Officer Michael Thomassie Charged with Aggravated Rape

A veteran New Orleans police officer has surrendered to police following an indictment for aggravated rape.

He is in custody in Orleans Parish prison and is being held without bond.

According to the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office, the warrant was issued for 12-year-veteran officer Michael Thomassie after he was indicted by a grand jury Thursday on a single count of aggravated rape.

The allegation dates back to 2004 and 2005 when the alleged victim in the case was between 7 and 9 years of age, according to a spokesman for the office.

Thomassie is a 12-year veteran of the department. He was most recently assigned to desk duty in the 4th District.

Officer Rajat Sharda Arrested for Rape

A city police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after being charged with rape and witness intimidation.

Police said the incident occurred at Bancroft Tower in August 2013 while Officer Rajat Sharda was "working as a police officer."

According to court records, Officer Sharda allegedly asked a woman what she would be willing to do to avoid arrest and "made her do something against her will in exchange for not being arrested."

The woman told department investigators the officer exposed himself to her and raped her digitally, according to court records. Reports also accuse the officer of taking the woman's bed comforter, which she had her in possession at the time, and threatening her to keep quiet.

The woman told police that Officer Sharda said she "better not talk about this and if she did, he would find her, her children and her family."

Worcester police received the complaint sometime after the alleged incident, which allegedly occurred at Bancroft Tower, on Bancroft Tower Road.

Officer Sharda, 32, of Worcester, was arrested Monday night in Hudson and arraigned Tuesday in Central District Court. He is charged with aggravated rape, extortion by a police officer, open and gross lewdness, armed robbery and witness intimidation. Police list the officer as living in Hudson, but court records list a Worcester address.

Officer Sharda was placed on restricted duty while the case was being investigated by the department's sexual assault unit. Worcester police did not specify when the complaint was filed.

"Worcester police launched an extensive investigation into the allegations made against Mr. Sharda," police said in a news release. "Based on the findings in the investigation, Worcester police obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Sharda."

Not-guilty pleas were entered during Tuesday's arraignment. Officer Sharda posted $7,500 bail. He is due to return to court on March 25.

The officer, who is the only Indian officer on the department, was also ordered to turn in his passport.

Bruce Hopper, the officer's lawyer, said his client denies the allegations.

"For this officer, there is more to this than just defending himself in court against false allegations," Mr. Hopper said. "Now he must defend his honor as well."

Mr. Hopper said his client was recalled to the Worcester Department in December 2011 after being part of the 2009 graduating class, which was later laid off by the city.

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.

Sherriff Department's Volunteer Bruce Tuck Charged with Multiple Sexual Assault

Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced Thursday that the state Grand Jury for Shelby County indicted a Gleason, Tennessee man, already convicted for multiple sexual assaults elsewhere, for a string of sexual assaults reported in Memphis and Shelby County last summer.

The Grand Jury returned three separate indictments against Bruce Tuck, 36, on multiple felony charges including aggravated rape, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary.

In the first indictment, Tuck is charged with five counts of aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary, employing a firearm during a felony, and burglary of a motor vehicle. The indictment states the alleged offenses occurred between June 26 and June 28, 2009. This case was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

In the second indictment, Tuck is charged with five counts of aggravated rape, aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated burglary, and employing a firearm during a felony. The indictment states the alleged offenses occurred between August 4 and August 6, 2009. This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department.

In the final indictment, Tuck is charged with six counts of aggravated rape, attempted aggravated rape, two counts of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated burglary, and employing a firearm during a felony.

The indictment states the alleged offenses occurred between August 22 and August 25, 2009. This case was investigated by the Memphis Police Department.

The District Attorney’s office does not release the names of victims of sexual assault. No other information on the cases is available at this time.

Tuck is currently serving a 60 year sentence with the Tennessee Department of Corrections. Tuck pleaded guilty last December in a Weakley County Criminal Court to multiple felony charges including aggravated rape, especially aggravated kidnapping and sexual battery. He will be transported from the Hardeman County Correctional Facility to the Shelby County Jail where he will be held without bond on these most recent indictments. An arraignment date in Shelby County has not yet been scheduled.

“These reported crimes are especially heinous,” said District Attorney Gibbons. “Although Mr. Tuck is already serving a very long prison sentence for crimes committed elsewhere, we intend to hold him accountable here in Shelby County as well,” Gibbons stressed.

Aggravated rape carries a sentence of up to 60 years without parole. Aggravated rape and aggravated robbery are charges covered by the D.A.’s “No Deals” policy on violent crimes. Exceptions are made to the policy for legal or ethical reasons.

Assistant District Attorneys Abby Wallace and Alanda Dwyer are prosecuting this case. Both prosecutors are assigned to Criminal Court Division 8 which is designated a special prosecution court for cases involving repeat offenders.

Officer Christian Mitchell Charged with Having Sex with Child

A St. Louis police officer has resigned after being charged with having sex with a child.

44-year-old Christian Mitchell resigned on Monday after 11 years in the department's 9th District.

Mitchell was charged in St. Louis County Circuit Court with two counts of second-degree statutory rape and two other felonies.

