PORTAGE, Wis.
A corrections officer at the Columbia Correctional Institution is accused of having sex with an inmate and giving him snacks and magazines.
The Columbia County Sheriff's Department says the 45-year-old Portage woman is likely to be charged with multiple felony counts of second-degree sexual assault of an inmate, delivery of articles to inmates and misconduct in public office.
Detective Sgt. Daniel Garrigan says the accusations came to light after the department did an internal investigation on the woman last fall for a policy violation.
He says the investigation showed she had sexual contact with an inmate at CCI and at Waupun Correctional Institution.
The Department of Corrections says the woman is on administrative leave. Online court records show formal charges have not yet been filed.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Chief Information Officer Pete Collins Accused of Misconduct
Austin's chief information officer has been accused of misconduct.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, city officials said a city employee called the legal department last week alleging the city's chief information officer, Pete Collins, was using city resources for a personal project.
City Spokesman Gene Acuna said Collins was immediately placed on paid administrative leave. The case was then passed on to City Manager Marc Ott and APD who is investigating.
"The city manager takes these allegation seriously and wants them investigated fully and impartially," Acuna said.
Collins has been a city employee since 1993. He started out as an Austin Police Officer. He's overseen the city's Information Technology Department since 2004.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, city officials said a city employee called the legal department last week alleging the city's chief information officer, Pete Collins, was using city resources for a personal project.
City Spokesman Gene Acuna said Collins was immediately placed on paid administrative leave. The case was then passed on to City Manager Marc Ott and APD who is investigating.
"The city manager takes these allegation seriously and wants them investigated fully and impartially," Acuna said.
Collins has been a city employee since 1993. He started out as an Austin Police Officer. He's overseen the city's Information Technology Department since 2004.
Officer Accused of Beating Transexual
MEMPHIS, TN
A Memphis police officer is accused of beating up someone under arrest. The person seen being attacked on the tape is a transexual. She says the attack is a hate crime.
Now the FBI is investigating. One officer is off the job, and another is on desk duty.
Duanna Johnson says the officer beat her up after calling her all sorts of names and making fun of her sexuality.
On the videotape you see Johnson being attacked. One officer is holding Johnson back, while another throws punches.
Johnson says before the beating began the officer called her a "he/she" and a "faggot."
On the videotape you see employees standing around, but no one intervenes.
A statement from the Memphis Police Department says no details can be released because of the internal investigation.
Officer J Swain was on probation with the department and lost his job. Officer B McRae has been taken off the streets until a hearing.
Johnson does plan on filing a $1.3 million lawsuit against the City of Memphis.
A Memphis police officer is accused of beating up someone under arrest. The person seen being attacked on the tape is a transexual. She says the attack is a hate crime.
Now the FBI is investigating. One officer is off the job, and another is on desk duty.
Duanna Johnson says the officer beat her up after calling her all sorts of names and making fun of her sexuality.
On the videotape you see Johnson being attacked. One officer is holding Johnson back, while another throws punches.
Johnson says before the beating began the officer called her a "he/she" and a "faggot."
On the videotape you see employees standing around, but no one intervenes.
A statement from the Memphis Police Department says no details can be released because of the internal investigation.
Officer J Swain was on probation with the department and lost his job. Officer B McRae has been taken off the streets until a hearing.
Johnson does plan on filing a $1.3 million lawsuit against the City of Memphis.
UPDATE: Elgin police officer resigns
Embattled police Officer Christopher Darr has resigned, authorities said Tuesday, amid charges he allegedly beat a suspect after a New Year's Eve brawl at an area hotel.
Elgin Police Department spokeswoman Ann Dinges said she could not comment any further about the case, but she was able to confirm Darr, 32, submitted his resignation Monday.
The seven-year police veteran was charged in April with two counts of felony aggravated battery for allegedly beating South Elgin resident Kevin Schwartz, 29, of 381 S. Collins St., a suspect in a fight that broke out among hotel guests at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, during the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
Darr was off duty at the time of the incident. His father, Jack Darr, a former Elgin Deputy Police Chief and head of the hotel's security, was hospitalized after sustaining cuts, broken ribs and a punctured lung attempting to break up the fight.
Schwartz reportedly was in a car traveling along Illinois 31 after the fight, when it was stopped by police.
Darr allegedly went to the scene and got in the back seat of a patrol car, where he punched Schwartz repeated times in the face and body while Schwartz had is hands cuffed behind his back.
Schwartz initially was charged with mob action in connection with the brawl. This charge was dropped Jan. 31.
Darr was placed on restrictive duty soon after the incident pending an internal investigation, and put on administrative leave once he was charged.
On April 9, he turned himself into the Kane County Sheriff's Office, where he was booked and released about an hour later after posting a $500 bond.
Darr is expected to plead not guilty to both charges at his arraignment, scheduled for July 17.
On May 13, attorneys for Schwartz filed a 11-count federal lawsuit for $5 million against Darr, police Officer Edward Schmidt, the police department, and the city of Elgin.
Elgin Police Department spokeswoman Ann Dinges said she could not comment any further about the case, but she was able to confirm Darr, 32, submitted his resignation Monday.
