An investigation is underway into the death of a man who was repeatedly tasered by an L.A. County Sheriff's deputy.
The man died after he was shocked three times by a deputy with an electric stun gun Wednesday night at the North Hollywood Red Line Subway.
Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore says the man, who was not immediately identified, was stopped by deputies and asked repeatedly if he had a ticket.
When the man didn't answer, a deputy grabbed the man's hands to stop and question him. A struggle ensued and the man broke free, Whitmore said. He then reportedly raised clenched fists and charged the deputy several times. He was tasered, then shocked two more times when he got up and charged at the deputy again.
Whitmore says deputies recovered a glass crack pipe that fell out of the man's pocket during the scuffle.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Former Sgt. Chris Doles Now Arrested for Domestic Assault
An altercation with his ex-wife has landed a former Waco police officer in jail for the second time in a week.
Former Sgt. Chris Doles bonded out of McLennan County Jail on Thursday, just six days after being arrested in connection with the Waco police double-dipping scandal.
Doles, 43, was among a list of several former officers who were accused of taking double pay from the department and from the Waco Housing Authority where they served as security guards.
Police say less than two hours after his release last Friday, Dole was involved in a dispute with his ex-wife that resulted in his arrest on a Class A misdemeanor assault-family violence charge.
An affidavit filed by Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton to support Doles' arrest stated Doles' ex-wife, Tamara Bott, told police the incident happened as she was attempting to get a child-support check from Doles in the parking lot at Gold's Gym parking on W. Waco Dr.
The assault resulted in injury to Bott's hand, according to the report.
Another person who was there at the time confirmed the assault had taken place.
Former Sgt. Chris Doles bonded out of McLennan County Jail on Thursday, just six days after being arrested in connection with the Waco police double-dipping scandal.
Doles, 43, was among a list of several former officers who were accused of taking double pay from the department and from the Waco Housing Authority where they served as security guards.
Police say less than two hours after his release last Friday, Dole was involved in a dispute with his ex-wife that resulted in his arrest on a Class A misdemeanor assault-family violence charge.
An affidavit filed by Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton to support Doles' arrest stated Doles' ex-wife, Tamara Bott, told police the incident happened as she was attempting to get a child-support check from Doles in the parking lot at Gold's Gym parking on W. Waco Dr.
The assault resulted in injury to Bott's hand, according to the report.
Another person who was there at the time confirmed the assault had taken place.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Officer Courtney Crooks Arrested for Harassment
The Mesa County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Grand Junction Police Department officer Friday afternoon on suspicion of misdemeanor harassment.
The Sheriff’s Department received an arrest warrant for police officer Courtney Crooks on Thursday, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.
Crooks was not booked into Mesa County Jail. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to the Police Department.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Department’s criminal investigation, the Police Department is conducting two internal investigations that involve Crooks, according to a police spokeswoman Kate Porras.
“This is something we take very seriously, and we will make sure each allegation is thoroughly investigated. Once the facts are known we will take the appropriate action,” Police Chief Bill Gardner said in a news release.
Crooks was born in Hartford, Conn., attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida, received his associate degree in law enforcement in May 2006 and became a police cadet in Grand Junction two years ago, according to a June 2007 Police Department newsletter. He is 24 years old, according to his MySpace.com page.
An arrest affidavit was not immediately available Friday evening from the Sheriff’s Department.
The Police Department was not able to elaborate on the internal investigations Friday because they are considered a “personnel matter,” the news release said.
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http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/08/29/082909_1A_Crooks_arrested.html
The Sheriff’s Department received an arrest warrant for police officer Courtney Crooks on Thursday, Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger said.
Crooks was not booked into Mesa County Jail. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, according to the Police Department.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Department’s criminal investigation, the Police Department is conducting two internal investigations that involve Crooks, according to a police spokeswoman Kate Porras.
“This is something we take very seriously, and we will make sure each allegation is thoroughly investigated. Once the facts are known we will take the appropriate action,” Police Chief Bill Gardner said in a news release.
