving on the wrong side of interstate 72.
State police arrested 39 year old Lisa Staples near the Mahomet exit after they realized she was under the influence of alcohol. Staples was not carrying her drivers license.
"It's a regrettable incident we wish wouldn't have been made. She will be going through criminal investigations with Illinois State Police, as well as an internal investigation. She could face anything up to termination," said Champaign Police Chief R.T. Finney.
A special prosecutor will handle the case because of Staples' close relationship with county officials. She will be back in court December 19th.
Officer Allen Wallace Back on the Job After Sexual Assault
GREENSBORO
Allen Wallace, the police sergeant suspended last December after being accused of participating in a sexual assault on another officer, has been reinstated but at a lower rank.
The police department notified Wallace on Monday he would be returning to work, said Bill Hill, the Greensboro Police Officers Association attorney who represented Wallace at his departmental hearing.
Wallace will be demoted from sergeant to senior police officer, and will return to work today, according to the city.
"He looks forward to serving the people of Greensboro as he has done for almost 20 years," Hill said.
Wallace is the last accused officer to have outstanding issues in the case that is almost a year old.
Wallace, officer J.O. LeGrand and officer C.S. Stevens were all investigated for their involvement in the December incident but were not charged with any crime.
In July, police Chief Tim Bellamy recommended terminating Wallace and LeGrand as a result of an internal investigation by the police department's professional standards division.
Both appealed the decision and requested a hearing. Wallace's hearing was held last week, Hill said.
LeGrand resigned from the police department in September to take a job with the Rockingham Police Department.
Stevens was disciplined and returned to duty in July. City and police officials declined to comment on Stevens' discipline, citing personnel privacy laws.
When an officer faces termination, he or she is allowed a hearing before a six-member general board of inquiry, The police chief is chairman.
The decision of the police chief after the hearing is binding.
If an officer is not satisfied with the decision, it can be appealed to the city manager.
The three officers were put on paid administrative leave Dec. 18 when the department announced a criminal and administrative investigation into a sexual assault reported by a female police officer. The female officer said she was sexually assaulted while in a vehicle with the three men the previous weekend.
Wallace and LeGrand were suspended - without pay - after their termination was recommended in July.
The three suspended officers were members of the department's tactical special enforcement team last December, when the assault was reported. The team then worked on suppressing street-level drug sales. Now that function is performed by a tactical narcotics team in the vice/narcotics division.
Wallace was transferred to the central patrol bureau in October. Stevens also now works in the central patrol bureau.
Allen Wallace, the police sergeant suspended last December after being accused of participating in a sexual assault on another officer, has been reinstated but at a lower rank.
The police department notified Wallace on Monday he would be returning to work, said Bill Hill, the Greensboro Police Officers Association attorney who represented Wallace at his departmental hearing.
Wallace will be demoted from sergeant to senior police officer, and will return to work today, according to the city.
"He looks forward to serving the people of Greensboro as he has done for almost 20 years," Hill said.
Wallace is the last accused officer to have outstanding issues in the case that is almost a year old.
Wallace, officer J.O. LeGrand and officer C.S. Stevens were all investigated for their involvement in the December incident but were not charged with any crime.
In July, police Chief Tim Bellamy recommended terminating Wallace and LeGrand as a result of an internal investigation by the police department's professional standards division.
Both appealed the decision and requested a hearing. Wallace's hearing was held last week, Hill said.
LeGrand resigned from the police department in September to take a job with the Rockingham Police Department.
Stevens was disciplined and returned to duty in July. City and police officials declined to comment on Stevens' discipline, citing personnel privacy laws.
When an officer faces termination, he or she is allowed a hearing before a six-member general board of inquiry, The police chief is chairman.
The decision of the police chief after the hearing is binding.
If an officer is not satisfied with the decision, it can be appealed to the city manager.
The three officers were put on paid administrative leave Dec. 18 when the department announced a criminal and administrative investigation into a sexual assault reported by a female police officer. The female officer said she was sexually assaulted while in a vehicle with the three men the previous weekend.
Wallace and LeGrand were suspended - without pay - after their termination was recommended in July.
The three suspended officers were members of the department's tactical special enforcement team last December, when the assault was reported. The team then worked on suppressing street-level drug sales. Now that function is performed by a tactical narcotics team in the vice/narcotics division.
Wallace was transferred to the central patrol bureau in October. Stevens also now works in the central patrol bureau.
