A federal judge has imposed a 16-month sentence on a former Decatur police officer who staged his apparent abduction, stole $50,000 from the department and fled to Las Vegas.
The judge in Huntsville sentenced former Decatur police Sgt. Faron White for theft on Tuesday. A co-defendant was to be sentenced afterward.
White already has been in jail for eight months.
White admitted stealing money from his office safe, staging his disappearance and fleeing to Las Vegas in January. Authorities said he had debts from gambling and normal family expenses.
The judge ordered White to pay about $50,000 in restitution to Decatur police.
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All previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/search?q=Faron+White+
Friday, September 25, 2009
Former Officer Robert Miller Charged with Scamming People
A former South Charleston police officer now finds himself in trouble with the law. Charleston Police arrested Robert Earl Miller Thursday and charged him with impersonating a police officer.
It has been more than ten years since Miller served on the South Charleston force but Charleston police say he is guilty of scamming people out of money.
If you think you may have been a victim of one of Miller's possible scams you are asked to contact the Charleston Police Department.
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http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/61356722.html
It has been more than ten years since Miller served on the South Charleston force but Charleston police say he is guilty of scamming people out of money.
If you think you may have been a victim of one of Miller's possible scams you are asked to contact the Charleston Police Department.
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http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/61356722.html
Deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss May Face More Charges
The attorney representing a Broward sheriff's deputy charged with sexually assaulting an undocumented immigrant on multiple occasions said Tuesday that ``there was no reason to believe any of the accusations.''
``Everyone should sit back and take a deep breath,'' said Eric Schwartzreich, an attorney who represents the Police Benevolent Association. ``We're hopeful that when all the ink dries, everyone will see that there's more than meets the eye.''
Jonathan Bleiweiss, 29, who joined the Broward Sheriff's Office in 2002, was arrested Monday morning on 14 charges, including sexual battery, false armed imprisonment and stalking. Detectives said Bleiweiss stopped a 30-year-old man waiting for a ride to work. After discovering he was an undocumented migrant, Bleiweiss groped him during a pat-down, detectives said.
According to the arrest warrant, the victim told BSO that he was forced to allow the deputy to perform oral sex on him on four occasions. Detectives said the incidents took place during traffic stops or inside Bleiweiss' marked police car.
Schwartzreich and Bleiweiss appeared in Broward Circuit Court on Tuesday, during which the judge ordered that Bleiweiss be placed in protective custody. Schwartzreich said the deputy was ``dismayed and upset'' by the allegations.
Bleiweiss, who lives in Fort Lauderdale and is openly gay, is being held without bail.
Prosecutors and detectives said Tuesday that their work was only beginning. Charges are being prepared in at least seven other cases in which Bleiweiss allegedly fondled or performed sexual acts on undocumented migrants.
STAYED ON JOB
BSO was alerted in April that at least two men claimed to have been victimized by a deputy, but Bleiweiss was allowed to continue on his job until last month. During that period, detectives said, there was at least one additional incident, which raised concerns that BSO did not work swiftly enough.
``I gotta believe that if the police department had allowed someone to work when they had information that he touched a woman, the roar of objection would be deafening,'' said Howard Finkelstein, Broward's chief public defender, whose office is not involved in the case.
A BSO spokeswoman would not respond to Finkelstein's remarks, but Sheriff Al Lamberti said Monday the office needed to ensure the allegations were not a response to a vendetta against the deputy.
Bleiweiss was known as being an enforcer, and his supervisors often commended his high number of arrests and investigative skills.
EMPLOYEE OF YEAR
Bleiweiss, who graduated from Great Neck High School in Long Island and majored in history at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, also received the Oakland Park BSO District's employee of the year award for 2008.
Court documents released Tuesday also detail at least three encounters in which witnesses said Bleiweiss denied their requests that he stop molesting them, sunsentinel.com reported Tuesday night. The victims identified Bleiweiss in a police line-up, the records show.
Meanwhile, prosecutors must determine what to do with three traffic cases for which the accused deputy is listed as a witness.
``Everyone should sit back and take a deep breath,'' said Eric Schwartzreich, an attorney who represents the Police Benevolent Association. ``We're hopeful that when all the ink dries, everyone will see that there's more than meets the eye.''
Jonathan Bleiweiss, 29, who joined the Broward Sheriff's Office in 2002, was arrested Monday morning on 14 charges, including sexual battery, false armed imprisonment and stalking. Detectives said Bleiweiss stopped a 30-year-old man waiting for a ride to work. After discovering he was an undocumented migrant, Bleiweiss groped him during a pat-down, detectives said.
According to the arrest warrant, the victim told BSO that he was forced to allow the deputy to perform oral sex on him on four occasions. Detectives said the incidents took place during traffic stops or inside Bleiweiss' marked police car.
Schwartzreich and Bleiweiss appeared in Broward Circuit Court on Tuesday, during which the judge ordered that Bleiweiss be placed in protective custody. Schwartzreich said the deputy was ``dismayed and upset'' by the allegations.
Bleiweiss, who lives in Fort Lauderdale and is openly gay, is being held without bail.
Prosecutors and detectives said Tuesday that their work was only beginning. Charges are being prepared in at least seven other cases in which Bleiweiss allegedly fondled or performed sexual acts on undocumented migrants.
STAYED ON JOB
BSO was alerted in April that at least two men claimed to have been victimized by a deputy, but Bleiweiss was allowed to continue on his job until last month. During that period, detectives said, there was at least one additional incident, which raised concerns that BSO did not work swiftly enough.
``I gotta believe that if the police department had allowed someone to work when they had information that he touched a woman, the roar of objection would be deafening,'' said Howard Finkelstein, Broward's chief public defender, whose office is not involved in the case.
A BSO spokeswoman would not respond to Finkelstein's remarks, but Sheriff Al Lamberti said Monday the office needed to ensure the allegations were not a response to a vendetta against the deputy.
Bleiweiss was known as being an enforcer, and his supervisors often commended his high number of arrests and investigative skills.
EMPLOYEE OF YEAR
Bleiweiss, who graduated from Great Neck High School in Long Island and majored in history at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, also received the Oakland Park BSO District's employee of the year award for 2008.
Court documents released Tuesday also detail at least three encounters in which witnesses said Bleiweiss denied their requests that he stop molesting them, sunsentinel.com reported Tuesday night. The victims identified Bleiweiss in a police line-up, the records show.
Meanwhile, prosecutors must determine what to do with three traffic cases for which the accused deputy is listed as a witness.
Deputy Sidney Binkley Arrested for Stealing Items from Accident Scenes
A former Greene County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with three counts of theft after he was accused of stealing items from accident scenes.
The charges were filed this week against 28-year-old Sidney Robert Binkley of Paragould. Binkley was arrested June 15, five days after he resigned from the sheriff’s department.
Authorities accuse Binkley of taking a Glock 9mm pistol and a magazine clip worth $600 and a benchmade knife worth $250 from the scene of an accident in which the owner was allegedly a convicted felon. State police say the items were found in Binkley’s home.
The charges were filed this week against 28-year-old Sidney Robert Binkley of Paragould. Binkley was arrested June 15, five days after he resigned from the sheriff’s department.
Authorities accuse Binkley of taking a Glock 9mm pistol and a magazine clip worth $600 and a benchmade knife worth $250 from the scene of an accident in which the owner was allegedly a convicted felon. State police say the items were found in Binkley’s home.
Corrections Officer John Carrasquillo Arrested for Stalking
An Orange County corrections officer was arrested today on a stalking charge after Osceola deputies said he made crank calls to a friend of his wife.
The woman told investigators that someone with a blocked number called her cell phone several times, speaking inaudibly or not at all or making noises. One day last month, the person called four times but hung up when she answered, according to a a sheriff's report. Another day, the person called six times and once whispered, "How are you?"
Investigators traced the call to John Carrasquillo, 45, who told them he wanted the woman to stay away from his wife so he could get "some quality time" with his wife, the report states.
Carrasquillo was arrested on a stalking charge. A deputy wrote that he called the woman "willfully, repeatedly and maliciously."
Carrasquillo is being held without bail at the Osceola County Jail.
The woman told investigators that someone with a blocked number called her cell phone several times, speaking inaudibly or not at all or making noises. One day last month, the person called four times but hung up when she answered, according to a a sheriff's report. Another day, the person called six times and once whispered, "How are you?"
Investigators traced the call to John Carrasquillo, 45, who told them he wanted the woman to stay away from his wife so he could get "some quality time" with his wife, the report states.
Carrasquillo was arrested on a stalking charge. A deputy wrote that he called the woman "willfully, repeatedly and maliciously."
Carrasquillo is being held without bail at the Osceola County Jail.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sgt. Daniel Bowden Has Been Terminated for Child Porn
The veteran Florida Highway Patrol trooper arrested on 10 counts of possession of child pornography this week has been terminated, according to an FHP official in Tallahassee.
"He has been terminated," said Capt. Mark Welch, FHP's chief of public affairs in Tallahassee.
Lake County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes Unit arrested former FHP Sgt. Daniel Bowden, 40, on the 10 counts on Tuesday.
The unit had been investigating the Bowden case for several months. A search warrant was served at Bowden's Lake County home and an examination of computers there discovered "numerous images of child pornography," according to the Sheriff's Office.
The images show young male and female children engaged in sex acts, according to an affidavit released by the Sheriff's Office. The children shown in the images are under 18, the document states.
Bowden was arrested without incident and taken to the Lake County Jail. He was released Tuesday evening after posting bail.
During an interview with Lake investigators, Bowden said he "made a mistake," but he also said that "he did not think what he was doing was a big deal," the affidavit states. He told investigators he was viewing the images "out of curiosity," according to the document.
Bowden had been with the FHP since August 1991. He worked ouf of FHP's Troop D and its DeLand station.
"He has been terminated," said Capt. Mark Welch, FHP's chief of public affairs in Tallahassee.
Lake County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes Unit arrested former FHP Sgt. Daniel Bowden, 40, on the 10 counts on Tuesday.
The unit had been investigating the Bowden case for several months. A search warrant was served at Bowden's Lake County home and an examination of computers there discovered "numerous images of child pornography," according to the Sheriff's Office.
The images show young male and female children engaged in sex acts, according to an affidavit released by the Sheriff's Office. The children shown in the images are under 18, the document states.
Bowden was arrested without incident and taken to the Lake County Jail. He was released Tuesday evening after posting bail.
During an interview with Lake investigators, Bowden said he "made a mistake," but he also said that "he did not think what he was doing was a big deal," the affidavit states. He told investigators he was viewing the images "out of curiosity," according to the document.
Bowden had been with the FHP since August 1991. He worked ouf of FHP's Troop D and its DeLand station.
Sgt. Hector Montes Arrested for Official Oppression
El Paso County Sheriff's Sgt. Hector Montes, 42, is arrested on suspicion of abusing his authority.
Montes has been booked and released from the El Paso County Jail, and while few details are coming out about what he has done, the sheriff's office has already said it does not condone his behavior.
Montes was charged with official oppression. According to the penal code, the charge is that Montes used his position as a sergeant in the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to his advantage. That could mean he mistreated or arrested someone unlawfully, denied someone his or her rights and/or subjected someone to sexual harassment. It is a misdemeanor charge.
According to what KFOX found in a search of jail records, 42-year-old Montes was booked at the El Paso County Jail a little after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday on a $5,000 bond, and that the incident for which he was charged for happened a week and a half ago on Sept. 16.
He was released less than an hour later on a cash bond.
A spokesman, Deputy Jesse Tovar, said the incident was uncovered by the sheriff's office, calling it "a disturbing incident." Tovar also said they will investigate any additional allegations.
Sheriff's officials said Montes is a 13-year veteran of the sheriff's office, and has been relieved of his duties and placed on administrative leave.
Since Montes is a peace officer, the sheriff's office will not release his mug shot until after an indictment.
Montes has been booked and released from the El Paso County Jail, and while few details are coming out about what he has done, the sheriff's office has already said it does not condone his behavior.
Montes was charged with official oppression. According to the penal code, the charge is that Montes used his position as a sergeant in the El Paso County Sheriff's Office to his advantage. That could mean he mistreated or arrested someone unlawfully, denied someone his or her rights and/or subjected someone to sexual harassment. It is a misdemeanor charge.
According to what KFOX found in a search of jail records, 42-year-old Montes was booked at the El Paso County Jail a little after 5:30 p.m. on Thursday on a $5,000 bond, and that the incident for which he was charged for happened a week and a half ago on Sept. 16.
He was released less than an hour later on a cash bond.
A spokesman, Deputy Jesse Tovar, said the incident was uncovered by the sheriff's office, calling it "a disturbing incident." Tovar also said they will investigate any additional allegations.
Sheriff's officials said Montes is a 13-year veteran of the sheriff's office, and has been relieved of his duties and placed on administrative leave.
Since Montes is a peace officer, the sheriff's office will not release his mug shot until after an indictment.
Sgt. Daniel Bowden Busted for Looking at Child Porn
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper is unemployed after he was busted for looking at child pornography online.
Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrested Sgt. Daniel Bowden, 40, Tuesday afternoon.
Bowden is facing 10 counts of child pornography for pictures the Lake County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes Unit confirmed were on Bowden's computer.
It's an undercover investigation that has taken months to come to light.
“This started back in November of 2008 with a search warrant. Several computers were seized and once the forensics was completed on those computers, there were several images of child pornography that we discovered,” said Cpl. Jim Vachon from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
It was a shocking discovery that led to the arrest of Bowden, an 18-year veteran of the highway patrol, who worked in DeLand, but lives in Lake County.
Deputies said some of the pornographic images Bowden had on his computer appeared to be of children under 4 years old.
“They were described as being obviously children, some pre-pubescent. Just the file names alone were pretty graphic,” Vachon said.
Bowden made statements to the sheriff’s office about his actions.
“Things like ‘I screwed up’ and ‘I was just curious,’ that kind of thing,” Vachon said.
Officers said at one point, Bowden said he did not think what he was doing was a big deal.
It wasn’t the reaction the Florida Highway Patrol had after finding out about his arrest. They said Bowden is being fired and released the following statement:
We regret the incident involving Mr. Bowden, and we certainly do not condone his actions in any way. As State Troopers charged with the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors, we expect all of our officers to hold themselves to the highest ethical and moral standards, including those relating to both their professional and personal lives.
“I mean, of course, it’s difficult for us to investigate a fellow law enforcement officer. But in the end, we've got a job to do and it's just unfortunate that this is the way it went,” Vachon said.
Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrested Sgt. Daniel Bowden, 40, Tuesday afternoon.
Bowden is facing 10 counts of child pornography for pictures the Lake County Sheriff's Office Cyber Crimes Unit confirmed were on Bowden's computer.
It's an undercover investigation that has taken months to come to light.
“This started back in November of 2008 with a search warrant. Several computers were seized and once the forensics was completed on those computers, there were several images of child pornography that we discovered,” said Cpl. Jim Vachon from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
It was a shocking discovery that led to the arrest of Bowden, an 18-year veteran of the highway patrol, who worked in DeLand, but lives in Lake County.
Deputies said some of the pornographic images Bowden had on his computer appeared to be of children under 4 years old.
“They were described as being obviously children, some pre-pubescent. Just the file names alone were pretty graphic,” Vachon said.
Bowden made statements to the sheriff’s office about his actions.
“Things like ‘I screwed up’ and ‘I was just curious,’ that kind of thing,” Vachon said.
Officers said at one point, Bowden said he did not think what he was doing was a big deal.
It wasn’t the reaction the Florida Highway Patrol had after finding out about his arrest. They said Bowden is being fired and released the following statement:
We regret the incident involving Mr. Bowden, and we certainly do not condone his actions in any way. As State Troopers charged with the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors, we expect all of our officers to hold themselves to the highest ethical and moral standards, including those relating to both their professional and personal lives.
“I mean, of course, it’s difficult for us to investigate a fellow law enforcement officer. But in the end, we've got a job to do and it's just unfortunate that this is the way it went,” Vachon said.
Officer John Cumberland Arrested for Drunk Driving
Metro Police say East Precinct Crime Suppression Unit Officer John Cumberland has been decommissioned of his police authority following his arrest early today on charges of drunken driving and possessing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
Police say Cumberland crashed his unmarked police vehicle into a ditch on Newsome Station Road near Settlers Way just before 12:30 a.m.
A citizen called to report the crash and said that the driver appeared to be impaired.
Officers found that Cumberland smelled of alcohol and, after performing field sobriety tasks, indicated impairment.
Cumberland consented to a breath alcohol test, which registered 0.12%.
In Tennessee, a person is considered to be legally under the influence of alcohol with a reading of 0.08%.
Cumberland got off work at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Cumberlands bond was set at $7,000.
The police departments administrative investigation of Cumberlands actions, which is separate from the criminal matter, is underway.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Officer Travis Ludwig Arrest on Drug Charges
A Tulsa police officer is free on bond after his arrest on drug complaints Tuesday night.
Police arrested 37-year-old Travis K. Ludwig at his home Tuesday evening. According to the arrest and booking report, police obtained several search reports and that those search warrants turned up three bags of a tannish-white substance, drug scales and money.
The report says the substance field-tested positive for cocaine.
Today, we spoke with Ludwig's attorney, Scott Wood, who says his client is innocent.
"Travis Ludwig is not a drug dealer," Wood said. "He abhors drug dealers and is not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing in this matter."
Police say they learned of the alleged drug dealing during an internal administrative investigation into Ludwig. We're told he has now been suspended until the investigation is complete.
He posted $10,000 bond and was released at 2:47 a.m. Wednesday.
In January 2006, Ludwig was disciplined by the Police Department for his relationship with a married exotic dancer.
He reportedly told the woman not to cooperate with an Internal Affairs investigation into the matter, according to documents that are part of a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by the woman's husband.
In tape-recorded conversations and depositions, Ludwig urged the woman, Crystal Garr, not to talk to Tulsa Police Department Internal Affairs officers investigating him.
In 2005 Ludwig conducted a search of Garr's husband's house that resulted in drug charges against the man, Shannon Coyle.
Those charges have since been dropped.
Records show that Ludwig and Crystal Garr married in June 2009.
Three Officers Investigated for Tasering Death of Richard Battistata
Three Laredo police officers are on administrative duty pending investigation of the death of a man they shocked with a Taser gun.
Police spokesman Alberto Escobedo says the three officers answered a pre-dawn criminal mischief report Monday and confronted 44-year-old Richard Battistata. That's after the man allegedly had broken a bedroom window and entered an apartment.
Escobedo says that during the confrontation Battistata turned combative and one officer used the Taser to subdue him.
Instead, Battistata became unresponsive and police called an ambulance. He died soon after arriving at Doctors Hospital.
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More Information: http://www.pro8news.com/news/local/60417377.html
Police spokesman Alberto Escobedo says the three officers answered a pre-dawn criminal mischief report Monday and confronted 44-year-old Richard Battistata. That's after the man allegedly had broken a bedroom window and entered an apartment.
Escobedo says that during the confrontation Battistata turned combative and one officer used the Taser to subdue him.
Instead, Battistata became unresponsive and police called an ambulance. He died soon after arriving at Doctors Hospital.
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More Information: http://www.pro8news.com/news/local/60417377.html
Sheriff Joe Arpaio At It Again
Sheriff Joe Arpaio's arrest of Supervisor Don Stapley is outrageous (Stapley arrested by deputies, Tuesday)!
Although the sheriff has the legal power to arrest people who have committed a crime, to do so for 100 alleged financial crimes without involving a county attorney and therefore without an indictment, especially when public safety is not threatened and the suspect is not a flight risk, is a misuse of that power.
Obviously, humiliating a perceived political foe is more important to Sheriff Joe than following the customary procedure of turning over the results of his office's investigation to the prosecutor.
Thankfully, our megalomaniac sheriff is not also the judge and jury.