Crooks was born in Hartford, Conn., attended Pensacola Christian College in Florida, received his associate degree in law enforcement in May 2006 and became a police cadet in Grand Junction two years ago, according to a June 2007 Police Department newsletter. He is 24 years old, according to his MySpace.com page.
An arrest affidavit was not immediately available Friday evening from the Sheriff’s Department.
The Police Department was not able to elaborate on the internal investigations Friday because they are considered a “personnel matter,” the news release said.
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http://www.gjsentinel.com/hp/content/news/stories/2009/08/29/082909_1A_Crooks_arrested.html
Deputy John Harvey Arrested for DUI After He Hit Police Car
A Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff's Office deputy was arrested for DUI after he struck a police car last night. The police car was a marked vehicle.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Deputy John Harvey for rear-ending a police car early Saturday morning. Immediately following the fender-bender, Harvey attempted to flee the scene.
Officers located his vehicle shortly after and pulled him over for suspicion of DUI. He was eventually booked with charges of DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash. He was off-duty and in a personal vehicle at the time of the accident.
Leaving the scene of an accident in Florida is a misdemeanor in the second degree. This is the officer's first DUI offense, so he will additionally be charged with misdemeanor DUI. He will likely face a 6 to 12 month license suspension and fines.
Harvey works in the civil section of the sheriffs office. This typically means he would be responsible for filing and serving of papers that originate in the sheriff's office. This sections also executes court orders. There are both field jobs and administrative jobs within the civil section. There is no information as to whether Harvey works in the field or in an administrative capacity.
He has served the sheriff's office for 12 years. There has been no comment thus far regarding how long he will remain on administrative leave. Sheriff's employees typically face a criminal investigation and prosecution as well as one carried out by their employer.
The Internal Affairs investigation carried out by the employer will determine whether Harvey broke agency policies and how he should be held accountable.
The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Deputy John Harvey for rear-ending a police car early Saturday morning. Immediately following the fender-bender, Harvey attempted to flee the scene.
Officers located his vehicle shortly after and pulled him over for suspicion of DUI. He was eventually booked with charges of DUI, reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash. He was off-duty and in a personal vehicle at the time of the accident.
Leaving the scene of an accident in Florida is a misdemeanor in the second degree. This is the officer's first DUI offense, so he will additionally be charged with misdemeanor DUI. He will likely face a 6 to 12 month license suspension and fines.
Harvey works in the civil section of the sheriffs office. This typically means he would be responsible for filing and serving of papers that originate in the sheriff's office. This sections also executes court orders. There are both field jobs and administrative jobs within the civil section. There is no information as to whether Harvey works in the field or in an administrative capacity.
He has served the sheriff's office for 12 years. There has been no comment thus far regarding how long he will remain on administrative leave. Sheriff's employees typically face a criminal investigation and prosecution as well as one carried out by their employer.
The Internal Affairs investigation carried out by the employer will determine whether Harvey broke agency policies and how he should be held accountable.
Joe Rocha Charged with Possession of Child Porn
The Travis County Sheriff's Office filed charges on one of its own Friday.
Joe Rocha, 44, was taken into custody by the sheriff's deputies and charged with Possession of Child Pornography.
Rocha was most recently a Corrections Officer for the county.
The Sheriff's Office was tipped off on Tuesday that an employee was involved in illegal activities. Search warrants revealed several images on Rocha's computer that appeared to depict child pornography.
According to the Sheriff's Office, Rocha has been fired.
Possession of Child Pornography is a 3rd Degree Felony, punishable by two to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division and up to $10,000.00 in fines.
The Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the case.
Officer Aaron Pepion Arrested for Having Sex with Young Girl
A Blackfeet police officer who resigned three weeks ago has been arrested on allegations that he had sex with a young girl.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Aaron Pepion is being held without bail. Pepion was in court before a magistrate Wednesday in Missoula and will be in court again today on a bond hearing.
