Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Former Detective Daniel Griffin Charged with Illegally Carrying Firearm

Former Kingston police Detective Daniel Griffin is in trouble with the law again.

The ex-cop who already faces charges of impersonating a cop was illegally in possession of a loaded handgun when he was apprehended earlier this month in Wilkes-Barre, city police said Tuesday.

Griffin now faces a charge of carrying a firearm without a license.

The 45-year-old was a police officer in Kingston for 22 years before being fired in 2007 for forging a superior’s signature to but a specialty shotgun.

This is now the third time he has been charged with a crme in less than two years.

Griffin was captured May 13 in downtown Wilkes-Barre on an arrest warrant filed by Fleetwood Borough police in Berks County.

The warrant claims he pulled a badge and identified himself as a cop on May 7 when police pulled him over in a personal vehicle customized to look like an unmarked police car.

The 2003 gray Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor “appeared to be an unmarked police vehicle,” according to arrest papers. The car had a black front license plate that says “POLICE” and red “K-9” decals on the trunk.

Wilkes-Barre police impounded the vehicle when Griffin was arrested on the warrant in the city. A loaded pistol was later seized from the car, police said. Police determined Griffin does not have a permit to carry a firearm in Pennsylvania, police said.

Earlier this month, Griffin insisted he was never fired, but retired from the police force and still does police work on the side. He said his convictions for the 2007 charges have been “stayed,” pending an appeal. He called his arrest on the Berks County charges a “political issue” being drummed up as revenge by Kingston officials.

In an unrelated matter, Swoyersville police on Friday issued Griffin a summary citation regarding stray and unattended dogs, according to court records. Details about the citation could not be obtained Tuesday.

Griffin remains free on bail.

No comments: