The former police chief in the Gulf coast port of Veracruz was among 11 people arrested for the kidnapping of Mexican customs official Francisco Serrano Aramoni, who remains missing and is feared dead.
Jose Osiris Cruz was detained Wednesday by military police, the Mexican Attorney General’s Office said.
A Veracruz state judge issued warrants for the arrest of Cruz and 10 other suspects on charges of racketeering, drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession, AG office spokesman Ricardo Celso Najera said.
Serrano, the head of the customs office in Veracruz, was driving home from work the night of June 1 when another vehicle rammed his vehicle and forced him to stop. Armed assailants then grabbed the official and drove away.
Since taking office in December 2006, President Felipe Calderon has deployed more than 50,000 soldiers and 20,000 federal police officers across Mexico in a bid to crush the country’s powerful drug cartels.
The operation has failed to put a dent in the violence due, according to experts, to the cartels’ ability to buy off police and even high-ranking prosecutors.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Trial Date Set for Detective Rickie Durham
A former Philadelphia police officer accused of tipping off a drug kingpin about a raid will head to trial next week.
Jury selection ended Thursday in the obstruction trial of former detective Rickie Durham. Durham is accused of calling childhood friend and former NBA player Jerome "Pooh" Richardson about an upcoming raid on a suspected drug dealer. Richardson's half-sister lived with the suspect.
Authorities say Richardson the called his half-sister and spoke to her boyfriend, Alton "Ace Capone" Coles. A few hours later more than 200 officers arrested the couple and others linked to Coles.
Coles was convicted last year of running a $25 million cocaine ring and is serving a life term.
Durham, 43, is charged with obstruction of justice and other charges.
Jerome Richardson is not charged.
---------------------
Information from: Philadelphia Daily News, http://www.philly.com
Jury selection ended Thursday in the obstruction trial of former detective Rickie Durham. Durham is accused of calling childhood friend and former NBA player Jerome "Pooh" Richardson about an upcoming raid on a suspected drug dealer. Richardson's half-sister lived with the suspect.
Authorities say Richardson the called his half-sister and spoke to her boyfriend, Alton "Ace Capone" Coles. A few hours later more than 200 officers arrested the couple and others linked to Coles.
Coles was convicted last year of running a $25 million cocaine ring and is serving a life term.
Durham, 43, is charged with obstruction of justice and other charges.
Jerome Richardson is not charged.
---------------------
Information from: Philadelphia Daily News, http://www.philly.com
Former Officer Joseph Bonachita Arrested for Burglary
A former Kauai police officer has been arrested on burglary, terroristic threats and weapons charges.
Forty-one-year-old Joseph Bonachita is out on $25,000 bail after being arrested earlier this week. Authorities have provided few details about the case.
Bonachita declined to comment.
The former officer also was the subject of a temporary restraining order filed by a woman shortly before she was found dead outside her Puhi home Aug. 17.
Police initially said they believed foul play was involved in 27-year-old Lauren Kagawa’s death but later determined it was a lethal mixture of prescription drugs and alcohol. They say they’re still investigating.
Bonachita, who Kagawa alleged had sexually assaulted her, has not been named as a suspect in the case, but police say they haven’t ruled him out.
Forty-one-year-old Joseph Bonachita is out on $25,000 bail after being arrested earlier this week. Authorities have provided few details about the case.
Bonachita declined to comment.
The former officer also was the subject of a temporary restraining order filed by a woman shortly before she was found dead outside her Puhi home Aug. 17.
Police initially said they believed foul play was involved in 27-year-old Lauren Kagawa’s death but later determined it was a lethal mixture of prescription drugs and alcohol. They say they’re still investigating.
Bonachita, who Kagawa alleged had sexually assaulted her, has not been named as a suspect in the case, but police say they haven’t ruled him out.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Officer Stephen Olenchak Charged with Rape
A Davie police officer facing charges he raped a young woman while his wife slept in the same bed should be ready for trial early next year, his attorney says.
The officer, Stephen Olenchak, 35, has pleaded not guilty.
During a hearing today, attorney John Fry said Olenchak has been suspended without pay from his $74,000-a-year job with the Davie Police Department. Because Olenchak cannot afford his court costs, taxpayers will foot the bill.
Broward Circuit Judge Carlos Rodriguez granted Fry's request for a continuance. The next hearing is set for Nov. 19.
Davie officers arrested Olenchak on March 26 and charged him with two counts of sexual assault.
According to the arrest report, the victim told investigators Olenchak brought his wife a drink before going to bed on March 22. After his wife fell asleep, he brought the victim something to drink. At the time, police said they were investigating whether the drinks were spiked with drugs.
According to the report, Olenchak then fondled and had intercourse with the victim, who said she did not consent and was not coherent enough to call out to Olenchak's wife for help.
Olenchak, an 11-year veteran, was put on administrative leave without pay on May 13, town records show. He will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case.
The officer, Stephen Olenchak, 35, has pleaded not guilty.
During a hearing today, attorney John Fry said Olenchak has been suspended without pay from his $74,000-a-year job with the Davie Police Department. Because Olenchak cannot afford his court costs, taxpayers will foot the bill.
Broward Circuit Judge Carlos Rodriguez granted Fry's request for a continuance. The next hearing is set for Nov. 19.
Davie officers arrested Olenchak on March 26 and charged him with two counts of sexual assault.
According to the arrest report, the victim told investigators Olenchak brought his wife a drink before going to bed on March 22. After his wife fell asleep, he brought the victim something to drink. At the time, police said they were investigating whether the drinks were spiked with drugs.
According to the report, Olenchak then fondled and had intercourse with the victim, who said she did not consent and was not coherent enough to call out to Olenchak's wife for help.
Olenchak, an 11-year veteran, was put on administrative leave without pay on May 13, town records show. He will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case.
Officer Patricia Beardsley Arrested for Pointing Gun
An off-duty police officer was arrested Thursday afternoon after pointing a gun at a woman in her car with children inside.
Patricia Ann Beardsley, 50, was arrested. She has been with the Longboat Police Department for eight years.
Investigators say the woman in the car was picking her child up from nearby Southside Elementary School in Sarasota. After picking her daughter up, she went into Beardsley's driveway to turn her car around.
According to the Sarastota Police Department, Beardsley came out of the home with a handgun, and pointed into the passenger side of the car.
The victim and a witness called 911. Beardsley was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. She has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Patricia Ann Beardsley, 50, was arrested. She has been with the Longboat Police Department for eight years.
Investigators say the woman in the car was picking her child up from nearby Southside Elementary School in Sarasota. After picking her daughter up, she went into Beardsley's driveway to turn her car around.
According to the Sarastota Police Department, Beardsley came out of the home with a handgun, and pointed into the passenger side of the car.
The victim and a witness called 911. Beardsley was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. She has been placed on administrative leave with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Parole Officer Richard Riley Arrested for Sexual Assault
A Colorado Department of Corrections parole officer was arrested today on suspicion of sexual assault, Colorado Springs police said.
Richard L. Riley, 45, turned himself in at the police operations center.
Police said they had been investigating Riley for two months, but would not release details of the accusations against him.
Rilery has been a Senior Community Parole Officer for the DOC since 1998.
Richard L. Riley, 45, turned himself in at the police operations center.
Police said they had been investigating Riley for two months, but would not release details of the accusations against him.
Rilery has been a Senior Community Parole Officer for the DOC since 1998.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Former Officer Mark Anderson Accused of Stealing Patrol Car
From former acting police chief to evading arrest, a once respected McComb lawman found himself behind bars Wednesday.
The ex officer is accused of stealing a patrol car.
Nearly three weeks after abruptly retiring from the McComb Police Department, former acting chief and former Lt. Mark Anderson reported to the police station at 5:30 wednesday morning.
Authorities say he convinced an employee to let him inside the building.
"He signed up on the duty roster and reported to work and got in the patrol car and was patrolling the streets," said Chief Gregory Martin.
Martin said Anderson, who he describes as a good officer, drove away in unit 191.
He was in full uniform with his firearm and was reportedly seen at a funeral and cruising the city for 12 hours defying orders.
"He did not report to me at any time during this day. A supervisor on shift made contact with him earlier and he was instructed to return. He failed to return the vehicle," said the chief.
Investigators said they do not know why the 44 year old officer exhibited such strange behavior.
He had served with the department for 21 and a half years.
An article about Anderson appeared in tuesday's Enterprise Journal.
He had previously been at odds with McComb's city leaders filing complaints against them.
According to the chief, Anderson may have been under stress and because he was armed they wanted to work with him to get him to return the vehicle.
"I didn't issue an order at that time to make an arrest on sight, but I wanted the officer to be aware that he was in the patrol car without authorization," the chief added.
As the end of the shift approached Pike county deputies took Anderson in custody.
He was charged with unauthorized use of a government vehicle and impersonating an officer.
Both are misdemeanor charges.
For his safety Anderson was transported from the Pike County Jail to the Lincoln County facility.
He posted bond Wednesday evening and has been released from the Lincoln County jail.
----------------------------------------
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11146149
The ex officer is accused of stealing a patrol car.
Nearly three weeks after abruptly retiring from the McComb Police Department, former acting chief and former Lt. Mark Anderson reported to the police station at 5:30 wednesday morning.
Authorities say he convinced an employee to let him inside the building.
"He signed up on the duty roster and reported to work and got in the patrol car and was patrolling the streets," said Chief Gregory Martin.
Martin said Anderson, who he describes as a good officer, drove away in unit 191.
He was in full uniform with his firearm and was reportedly seen at a funeral and cruising the city for 12 hours defying orders.
"He did not report to me at any time during this day. A supervisor on shift made contact with him earlier and he was instructed to return. He failed to return the vehicle," said the chief.
Investigators said they do not know why the 44 year old officer exhibited such strange behavior.
He had served with the department for 21 and a half years.
An article about Anderson appeared in tuesday's Enterprise Journal.
He had previously been at odds with McComb's city leaders filing complaints against them.
According to the chief, Anderson may have been under stress and because he was armed they wanted to work with him to get him to return the vehicle.
"I didn't issue an order at that time to make an arrest on sight, but I wanted the officer to be aware that he was in the patrol car without authorization," the chief added.
As the end of the shift approached Pike county deputies took Anderson in custody.
He was charged with unauthorized use of a government vehicle and impersonating an officer.
Both are misdemeanor charges.
For his safety Anderson was transported from the Pike County Jail to the Lincoln County facility.
He posted bond Wednesday evening and has been released from the Lincoln County jail.
----------------------------------------
http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11146149
Chicago Officer Arrested for Attacking Bus Driver
The CPDA Chicago Police officer is in hot water for allegedly attacking a CTA bus driver over the weekend after an incident of "bike rage."
According to a report, the officer - who was off-duty - was riding his bike in the Loop when he was cut off by a No.62 bus.
The officer became angered by this and apparently boarded the bus near the intersection of State and Monroe and attacked the bus driver.
The driver was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital while two police officers who happened to be on-board the bus arrested the off-duty officer for the attack.
A spokesperson for the Independent Police Review Authority told WBBM 780 simply, “Its under investigation."
According to a report, the officer - who was off-duty - was riding his bike in the Loop when he was cut off by a No.62 bus.
The officer became angered by this and apparently boarded the bus near the intersection of State and Monroe and attacked the bus driver.
The driver was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital while two police officers who happened to be on-board the bus arrested the off-duty officer for the attack.
A spokesperson for the Independent Police Review Authority told WBBM 780 simply, “Its under investigation."
Officer Jared Rohrig Charged with Sexual Assault Resigns
A police officer arrested last month for allegedly pretending to be his twin brother to dupe a woman into sex has resigned from the department, police said Tuesday.
Probationary Officer Jared Rohrig, 25, of 7 Flax Mill Lane, Milford, who is charged with first-degree sexual assault and criminal impersonation, had been on paid administrative leave from the Police Department since July.
Rohrig submitted his resignation and it was accepted Monday by the Board of Police Commissioners, police said.
“Jared Rohrig’s decision to resign from his position as probationary officer was in his best interest, as well as the best interests of the town of Orange,” Police Chief Robert Gagne said in a statement released Tuesday morning.
Rohrig was hired as a probationary officer July 11, 2008.
Gagne could not be reached for further comment on Rohrig’s resignation.
Rohrig’s attorney, Edward J. Gavin of Bridgeport, said his client’s resignation is “separate and distinct from the criminal case.”
“I don’t really have much to say about the resignation,” Gavin said. “It is not an admission of any wrongdoing, Jared was a probationary police officer. He exercised his judgment as a probationary officer to resign. It is not an admission of guilt in any way or form and he thought it was appropriate given the circumstances as a probationary police officer.”
As a probationary officer, Rohrig was not a member of the police union, and did not have the benefit of any collective bargaining agreements, Gavin said.
He has said his client intends to plead not guilty at his next court date Oct. 7.
The arrest warrant affidavit in the case says the woman in the case told Milford police she realized the man she believed to be Joseph Rohrig did not have a tattoo of a cowboy on his buttocks and was therefore Jared. She told police she then tried to leave, but allegedly was forced back on the bed with a pillow over her face and sexually assaulted.
The incident allegedly took place late July 18 and into early July 19 at the Flax Mill Lane home where both Jared and Joseph Rohrig live with their family. The home is owned by their mother, Milford Board of Education Minority Leader Joanne Rohrig. Joanne Rohrig announced last month that she would not seek re-election, so she could spend more time with her family.
According to the arrest affidavit, Jared and Joseph Rohrig were home when the woman arrived at the house, but Joseph had gone to his room before she left her car. The woman said Jared referred to himself as “Joe” to trick her while the two were alone in a hot tub at the house, it says.
But Jared’s sister allegedly called to him by name, asking him to turn down the music, the warrant affidavit says. The woman told police she did not hear what Jared’s sister said.
Jared Rohrig is free on $50,000 bail. His case will be transferred to the Part A docket, where more serious cases are heard.
“Obviously, Jared maintains his innocence. ... There is a presumption of innocence, and this is an innocent man,” Gavin said after Jared Rohrig’s recent appearance at Superior court in Milford.
Probationary Officer Jared Rohrig, 25, of 7 Flax Mill Lane, Milford, who is charged with first-degree sexual assault and criminal impersonation, had been on paid administrative leave from the Police Department since July.
Rohrig submitted his resignation and it was accepted Monday by the Board of Police Commissioners, police said.
“Jared Rohrig’s decision to resign from his position as probationary officer was in his best interest, as well as the best interests of the town of Orange,” Police Chief Robert Gagne said in a statement released Tuesday morning.
Rohrig was hired as a probationary officer July 11, 2008.
Gagne could not be reached for further comment on Rohrig’s resignation.
Rohrig’s attorney, Edward J. Gavin of Bridgeport, said his client’s resignation is “separate and distinct from the criminal case.”
“I don’t really have much to say about the resignation,” Gavin said. “It is not an admission of any wrongdoing, Jared was a probationary police officer. He exercised his judgment as a probationary officer to resign. It is not an admission of guilt in any way or form and he thought it was appropriate given the circumstances as a probationary police officer.”
As a probationary officer, Rohrig was not a member of the police union, and did not have the benefit of any collective bargaining agreements, Gavin said.
He has said his client intends to plead not guilty at his next court date Oct. 7.
The arrest warrant affidavit in the case says the woman in the case told Milford police she realized the man she believed to be Joseph Rohrig did not have a tattoo of a cowboy on his buttocks and was therefore Jared. She told police she then tried to leave, but allegedly was forced back on the bed with a pillow over her face and sexually assaulted.
The incident allegedly took place late July 18 and into early July 19 at the Flax Mill Lane home where both Jared and Joseph Rohrig live with their family. The home is owned by their mother, Milford Board of Education Minority Leader Joanne Rohrig. Joanne Rohrig announced last month that she would not seek re-election, so she could spend more time with her family.
According to the arrest affidavit, Jared and Joseph Rohrig were home when the woman arrived at the house, but Joseph had gone to his room before she left her car. The woman said Jared referred to himself as “Joe” to trick her while the two were alone in a hot tub at the house, it says.
But Jared’s sister allegedly called to him by name, asking him to turn down the music, the warrant affidavit says. The woman told police she did not hear what Jared’s sister said.
Jared Rohrig is free on $50,000 bail. His case will be transferred to the Part A docket, where more serious cases are heard.