Prosecutors say Pepion had sex in April with a girl who was born in 1994. No age was listed for Pepion in his charging documents.
Blackfeet Tribal Department of Public Safety Director Henry Devereaux says the FBI investigated Pepion in July and he resigned three weeks ago. Devereaux says Pepion had been an officer for about a year when officials began investigating the allegations against him.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Aaron Pepion is being held without bail. Pepion was in court before a magistrate Wednesday in Missoula and will be in court again today on a bond hearing.
Prosecutors say Pepion had sex in April with a girl who was born in 1994. No age was listed for Pepion in his charging documents.
Blackfeet Tribal Department of Public Safety Director Henry Devereaux says the FBI investigated Pepion in July and he resigned three weeks ago. Devereaux says Pepion had been an officer for about a year when officials began investigating the allegations against him.
Ex-Officer Frank Drummond Arrested for Molesting Two Teens
Authorities have arrested an ex-police officer for allegedly molesting two teenage girls at his Modesto home.
Modesto Police Department Sgt. Brian Findlen said Francisco "Frank" Drummond, 41, was arrested early Friday morning at Modesto Junior College where he's currently employed as an intructor. Drummond had recently resigned as a reserve police officer for the Ripon Police Department.
Findlen said he previously worked for the Patterson Police Department and the Modesto Police Department from 1994 to 2000.
Findlen said the two female victims were friends of Drummond's teenage daughter. The Modesto Police department was investigating Drummond after officers were dispatched to his home in the 900 block of Wellesley Drive on the evening of August 22.
The investigation suggests that the suspect touched each of the girls in a sexual nature while at his home, said Findlen. The investigation continued through the week and ended with Drummond's arrest Friday.
Drummond has been booked at the Stanislaus County Jail for felony charges of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 14 and with a 14 or 15-year-old minor. His bail was set at $75,000.
Findlen said Modesto Police Department detectives have alerted officials at Modesto Junior College and the Ripon Police Department of the circumstances surrounding this case.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Judge Patrick McKay Arrested for DUI
An Anchorage superior court judge has been arrested for driving under the influence.
Police say Judge Patrick McKay was pulled over on the Glenn Highway for a traffic stop Thursday around 9 p.m., and the officer found him to be under the influence.
He was released on a $500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 14.
Police say Judge Patrick McKay was pulled over on the Glenn Highway for a traffic stop Thursday around 9 p.m., and the officer found him to be under the influence.
He was released on a $500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 14.
Officer Jennifer Cackler & Dispatchers Fired for Egging House
A Dallas area police officer and three dispatchers have been fired over the egging of the house of a resident known to file complaints.
Carrollton Police Chief David James on Thursday said the May 9 incident led to the firing of Officer Jennifer Cackler, plus dispatchers Laura Anderson, Ashley Cackler and Laken Schifelbein.
James said the terminations happened following an internal investigation of the off-duty incident.
No charges were immediately filed in the misdemeanor criminal mischief investigation.
The Carrollton home of Steven Benzer was pelted with eggs. Benzer said he believes a female neighbor, the target of some of his complaints, is friends with the officer.
No decision was immediately announced on whether the fired employees plan to appeal.
Carrollton Police Chief David James on Thursday said the May 9 incident led to the firing of Officer Jennifer Cackler, plus dispatchers Laura Anderson, Ashley Cackler and Laken Schifelbein.
James said the terminations happened following an internal investigation of the off-duty incident.
No charges were immediately filed in the misdemeanor criminal mischief investigation.
The Carrollton home of Steven Benzer was pelted with eggs. Benzer said he believes a female neighbor, the target of some of his complaints, is friends with the officer.
No decision was immediately announced on whether the fired employees plan to appeal.
Officer Lowell Duke Arrested on Drug Charges
Memphis Police say a tip during a routine traffic stop ended with Officer Lowell Duke being indicted on drug charges. Federal agents say Duke was part of a drug operation that worked the Lamar and Cherry area. Ten people including Duke are now facing charges.
