A New Orleans police officer accused of stealing a watch while on a service call was previously cited for crimes two other times, court records revealed.
Desmond Shorty, 24, resigned from the police department after he was arrested for allegedly taking a $3,500 watch from a woman's purse while inside an apartment without a search warrant on a disturbance call, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Friday.
Court records show Shorty was issued a municipal summons for domestic battery in September 2008 and again in March for public intoxication, public intimidation and resisting an officer. Both of the alleged incidents occurred while he was a police recruit.
Police spokesman Bob Young said Shorty is attending a domestic violence intervention program as a result of last year's incident. He said the other charges, stemming from an incident outside of a nightclub in the city's French Quarter, were later dropped by prosecutors.
------------------------------
http://www.nola.com/news/?/base/news-2/125264719954580.xml&coll=1
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Trooper Jeffery Jerman Charged with Delivery of Controlled Substance
The Texas Rangers arrested a Boerne Trooper Friday on charges of delivery of a controlled substance.
Highway Patrol Trooper Jeffery Jerman, 33, a nine year veteran of the Texas Department of Public Safety, was suspended as the investigation continues.
Jerman was taken to the Kendall County jail and his bond was set at $15,000.
----------------------
More Information: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/59070237.html
Highway Patrol Trooper Jeffery Jerman, 33, a nine year veteran of the Texas Department of Public Safety, was suspended as the investigation continues.
Jerman was taken to the Kendall County jail and his bond was set at $15,000.
----------------------
More Information: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/59070237.html
Friday, September 11, 2009
Deputy Ezequiel Sauceda Arrested for Providing False Information
Special agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested a Cameron County Sheriff’s Department deputy for making false statements in the purchase of firearms, officials said Thursday.
Ezequiel Sauceda, 31, was arrested Thursday afternoon at the sheriff’s department office in Olmito, said ATF spokeswoman Franceska Perot.
"At this point the investigation is still ongoing, so we can’t release too many details," Perot said. "He was charged with three counts of providing false information in federal documents, a practice called lie and buy."
Sauceda had presented himself as the final buyer of three firearms at a local sporting goods store when in fact the firearms were destined for another person, ATF said.
Gus Reyna, chief deputy for the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department, said Sauceda was dismissed from the sheriff’s department on Thursday. However, because of county policy, Reyna said he could not discuss the reasons for Sauceda’s termination.
Ezequiel Sauceda, 31, was arrested Thursday afternoon at the sheriff’s department office in Olmito, said ATF spokeswoman Franceska Perot.
"At this point the investigation is still ongoing, so we can’t release too many details," Perot said. "He was charged with three counts of providing false information in federal documents, a practice called lie and buy."
Sauceda had presented himself as the final buyer of three firearms at a local sporting goods store when in fact the firearms were destined for another person, ATF said.
Gus Reyna, chief deputy for the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department, said Sauceda was dismissed from the sheriff’s department on Thursday. However, because of county policy, Reyna said he could not discuss the reasons for Sauceda’s termination.
Deputy Esequiel Sauceda Buying Weapons for Someone Else
A former Cameron County sheriff's deputy was arraigned Friday for allegedly straw-purchasing three pistols at a local sporting goods store.
Esequiel Sauceda, 31, pleaded not guilty to making a false statement in firearms records. He was released on $50,000 bond.
His lawyer, Robert Lerma, said he was still familiarizing himself with the case and did not yet have any comment. He said Sauceda had resigned from the sheriff's department. Some local news reports said Sauceda was terminated on Thursday. Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio did not immediately return a call for clarification.
According to the Sept. 1 federal indictment, Sauceda on Dec. 8, 2007, misrepresented himself as the final buyer of two .22-caliber pistols and one 9 mm pistol. It was unclear from court documents for whom the weapons were purchased, or if they wound up in Mexico.
“It boils down to he bought weapons for someone else,” said Franceska Perot, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
ATF special agents arrested Sauceda on Thursday.
A trial has been set to begin in November. If convicted, Sauceda faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Esequiel Sauceda, 31, pleaded not guilty to making a false statement in firearms records. He was released on $50,000 bond.
His lawyer, Robert Lerma, said he was still familiarizing himself with the case and did not yet have any comment. He said Sauceda had resigned from the sheriff's department. Some local news reports said Sauceda was terminated on Thursday. Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio did not immediately return a call for clarification.
According to the Sept. 1 federal indictment, Sauceda on Dec. 8, 2007, misrepresented himself as the final buyer of two .22-caliber pistols and one 9 mm pistol. It was unclear from court documents for whom the weapons were purchased, or if they wound up in Mexico.
“It boils down to he bought weapons for someone else,” said Franceska Perot, spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
ATF special agents arrested Sauceda on Thursday.
A trial has been set to begin in November. If convicted, Sauceda faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Former Deputy J. C. Townsend Charged with Boat Crash
A former Natchitoches sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday after being indicted in connection with a boat crash May 24 on Cane River in which six people were injured, officials said.
J.C. Townsend, 27, of Natchitoches, is charged with three counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injury, a felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison on each count.
A Natchitoches grand jury also indicted his wife, Nora Townsend, 27, of Natchitoches, Patricia Hatten, 22, of Natchitoches, and Patricia Rhodes, 32, of Weatherford, Texas, on a charge of criminal mischief. The indictment accuses the three of giving false reports to a law enforcement officer, Louisiana Assistant Attorney General Cliff Strider said.
Earl Thomas Rhodes, 36, of Weatherford, Texas, has been indicted on a charge of obstruction of justice. He is accused of tampering with evidence of a crime with a special intent to distort the results of a criminal investigation. Earl Thomas Rhodes and the three women had not been arrested as of Wednesday.
The attorney general's office is handling the case, Strider said, because Natchitoches District Attorney Van Kyzar recused his office since at least one of his employees will be called as a prosecution witness.
J.C. Townsend, who was a deputy but not on duty at the time of the accident, reportedly was piloting one of the boats involved in the nearly head-on collision about 9 p.m. May 24 on Cane River Lake near the Washington boat launch. J.C. Townsend, with four passengers in his boat, is accused of running over another boat occupied by three people. He and a female passenger received minor injuries. All occupants of the second boat were hurt, two critically, according to state Wildlife and Fisheries officials.
J.C. Townsend was placed on leave May 25 and resigned June 9.
Wildlife and Fisheries agents originally charged him with two counts each of first-degree vehicular negligent injury and vehicle negligent injury, and one count each of first-offense DWI, reckless operation of a watercraft and improper running lights. Blood-alcohol tests performed at the state police crime lab indicated his intoxication level was 0.15 percent, almost double the legal limit of 0.08 percent, Wildlife and Fisheries agents said.
--------------------------
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-58/1252583070324150.xml&storylist=louisiana
J.C. Townsend, 27, of Natchitoches, is charged with three counts of first-degree vehicular negligent injury, a felony that carries a penalty of up to five years in prison on each count.
A Natchitoches grand jury also indicted his wife, Nora Townsend, 27, of Natchitoches, Patricia Hatten, 22, of Natchitoches, and Patricia Rhodes, 32, of Weatherford, Texas, on a charge of criminal mischief. The indictment accuses the three of giving false reports to a law enforcement officer, Louisiana Assistant Attorney General Cliff Strider said.
Earl Thomas Rhodes, 36, of Weatherford, Texas, has been indicted on a charge of obstruction of justice. He is accused of tampering with evidence of a crime with a special intent to distort the results of a criminal investigation. Earl Thomas Rhodes and the three women had not been arrested as of Wednesday.
The attorney general's office is handling the case, Strider said, because Natchitoches District Attorney Van Kyzar recused his office since at least one of his employees will be called as a prosecution witness.
J.C. Townsend, who was a deputy but not on duty at the time of the accident, reportedly was piloting one of the boats involved in the nearly head-on collision about 9 p.m. May 24 on Cane River Lake near the Washington boat launch. J.C. Townsend, with four passengers in his boat, is accused of running over another boat occupied by three people. He and a female passenger received minor injuries. All occupants of the second boat were hurt, two critically, according to state Wildlife and Fisheries officials.
J.C. Townsend was placed on leave May 25 and resigned June 9.
Wildlife and Fisheries agents originally charged him with two counts each of first-degree vehicular negligent injury and vehicle negligent injury, and one count each of first-offense DWI, reckless operation of a watercraft and improper running lights. Blood-alcohol tests performed at the state police crime lab indicated his intoxication level was 0.15 percent, almost double the legal limit of 0.08 percent, Wildlife and Fisheries agents said.
--------------------------
http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-58/1252583070324150.xml&storylist=louisiana
Officer Joseph Seper Accused of Making False Report about Drive-by
A St. Louis police officer is accused of making a false report about a drive-by shooting.
The 29-year-old, Joseph Seper, is charged with one count of making a false declaration and one of a false report, both misdemeanors. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Friday he is scheduled for trial Dec. 14.
Seper is accused of altering a report to more directly link a suspect to a weapon, writing that another officer saw the man pull a gun out and drop it. Seper's lawyer, Michael Schaller, claims it was another officer who altered the report.
Five state cases involving Seper have been dismissed. He has been suspended without pay since February.
----------------------------------
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/laworder/story/58B410F2841172628625762E0003E437?OpenDocument
The 29-year-old, Joseph Seper, is charged with one count of making a false declaration and one of a false report, both misdemeanors. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Friday he is scheduled for trial Dec. 14.
Seper is accused of altering a report to more directly link a suspect to a weapon, writing that another officer saw the man pull a gun out and drop it. Seper's lawyer, Michael Schaller, claims it was another officer who altered the report.
Five state cases involving Seper have been dismissed. He has been suspended without pay since February.
----------------------------------
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/laworder/story/58B410F2841172628625762E0003E437?OpenDocument
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Socorro Officer Accused of Wrongfully Giving out Citations
KFOX had reported how several people claimed a Socorro police officer had wrongfully issued them traffic citations.
KFOX reporter Monica Balderrama discovered 10 other people were complaining about the same officer.
The Socorro Police Department launched an internal investigation.
Thursday, Chief Jaime Avalos said he deemed the case to be nonsustained because it's their word against the officer's.
But Avalos also said the officer resigned this week, citing personal reasons for his resignation.
The chief said he doesn't believe his resignation is connected to the claims against him.
The drivers who were cited are still trying to find out if they need to pay tickets.
KFOX reporter Monica Balderrama discovered 10 other people were complaining about the same officer.
The Socorro Police Department launched an internal investigation.
Thursday, Chief Jaime Avalos said he deemed the case to be nonsustained because it's their word against the officer's.
But Avalos also said the officer resigned this week, citing personal reasons for his resignation.
The chief said he doesn't believe his resignation is connected to the claims against him.
The drivers who were cited are still trying to find out if they need to pay tickets.
Officer Brian Kenneth Sawicki Arrested for Indecent Exposure
The Santa Barbara Police Department announced Thursday that officer Brian Kenneth Sawicki, placed on administrative leave last month after his off-duty arrest for indecent exposure at Refugio State Beach, has voluntarily resigned his position.
On Aug. 11, two teenage girls were walking along a trail when they noticed a man walking behind them, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. The girls walked back toward the campground and saw the man again, who was lying down and masturbating.
Officials said the girls alerted an on-duty state park ranger. While the girls were being interviewed, they saw the man and pointed him out to the ranger. The suspect saw the ranger approaching and ran away. After a foot pursuit, the suspect was caught and arrested.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Sawicki, 33, on misdemeanor charges of annoying or molesting a child under 18, indecent exposure and obstructing/resisting a police officer. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on $2,500 bail.
-----------------------------
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_13316427
On Aug. 11, two teenage girls were walking along a trail when they noticed a man walking behind them, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department. The girls walked back toward the campground and saw the man again, who was lying down and masturbating.
Officials said the girls alerted an on-duty state park ranger. While the girls were being interviewed, they saw the man and pointed him out to the ranger. The suspect saw the ranger approaching and ran away. After a foot pursuit, the suspect was caught and arrested.
Sheriff’s detectives arrested Sawicki, 33, on misdemeanor charges of annoying or molesting a child under 18, indecent exposure and obstructing/resisting a police officer. He was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on $2,500 bail.
-----------------------------
http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_13316427
Former Officer Wilson Lee Newman on Trial for Stealing Beer
Witnesses testified Wednesday in the trial of a former Mineral Wells police officer accused of abuse of official capacity and official oppression for allegedly stealing a 12-pack of beer during a traffic stop.
Wilson Lee Newman, 32, of Graford, retired from his position as a corporal in the patrol division in December after nearly five years with the Mineral Wells Police Department.
During the trial, Newman admitted to removing the beer from a vehicle while making two arrests on Dec. 6, placing it in his own vehicle when he got off his shift and later throwing it away in front of the officer who reported him. Newman said he never decided to steal the beer.
“I had no intention of taking his beer for my personal use,” Newman said.
Because Newman was acting as a police officer when the beer was taken, he is charged with the class A misdemeanors involving official conduct rather than theft.
According to testimony at the trial, Newman was responding to a disturbance call at a gas station on South Oak just after midnight on a Saturday morning when he pulled over a pickup matching the description of the vehicle involved.
A passenger who initially got out of the vehicle was arrested for public intoxication and the driver, who admitted to drinking but passed a field sobriety test, was arrested for driving without a license.
The vehicle was released by the driver to another passenger who, according to Newman, did not seem impaired from alcohol.
An in-dash recording of the stop appears to show Newman retrieving the pack of beer from the vehicle just before releasing the vehicle to the driver’s friend.
“I hate to ruin your night, but you’re not getting this back,” Newman appears to tell him.
Detective Neal Davis said the value of the sealed pack of Bud Light was believed to be less than $10.
Michael Guzman, a resident of Mineral Wells and driver of the truck that night, testified that he gave money to his friend go into the gas station and purchase the beer so they would have drinks when they got home.
Guzman said he did not give any officer permission to take his beer and did not get the beer back.
Newman told the jury he went back to the police station to help book the men and write the arrest and incident reports but forgot about the beer in the back of the patrol vehicle.
Police Chief Mike McAllester said proper procedure for dealing with evidence is to determine if the property has evidenciary value, note seized property in the report, log the property in the computer system, tag the object with a number and place the item in the evidence room.
McAllester told the jury there would usually not be an occasion to take a sealed pack of beer during an arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Newman told the jury that he did not want the man, who had admitted to drinking earlier in the evening, to have the beer in the car when he drove off and he wanted to use the beer as evidence in the public intoxication arrest.
Any seized property is also required to be noted in the report but was not on the reports signed by Newman, McAllester said.
The beer remained in the bed of the patrol pickup until he got off work, according to Newman.
Patrol officer Kody Acuff said Newman asked to borrow his collapsible baton around 6 a.m. during shift change that morning move the beer from the middle of the truck.
“[He] said ‘I got to get my beer out of the truck,’” Acuff said.
Acuff said he initially assumed Newman had purchased beer while on duty, a violation of department policy.
“During conversation it was mentioned that he dealt with intoxicated subjects during the night,” Acuff said.
Acuff said he then reported the incident to his immediate supervisor.
When asked why he placed the drinks in his own truck, Newman said, “You know I’ve been thinking about it for nine months and I still don’t have an answer.”
Newman said he did not call the beer his own during his interaction with Acuff.
“I was on my way home … when it popped into my head that I put that beer in the back of my truck,” Newman said. “I decided to come back early and take care of the beer.”
“I was almost to Graford and was tired,” Newman said. “I should have [turned around and dealt with it], yes.”
When he returned for work that evening, Newman said he met a supervisor in the hall, who Newman claimed initially tried to cover for him by saying loudly, “‘If anyone asks, I bought the beer for Newman.’”
“[He] said, ‘Look, Kody’s throwing a fit about that beer,’” Newman said. “I was trying to act surprised but I wasn’t because I know Kody.”
Newman then met Acuff, who was coming off his shift.
“He said ‘Hey, can I talk to you for a second,’” Acuff said.
Acuff said Newman told him if he had a problem with something, he wouldn’t do it around him.
“‘I’m not going to go out on a limb and say we’ve all done it, but most of us have,’” Acuff quoted Newman as saying to him during their second conversation.
Newman then threw the beer in a trash can in front of him.
“It kind of infuriated me because I’d never done anything like that and I’d never seen anyone do that,” Acuff said.
Both Burns and Newman’s attorney, Jim Lane, rested after presenting evidence and are expected to continue with closing remarks Thursday morning.
Wilson Lee Newman, 32, of Graford, retired from his position as a corporal in the patrol division in December after nearly five years with the Mineral Wells Police Department.
During the trial, Newman admitted to removing the beer from a vehicle while making two arrests on Dec. 6, placing it in his own vehicle when he got off his shift and later throwing it away in front of the officer who reported him. Newman said he never decided to steal the beer.
“I had no intention of taking his beer for my personal use,” Newman said.
Because Newman was acting as a police officer when the beer was taken, he is charged with the class A misdemeanors involving official conduct rather than theft.
According to testimony at the trial, Newman was responding to a disturbance call at a gas station on South Oak just after midnight on a Saturday morning when he pulled over a pickup matching the description of the vehicle involved.
A passenger who initially got out of the vehicle was arrested for public intoxication and the driver, who admitted to drinking but passed a field sobriety test, was arrested for driving without a license.
The vehicle was released by the driver to another passenger who, according to Newman, did not seem impaired from alcohol.
An in-dash recording of the stop appears to show Newman retrieving the pack of beer from the vehicle just before releasing the vehicle to the driver’s friend.
“I hate to ruin your night, but you’re not getting this back,” Newman appears to tell him.
Detective Neal Davis said the value of the sealed pack of Bud Light was believed to be less than $10.
Michael Guzman, a resident of Mineral Wells and driver of the truck that night, testified that he gave money to his friend go into the gas station and purchase the beer so they would have drinks when they got home.
Guzman said he did not give any officer permission to take his beer and did not get the beer back.
Newman told the jury he went back to the police station to help book the men and write the arrest and incident reports but forgot about the beer in the back of the patrol vehicle.
Police Chief Mike McAllester said proper procedure for dealing with evidence is to determine if the property has evidenciary value, note seized property in the report, log the property in the computer system, tag the object with a number and place the item in the evidence room.
McAllester told the jury there would usually not be an occasion to take a sealed pack of beer during an arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Newman told the jury that he did not want the man, who had admitted to drinking earlier in the evening, to have the beer in the car when he drove off and he wanted to use the beer as evidence in the public intoxication arrest.
Any seized property is also required to be noted in the report but was not on the reports signed by Newman, McAllester said.
The beer remained in the bed of the patrol pickup until he got off work, according to Newman.
Patrol officer Kody Acuff said Newman asked to borrow his collapsible baton around 6 a.m. during shift change that morning move the beer from the middle of the truck.
“[He] said ‘I got to get my beer out of the truck,’” Acuff said.
Acuff said he initially assumed Newman had purchased beer while on duty, a violation of department policy.
“During conversation it was mentioned that he dealt with intoxicated subjects during the night,” Acuff said.
Acuff said he then reported the incident to his immediate supervisor.
When asked why he placed the drinks in his own truck, Newman said, “You know I’ve been thinking about it for nine months and I still don’t have an answer.”
Newman said he did not call the beer his own during his interaction with Acuff.
“I was on my way home … when it popped into my head that I put that beer in the back of my truck,” Newman said. “I decided to come back early and take care of the beer.”
“I was almost to Graford and was tired,” Newman said. “I should have [turned around and dealt with it], yes.”
When he returned for work that evening, Newman said he met a supervisor in the hall, who Newman claimed initially tried to cover for him by saying loudly, “‘If anyone asks, I bought the beer for Newman.’”
“[He] said, ‘Look, Kody’s throwing a fit about that beer,’” Newman said. “I was trying to act surprised but I wasn’t because I know Kody.”
Newman then met Acuff, who was coming off his shift.
“He said ‘Hey, can I talk to you for a second,’” Acuff said.
Acuff said Newman told him if he had a problem with something, he wouldn’t do it around him.
“‘I’m not going to go out on a limb and say we’ve all done it, but most of us have,’” Acuff quoted Newman as saying to him during their second conversation.
Newman then threw the beer in a trash can in front of him.
“It kind of infuriated me because I’d never done anything like that and I’d never seen anyone do that,” Acuff said.
Both Burns and Newman’s attorney, Jim Lane, rested after presenting evidence and are expected to continue with closing remarks Thursday morning.
Officer Walter Finley Jr Arrested for Rape
A former North Carolina police officer has been charged with four sexual offenses, and authorities say some of the events occurred while he was still on the force.
Walter Finley Jr. was arrested Thursday on one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sexual offenses. The Goldsboro Police Department said the events occurred from 1995 through 2000. Finley worked at the police department from 1993 until he resigned in 1999.
Authorities said all of Finley's victims are acquaintances and there's no sign he committed the acts while on duty. Finley was being held on $1 million bond. Jail officials declined to say whether he had an attorney.
Walter Finley Jr. was arrested Thursday on one count of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree sexual offenses. The Goldsboro Police Department said the events occurred from 1995 through 2000. Finley worked at the police department from 1993 until he resigned in 1999.
Authorities said all of Finley's victims are acquaintances and there's no sign he committed the acts while on duty. Finley was being held on $1 million bond. Jail officials declined to say whether he had an attorney.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Former Deputy Accused of Forcing Inmate to Rub his Genitals on Another Inmates Sandwich Pleads Guilty
A former deputy accused of forcing an inmate to rub his genitals in a sandwich and then watch another inmate eat it pleaded guilty to two counts Wednesday.