“Obviously, Jared maintains his innocence. ... There is a presumption of innocence, and this is an innocent man,” Gavin said after Jared Rohrig’s recent appearance at Superior court in Milford.
Officer David Eaddy Charged with Burglary
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Hemingway police officer over the weekend, after investigators say he entered the home of a former girlfriend, after he was told to stay away from her residence.
Booking reports show 28-year-old Hemingway officer David Eaddy was charged with second degree burglary.
Captain Mike Nunn says the incident happened Saturday afternoon, when Eaddy entered his ex-girlfriend’s home in Lake City.
Nunn says Eaddy was in uniform at the time.
Hemingway Police Chief H. Bryan Todd said Eaddy had been on the force for about ten weeks and has been placed on administrative leave without pay pending the outcome of the investigation
Former Trooper Michael Scott Accused of Giving False Testimony
A former Florida Highway Patrol trooper was charged with perjury and booked into the Lee County Jail Wednesday.
Michael T. Scott is accused of giving false testimony in Lee County Traffic Court in October 2008.
Scott, 52, resigned from the FHP in November of last year, after the agency opened an internal investigation into his actions.
FHP forwarded their results to the State Attorney's Office, which filed the charge of Perjury in an Official Proceeding.
Scott faces up to five years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.
Michael T. Scott is accused of giving false testimony in Lee County Traffic Court in October 2008.
Scott, 52, resigned from the FHP in November of last year, after the agency opened an internal investigation into his actions.
FHP forwarded their results to the State Attorney's Office, which filed the charge of Perjury in an Official Proceeding.
Scott faces up to five years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine.
Judge Ralph Dukart Arrested for Drunk Driving
MILES CITY, Mont.
A city judge in Miles City has been accused of drunken driving.
Miles City Police Department records show City Judge Ralph Dukart was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence per se at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday.
In addition, the 60-year-old Dukart was charged with failing to drive on the right side of the road.
Local Justice of the Peace Don Neese says both charges are misdemeanors and Dukart has been released on his own recognizance.
Dukart declined comment when reached by telephone at his home Tuesday.
He is scheduled to appear before Neese, but Neese says he will recuse himself and bring in a judge from outside the area to handle the case.
Dukart is serving his first four-year term as city judge and has filed to seek another term in November 2009.
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Information from: Miles City Star, http://www.milescitystar.com
A city judge in Miles City has been accused of drunken driving.
Miles City Police Department records show City Judge Ralph Dukart was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence per se at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday.
In addition, the 60-year-old Dukart was charged with failing to drive on the right side of the road.
Local Justice of the Peace Don Neese says both charges are misdemeanors and Dukart has been released on his own recognizance.
Dukart declined comment when reached by telephone at his home Tuesday.
He is scheduled to appear before Neese, but Neese says he will recuse himself and bring in a judge from outside the area to handle the case.
Dukart is serving his first four-year term as city judge and has filed to seek another term in November 2009.
-----------------------------
Information from: Miles City Star, http://www.milescitystar.com
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Officer David Graham Charged with Possession of Stolen Property
An Upstate officer was on the other side of the law Monday, accused of stealing from a local college.
In recent months, on the campus of Greenville Tech computers and equipment started disappearing from locked classrooms.
Some of the stuff stolen included 10 computers, two laptops, and four projectors. The missing equipment was valued at more than $10,000.
Campus police said they believe the thief was one of their own.
David Graham, who worked for the school police department for about a year, is now charged with possession of stolen property.
"What you don't want is police officers who are supposed to be above reproach and above what the average citizen is supposed to do taking care of things and securing them being the one stealing items from you," said Greenville Tech Police Chief Bobby Welborn.
Officers said they found the stolen stuff at Graham's home in Westminster.
They may have never traced the crime if it wasn't for a computer tech who lives in Dallas, Texas.
"If he'd been a nice guy I'd probably not have done anything, but he ticked me off the way he didn't want to help me return the item," said Shep Johnson.
Johnson unknowingly bought one of the stolen computers on eBay and said it wasn't what he paid for.
The listing said the computer was "acquired from a business that was shutting down."
But a lot of red flags went off including a screen that popped up on Johnson's new computer that said "Greenville Tech."
"I thought there's something wrong with this whole deal and I'm going to call this Greenville Technical College and see if they're missing a computer," Johnson said.
That information lead to Graham's arrest.
Investigators said the case is still not closed. They said they believe he didn't commit the crime alone.
According to the report, Graham told officers he had financial problems and that was his reason for the theft.
Graham has now been fired.
------------------------------------------
http://www.wyff4.com/news/20909510/detail.html
In recent months, on the campus of Greenville Tech computers and equipment started disappearing from locked classrooms.
Some of the stuff stolen included 10 computers, two laptops, and four projectors. The missing equipment was valued at more than $10,000.
Campus police said they believe the thief was one of their own.
David Graham, who worked for the school police department for about a year, is now charged with possession of stolen property.
"What you don't want is police officers who are supposed to be above reproach and above what the average citizen is supposed to do taking care of things and securing them being the one stealing items from you," said Greenville Tech Police Chief Bobby Welborn.
Officers said they found the stolen stuff at Graham's home in Westminster.
They may have never traced the crime if it wasn't for a computer tech who lives in Dallas, Texas.
"If he'd been a nice guy I'd probably not have done anything, but he ticked me off the way he didn't want to help me return the item," said Shep Johnson.
Johnson unknowingly bought one of the stolen computers on eBay and said it wasn't what he paid for.
The listing said the computer was "acquired from a business that was shutting down."