Police would not give details about Duke's role in the operation, and would not say if other officers could be involved. Federal agents will say that the operation was sophisticated. Certain people worked security, others transported the drugs. Some were sellers and others were stashers.
Police say Duke has been under investigation for several months. During that time he was been off the streets on “desk duty.” Duke told Eyewitness News he would not comment on his arrest.
Police Director Larry Godwin says “There are good police officers out there. This is a guy that chose to go the wrong way.” Godwin admits this is a blemish on the department saying, “I know it doesn’t look good for the department, but on the other hand, we are taking care of our business.”
And Godwin points out this investigation was started by police officers, “ You’ve got good cops, locking up a bad cop.”
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http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/082809_Memphis_Police_Officer_Charged_in_Drug_Investigatio
Police would not give details about Duke's role in the operation, and would not say if other officers could be involved. Federal agents will say that the operation was sophisticated. Certain people worked security, others transported the drugs. Some were sellers and others were stashers.
Police say Duke has been under investigation for several months. During that time he was been off the streets on “desk duty.” Duke told Eyewitness News he would not comment on his arrest.
Police Director Larry Godwin says “There are good police officers out there. This is a guy that chose to go the wrong way.” Godwin admits this is a blemish on the department saying, “I know it doesn’t look good for the department, but on the other hand, we are taking care of our business.”
And Godwin points out this investigation was started by police officers, “ You’ve got good cops, locking up a bad cop.”
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http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/local/082809_Memphis_Police_Officer_Charged_in_Drug_Investigatio
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Two Deputies in Trouble for Stealing Lobsters
An Orange County sheriff's deputy has been charged with misdemeanor lobster poaching, while a former deputy is accused of trying to obstruct an investigation to protect his friend and colleague.
District attorney's officials say Deputy William Robb was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of having 13 undersized spiny lobsters during an off-duty fishing trip with two other deputies last November.
The law allows a maximum of seven lobsters per person, which must measure at least 3 1/4 inches.
Phillip Glenn Romero is charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer, a state Fish and Game warden who confronted the pair in Dana Point Harbor.
Prosecutors say Romero told the game warden that Robb was a confidential informant for the sheriff.
District attorney's officials say Deputy William Robb was charged Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of having 13 undersized spiny lobsters during an off-duty fishing trip with two other deputies last November.
The law allows a maximum of seven lobsters per person, which must measure at least 3 1/4 inches.
Phillip Glenn Romero is charged with a misdemeanor count of obstructing an officer, a state Fish and Game warden who confronted the pair in Dana Point Harbor.
Prosecutors say Romero told the game warden that Robb was a confidential informant for the sheriff.
Former Officer Michael Burch Arrested for Making Meth
A former Bennington police officer is behind bars following an arrest for methamphetamine manufacture, authorities said this morning.
Michael Shane Burch, 34, Bennington, was booked into jail late Wednesday afternoon for suspicion of methamphetamine manufacture and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.
Deputies said he was arrested at a residence east of Bennington and that he had items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine inside a diaper bag.
Another person, Jessica Kay Saddler, 21, Bennington, was arrested for endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine, according to jail records.
Burch had been a Bennington police officer in the late 1990s, according to court records.
No one answered the telephone at the Bennington Police Department this morning.
The Bryan County District Attorney’s Drug Task Force was preparing an affidavit at press time on the arrests and additional details were not available.
In other crime news, a man stole a 30-pack of beer this morning after the store clerk told him he could not purchase it because it was after legal hours.
According to a report by Durant Police Patrolman Drew Hale, the man placed the beer on the front counter at EZ Mart on Washington Avenue. He grabbed the beer and ran after the clerk told him it was after 2 a.m.
The store has video surveillance that the clerk said would be available from the store’s manager.
Patrolman Scott Phelps arrested a man at Walmart Wednesday morning who was walking around the store eating a package of meat he had picked up at the deli. Police were dispatched to the store called about an intoxicated person. When Phelps arrived, he found a 33-year-old man and saw a half-empty bottle of vodka in a pants pocket.