The seven-year police veteran was charged in April with two counts of felony aggravated battery for allegedly beating South Elgin resident Kevin Schwartz, 29, of 381 S. Collins St., a suspect in a fight that broke out among hotel guests at the Holiday Inn, 495 Airport Road, during the early morning hours of Jan. 1.
Darr was off duty at the time of the incident. His father, Jack Darr, a former Elgin Deputy Police Chief and head of the hotel's security, was hospitalized after sustaining cuts, broken ribs and a punctured lung attempting to break up the fight.
Schwartz reportedly was in a car traveling along Illinois 31 after the fight, when it was stopped by police.
Darr allegedly went to the scene and got in the back seat of a patrol car, where he punched Schwartz repeated times in the face and body while Schwartz had is hands cuffed behind his back.
Schwartz initially was charged with mob action in connection with the brawl. This charge was dropped Jan. 31.
Darr was placed on restrictive duty soon after the incident pending an internal investigation, and put on administrative leave once he was charged.
On April 9, he turned himself into the Kane County Sheriff's Office, where he was booked and released about an hour later after posting a $500 bond.
Darr is expected to plead not guilty to both charges at his arraignment, scheduled for July 17.
On May 13, attorneys for Schwartz filed a 11-count federal lawsuit for $5 million against Darr, police Officer Edward Schmidt, the police department, and the city of Elgin.
3 Indianapolis Officers Arrested On Drug Charges
Three Indianapolis police officers face federal charges of drug trafficking for what prosecutors called a conspiracy that involved raids on a home and an apartment and the theft of money and several pounds of marijuana.
An indictment unsealed Tuesday named police officers Robert B. Long, 34, Jason P. Edwards, 36, and James Davis, 33.
It described Long as a narcotics detective and the leader of a conspiracy this spring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.
All three officers were arrested by the FBI. It was not immediately known whether they had defense attorneys.
The indictment said the officers talked in code by telephone and that Long tipped a fourth defendant named in the indictment, Kabec Higgins, 31, about police plans to search his business, Ear Candy Muzik.
Long also seized a FedEx parcel containing up to 13 pounds of marijuana, the indictment states. About eight pounds were removed and sold for $4,000. Long then turned in nearly five pounds from the parcel to a police narcotics vault to cover up the missing portion.
The court document also indicated Long and Davis entered an apartment looking for marijuana, and the three officers took five pounds of the drug and $18,300 from a home during a June 4 break-in.
After that break-in, Davis "wiped the interior door handle and lock with his gloves in an attempt to clean off any fingerprints," the indictment stated.
It also indicated that Long and Davis illegally seized $20,000 from a person they thought was selling marijuana in March. Davis also was accused of "illegally stopping cars" to seize money.
"(The officers) reportedly committed acts in uniform, using police vehicles, displaying a bogus search warrant, breaking into private property and diverting seized drugs and cash to their personal benefit," said U.S. Attorney Tim Morrison.
The three officers face counts alleging drug trafficking and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Long, Davis and Edwards were held Tuesday in the Marion County Jail.
"I'm very much disgusted and outraged at the conduct of a small number of officers who chose to disrespect the trust that the public has in them," said Indianapolis Metro Police Chief Michael Spears.
"Nobody likes for this thing to happen, but it's important that it's rooted out," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.
Edwards was charged in March with forgery and theft. Police said he stole a $725 money order during a search of a drug suspect's home and cashed it for himself.
An indictment unsealed Tuesday named police officers Robert B. Long, 34, Jason P. Edwards, 36, and James Davis, 33.
It described Long as a narcotics detective and the leader of a conspiracy this spring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.
All three officers were arrested by the FBI. It was not immediately known whether they had defense attorneys.
The indictment said the officers talked in code by telephone and that Long tipped a fourth defendant named in the indictment, Kabec Higgins, 31, about police plans to search his business, Ear Candy Muzik.
Long also seized a FedEx parcel containing up to 13 pounds of marijuana, the indictment states. About eight pounds were removed and sold for $4,000. Long then turned in nearly five pounds from the parcel to a police narcotics vault to cover up the missing portion.
The court document also indicated Long and Davis entered an apartment looking for marijuana, and the three officers took five pounds of the drug and $18,300 from a home during a June 4 break-in.
After that break-in, Davis "wiped the interior door handle and lock with his gloves in an attempt to clean off any fingerprints," the indictment stated.
It also indicated that Long and Davis illegally seized $20,000 from a person they thought was selling marijuana in March. Davis also was accused of "illegally stopping cars" to seize money.
"(The officers) reportedly committed acts in uniform, using police vehicles, displaying a bogus search warrant, breaking into private property and diverting seized drugs and cash to their personal benefit," said U.S. Attorney Tim Morrison.
The three officers face counts alleging drug trafficking and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Long, Davis and Edwards were held Tuesday in the Marion County Jail.
"I'm very much disgusted and outraged at the conduct of a small number of officers who chose to disrespect the trust that the public has in them," said Indianapolis Metro Police Chief Michael Spears.