Although the sheriff has the legal power to arrest people who have committed a crime, to do so for 100 alleged financial crimes without involving a county attorney and therefore without an indictment, especially when public safety is not threatened and the suspect is not a flight risk, is a misuse of that power.
Obviously, humiliating a perceived political foe is more important to Sheriff Joe than following the customary procedure of turning over the results of his office's investigation to the prosecutor.
Thankfully, our megalomaniac sheriff is not also the judge and jury.
Corrections Officer Daniel Vili Arrested for Sexual Assault on Minor
A Colorado corrections officer is suspected of supplying two teenage girls with alcohol, fondling them and then threatening a third girl.
Daniel Vili, 28, who has worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections since 2004 and was most recently a guard at the Camp George West correctional center in Golden, was arrested Friday in Loveland on suspicion of sexual assault on a child, unlawful sexual contact and contributing to the delinquency of minors, according to the Loveland Police Department.
Three teenage girls — ages 14, 15 and 16 — were "hanging out" on a lawn outside Vili's Loveland apartment Friday when he invited them inside, according to police. Vili gave alcohol to the two younger teens, and the 16-year-old declined it, police said.
Vili, who had been drinking, fondled both of the younger girls, the department said.
The 16-year-old urged her friends to leave and returned to the apartment to "confront" Vili, police said, when he "threatened to cut the throat" of the older girl.
Daniel Vili, 28, who has worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections since 2004 and was most recently a guard at the Camp George West correctional center in Golden, was arrested Friday in Loveland on suspicion of sexual assault on a child, unlawful sexual contact and contributing to the delinquency of minors, according to the Loveland Police Department.
Three teenage girls — ages 14, 15 and 16 — were "hanging out" on a lawn outside Vili's Loveland apartment Friday when he invited them inside, according to police. Vili gave alcohol to the two younger teens, and the 16-year-old declined it, police said.
Vili, who had been drinking, fondled both of the younger girls, the department said.
The 16-year-old urged her friends to leave and returned to the apartment to "confront" Vili, police said, when he "threatened to cut the throat" of the older girl.
Officer Sallica Wilson Fired After Taking Money from Department
Bishopville Police Chief John Ewing says one of his officers has been fired after being accused of taking money from his department.
Sallica Wilson has been arrested and charged with misconduct in office.
Ewing says that between September 11 and September 21, his department noticed that about $100 in cash was missing from the records money.
Officers says audio and videotapes helped them in their investigation.
"I want the citizens of the City of Bishopville to know that I hold our officers to a higher standard then everyone else," Ewing said in a written statement. "If we do wrong, then we should be held accountable just like everyone else. Just because we wear a badge does not mean we should be treated differently as it pertains to the law."
Wilson was an eight-year veteran of the force. She held the rank of sergeant.
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http://www.theitem.com/article/20090922/ITNEWS01/709229857/-1/ITNEWS
Sallica Wilson has been arrested and charged with misconduct in office.
Ewing says that between September 11 and September 21, his department noticed that about $100 in cash was missing from the records money.
Officers says audio and videotapes helped them in their investigation.
"I want the citizens of the City of Bishopville to know that I hold our officers to a higher standard then everyone else," Ewing said in a written statement. "If we do wrong, then we should be held accountable just like everyone else. Just because we wear a badge does not mean we should be treated differently as it pertains to the law."
Wilson was an eight-year veteran of the force. She held the rank of sergeant.
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http://www.theitem.com/article/20090922/ITNEWS01/709229857/-1/ITNEWS
Officer Kyle Zumbrunn Arrested on Drug Charges
An officer with the Weston Police Department has been arrested on a pair of drug-related charges, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
Kyle A. Zumbrunn, 26, was arrested on Tuesday by the KBI for sale of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school and using a telephonic device to facilitate a drug transaction. The KBI was acting on a request from the Atchison Police Department.
Zumbrunn was arrested after he sold a suspected controlled substance to an undercover KBI agent, officials said. He was slated to make his first appearance in court on Wednesday.
Officer Janet Hawkins Charged with Resisting Arrest
A Daytona Beach police officer was arrested in Holly Hill Tuesday night after authorities said she became violent during a traffic stop and two injured officers.
Janet Hawkins was placed on administrative leave following the incident and faces three charges: careless driving, resisting arrest with violence and resisting arrest without violence.
Investigators said Hawkins was stopped for speeding while apparently heading to the Holly Hill Police Department after learning her 25-year-old son had been arrested during a conflict at an apartment complex.
A police report indicated Hawkins was off-duty and driving her personal car at the time of the traffic stop. The report said she was angered after identifying herself as a police officer, called the Holly Hill officers rednecks and corrupt and said she would sue them for "messing with her family."
Holly Hill police said they tried to calm the situation, but that Hawkins only became more hostile and volatile when they tried to arrest her.
"As they attempt to take her into custody, she then enters her vehicle through the open window. They fear that she is trying to access a weapon. At that point, they went hands-on with her and attempted to place her in hand restraints. That's when she responded with law enforcement defensive tactics against my officers, ultimately injuring one of them," Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker said.
One officer involved in the incident suffered a sprained wrist and the other twisted a knee.
Authorities said Hawkins had a gun in her purse but it did not become a factor in the arrest.
The mayor of Holly Hill witnessed part of the confrontation.
"Agitated, belligerent, it was obvious she had some issues with being stopped," Roland Via said.
Hawkins was released from jail on bond on Wednesday and faces an internal affairs investigation. She most recently served in the Daytona Beach Police Department's cold case squad.
Hawkins' younger son said he doesn't buy the story.
"Her being an officer for more than 10 years, I think she would know what resisting arrest is and know not to do that," he said.
A check of her personnel records indicated there was an incident several years ago in which she slapped a fellow officer, but Daytona Beach Police Chief Michael Chitwood said she had done a great job recently, and he said he was very disappointed.
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http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/volusia_news/092309_detective_arrested
Janet Hawkins was placed on administrative leave following the incident and faces three charges: careless driving, resisting arrest with violence and resisting arrest without violence.
Investigators said Hawkins was stopped for speeding while apparently heading to the Holly Hill Police Department after learning her 25-year-old son had been arrested during a conflict at an apartment complex.
A police report indicated Hawkins was off-duty and driving her personal car at the time of the traffic stop. The report said she was angered after identifying herself as a police officer, called the Holly Hill officers rednecks and corrupt and said she would sue them for "messing with her family."
Holly Hill police said they tried to calm the situation, but that Hawkins only became more hostile and volatile when they tried to arrest her.
"As they attempt to take her into custody, she then enters her vehicle through the open window. They fear that she is trying to access a weapon. At that point, they went hands-on with her and attempted to place her in hand restraints. That's when she responded with law enforcement defensive tactics against my officers, ultimately injuring one of them," Holly Hill Police Chief Mark Barker said.
One officer involved in the incident suffered a sprained wrist and the other twisted a knee.
Authorities said Hawkins had a gun in her purse but it did not become a factor in the arrest.
The mayor of Holly Hill witnessed part of the confrontation.
"Agitated, belligerent, it was obvious she had some issues with being stopped," Roland Via said.
Hawkins was released from jail on bond on Wednesday and faces an internal affairs investigation. She most recently served in the Daytona Beach Police Department's cold case squad.
Hawkins' younger son said he doesn't buy the story.
"Her being an officer for more than 10 years, I think she would know what resisting arrest is and know not to do that," he said.
A check of her personnel records indicated there was an incident several years ago in which she slapped a fellow officer, but Daytona Beach Police Chief Michael Chitwood said she had done a great job recently, and he said he was very disappointed.
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http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/volusia_news/092309_detective_arrested
Officer Jeffrey Gibson Arrested After Inappropriately Touching Minor
A former law enforcement officer is out on bond after his arrest on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
Jeffrey Gibson, 41, of 1307 Tyler Road, Dillon, was arrested Tuesday after a 12-year-old told authorities he touched her inappropriately while the two were “playfighting,” according to a Dillon Police Department incident report.
The victim told police Gibson “threw her on the couch and inappropriately touched her in one of her private areas,” according to the report. The victim said Gibson had touched her inappropriately several times in the past two months or so.