Former deputy Joseph Cantwell, 38, pleaded guilty to two health-code violation counts Wednesday.
He originally was charged with four counts: dereliction of duty, operating without a license, disorderly conduct and health-code violation. The other charges were dropped as a part of the plea deal.
He was given a 90-day sentence, which was suspended, five years of probation and a fine of $500 plus court costs.
Cantwell told the court he was sorry for the shame and embarrassment he caused.
Todd Tripplett, who is in jail on a theft charge, was forced to rub his genitals on another inmate’s sandwich, according to Columbus attorney Byron Potts.
Former deputy Phillip Barnett, 26, also was accused in the incident. Barnett was not charged with a crime.
Both Cantwell and Barnett were dismissed from their duties at the Franklin County Jail in May. They were reassigned to the Franklin County Control Center during the investigation and then both were later fired.
Potts alleged the deputies took cell pictures of the other inmate as he unknowingly ate the alleged sandwich.
Former Officer Mike Rodrigues Accused of Raping Four Women
The ex-wife of a former San Benito County deputy testified Wednesday and said she was raped by her former husband.
The ex-wife of Mike Rodrigues, who is accused of raping four women, was the first person to take the stand during the former sheriff deputy's trial.
Rodrigues has been charged with eight felonies, including three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count of attempted rape, domestic violence and spousal rape.
In his opening statement, Rodrigues' attorney, Art Cantu, said the allegations are false and the alleged victims cried rape only after falling in love with Rodriguez.
Prosecutors, however, said Rodrigues was a predator who preyed on vulnerable women.
The three other alleged victims are expected to take the witness stand. It is unclear whether Rodrigues will take the stand during the trial.
Rodrigues faces life in prison if convicted of all charges.
The ex-wife of Mike Rodrigues, who is accused of raping four women, was the first person to take the stand during the former sheriff deputy's trial.
Rodrigues has been charged with eight felonies, including three counts of forcible rape, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration and one count of attempted rape, domestic violence and spousal rape.
In his opening statement, Rodrigues' attorney, Art Cantu, said the allegations are false and the alleged victims cried rape only after falling in love with Rodriguez.
Prosecutors, however, said Rodrigues was a predator who preyed on vulnerable women.
The three other alleged victims are expected to take the witness stand. It is unclear whether Rodrigues will take the stand during the trial.
Rodrigues faces life in prison if convicted of all charges.
Former Sheriff Bryan Hill & Wife Charged with Domestic Violence
The former sheriff of Lawrence County has been arrested on a domestic violence charge along with his wife.
Bryan Keith Hill and his wife Angela were both charged for Domestic Violence Third Degree.
Deputies were called to the Hill's home in Moulton where the former sheriff and his wife were involved in a verbal altercation.
Deputies say Hill and wife wife continued their altercation despite commands for them to calm down.
Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the altercation.
Hill was taken to the Franklin County jail while his wife was locked up in Lawrence County.
Both spend 12 hours in custody to observe a cool-down period.
Bond was set at $1,000 for both.
Bryan Keith Hill and his wife Angela were both charged for Domestic Violence Third Degree.
Deputies were called to the Hill's home in Moulton where the former sheriff and his wife were involved in a verbal altercation.
Deputies say Hill and wife wife continued their altercation despite commands for them to calm down.
Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the altercation.
Hill was taken to the Franklin County jail while his wife was locked up in Lawrence County.
Both spend 12 hours in custody to observe a cool-down period.
Bond was set at $1,000 for both.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Shane Ledbetter Dies After Being Tasered
The man who was hospitalized after a violent struggle with Aurora police officers last week has died.
Shane Ledbetter, 38, ran from police on Thursday as they were arresting another man who was wanted on several arrest warrants including a felony, statewide extradition warrant.
Ledbetter ran through Mission Viejo Park and into a creek bed, where officers caught up with him.
Police said he was combative and resisted arrest so an officer shocked him with a Taser gun to subdue him. After he was shocked, Ledbetter became unresponsive and officers performed CPR while paramedics were called, said Aurora police spokeswoman Shannon Youngquist Lucy.
Ledbetter died early Sunday morning.
Ledbetter was wanted on several felony warrants including an escape warrant issued in Jefferson County in 2004.