"Nobody likes for this thing to happen, but it's important that it's rooted out," said Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard.
Edwards was charged in March with forgery and theft. Police said he stole a $725 money order during a search of a drug suspect's home and cashed it for himself.
Jackson Officer Charged With Reckless Driving
Jackson, TN
A Jackson police officer has been charged with reckless driving, according to Mike Browning, a spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Safety.
Charged was Thomas Derek Bowman, 24, of Lexington, who started with the Jackson Police Department on April 21. Jackson Police Chief Rick Staples said Bowman has been on a probationary period since he was hired, which is standard for new officers.
"The probation period lasts for two years," Staples said.
Police Commander Dennis Mays said Bowman was served with a letter today informing him that he did not successfully complete his probationary period and his employment has been terminated.
Browning said that Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Greg Hopper clocked two "crotch rocket" motorcycles traveling at 124 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone Tuesday night in Henderson County.
Hopper first spotted the motorcycles around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. 412, Browning said.
The motorcycles split up, and Hopper stopped Bowman, Browning said.
Bowman was given a speeding ticket and charged with reckless driving.
He was taken to the Henderson County Sheriff's Department, where he was released on his own recognizance.
Maywood Officer Found Guilty
LOS ANGELES
A former Maywood police officer was convicted Wednesday of using excessive force and filing a false report about the incident in which he knocked a suspect unconscious at a police station in May 2004.
A Superior Court jury deliberated for three hours before finding Michael Singleton, 43, guilty of both felonies, said Deputy District Attorney Margo Baxter.
Singleton struck the suspect after he had been arrested and handcuffed and then filed the false report, Baxter said.
Singleton, who later left the police force, faces up to 44 months in state prison when he is sentenced Aug. 11.
The Maywood Police Department is under investigation by state and Los Angeles County prosecutors over allegations of officer misconduct. Maywood is a tiny city just east of Los Angeles.
A former Maywood police officer was convicted Wednesday of using excessive force and filing a false report about the incident in which he knocked a suspect unconscious at a police station in May 2004.
A Superior Court jury deliberated for three hours before finding Michael Singleton, 43, guilty of both felonies, said Deputy District Attorney Margo Baxter.
Singleton struck the suspect after he had been arrested and handcuffed and then filed the false report, Baxter said.
Singleton, who later left the police force, faces up to 44 months in state prison when he is sentenced Aug. 11.
The Maywood Police Department is under investigation by state and Los Angeles County prosecutors over allegations of officer misconduct. Maywood is a tiny city just east of Los Angeles.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Judge's Wife says Charges Against Husband are Lies
LOS ANGELES
A federal appeals court judge under scrutiny for sexually explicit videos and photos posted on a personal Web site is the victim of distortions and "outright lies" published by the Los Angeles Times, his wife charged Monday.
Marcy Jane Tiffany, wife of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, described some of the material stored on the home computer as raunchy and juvenile. Only about a half-dozen files among hundreds had a "sexual aspect," but they were not pornography, she said.
"Alex is not into porn - he is into funny - and sometimes funny has a sexual character," Tiffany wrote in a nearly 2,000-word defense of her husband, posted on a Web site called patterico.com.
In a brief telephone interview, Tiffany confirmed that she wrote the statement and declined further comment, except to quote the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."
The newspaper's California editor, David Lauter, said in a statement that the articles were fair and accurate.
The stories "raised important issues on a matter of significant public concern," Lauter said. "The judge was presented with the facts ... and was given a full opportunity to respond."
Meanwhile Monday, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts transferred a review of Kozinski's conduct to the judicial council of a different circuit. The chairman of the judicial council of the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Chief Judge Anthony Scirica, then named himself and four other judges to handle the ethics investigation.
Kozinski called for the probe after news articles about the Web site were published. Separately, Kozinski last week declared a mistrial in an obscenity trial over which he was presiding.
The now-blocked material on the Web site, alex.kozinski.com, included a photo of naked women on all fours painted to look like cows, and a video of a man being pursued by a sexually aroused donkey. The Times said the site included images of masturbation, and a slide show featuring a striptease with a transsexual.
A federal appeals court judge under scrutiny for sexually explicit videos and photos posted on a personal Web site is the victim of distortions and "outright lies" published by the Los Angeles Times, his wife charged Monday.
Marcy Jane Tiffany, wife of 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, described some of the material stored on the home computer as raunchy and juvenile. Only about a half-dozen files among hundreds had a "sexual aspect," but they were not pornography, she said.
"Alex is not into porn - he is into funny - and sometimes funny has a sexual character," Tiffany wrote in a nearly 2,000-word defense of her husband, posted on a Web site called patterico.com.
In a brief telephone interview, Tiffany confirmed that she wrote the statement and declined further comment, except to quote the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."
The newspaper's California editor, David Lauter, said in a statement that the articles were fair and accurate.
The stories "raised important issues on a matter of significant public concern," Lauter said. "The judge was presented with the facts ... and was given a full opportunity to respond."
Meanwhile Monday, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts transferred a review of Kozinski's conduct to the judicial council of a different circuit. The chairman of the judicial council of the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Chief Judge Anthony Scirica, then named himself and four other judges to handle the ethics investigation.
Kozinski called for the probe after news articles about the Web site were published. Separately, Kozinski last week declared a mistrial in an obscenity trial over which he was presiding.
The now-blocked material on the Web site, alex.kozinski.com, included a photo of naked women on all fours painted to look like cows, and a video of a man being pursued by a sexually aroused donkey. The Times said the site included images of masturbation, and a slide show featuring a striptease with a transsexual.
Attorneys Ask for New Prosecutor for Judge Harris
Defense attorneys have formally asked for a special prosecutor in the indecent exposure case against a Tulsa County district judge to be removed.
Attorneys for Judge Jessie Harris claimed in a court filing Monday that the Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser's office prepared two different sets of charges against in an improper attempt to force Harris to resign.
Harris is charged in Tulsa County with felony indecent exposure for allegedly exposing and fondling himself in front of two women in the parking lot of an east Tulsa motel.
Esser was appointed special prosecutor by the attorney general.
Attorneys for Judge Jessie Harris claimed in a court filing Monday that the Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser's office prepared two different sets of charges against in an improper attempt to force Harris to resign.
Harris is charged in Tulsa County with felony indecent exposure for allegedly exposing and fondling himself in front of two women in the parking lot of an east Tulsa motel.
Esser was appointed special prosecutor by the attorney general.
Judge Harris Ruling Postponed
More Updates:
A court ruling on whether a special prosecutor should be disqualified in the case against Tulsa County District Judge Jesse Harris, who is charged with two counts of indecent exposure, has been delayed until June 17.
Osage County District Judge M. John Kane IV was to have rendered a decision Wednesday on the motion to disqualify filed by Harris' lawyers.
However, in papers filed Wednesday with the Tulsa County Court Clerk's Office, Kane said he needed more information from lawyers on both sides of the dispute before he rules.
Kane, who was specially appointed to hear the initial phases of the case against Harris, said he would issue the ruling by 5 p.m June 17.
Kane presided over a daylong hearing last week at which Harris' lawyers, Joel Wohlgemuth and Allen Smallwood, claimed misconduct on the part of Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser's office.
Esser was appointed special prosecutor in the case.
Among other things, Harris' lawyers claimed that Esser's office released graphic details of the alleged crimes to the media before they were filed with the court.
They also said Esser's office acted improperly by trying to get Harris to retire in exchange for misdemeanor charges being filed instead of felonies.
The attorneys argued Esser did not have the authority to seek removal of a judge — and said that authority rested with the state's Council on the Judiciary.
They also said Esser's office tried to contact Harris directly, instead of through his lawyer, which would be a violation of the state's professional rules of conduct.
A court ruling on whether a special prosecutor should be disqualified in the case against Tulsa County District Judge Jesse Harris, who is charged with two counts of indecent exposure, has been delayed until June 17.
Osage County District Judge M. John Kane IV was to have rendered a decision Wednesday on the motion to disqualify filed by Harris' lawyers.
However, in papers filed Wednesday with the Tulsa County Court Clerk's Office, Kane said he needed more information from lawyers on both sides of the dispute before he rules.
Kane, who was specially appointed to hear the initial phases of the case against Harris, said he would issue the ruling by 5 p.m June 17.
Kane presided over a daylong hearing last week at which Harris' lawyers, Joel Wohlgemuth and Allen Smallwood, claimed misconduct on the part of Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser's office.
Esser was appointed special prosecutor in the case.
Among other things, Harris' lawyers claimed that Esser's office released graphic details of the alleged crimes to the media before they were filed with the court.
They also said Esser's office acted improperly by trying to get Harris to retire in exchange for misdemeanor charges being filed instead of felonies.
The attorneys argued Esser did not have the authority to seek removal of a judge — and said that authority rested with the state's Council on the Judiciary.
They also said Esser's office tried to contact Harris directly, instead of through his lawyer, which would be a violation of the state's professional rules of conduct.
Judge to decide whether to remove prosecutor
UPDATE:
An Osage County judge will rule next week on whether a special prosecutor accused of misconduct should be removed from the indecent-exposure case of a Tulsa judge.
District Judge M. John Kane IV listened to a day's worth of testimony on Wednesday, then took the case under advisement and said he would decide by 5 p.m. June 11.
Kane was appointed to preside over the initial trial phases in the case against Tulsa County District Judge Jesse Harris, who was charged April 24 with two counts of indecent exposure.
Harris is accused of exposing and fondling himself in front of his ex-girlfriend and another woman in the parking lot of an east Tulsa motel on March 9.
Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case, but Harris' lawyers have accused him of leaking a graphic police affidavit before it was filed at the Tulsa County Court Clerk's office.
Defense attorneys Allen Smallwood and Joel Wohlgemuth questioned Esser and assistant district attorney Will Drake about two probable-cause affidavits that had been prepared against Harris in an effort to get him to retire.
One affidavit listed the two felony indecent exposure charges and detailed the alleged crimes. The other affidavit, an alternative one, was prepared with two misdemeanor charges of outraging public decency.
The jail term and fines would have been deferred in the latter option, with the condition that the judge retire from the bench within 30 days of charges being filed.
Esser defended the preparation of the affidavits and noted that the plea offer in return for retirement was not unlike one supposedly offered to former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson, who was convicted of four counts of indecent exposure in June 2006.
Wohlgemuth said state law gives that kind of discretion to the Oklahoma Council on the Judiciary, not prosecutors.
The defense attorneys also criticized an April phone call from Esser's office to Harris' judicial chambers. Esser said his office was confused about who was representing Harris, so he called to find out the name of Harris' attorney, then Robert Butler.
The defense attorneys claimed that the phone call violated the state's professional rules of conduct.
An Osage County judge will rule next week on whether a special prosecutor accused of misconduct should be removed from the indecent-exposure case of a Tulsa judge.
District Judge M. John Kane IV listened to a day's worth of testimony on Wednesday, then took the case under advisement and said he would decide by 5 p.m. June 11.
Kane was appointed to preside over the initial trial phases in the case against Tulsa County District Judge Jesse Harris, who was charged April 24 with two counts of indecent exposure.
Harris is accused of exposing and fondling himself in front of his ex-girlfriend and another woman in the parking lot of an east Tulsa motel on March 9.
Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser was appointed as the special prosecutor in the case, but Harris' lawyers have accused him of leaking a graphic police affidavit before it was filed at the Tulsa County Court Clerk's office.
Defense attorneys Allen Smallwood and Joel Wohlgemuth questioned Esser and assistant district attorney Will Drake about two probable-cause affidavits that had been prepared against Harris in an effort to get him to retire.
One affidavit listed the two felony indecent exposure charges and detailed the alleged crimes. The other affidavit, an alternative one, was prepared with two misdemeanor charges of outraging public decency.
The jail term and fines would have been deferred in the latter option, with the condition that the judge retire from the bench within 30 days of charges being filed.
Esser defended the preparation of the affidavits and noted that the plea offer in return for retirement was not unlike one supposedly offered to former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson, who was convicted of four counts of indecent exposure in June 2006.
Wohlgemuth said state law gives that kind of discretion to the Oklahoma Council on the Judiciary, not prosecutors.
The defense attorneys also criticized an April phone call from Esser's office to Harris' judicial chambers. Esser said his office was confused about who was representing Harris, so he called to find out the name of Harris' attorney, then Robert Butler.
The defense attorneys claimed that the phone call violated the state's professional rules of conduct.
Tulsa Judge Harris Fighting Back
The felony case against a Tulsa judge heats up. Judge Jesse Harris is fighting back after charges of indecent exposure were filed. He's going after the Washington County District Attorney assigned to his case, asking that the prosecutor be disqualified.
Judge Jesse Harris accuses Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser of intentional misconduct. He filed this motion on Monday to have him removed from the case.
In the filing, Harris claims he has evidence of intentional misconduct and that the DA filed criminal charges against him only after he refused to resign. Harris points to an April 11th and April 18th meeting he had with Esser and others.
The first was several weeks before charges were filed claiming Judge Harris fondled himself in front of an ex-girlfriend and one of her friends.
In the motion, Judge Harris claims if he didn't resign promptly, Esser told him "the press would get a hold of this."
Harris says District Attorney Esser followed through on that threat and provided the Tulsa World with confidential police reports relating to the incident before the charges were filed April 24th.
In the filing, Harris also claims police released a graphic affidavit to the paper to embarrass him as payback for not stepping down.
In the meantime, Judge Harris is no longer presiding over felony cases since he faces two felony counts himself.
Judge Jesse Harris accuses Washington County District Attorney Rick Esser of intentional misconduct. He filed this motion on Monday to have him removed from the case.
In the filing, Harris claims he has evidence of intentional misconduct and that the DA filed criminal charges against him only after he refused to resign. Harris points to an April 11th and April 18th meeting he had with Esser and others.
The first was several weeks before charges were filed claiming Judge Harris fondled himself in front of an ex-girlfriend and one of her friends.
In the motion, Judge Harris claims if he didn't resign promptly, Esser told him "the press would get a hold of this."
Harris says District Attorney Esser followed through on that threat and provided the Tulsa World with confidential police reports relating to the incident before the charges were filed April 24th.
In the filing, Harris also claims police released a graphic affidavit to the paper to embarrass him as payback for not stepping down.
In the meantime, Judge Harris is no longer presiding over felony cases since he faces two felony counts himself.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Officers Shoot developmentally Disabled Man
Authorities say a man was shot in a police shooting in east Baltimore.
It happened about 2:40 a.m. Tuesday in the first block of South Robinson Street, near Baltimore Street.
Police say officers broke up a fight between two men and arrested one of them. According to police spokesman Donny Moses, the man was being patted down by an officer and reached for a gun. That's when, an officer fired several times. Police say the man ran, then collapsed a short distance away and died at the scene.
Nancy Worrell says the man was her son, Bryant. She said her son was developmentally disabled and recently graduated from a special high school. She claims that as police searched him, they choked him. And she says her son was shot in the back after he broke away.