But a lot of red flags went off including a screen that popped up on Johnson's new computer that said "Greenville Tech."
"I thought there's something wrong with this whole deal and I'm going to call this Greenville Technical College and see if they're missing a computer," Johnson said.
That information lead to Graham's arrest.
Investigators said the case is still not closed. They said they believe he didn't commit the crime alone.
According to the report, Graham told officers he had financial problems and that was his reason for the theft.
Graham has now been fired.
------------------------------------------
http://www.wyff4.com/news/20909510/detail.html
Trial for Former Officer Wesley Little Begins
The trial of a former Huntsville police officer accused of allegedly planting drugs in a suspect's car begins today in Madison County Circuit Court.
Wesley Little's trial began this morning with jury selection and opening statements.
Little and fellow former officer Ryan Moore were indicted in May 2008 for attempting to possess a controlled substance, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, tampering with physical evidence and false reporting to law enforcement authorities. Little and Moore both resigned from the police force.
According to a civil lawsuit filed against Little by Quincy Turner, Little attempted to plant marijuana in Turner's car during an arrest in September 2007.
According to the lawsuit: Turner was diving a rental car in Huntsville when Little stopped him about a problem with the vehicle's license plate. Little searched the car and allegedly found marijuana.
Turner was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana, taken to jail and prosecuted in Huntsville Municipal Court. But the city dropped the marijuana charge against Turner on June 16, 2007.
Little resigned from the police department in June 2008 after he was indicted.
According to the indictment, Little allegedly told a fellow officer during another vehicle search on Oct. 29, 2007, "there could be some marijuana inside the vehicle if it needed to be." Officers searched the car a second time and found marijuana, according to the indictment.
Little also was indicted on charges of possession of a pistol with altered or missing serial numbers, tampering with physical evidence and false reporting to a law enforcement agency.
Little, 30, had been with the department since December 2006.
Former Chief Michael Meissner Charged with 7 Felonies
A former Texas police chief is behind bars charged with seven felony counts, including possession or promotion of child pornography, promotion of prostitution and engaging in organized crime.
Michael Meissner was arrested Monday in Arlington and is being held at the Dallas County Jail under a $1.5 million bail. Attempts by The Associated Press Tuesday to reach the jail to determine if he has an attorney were not immediately successful.
Meissner is accused of committing the crimes in Dallas and Tarrant counties.
He had been police chief in Little River-Academy, located about 150 miles south of Dallas, earlier this year. Little River-Academy Mayor Ronnie White said both parties ended the job by mutual agreement.
Meissner has reportedly held more than 10 law enforcement jobs in the last 18 years.
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Other Information: http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=11137251
Michael Meissner was arrested Monday in Arlington and is being held at the Dallas County Jail under a $1.5 million bail. Attempts by The Associated Press Tuesday to reach the jail to determine if he has an attorney were not immediately successful.
Meissner is accused of committing the crimes in Dallas and Tarrant counties.
He had been police chief in Little River-Academy, located about 150 miles south of Dallas, earlier this year. Little River-Academy Mayor Ronnie White said both parties ended the job by mutual agreement.
Meissner has reportedly held more than 10 law enforcement jobs in the last 18 years.
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Other Information: http://www.kten.com/Global/story.asp?S=11137251
Suspended Trooper Manuel Moreno Arrested Again
A suspended Texas Department of Public Safety trooper has been arrested again.
Manuel Moreno was arrested today on new charges of fraud and unauthorized use of criminal history. The charges alleged that Moreno switched a price tag on a laptop computer at an Amarillo store in February of 2009.
Moreno is also charged with unauthorized disclosure of criminal history information from an incident in May.
Moreno was first arrested in June, charged with deadly conduct and four counts of assault.
No trial dates have been set, Moreno remains suspended from the DPS.
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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/06/trooper-manuel-moreno-jr-arrested-for.html
Former Officer Michael Meissner Held on Numerous Felony Charges
A former police officer who worked for over a dozen departments in Texas is behind bars Tuesday, held on numerous felony charges including engaging in organized criminal activity, promotion of prostitution, solicitation of minors and two counts of attempting to possess child pornography.
Activist and filmmaker Barry Cooper, who is producing a reality show called “KopBusters,” aided officers with the Combine Police Department in drawing the man out into the open, ultimately helping wrap a three-year investigation in the process.
Until late last month, Michael Meissner, 39, was chief of police in Little River-Academy, Texas, a town so small that it only had one officer. He resigned his post after residents of the small town packed city hall with complaints about his behavior, according to local reports.
Meissner called the town “a good stepping stone for me,” reported Temple Daily News, which noted that the former officer held 18 different law enforcement jobs over the last 14 years. The “gypsy cop,” said Dallas television station WFAA, “seemed to operate under his own rules, spending much of his time working off-duty security jobs 60 miles away in Dallas.”
Prior WFAA reports “found that Meissner had used a phony college diploma for certification and failed to let his employers know that he had been arrested twice,” the network added.
Combine police were initially probing Meissner over suggestions that he had misused official information to retaliate against another man. However, when they looked at Meissner’s text messages and e-mail, they claim to have discovered something much worse.
“When the affidavits are released, the public is going to be shocked,” said Cooper, speaking to reporters outside Meissner’s home. “The conversation and the lewd conduct he’s been involved in with high school boys. As an ex-police officer, it makes me sick that we’ve got a guy running around here in a badge, that the public is supposed to trust, and he’s using that uniform to breach the trust of the younger citizens in the community. It’s horrible.”