The victim was placed in the custody of the S.C. Department of Social Services, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Gibson served as an officer with the Dillon Police Department about 10 years ago and worked in law enforcement in Marion County, as well.
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http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=354064
Jeffrey Gibson, 41, of 1307 Tyler Road, Dillon, was arrested Tuesday after a 12-year-old told authorities he touched her inappropriately while the two were “playfighting,” according to a Dillon Police Department incident report.
The victim told police Gibson “threw her on the couch and inappropriately touched her in one of her private areas,” according to the report. The victim said Gibson had touched her inappropriately several times in the past two months or so.
The victim was placed in the custody of the S.C. Department of Social Services, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Gibson served as an officer with the Dillon Police Department about 10 years ago and worked in law enforcement in Marion County, as well.
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http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=354064
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Polk County Officers Stop to Play Wii During Drug Raid
You know how every holiday season the stores all sell out of Nintendo Wiis? Well, that's because they're so awesome -- just ask the cops in Polk County, Fla.
In the midst of a drug raid on a house that apparently took nine full hours and cost $4,000, cops apparently were distracted by Wii bowling. Reports say they started the game up within 20 minutes of entering the house and spent hours playing it.
The incident is being investigated after it was caught on the drug dealer's security camera, though it should be noted that some cops were looking for drugs at the same time. (Also, in fairness, Wii bowling is super-fun.)
For video: check out this local news report
In the midst of a drug raid on a house that apparently took nine full hours and cost $4,000, cops apparently were distracted by Wii bowling. Reports say they started the game up within 20 minutes of entering the house and spent hours playing it.
The incident is being investigated after it was caught on the drug dealer's security camera, though it should be noted that some cops were looking for drugs at the same time. (Also, in fairness, Wii bowling is super-fun.)
For video: check out this local news report
Sgt. Mark Gajeski Shoots Wife then Himself
Police in a Detroit suburb say an off-duty officer fatally shot his wife in the parking lot of a library and then shot himself.
Sgt. Mark Gajeski (Guy-ES'-ski) of the Canton Township Public Safety Department says they both were Detroit officers who live in Canton.
Police said the woman, 33-year-old Patricia Williams, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital Tuesday. Gajeski says the man, 36-year-old Edward Williams II, died later after being taken off life support.
Gajeski says police had responded to a disturbance at the couple's home over the weekend. He says the woman was going to the Canton police station, which is near the library, when she was shot.
The Detroit Police Department had no immediate comment.
Sgt. Mark Gajeski (Guy-ES'-ski) of the Canton Township Public Safety Department says they both were Detroit officers who live in Canton.
Police said the woman, 33-year-old Patricia Williams, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital Tuesday. Gajeski says the man, 36-year-old Edward Williams II, died later after being taken off life support.
Gajeski says police had responded to a disturbance at the couple's home over the weekend. He says the woman was going to the Canton police station, which is near the library, when she was shot.
The Detroit Police Department had no immediate comment.
Former Sheriff & Undersheriff Sentenced for Stealing Money from Motorists
The former sheriff and undersheriff of McIntosh County have each been sentenced to more than two years in prison for illegally seizing money from motorists.
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said Tuesday that 36-year-old Terry Jones and 38-year-old Mykol Brookshire were each sentenced to 27 months for conspiracy under color of law to interfere with interstate commerce.
Prosecutors say the two seized cash from motorists and either underreported the amount or failed to report the seizure. The two are accused of then splitting the money.
Sperling says the two were arrested after seizing money from an undercover agent in May and underreporting the amount taken while keeping the remainder.
Both men resigned after being charged.
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said Tuesday that 36-year-old Terry Jones and 38-year-old Mykol Brookshire were each sentenced to 27 months for conspiracy under color of law to interfere with interstate commerce.
Prosecutors say the two seized cash from motorists and either underreported the amount or failed to report the seizure. The two are accused of then splitting the money.
Sperling says the two were arrested after seizing money from an undercover agent in May and underreporting the amount taken while keeping the remainder.
Both men resigned after being charged.
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