It happened about 2:40 a.m. Tuesday in the first block of South Robinson Street, near Baltimore Street.
Police say officers broke up a fight between two men and arrested one of them. According to police spokesman Donny Moses, the man was being patted down by an officer and reached for a gun. That's when, an officer fired several times. Police say the man ran, then collapsed a short distance away and died at the scene.
Nancy Worrell says the man was her son, Bryant. She said her son was developmentally disabled and recently graduated from a special high school. She claims that as police searched him, they choked him. And she says her son was shot in the back after he broke away.
Officer Stephen Mariani Charged with Using Excessive Force
A Marco Island police officer who helped break up a drunken melee outside a bar in February was charged with battery Tuesday after it was revealed that he struck two of the men he arrested and used pepper spray on them while they were handcuffed in the back of his squad car.
A State Attorney’s Office investigator served a summons to Officer Stephen Mariani on Tuesday, charging him with battery, a first-degree misdemeanor. He wasn’t arrested.
The charge dates back to a fight outside the Off the Hook Comedy Club at Capt. Brien’s, at 599 S. Collier Blvd., during the winter, according to the state attorney’s office.
About 11 p.m. on Feb. 16, Mariani responded to the club at the request of an employee who learned that a group of 24 people with tickets waiting to enter the club had been kicked out of another bar, according to an arrest report from that night.
Mariani told the group that if there was a disturbance, the group would be ejected from the club.
About 15 minutes later, after being asked three times to behave, the members of the group were asked to leave the club and board their chartered bus, reports said. At that time, an off-duty officer, Hector Diaz, responded to the scene to assist Mariani.
Most of the group boarded the bus at the officer’s request.
The two officers then were confronted by four members of the group, identified as Adrian Polanco, 20, of 3625 Poinsettia Ave., No. 1, East Naples; Christopher Raymond Caprari, 21, of 236 Pine Valley Circle, East Naples; Jason Bocardo, 19, of 2584 Ponce De Leon Drive, East Naples; and Anthony Pedro Blanco, 18, of 4613 Lombardy Lane, Marco Island, police reported in February.
When Diaz identified himself as an officer and reached into his pocket to get his badge, Caprari swung and punched him in the arm, reports said.
Bocardo then grabbed Diaz by the neck and put him in a choke hold before the officer fell to the ground, reports said.
Mariani attempted to help but was pushed and punched by Blanco. He was able to handcuff Blanco, but was then pushed by Polanco, police said. At that point several other Marco Island police units, and with the assistance of several citizens, were able to handcuff and arrest the four men.
While being transported from the Marco Island Police Department to the Naples Jail Center, three of the men, who were handcuffed in the back of Mariani’s squad car, were verbally abusive, thrashed about and hit their heads against the vehicle’s interior, Marco Island spokeswoman Lisa Douglass said.
“In an attempt to regain control, the officer stopped the vehicle, got out, and opened the rear door as the subjects attempted to exit,” Douglass said. “He struck two of them. He then used pepper spray to control their violent behavior.”
The next day Mariani reported the encounter in his squad car, which was caught on tape, Douglass said.
“I think what is good ... is that happened on the 16th (of February). On the 17th he came in and said, ‘I didn’t handle myself very well,’ ” Douglass said. “That’s what prompted our administrative review and immediately we turned it over to the state attorney’s office.”
A review of the encounter resulted in Mariani being placed on an administrative suspension, Douglass reported.
Mariani, who earns $50,603 a year, started with the Marco Island Police Department in May 2006 after retiring from a 20-year career as a sergeant with the New York City Police Department.
His arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on July 2 in Collier County court.
“There is a fine line between excessive force and maintaining control,” Douglass said.
A State Attorney’s Office investigator served a summons to Officer Stephen Mariani on Tuesday, charging him with battery, a first-degree misdemeanor. He wasn’t arrested.
The charge dates back to a fight outside the Off the Hook Comedy Club at Capt. Brien’s, at 599 S. Collier Blvd., during the winter, according to the state attorney’s office.
About 11 p.m. on Feb. 16, Mariani responded to the club at the request of an employee who learned that a group of 24 people with tickets waiting to enter the club had been kicked out of another bar, according to an arrest report from that night.
Mariani told the group that if there was a disturbance, the group would be ejected from the club.
About 15 minutes later, after being asked three times to behave, the members of the group were asked to leave the club and board their chartered bus, reports said. At that time, an off-duty officer, Hector Diaz, responded to the scene to assist Mariani.
Most of the group boarded the bus at the officer’s request.
The two officers then were confronted by four members of the group, identified as Adrian Polanco, 20, of 3625 Poinsettia Ave., No. 1, East Naples; Christopher Raymond Caprari, 21, of 236 Pine Valley Circle, East Naples; Jason Bocardo, 19, of 2584 Ponce De Leon Drive, East Naples; and Anthony Pedro Blanco, 18, of 4613 Lombardy Lane, Marco Island, police reported in February.