Two of Meissner’s neighbors additionally told RAW STORY they had repeatedly seen various teenage boys entering and leaving the residence.
“Man, I’m just glad police are doing their job, they’re heroes,” said next door neighbor Brenda Lambert. “Anyone that messes with children needs to be taken care of.”
“We don’t regret hiring him or letting him go,” Little River Mayor Ronnie White told the Daily News when Meissner resigned last month. “We will find another officer.”
Tactical officers, who had set up a staging area just one street from Meissner’s Arlington, Texas home, raided the residence at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Monday, but the suspect was gone.
He was arrested later that evening after returning to his home. Meissner actually called Cooper to warn that his that his home had apparently been raided. Cooper then called police and relayed Meissner’s location.
A judge has set Meissner’s bond at $1.5 million.
Cooper says he was in this instance an undercover journalist and police informant, who had befriended Meissner under the false pretense that he wanted to use KopBusters for the purpose of clearing his name.
For the man whose living is paid for by a DVD series on how to grow, sell and smuggle marijuana without being detected by the police, he certainly seemed to have a natural rapport with the officers on-scene.
One of them even asked Cooper how his former law enforcement mentor in Odessa was doing.
“Oh man, he was a legend back in my day,” he replied. “Unfortunately, he planted meth on an innocent woman and I had to bust him.”
After officers kicked in Meissner’s door and cordoned off his home, the front yard became what seemed to be Cooper’s first campaign stop in what he says is a serious run for Texas attorney general. He even put on a suit before heading to the location with reporters and his camera crew in-tow.
“Within a short time, we hope to have a corrupt police chief in jail for seven felony warrants [for] harming kids,” he told reporters. “I acted as a undercover journalist-informant, they listed me as the informant on the arrest affidavit. I befriended this officer and made him believe that I was his friend and that I wanted to clear his name. The truth was, I was relaying all that information to the Combine police department.”
Cooper continued: “As an ex-narcotics officer, I’ve experienced corruption and seen it myself. My wife suggested that I use my experience to go and start busting corrupt police officers instead of citizens. That’s when we formed ‘KopBusters,’ a reality TV show. We’re hoping to have 13 episodes up on [...] TV very soon. I feel [passionate] about my job, and we’re using these stings so I can win Texas attorney general in 2010, because in that position I can expose police corruption even further, take their salaries and begin paying police officers six-figure incomes … The one’s that deserve it.”
Steve Allen, police chief in Combine, Texas, called Cooper’s brand of law enforcement activism an “excellent resource.”
“Police officers need all the help they can get,” he said. “There’s a lot of things, for example, [Barry] may have drawn him out of the woodwork for us — something that we couldn’t do that he did. So, I think [KopBusters] is an excellent resource and tool for us.”
In December, Cooper and his team of lawyers and investigators staged a sting on the Odessa, Texas police department, setting up a fake marijuana grow house and baiting officers to raid it without proper legal authorization. It was the first of what Cooper promises to be many future operations against allegedly dirty police.
This video was captured by a cameraman with Barry Cooper’s KopBusters on Sept. 14, 2009.
Activist and filmmaker Barry Cooper, who is producing a reality show called “KopBusters,” aided officers with the Combine Police Department in drawing the man out into the open, ultimately helping wrap a three-year investigation in the process.
Until late last month, Michael Meissner, 39, was chief of police in Little River-Academy, Texas, a town so small that it only had one officer. He resigned his post after residents of the small town packed city hall with complaints about his behavior, according to local reports.
Meissner called the town “a good stepping stone for me,” reported Temple Daily News, which noted that the former officer held 18 different law enforcement jobs over the last 14 years. The “gypsy cop,” said Dallas television station WFAA, “seemed to operate under his own rules, spending much of his time working off-duty security jobs 60 miles away in Dallas.”
Prior WFAA reports “found that Meissner had used a phony college diploma for certification and failed to let his employers know that he had been arrested twice,” the network added.
Combine police were initially probing Meissner over suggestions that he had misused official information to retaliate against another man. However, when they looked at Meissner’s text messages and e-mail, they claim to have discovered something much worse.
“When the affidavits are released, the public is going to be shocked,” said Cooper, speaking to reporters outside Meissner’s home. “The conversation and the lewd conduct he’s been involved in with high school boys. As an ex-police officer, it makes me sick that we’ve got a guy running around here in a badge, that the public is supposed to trust, and he’s using that uniform to breach the trust of the younger citizens in the community. It’s horrible.”
Two of Meissner’s neighbors additionally told RAW STORY they had repeatedly seen various teenage boys entering and leaving the residence.
“Man, I’m just glad police are doing their job, they’re heroes,” said next door neighbor Brenda Lambert. “Anyone that messes with children needs to be taken care of.”
“We don’t regret hiring him or letting him go,” Little River Mayor Ronnie White told the Daily News when Meissner resigned last month. “We will find another officer.”
Tactical officers, who had set up a staging area just one street from Meissner’s Arlington, Texas home, raided the residence at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Monday, but the suspect was gone.
He was arrested later that evening after returning to his home. Meissner actually called Cooper to warn that his that his home had apparently been raided. Cooper then called police and relayed Meissner’s location.
A judge has set Meissner’s bond at $1.5 million.
Cooper says he was in this instance an undercover journalist and police informant, who had befriended Meissner under the false pretense that he wanted to use KopBusters for the purpose of clearing his name.
For the man whose living is paid for by a DVD series on how to grow, sell and smuggle marijuana without being detected by the police, he certainly seemed to have a natural rapport with the officers on-scene.
One of them even asked Cooper how his former law enforcement mentor in Odessa was doing.