Phelps also found a camera that the man had concealed, plus two mosquito repellent devices attached to his belt, according to the report.
A manager told Phelps that the man also took a package of sandwich meat and was eating it while walking around the store. He was booked into jail.
Also at Walmart on Wednesday, Patrolman Damon Lewis arrested a woman store personnel had seen put drill bits in her purse and drink a soda pop without paying for it.
Officer Sgt Eddie Webb Accused of Beating Teen With Flashlight
An Upstate officer accused of beating a teen with a flashlight has been fired and is now under investigation.
Veteran Sgt. Eddie Webb was fired from the Honea Path Police Department after the police chief saw the video of the incident.
In his report, Webb said several young people were driving an all-terrain vehicle without lights and wouldn't pull over, even when the officer turned on his siren.
From dashcam video, Webb can be seen using a flashlight to knock a teenage suspect off the ATV. The 16-year-old was hit two more times before Webb pulled out his handcuffs.
It was Aug. 15 when the teenagers were first spotted on Sanders Street at 3 a.m. When Webb's blue lights came on, dashcam video showed that the teenagers didn't stop, but they did pull over for a moment.
A chase lasted for about two minutes. Webb's report said the teenagers ran four stop signs and, when the driver pulled over, the report said the ATV was still running and in a position to "pull back off." That's when Webb said he pushed the teenager off the vehicle.
Webb's report said he hit the teenager in a "straight baton technique to gain compliance" and that he found a "BB pistol" on the driver.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the Honea Path police chief wasn't able to go on camera but gave a statement to News 4.
"We have dealt with this situation that occurred on Aug. 15," the chief said. "Sgt. Webb was relieved of duty from the town of Honea Path on Aug. 17. Our findings in this case were forwarded to SLED and Solicitor Chrissy Adams. Because we're dealing with a personnel issue, there's no further comment."
Webb had been with the department for six years but was in law enforcement for about 20, according to the town.
SLED is investigating to determine if Webb should face charges.
Legally, police could only release the name of one of the four suspects because the other three are underage.
Veteran Sgt. Eddie Webb was fired from the Honea Path Police Department after the police chief saw the video of the incident.
In his report, Webb said several young people were driving an all-terrain vehicle without lights and wouldn't pull over, even when the officer turned on his siren.
From dashcam video, Webb can be seen using a flashlight to knock a teenage suspect off the ATV. The 16-year-old was hit two more times before Webb pulled out his handcuffs.
It was Aug. 15 when the teenagers were first spotted on Sanders Street at 3 a.m. When Webb's blue lights came on, dashcam video showed that the teenagers didn't stop, but they did pull over for a moment.
A chase lasted for about two minutes. Webb's report said the teenagers ran four stop signs and, when the driver pulled over, the report said the ATV was still running and in a position to "pull back off." That's when Webb said he pushed the teenager off the vehicle.
Webb's report said he hit the teenager in a "straight baton technique to gain compliance" and that he found a "BB pistol" on the driver.
Due to the ongoing investigation, the Honea Path police chief wasn't able to go on camera but gave a statement to News 4.
"We have dealt with this situation that occurred on Aug. 15," the chief said. "Sgt. Webb was relieved of duty from the town of Honea Path on Aug. 17. Our findings in this case were forwarded to SLED and Solicitor Chrissy Adams. Because we're dealing with a personnel issue, there's no further comment."
Webb had been with the department for six years but was in law enforcement for about 20, according to the town.
SLED is investigating to determine if Webb should face charges.
Legally, police could only release the name of one of the four suspects because the other three are underage.
Former Officer Calvin Schaffer Accepts Plea Deal
A former Goddard police officer accused of sending naked pictures of himself from a police department computer to a woman he had arrested apparently will accept a plea deal.
U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch told a federal judge Thursday during a hearing that he anticipated the case against Calvin Schaffer would be resolved with a plea agreement.
A change of plea hearing was set for Sept. 2 before U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown.