When Diaz identified himself as an officer and reached into his pocket to get his badge, Caprari swung and punched him in the arm, reports said.
Bocardo then grabbed Diaz by the neck and put him in a choke hold before the officer fell to the ground, reports said.
Mariani attempted to help but was pushed and punched by Blanco. He was able to handcuff Blanco, but was then pushed by Polanco, police said. At that point several other Marco Island police units, and with the assistance of several citizens, were able to handcuff and arrest the four men.
While being transported from the Marco Island Police Department to the Naples Jail Center, three of the men, who were handcuffed in the back of Mariani’s squad car, were verbally abusive, thrashed about and hit their heads against the vehicle’s interior, Marco Island spokeswoman Lisa Douglass said.
“In an attempt to regain control, the officer stopped the vehicle, got out, and opened the rear door as the subjects attempted to exit,” Douglass said. “He struck two of them. He then used pepper spray to control their violent behavior.”
The next day Mariani reported the encounter in his squad car, which was caught on tape, Douglass said.
“I think what is good ... is that happened on the 16th (of February). On the 17th he came in and said, ‘I didn’t handle myself very well,’ ” Douglass said. “That’s what prompted our administrative review and immediately we turned it over to the state attorney’s office.”
A review of the encounter resulted in Mariani being placed on an administrative suspension, Douglass reported.
Mariani, who earns $50,603 a year, started with the Marco Island Police Department in May 2006 after retiring from a 20-year career as a sergeant with the New York City Police Department.
His arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on July 2 in Collier County court.
“There is a fine line between excessive force and maintaining control,” Douglass said.
Three Indianapolis Officers Face Federal Charges
Three Indianapolis police officers face federal charges of drug trafficking for what prosecutors say was a conspiracy that involved raids on a house and an apartment, and the theft of money and several pounds of marijuana.
An indictment unsealed Tuesday names police officers Robert B. Long, Jason P. Edwards and James Davis. It describes Long as a narcotics detective and the leader of a conspiracy this spring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.
All three officers have been arrested by the FBI. It was not immediately known whether they had defense attorneys.
The indictment said the officers talked in code by telephone and that Long tipped a fourth defendant named in the indictment, Kabec Higgins, about police plans to search his business, Ear Candy Music.
Long also seized a FedEx parcel containing up to 13 pounds of marijuana, the indictment states. It said 8 pounds were removed and sold for $4,000. Long then turned in nearly 5 pounds from the parcel to a police narcotics vault to cover up the missing portion, the indictment said.
The court document also says Long and Davis entered an apartment looking for marijuana and that the three officers took 5 pounds of the drug and $18,300 from a home during a June 4 break-in.
After that break-in, Davis wiped the interior door handle and lock with his gloves in an attempt to clean off any fingerprints, the indictment states.
It also said that Long and Davis illegally seized $20,000 from a person they thought was selling marijuana in March. Davis also is accused of illegally stopping cars to seize money.
The three officers face counts alleging drug trafficking and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Federal prosecutors have scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference to discuss the case.
An indictment unsealed Tuesday names police officers Robert B. Long, Jason P. Edwards and James Davis. It describes Long as a narcotics detective and the leader of a conspiracy this spring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute.
All three officers have been arrested by the FBI. It was not immediately known whether they had defense attorneys.
The indictment said the officers talked in code by telephone and that Long tipped a fourth defendant named in the indictment, Kabec Higgins, about police plans to search his business, Ear Candy Music.
Long also seized a FedEx parcel containing up to 13 pounds of marijuana, the indictment states. It said 8 pounds were removed and sold for $4,000. Long then turned in nearly 5 pounds from the parcel to a police narcotics vault to cover up the missing portion, the indictment said.
The court document also says Long and Davis entered an apartment looking for marijuana and that the three officers took 5 pounds of the drug and $18,300 from a home during a June 4 break-in.
After that break-in, Davis wiped the interior door handle and lock with his gloves in an attempt to clean off any fingerprints, the indictment states.
It also said that Long and Davis illegally seized $20,000 from a person they thought was selling marijuana in March. Davis also is accused of illegally stopping cars to seize money.
The three officers face counts alleging drug trafficking and possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Federal prosecutors have scheduled a Tuesday afternoon news conference to discuss the case.
Officer Charged with Repeatedly Sexually Abuse
A University of Maryland Eastern Shore police officer is behind bars after being charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl.
Maryland State Police said Naham Perry, 41, of Princess Anne was charged with the sexual abuse of a minor, third- and fourth-degree sexual abuse, solicitation of a minor and second-degree assault.
Authorities said the alleged abuse spanned the past 18 months to two years.
Perry has been released on bond and has been placed by the university on unpaid leave.
Perry resigned from the Cambridge Police in 2002 and was charged in 2003 with misconduct in office and sex offenses for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old while on duty at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School. A trial ended in a hung jury.
Maryland State Police said Naham Perry, 41, of Princess Anne was charged with the sexual abuse of a minor, third- and fourth-degree sexual abuse, solicitation of a minor and second-degree assault.
Authorities said the alleged abuse spanned the past 18 months to two years.