“Oh man, he was a legend back in my day,” he replied. “Unfortunately, he planted meth on an innocent woman and I had to bust him.”
After officers kicked in Meissner’s door and cordoned off his home, the front yard became what seemed to be Cooper’s first campaign stop in what he says is a serious run for Texas attorney general. He even put on a suit before heading to the location with reporters and his camera crew in-tow.
“Within a short time, we hope to have a corrupt police chief in jail for seven felony warrants [for] harming kids,” he told reporters. “I acted as a undercover journalist-informant, they listed me as the informant on the arrest affidavit. I befriended this officer and made him believe that I was his friend and that I wanted to clear his name. The truth was, I was relaying all that information to the Combine police department.”
Cooper continued: “As an ex-narcotics officer, I’ve experienced corruption and seen it myself. My wife suggested that I use my experience to go and start busting corrupt police officers instead of citizens. That’s when we formed ‘KopBusters,’ a reality TV show. We’re hoping to have 13 episodes up on [...] TV very soon. I feel [passionate] about my job, and we’re using these stings so I can win Texas attorney general in 2010, because in that position I can expose police corruption even further, take their salaries and begin paying police officers six-figure incomes … The one’s that deserve it.”
Steve Allen, police chief in Combine, Texas, called Cooper’s brand of law enforcement activism an “excellent resource.”
“Police officers need all the help they can get,” he said. “There’s a lot of things, for example, [Barry] may have drawn him out of the woodwork for us — something that we couldn’t do that he did. So, I think [KopBusters] is an excellent resource and tool for us.”
In December, Cooper and his team of lawyers and investigators staged a sting on the Odessa, Texas police department, setting up a fake marijuana grow house and baiting officers to raid it without proper legal authorization. It was the first of what Cooper promises to be many future operations against allegedly dirty police.
This video was captured by a cameraman with Barry Cooper’s KopBusters on Sept. 14, 2009.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Former Officer David Jones Arrested for Rape
A former Jeffersontown police officer is behind bars Monday after allegedly raping a woman.
And it's not the first time he's been in trouble with the law.
We are hearing from his wife now.
The suspect, David Jones, worked as a Jeffersontown police officer for 20 years before retiring back in 1994.
Now, Jones is behind bars, accused of raping a woman who he is related to by marriage.
“Defendant came up behind victim and pulled down her sweat pants. Victim asked defendant, what are you doing?”
This was Cecelia Jones' first chance to read the accusations against her husband David Jones.
“Victim screamed "no" but no one heard victim screaming...” the accusation said.
Former Jeffersontown police officer David Jones was arrested on a charge of first degree rape Saturday.
Even though Louisville Metro Police conducted the investigation, Jones' former brothers in blue from the J-town force took him into custody.
“They let him change his t-shirt, they did not handcuff him. They let him smoke. Rick Sanders also came. Of course, I was hysterical, I was hysterical,” said Jones’ wife.
The victim reported to police that she accompanied Jones to a rural farm in eastern Jefferson County.
There, Jones allegedly came up behind the woman, pulled down her sweat pants and raped her.
“I'm his best friend. It didn't happen,” said Cecelia Jones.
Jones' best friend and wife doesn't believe her story.
They say that Jones was medically unable to have committed the crime.
“She made the accusation that I didn't turn him on, but she did. Well if you see her, and you see me...” said Cecelia.
She also says the victim waited more than a day to report the crime.
“She came back Thursday and spent the night here after this happened. Now why would you come to stay in a home with the man who raped you?” said Cecelia.
Jones was already awaiting trial for allegedly kidnapping a man at gunpoint while impersonating a police officer in May.
Now, he's facing an even more serious charge.
The Jeffersontown police department had no comment about Jones' arrest, since it is LMPD's case.
--------------------------------
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/05/retired-officer-david-jones-arrested.html
And it's not the first time he's been in trouble with the law.
We are hearing from his wife now.
The suspect, David Jones, worked as a Jeffersontown police officer for 20 years before retiring back in 1994.
Now, Jones is behind bars, accused of raping a woman who he is related to by marriage.
“Defendant came up behind victim and pulled down her sweat pants. Victim asked defendant, what are you doing?”
This was Cecelia Jones' first chance to read the accusations against her husband David Jones.
“Victim screamed "no" but no one heard victim screaming...” the accusation said.
Former Jeffersontown police officer David Jones was arrested on a charge of first degree rape Saturday.
Even though Louisville Metro Police conducted the investigation, Jones' former brothers in blue from the J-town force took him into custody.
“They let him change his t-shirt, they did not handcuff him. They let him smoke. Rick Sanders also came. Of course, I was hysterical, I was hysterical,” said Jones’ wife.
The victim reported to police that she accompanied Jones to a rural farm in eastern Jefferson County.
There, Jones allegedly came up behind the woman, pulled down her sweat pants and raped her.
“I'm his best friend. It didn't happen,” said Cecelia Jones.
Jones' best friend and wife doesn't believe her story.
They say that Jones was medically unable to have committed the crime.
“She made the accusation that I didn't turn him on, but she did. Well if you see her, and you see me...” said Cecelia.
She also says the victim waited more than a day to report the crime.
“She came back Thursday and spent the night here after this happened. Now why would you come to stay in a home with the man who raped you?” said Cecelia.
Jones was already awaiting trial for allegedly kidnapping a man at gunpoint while impersonating a police officer in May.
Now, he's facing an even more serious charge.
The Jeffersontown police department had no comment about Jones' arrest, since it is LMPD's case.