Prosecutors say Schaffer offered to seek dismissal of drunken driving charges against a Wichita woman in exchange for a sexual relationship.
The 44-year-old former officer was charged with one count of wire fraud after the woman, Angelique Mason, went to investigators with secretly recorded tapes.
Defense attorney Roger Falk and Schaffer declined comment.
U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch told a federal judge Thursday during a hearing that he anticipated the case against Calvin Schaffer would be resolved with a plea agreement.
A change of plea hearing was set for Sept. 2 before U.S. District Judge Wesley Brown.
Prosecutors say Schaffer offered to seek dismissal of drunken driving charges against a Wichita woman in exchange for a sexual relationship.
The 44-year-old former officer was charged with one count of wire fraud after the woman, Angelique Mason, went to investigators with secretly recorded tapes.
Defense attorney Roger Falk and Schaffer declined comment.
Officer Jason Rozacky Broke into Woman's Home & Assault Her
A San Antonio police officer has been arrested and accused of burglary and assault.
Investigators say Officer Jason Rozacky broke into a woman's home back on August 20th and assaulted her.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the 36-year-old officer made harassing phone calls and sent text messages to the woman that afteroon after she told him she did not want to see him that night and had other plans. The calls and messages continued throughout the evening as the woman and a guest had dinner.
Investigators say Rozacky then showed up at the woman's home around 10 p.m. and began banging on the front door. Police say after the woman refused to answer the door, Rozacky searched the exterior of the home, found a hidden key, and used it to enter the woman's home. The woman told police Rozacky charged at her after she pulled a gun and ordered him out of her house. After a brief struggle over the gun, the woman said Rozacky let her go and left her home.
The woman suffered minor injuries.
Rozacky now faces "burglary with the intent to commit assault" charges.
Sgt. Diron Carter Accused of Shooting into Crowd of People
The attorney of a police officer accused of pulling the trigger in a drive-by shooting said her client is innocent regardless of what the District Attorney has said.
Pattye High is the attorney for Sergeant Diron Carter who is accused of firing a shot at a crowd of people outside of Night Trips Club on June 16.
High said her client did not fire a shot that night and that Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater's words are ruining her client. Prater was quoted calling Carter and Officer Michael McKethan, who has also been charged in the incident, "gangbangers"
She said that has unfairly labeled Carter as a criminal.
"I think it's unfortunate that people would go on TV and call someone who they charged but who has not been proving to do anything wrong a ‘gangbanger,'" High said.
But according to the probable cause affidavit, Carter admitted to firing a shot outside of Night Trips Club.
The report states Carter called the incident an "accidental shooting," something Carter's attorney said is by no means an admission of guilt.
"He categorically and unequivocally denies that he did what he is charged with," High said.
But while High said her client is innocent, she also said she has yet to get any of the documents about the case from the District Attorney's office.
"If they are so certain my client did these acts, why won't they provide the information to him and to me so we can start the process of evaluating this case?" High said.
High said she thinks the case has been a witch hunt to destroy her client.
"In this country we are presumed innocent until we're proving guilty regardless of what people say in press conferences," High said.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Officer Corey Yocum Arrested for Child Sexual Abuse
A former Olney police officer was arrested on a district court warrant alleging two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.
Corey J. Yocum was arrested by the Dallas Police Department on Friday and held on a $100,000 bond.
According to two indictments issued by a Young County grand jury in May, Yocum intentionally caused a child under the age of 17 to touch him and he allegedly touched the girl in sexual manners. At the time of the alleged offense, Oct. 24, 2008, Yocum was a police officer in Olney.
“We received the allegation and forwarded it to an impartial agency to investigate,” said Randall Davis, chief of the Olney Police Department. “That investigation led to him being indicted. It’s embarrassing that it happened to us. We have every intention of policing ourselves, as well as the community.”
Jim Reeves, the investigator for 90th Judicial District Attorney Brenda Gray, said when he learned Yocum was still at large and might be in the Dallas area, he asked for help in finding the man who police have been looking for since May.