Lt. Michael O'Hanley Investigated for Threatening Daughter-in-Law
GLOUCESTER, Mass.
City officials are investigating a questionable phone call made by one of their own officers.
Lieutenant Michael O'Hanley, a veteran officer of the Gloucester Police Department, allegedly was overheard on his cell phone making a threat against his daughter-in-law.
The call was accidentally transmitted over the officer's police radio while he was on duty.
"She's an [expletive]...and when this is all over, I will call her and have several words with her and tell her exactly what I think of her," O'Hanley was overheard saying.
At one point the veteran officer is heard making what sounds like a threat.
"I'm going to hire Bobby Mason to go over there and bust all the windows," O'Hanley said.
An outside law enforcement group has launched an investigation and the department promises that swift disciplinary action will be taken if necessary.
"This was an emotional time during a personal situation in an officer's family," a spokesman for the department said.
O'Hanley is reportedly on vacation.
More Information: http://wbztv.com/local/gloucester.cop.threat.2.878198.html
Officer Jamel Dennis Charged with Beating Pedestrian
QUEENS
A New York City police officer has been charged with beating a pedestrian.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said that moments before the alleged assault, the officer almost struck the victim with his car as the man was crossing Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills.
The officer was off-duty at the time of the alleged incident, which occurred two weeks ago.
The officer was identified as Jamel Dennis, 32, of Queens. Dennis, who is assigned to the NYPD's Brooklyn North Narcotics District, was arraigned Tuesday night in Queens Criminal Court on a charge of second-degree assault, a Class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Dennis was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on January 15, 2009.
Investigators said Dennis was driving along Queens Boulevard on the afternoon of November 17, when he almost struck Geoffrey Hollinden, 41, who was crossing near 109th Street.
Hollinden allegedly hit the rear of the defendant's 2006 Infiniti as it passed him, according to Brown. At that point, Dennis is accused of getting out of his car and attacking Hollinden, allegedly slamming him to the pavement and knocking him out.
Hollinden sustained a laceration to the head that required five staples, as well as cranial bleeding, a herniated disc in the neck and substantial pain that caused him to be hospitalized at a local Queens hospital for three days.
Prosecutors said Dennis appeared at the NYPD's 112th Precinct a couple of days after the incident, where he identified himself as an officer assigned to the Brooklyn North Narcotics District. He allegedly stated that he had been involved in a traffic dispute with another man who had pushed him and wanted to know if anyone had come in to file a complaint in connection with the incident.
That same day, Dennis allegedly pointed out a scuff mark on the rear of his Infiniti to an officer assigned to the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau and stated that was where the other man had hit the back of his car.
The case came to light when an eyewitness, who observed the alleged incident, jotted down the license plate of the defendant's car, Brown said.
A New York City police officer has been charged with beating a pedestrian.
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said that moments before the alleged assault, the officer almost struck the victim with his car as the man was crossing Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills.
The officer was off-duty at the time of the alleged incident, which occurred two weeks ago.
The officer was identified as Jamel Dennis, 32, of Queens. Dennis, who is assigned to the NYPD's Brooklyn North Narcotics District, was arraigned Tuesday night in Queens Criminal Court on a charge of second-degree assault, a Class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Dennis was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on January 15, 2009.
Investigators said Dennis was driving along Queens Boulevard on the afternoon of November 17, when he almost struck Geoffrey Hollinden, 41, who was crossing near 109th Street.
Hollinden allegedly hit the rear of the defendant's 2006 Infiniti as it passed him, according to Brown. At that point, Dennis is accused of getting out of his car and attacking Hollinden, allegedly slamming him to the pavement and knocking him out.
Hollinden sustained a laceration to the head that required five staples, as well as cranial bleeding, a herniated disc in the neck and substantial pain that caused him to be hospitalized at a local Queens hospital for three days.
Prosecutors said Dennis appeared at the NYPD's 112th Precinct a couple of days after the incident, where he identified himself as an officer assigned to the Brooklyn North Narcotics District. He allegedly stated that he had been involved in a traffic dispute with another man who had pushed him and wanted to know if anyone had come in to file a complaint in connection with the incident.
That same day, Dennis allegedly pointed out a scuff mark on the rear of his Infiniti to an officer assigned to the NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau and stated that was where the other man had hit the back of his car.
The case came to light when an eyewitness, who observed the alleged incident, jotted down the license plate of the defendant's car, Brown said.
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