The Department said that after learning of the criminal allegations against Mitchell, it launched an Internal Affairs Investigation.

Deputy Jeff Edwin Baker Charged with Raping Teen

A Hamilton County school resource officer is accused of raping a teenaged girl.

In November, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office was notified by the East Ridge Police Department about allegations of improper contact between Deputy Jeff Edwin Baker and a juvenile female. That investigation resulted in the arrest of Deputy Jeff Edwin Baker who will be charged with two counts of Aggravated Statutory Rape.

Investigators say one incident allegedly happened at East Ridge Middle School where Deputy Baker was assigned as the School Resource Officer. The second incident reportedly occurred at an apartment complex.

Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond said, "Anytime a situation like this happens, it saddens all of us. We are committed, however, to provide a safe environment for all the citizens of Hamilton County. This incident in no way reflects on the integrity and dedication of any of the other law enforcement officers who serve and protect us daily."

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New Orleans Police Sgt Charged with Raping Step Children

A New Orleans police sergeant was charged this week with three counts of rape and three counts of incest.

A St. Tammany Parish grand jury on Wednesday indicted the 51-year-old Slidell-area man. All three counts stemmed from alleged incidents with his two stepdaughters and his stepson, authorities said.

The Times-Picayune is withholding the man's name to protect the identity of his victims. Authorities would not disclose the age of the victims, but cases in which a victim is under the age of 13 fall under the state's definition of aggravated rape.

Investigators began looking into the allegations in December after one of the sergeant's stepchildren told a teacher about the alleged incident, according to St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain, who spoke to the press soon after the sergeant turned himself in on Jan. 15.

The sergeant, a 17-year veteran of the police force, was suspended on Jan 15 - the day of his arrest - but then was reinstated on Jan. 26 to administrative desk duty, where he is currently assigned, according to New Orleans Police Department spokesman Bob Young.

The NOPD's Public Integrity Bureau, which investigates police misconduct, has an ongoing investigation into the accusations, Young said.

The sergeant is expected to enter a plea of not guilty, according to Raymond Burkhart III, one of two private defense attorneys.

"The case is in its very early stages and we categorically deny the accusations being made," Burkhart said.

There is no indication the sergeant abused his position at NOPD to prey on others, Strain said.

The grand jury panel on Wednesday also indicted two other men on sex crimes.

Ryan Mitzell, 19, of Sun was charged with sexual battery for abusing a 7-year-old boy sometime between May 26 and June 1, 2008. The alleged abuse came to light after the victim, now 8, told a relative, who then told authorities, according to the district attorney's office.

In another case, a 20-year-old Covington man, was indicted with aggravated rape for allegedly abusing the five-year-old daughter of his girlfriend between July 20, 2006 and March 2, 2007.

Mississippi law enforcement officials uncovered the alleged abuse after investigating a separate alleged abuse of the victim's brother.
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http://blog.nola.com/tpnorthshore/2009/05/new_orleans_police_sergeant_ch.html

Former Deputy Jemal Barker Arrested for Raping Inmate

East Baton Rouge sheriff's detectives have arrested a former deputy for allegedly raping a parish prison inmate.

Sheriff's officials say Jemal Barker, 40, of Denham Springs will be charged with aggravated rape and malfeasance in office by sexual misconduct.

Barker allegedly forcibly raped an inmate on Sunday using his stun gun as a weapon.

A fellow deputy notified the administration of the alleged abuse.

An investigation was conducted, and the deputy was fired prior to his arrest.

Officials say Barker had been employed with sheriff's office since October 2007.

He was assigned as a shift corporal in security at the parish prison.

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Video: Former deputy accused of raping an inmate

NOPO Arrested for Raping Stepson & Stepdaughters

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a New Orleans police officer Thursday, accused of raping his stepson and two stepdaughters, Sheriff Jack Strain confirmed Saturday morning.

With his lawyer in tow, the 50-year-old Slidell man, a 17-year- veteran and sergeant of the NOPD patrol section, turned himself into authorities Thursday about 4:30 p.m., Strain said.

He was booked into St. Tammany Parish Jail in Covington on three counts of aggravated rape and aggravated incest, Strain said. Strain did not reveal the alleged victims' ages, but under Louisiana law aggravated rape can be charged when a victim is 13 or younger.

Aggravated rape carries a mandatory life in prison sentence if convicted.

The alleged abuse came to light when one of the children told an 'educator' about the abuse, Strain said.

An investigation was launched, and 'obviously it didn't take long to realize who (the suspect was),' Strain said.

'I personally spoke with (NOPD Police) Chief Warren Riley to tell him about our investigation,' Strain said. 'He offered any support the department can give and complete cooperation.'

The man, whose name is being withheld to protect the victims, has been suspended from the NOPD pending the investigation, Bob Young, an NOPD spokesman said.

The investigation took six weeks after the 'kids were removed from custody' because St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office investigators wanted to build a strong case, Strain said.

'We believe this case is just as good as any we solved,' Strain said. 'It's an incredibly unfortunate incident, but it shows how serious we are.'

Detectives investigated where other abuses occurred in the suspect's role as a police officer, but to date 'we have seen no evidence that there could be any other victims related to his job,' Strain said.