“I saw the guy hadn’t been arrested, and he had been indicted in May,” Reeves said. “I picked up the phone and contacted a Texas Ranger, Sgt. Eric Casper. Casper put out the information to his contacts in Dallas. As a result, he was arrested by the Child Sex Exploitation Unit of the Dallas PD.”
Yocum was taken to the Dallas County Jail on Friday and was transported to Young County on Monday. He is currently being held in the Young County Jail
Corey J. Yocum was arrested by the Dallas Police Department on Friday and held on a $100,000 bond.
According to two indictments issued by a Young County grand jury in May, Yocum intentionally caused a child under the age of 17 to touch him and he allegedly touched the girl in sexual manners. At the time of the alleged offense, Oct. 24, 2008, Yocum was a police officer in Olney.
“We received the allegation and forwarded it to an impartial agency to investigate,” said Randall Davis, chief of the Olney Police Department. “That investigation led to him being indicted. It’s embarrassing that it happened to us. We have every intention of policing ourselves, as well as the community.”
Jim Reeves, the investigator for 90th Judicial District Attorney Brenda Gray, said when he learned Yocum was still at large and might be in the Dallas area, he asked for help in finding the man who police have been looking for since May.
“I saw the guy hadn’t been arrested, and he had been indicted in May,” Reeves said. “I picked up the phone and contacted a Texas Ranger, Sgt. Eric Casper. Casper put out the information to his contacts in Dallas. As a result, he was arrested by the Child Sex Exploitation Unit of the Dallas PD.”
Yocum was taken to the Dallas County Jail on Friday and was transported to Young County on Monday. He is currently being held in the Young County Jail
Former Houston Officer & others Arrested for Sex Trafficking
A sex trade ring in which young girls were allegedly pistol-whipped and forced from their homes into sexual slavery was broken up in Houston this week and several suspects are in custody.
Five people, including a former Houston police officer, were arrested in the largest sex trafficking case in Texas' southern district, MyFOXHouston.com reported. A sixth remains on the run.
John Butler, 47, William Hornbeak, 34, Jamine Lake, 27, Andre McDaniels, 39, and Kristen Land, 28, all of Houston, as well as Tulsa, Okla., resident Ronnie Presley, 35, are named as suspects in the case.
All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women and children for the purposes of commercialized sex; sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and other offenses, according to the station.
The five Houston residents were arrested Monday and Tuesday; Presley is still at large, MyFOXHouston.com reported.
Butler was a Houston police officer for a brief period in the 1980s, sources told the station.
The sting was the result of a joint investigation by local and federal authorities.
“It is a horrible reflection on our society when adults prey on the vulnerabilities of children and reduce them to indentured sex slaves,” U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson said in a prepared statement.
The suspects allegedly used businesses like massage parlors, modeling studios and health spas to disguise their sex trade business, according to the 16-count indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
Women and teens as young as 16 were among the victims allegedly coerced into prostitution and regularly beaten and threatened, according to the U.S. attorney's statement.
Five people, including a former Houston police officer, were arrested in the largest sex trafficking case in Texas' southern district, MyFOXHouston.com reported. A sixth remains on the run.
John Butler, 47, William Hornbeak, 34, Jamine Lake, 27, Andre McDaniels, 39, and Kristen Land, 28, all of Houston, as well as Tulsa, Okla., resident Ronnie Presley, 35, are named as suspects in the case.
All are charged with conspiracy to traffic women and children for the purposes of commercialized sex; sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; and other offenses, according to the station.
The five Houston residents were arrested Monday and Tuesday; Presley is still at large, MyFOXHouston.com reported.
Butler was a Houston police officer for a brief period in the 1980s, sources told the station.
The sting was the result of a joint investigation by local and federal authorities.
“It is a horrible reflection on our society when adults prey on the vulnerabilities of children and reduce them to indentured sex slaves,” U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson said in a prepared statement.