The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy on Ledbetter early this week, but a final determination on his cause of death may take several weeks due to the amount of time it takes to get toxicology reports back, Lucy said.
As per policy in such an incident, detectives with the major crimes/homicide unit have been actively investigating the incident.
An Aurora patrol officer who was injured during the foot chase and arrest remains on medical leave. Investigators are uncertain when he will be well enough to speak with them, but hope to complete an interview later this week.
Detectives will turn over their report to the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office when it is completed.
Shane Ledbetter, 38, ran from police on Thursday as they were arresting another man who was wanted on several arrest warrants including a felony, statewide extradition warrant.
Ledbetter ran through Mission Viejo Park and into a creek bed, where officers caught up with him.
Police said he was combative and resisted arrest so an officer shocked him with a Taser gun to subdue him. After he was shocked, Ledbetter became unresponsive and officers performed CPR while paramedics were called, said Aurora police spokeswoman Shannon Youngquist Lucy.
Ledbetter died early Sunday morning.
Ledbetter was wanted on several felony warrants including an escape warrant issued in Jefferson County in 2004.
The Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will perform an autopsy on Ledbetter early this week, but a final determination on his cause of death may take several weeks due to the amount of time it takes to get toxicology reports back, Lucy said.
As per policy in such an incident, detectives with the major crimes/homicide unit have been actively investigating the incident.
An Aurora patrol officer who was injured during the foot chase and arrest remains on medical leave. Investigators are uncertain when he will be well enough to speak with them, but hope to complete an interview later this week.
Detectives will turn over their report to the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office when it is completed.
Officer Steven Barringer Arrested for Drunk Driving
Two off-duty Hurst officers are on administrative leave after they were pulled over, and one was accused of drunken driving in downtown Fort Worth.
According to a Fort Worth police report, Steven Barringer, 27, was pulled over by an officer after he had swerved between two lanes and then almost hit a stopped car at a red light in the 100 block of E. Seventh Street on Friday. He had been given a sobriety test but refused a breathalyzer test.
Barringer was taken to Mansfield jail on suspicion of drunken driving and released Friday on $500 bail, the Associated Press reported.
Barringer had denied drinking but later admitted that he and a second officer, Jacob Eubank, had been out celebrating Eubank’s promotion to corporal at the Library Bar, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
According to a Fort Worth police report, Steven Barringer, 27, was pulled over by an officer after he had swerved between two lanes and then almost hit a stopped car at a red light in the 100 block of E. Seventh Street on Friday. He had been given a sobriety test but refused a breathalyzer test.
Barringer was taken to Mansfield jail on suspicion of drunken driving and released Friday on $500 bail, the Associated Press reported.
Barringer had denied drinking but later admitted that he and a second officer, Jacob Eubank, had been out celebrating Eubank’s promotion to corporal at the Library Bar, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Officer David Eaddy Charged with Burglary
A Williamsburg County police officer accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home has bonded out of jail.
Deputies say he was in uniform when he committed the crime.
Sunday, The Florence County Sheriff's Office charged 28-year-old David Eaddy with burglary.
He is an officer with the Hemingway Police Department.
Deputies say he broke into his former girlfriend's home in Lake City on Sunday afternoon.
The Hemingway police chief says Eaddy has been with the department for two months, and has now been put on administrative leave without pay.
Deputies say he was in uniform when he committed the crime.
Sunday, The Florence County Sheriff's Office charged 28-year-old David Eaddy with burglary.
He is an officer with the Hemingway Police Department.
Deputies say he broke into his former girlfriend's home in Lake City on Sunday afternoon.
The Hemingway police chief says Eaddy has been with the department for two months, and has now been put on administrative leave without pay.
Probation Officer Joe Williams Arrested for Domestic Battery
North Port Police have arrested a man for domestic battery and preventing the victim from calling 911.
Officers arrested 45-year-old Joe Williams at his home Sunday night. A report says he is a probation officer for the state of Florida.
According to his wife, Williams was intoxicated and threw one of their children into the pool to teach him how to swim. When Williams' wife threw his beer away, he became violent according to the report -- threatening to kill her.
He took the phone, keeping her from calling 911. She was able to get their 2 children to a nearby business safely and call authorities.
Williams is charged with domestic battery and prevent access to emergency services. He has since bonded out of the Sarasota County Jail.
Officers arrested 45-year-old Joe Williams at his home Sunday night. A report says he is a probation officer for the state of Florida.