--------------------------------
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/05/retired-officer-david-jones-arrested.html
Cpl Brett Browand & Officer Chris Prongratz Accused of Sexual Misconduct
Two Auburn police officers, each with more than a dozen years of experience, could lose their jobs after allegations surfaced that they had sexual contact on duty with the same 18-year-old woman.
Auburn police Chief Martin McCoy asked the city’s board of works Thursday to fire Cpl. Brett Browand and Officer Chris Pongratz because of the allegations against them.
Both officers have asked for formal hearings to plead their cases in front of the board.
McCoy said a police department employee reported the allegations Sept. 1. The officers were suspended with pay Tuesday after an investigation.
Browand, who is a second-shift supervisor with 15 years on the force, is accused of having sexual contact with the woman on city property. Pongratz, a third-shift patrol officer who was hired 12 1/2 years ago, allegedly had sexual contact with the woman in his squad car in the parking lot of a local business.
McCoy would not say how many times the officers had sexual contact with the woman, though it occurred in May and June while they were on duty and in uniform, according to disciplinary forms.
The woman was not a crime suspect, McCoy said, but he would not elaborate on how the officers met her. The chief also declined to say where the alleged sexual contact took place.
Auburn police Chief Martin McCoy asked the city’s board of works Thursday to fire Cpl. Brett Browand and Officer Chris Pongratz because of the allegations against them.
Both officers have asked for formal hearings to plead their cases in front of the board.
McCoy said a police department employee reported the allegations Sept. 1. The officers were suspended with pay Tuesday after an investigation.
Browand, who is a second-shift supervisor with 15 years on the force, is accused of having sexual contact with the woman on city property. Pongratz, a third-shift patrol officer who was hired 12 1/2 years ago, allegedly had sexual contact with the woman in his squad car in the parking lot of a local business.
McCoy would not say how many times the officers had sexual contact with the woman, though it occurred in May and June while they were on duty and in uniform, according to disciplinary forms.
The woman was not a crime suspect, McCoy said, but he would not elaborate on how the officers met her. The chief also declined to say where the alleged sexual contact took place.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Officer Reynaldo Smith Involved in Domestic Dispute with Girlfriend
Had a St. Petersburg police officer involved in a domestic dispute in Hillsborough County not resigned, he would have been fired, St. Petersburg police administrators say.
On Feb. 1, the officer, Reynaldo Smith, and his girlfriend, Onika Bess, were involved in a domestic dispute at their Hillsborough apartment, authorities say. A roommate of theirs heard a loud crashing in the couple's bedroom, became afraid, ran out of the apartment and called 911, according to St. Petersburg police documents released this morning.
Hillsborough sheriff's deputies arrived and tried to separate the pair, but Smith was uncooperative and belligerent during the investigation, the documents say.
Smith also refused to describe in full detail who he was, and failed to mention he worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department, the documents say. He also refused to be separated from Bess, yelled profanities and told her not to speak to deputies, the documents say.
When the deputies continued trying to separate the pair, Smith forcefully snatched his arm away from them and yelled something to the effect of "don't touch me,'' the documents say. He was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest without violence and was transported to a jail, where he was given a notice to appear in court.
Among other things, Smith lied about his being on the lease for the apartment, and he provided misleading documentation to back up his claim regarding the lease, St. Petersburg police documents say. Investigators also learned that Smith had refused to return a gun given him by the mother of his son, who is a Clearwater police officer, the documents say.
Smith was also told to stay away from Bess during the St. Petersburg investigation, but he was seen with her – a violation of an administrative order, the documents say.
Investigators also learned he had misrepresented his mileage when seeking reimbursement, the documents say.
Smith resigned July 29.
An administrative review board found Thursday he had violated a slew of policies, including one governing an employee's obligation to be truthful, another obligating an employee to do what a supervisor says and a third involving improper conduct.
--------------------------
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/st-petersburg-cop-resigns-before-he-was-fired-department-says/1035425
On Feb. 1, the officer, Reynaldo Smith, and his girlfriend, Onika Bess, were involved in a domestic dispute at their Hillsborough apartment, authorities say. A roommate of theirs heard a loud crashing in the couple's bedroom, became afraid, ran out of the apartment and called 911, according to St. Petersburg police documents released this morning.
Hillsborough sheriff's deputies arrived and tried to separate the pair, but Smith was uncooperative and belligerent during the investigation, the documents say.
Smith also refused to describe in full detail who he was, and failed to mention he worked for the St. Petersburg Police Department, the documents say. He also refused to be separated from Bess, yelled profanities and told her not to speak to deputies, the documents say.
When the deputies continued trying to separate the pair, Smith forcefully snatched his arm away from them and yelled something to the effect of "don't touch me,'' the documents say. He was arrested on a charge of resisting arrest without violence and was transported to a jail, where he was given a notice to appear in court.
Among other things, Smith lied about his being on the lease for the apartment, and he provided misleading documentation to back up his claim regarding the lease, St. Petersburg police documents say. Investigators also learned that Smith had refused to return a gun given him by the mother of his son, who is a Clearwater police officer, the documents say.
Smith was also told to stay away from Bess during the St. Petersburg investigation, but he was seen with her – a violation of an administrative order, the documents say.
Investigators also learned he had misrepresented his mileage when seeking reimbursement, the documents say.
Smith resigned July 29.
An administrative review board found Thursday he had violated a slew of policies, including one governing an employee's obligation to be truthful, another obligating an employee to do what a supervisor says and a third involving improper conduct.
--------------------------
http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/st-petersburg-cop-resigns-before-he-was-fired-department-says/1035425
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