The suspects allegedly used businesses like massage parlors, modeling studios and health spas to disguise their sex trade business, according to the 16-count indictment unsealed on Tuesday.
Women and teens as young as 16 were among the victims allegedly coerced into prostitution and regularly beaten and threatened, according to the U.S. attorney's statement.
Former Officer Robert Starling Arrested for Armed Robbery
A former Santa Rosa police officer has been arrested after police said he got away with more than $400,000 in a series of armored car robberies.
Robert Stephen Starling was arrested Monday on suspicion of armed robbery and other charges in connection with four armed robberies between April 2008 and May 2009 in Sonoma and Marin counties, said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Lisa Banayat.
Starling, 35, worked as a Santa Rosa police officer in two separate stints between 2000 and 2006.
He worked for the department from December 2000 to April 2001, then again in May 2003 to July 2006, according to Banayat.
In one of the four heists Starling is suspected of, a Brinks armored car guard was held up as he walked into a bank in Novato in April 2009.
After pointing a gun at the guard, the suspect ran off with a bank bag that turned out to be empty. There was no financial loss in the incident.
But just prior to the holdup, police received a 911 call from an unidentified caller reporting a possible kidnapping.
It was later determined that the call was false and a possible attempt to divert officers from the robbery, Banayat said.
Through a check of cell phone records, investigators were able to link the calls to Starling and a second suspect, Andrew Esslinger, 26, of Santa Rosa, according to Banayat.
Esslinger was also arrested Monday in connection with two of the robberies.
Both suspects were being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
It was not known if the two suspects had attorneys, and police did not know if a court date had been set.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/25/BA1S19DIGN.DTL
Robert Stephen Starling was arrested Monday on suspicion of armed robbery and other charges in connection with four armed robberies between April 2008 and May 2009 in Sonoma and Marin counties, said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Lisa Banayat.
Starling, 35, worked as a Santa Rosa police officer in two separate stints between 2000 and 2006.
He worked for the department from December 2000 to April 2001, then again in May 2003 to July 2006, according to Banayat.
In one of the four heists Starling is suspected of, a Brinks armored car guard was held up as he walked into a bank in Novato in April 2009.
After pointing a gun at the guard, the suspect ran off with a bank bag that turned out to be empty. There was no financial loss in the incident.
But just prior to the holdup, police received a 911 call from an unidentified caller reporting a possible kidnapping.
It was later determined that the call was false and a possible attempt to divert officers from the robbery, Banayat said.
Through a check of cell phone records, investigators were able to link the calls to Starling and a second suspect, Andrew Esslinger, 26, of Santa Rosa, according to Banayat.
Esslinger was also arrested Monday in connection with two of the robberies.
Both suspects were being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
It was not known if the two suspects had attorneys, and police did not know if a court date had been set.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/25/BA1S19DIGN.DTL
Cpl Eddie Jimenez & His Brother Arrested for Battery
A Cedartown police officer and his brother have bonded out of the Polk County Jail after their early-morning arrests, but both face charges.
Cpl. Eddie Jimenez, 33, of 596 Dry Creek Road, Cedartown, is charged with battery under the Family Violence Act (FVA), cruelty to children and discharging a firearm under the influence. He was released on $1,500 bond and his own recognizance at the request of Judge Whitehead, according the jail docket book.
Martin Julian Jimenez, 34, of 602 Dry Creek Road, Cedartown is charged with battery under FVA. He was released on $500 bond and his own recognizance.
Both were arrested around 5:05 a.m. this morning after Polk County police received a domestic disturbance call. Both men were arrested by the Polk County police and county police are conducting the criminal investigation, according to Cedartown Police Department Assistant Chief Jamie Newsome.
Newsome said Jimenez was a school resource officer. He is still employed with the police department for now.
"Currently, as it stands right now, he's on adminstrative leave pending an internal affairs investigation, which I've called an outside agency to conduct," Newsome said, adding that he is sticking to protocal on the matter.
"I want the citizens to feel comfortable about the intregity of the investigation," he said.
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