According to his wife, Williams was intoxicated and threw one of their children into the pool to teach him how to swim. When Williams' wife threw his beer away, he became violent according to the report -- threatening to kill her.
He took the phone, keeping her from calling 911. She was able to get their 2 children to a nearby business safely and call authorities.
Williams is charged with domestic battery and prevent access to emergency services. He has since bonded out of the Sarasota County Jail.
Probation Officer Robert Justin Jones Arrested for Inappropriately Touching Teen
A Midland County Probation Officer has been arrested and charged with Official Oppression.
26-year-old Robert Justin Jones was arrested Tuesday morning at work following an investigation that began last week.
Midland Police say Jones inappropriately touched an 18-year-old female while at the house of a man he is supervising. Jones was not at the home on official business.
Police say Jones is being charged with oppression because one of his probationers lived at the home, the victim is on probation and only allowed Jones to touch her because he is a Probation Officer.
26-year-old Robert Justin Jones was arrested Tuesday morning at work following an investigation that began last week.
Midland Police say Jones inappropriately touched an 18-year-old female while at the house of a man he is supervising. Jones was not at the home on official business.
Police say Jones is being charged with oppression because one of his probationers lived at the home, the victim is on probation and only allowed Jones to touch her because he is a Probation Officer.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Officer Founia Mauga Arrested for Assaulting his Wife
El Paso police said an off-duty officer has been arrested following a domestic dispute.
Police said they were dispatched to a family disturbance on the 12200 block of Via Granada just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to police, when they arrived on the scene the door of the house was open. They went inside and allegedly found Founia Mauga, 49, holding two large knives in his hands and he threatened the officers.
One of the officers tased Mauga. Police said they were able to take the knives from him and put him in custody.
Police said Mauga allegedly assaulted his wife, Lorena Gonzalez Ayala, 45, and his stepdaughter, Laura Calderon, 17.
Mauga was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on four counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and two counts of assault family violence, police said.
Mauga has been temporarily relieved of his duties pending an investigation with the police department’s internal affairs.
Police said they were dispatched to a family disturbance on the 12200 block of Via Granada just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to police, when they arrived on the scene the door of the house was open. They went inside and allegedly found Founia Mauga, 49, holding two large knives in his hands and he threatened the officers.
One of the officers tased Mauga. Police said they were able to take the knives from him and put him in custody.
Police said Mauga allegedly assaulted his wife, Lorena Gonzalez Ayala, 45, and his stepdaughter, Laura Calderon, 17.
Mauga was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on four counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and two counts of assault family violence, police said.
Mauga has been temporarily relieved of his duties pending an investigation with the police department’s internal affairs.
Officer Matthew Howell Charged with DUI
A Clinton police officer was arrested early Sunday for driving under the influence, a state Department of Safety spokesman said this morning.
Matthew Howell, 35, of Clinton, was charged with DUI implied consent because he refused to have a blood alcohol test done, safety spokesman Mike Browning said. He failed a field sobriety test, he said.
Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper William Garrett of Knoxville was traveling east on Kingston Pike near Lovell Road about 2 a.m. when he noticed a vehicle pull out of a parking lot and onto the road "in a really fast manner," Browning said.
"That’s when (Garrett) noticed there might be something wrong and eventually got him to stop," Browning said, after he turned on his lights and sirens.
Howell pulled into a parking lot where Garrett spoke with him and then arrested him, Browning said.
Howell "admitted to being a police officer," he said.
An officer who picked up at the Clinton Police Department this morning confirmed Howell is an officer with the department.
-----------------------
Update: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=99758&provider=gnews
Matthew Howell, 35, of Clinton, was charged with DUI implied consent because he refused to have a blood alcohol test done, safety spokesman Mike Browning said. He failed a field sobriety test, he said.
Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper William Garrett of Knoxville was traveling east on Kingston Pike near Lovell Road about 2 a.m. when he noticed a vehicle pull out of a parking lot and onto the road "in a really fast manner," Browning said.
"That’s when (Garrett) noticed there might be something wrong and eventually got him to stop," Browning said, after he turned on his lights and sirens.
Howell pulled into a parking lot where Garrett spoke with him and then arrested him, Browning said.
Howell "admitted to being a police officer," he said.
An officer who picked up at the Clinton Police Department this morning confirmed Howell is an officer with the department.
-----------------------
Update: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=99758&provider=gnews
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)