Perry has been released on bond and has been placed by the university on unpaid leave.
Perry resigned from the Cambridge Police in 2002 and was charged in 2003 with misconduct in office and sex offenses for allegedly having sex with a 15-year-old while on duty at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School. A trial ended in a hung jury.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Kris Ledford on Suicide Watch
A Muskogee crime scene investigator has been jailed after police seized dozens of guns from his home.
Muskogee Police Chief Rex Eskridge says 30-year-old Kris Ledford is being held without bond at an undisclosed location until his first court appearance Monday. Eskridge says Ledford is being kept away from other prisoners and he is on suicide watch.
Police are working to determine the origin of the 60 to 70 guns that were found at Ledford's home in Broken Arrow.
Deputy Police Chief Johnny Teehee says investigators are trying to find out whether the guns, police scanners and silencers were embezzled from the police department.
Ledford was arrested Thursday on a warrant for a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a Tulsa police officer.
Muskogee Police Chief Rex Eskridge says 30-year-old Kris Ledford is being held without bond at an undisclosed location until his first court appearance Monday. Eskridge says Ledford is being kept away from other prisoners and he is on suicide watch.
Police are working to determine the origin of the 60 to 70 guns that were found at Ledford's home in Broken Arrow.
Deputy Police Chief Johnny Teehee says investigators are trying to find out whether the guns, police scanners and silencers were embezzled from the police department.
Ledford was arrested Thursday on a warrant for a misdemeanor charge of impersonating a Tulsa police officer.
Former Sheriff Arrested For DUI
OKLAHOMA
A former Delaware County Sheriff is in trouble again.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers say Lenden Woodruff has been arrested for driving under the influence, carrying a firearm under the influence, transporting an open container of beer and not wearing a seat belt.
Woodruff resigned in 2004 after being arrested on similar charges.
Woodruff later pleaded guilty to DUI and carrying an open container.
A former Delaware County Sheriff is in trouble again.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers say Lenden Woodruff has been arrested for driving under the influence, carrying a firearm under the influence, transporting an open container of beer and not wearing a seat belt.
Woodruff resigned in 2004 after being arrested on similar charges.
Woodruff later pleaded guilty to DUI and carrying an open container.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Officer Alejandro Jamie Drives Drunk and Crashes Motorcycle
MANCHESTER, NH
An off-duty police officer faces drunken-driving charges after a crash in Manchester late Thursday.
Manchester police responded to a collision involving a car and a motorcycle on Tarrytown Road near Hanover Street at about 9 p.m.
Police said Officer Alejandro Jaime, 36, of Hooksett, rear-ended the motorcycle, which was driven by James McLaughlin, 30, of Manchester.
McLaughlin's wife, Taylor, 31, was a passenger on the motorcycle. Both were thrown from the bike and suffered injuries that were not deemed by police as serious. An ambulance transported the couple to Elliot Hospital and they were later released.
Taylor McLaughlin said she and her husband suffered injuries to their backs, along with scrapes and bruises.
Manchester police said Jaime, who was not injured, identified himself as an off-duty Bedford police officer. Upon conducting a field sobriety test, police said they determined Jaime was impaired.
Police charged Jaime with operating under the influence, saying he has cooperated in their continuing investigation.
An off-duty police officer faces drunken-driving charges after a crash in Manchester late Thursday.
Manchester police responded to a collision involving a car and a motorcycle on Tarrytown Road near Hanover Street at about 9 p.m.
Police said Officer Alejandro Jaime, 36, of Hooksett, rear-ended the motorcycle, which was driven by James McLaughlin, 30, of Manchester.
McLaughlin's wife, Taylor, 31, was a passenger on the motorcycle. Both were thrown from the bike and suffered injuries that were not deemed by police as serious. An ambulance transported the couple to Elliot Hospital and they were later released.
Taylor McLaughlin said she and her husband suffered injuries to their backs, along with scrapes and bruises.
Manchester police said Jaime, who was not injured, identified himself as an off-duty Bedford police officer. Upon conducting a field sobriety test, police said they determined Jaime was impaired.
Police charged Jaime with operating under the influence, saying he has cooperated in their continuing investigation.
Second Arrest for Officer
Albany, NY
A city police officer has been arrested for the second time in two months in connection with a domestic incident.
Officer John Lewis was suspended Friday without pay for 30 days and arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection, which was issued after he was charged with pushing his wife in April.
Lewis turned himself in to authorities and was arraigned late Thursday in City Court on one count of second-degree criminal contempt and was released on $500 bail, according to Lt. Brian Kilcullen, a city police spokesman.
He said Lewis, a 15-year veteran, had a phone conversation with his wife earlier this week. That violated the order of protection. Lewis was previously arrested and charged with harassment, a violation, on April 29 following a physical altercation with his wife over custody of their young son.
Police said Lewis shoved the woman, resulting in his original arrest. The officer was released without bail, but was quickly off duty for 30 days.
In 1998, Lewis was fired by then-Mayor Albert P. Jurczynski for using a racial slur in the presence of three people, including a black YWCA counselor working at the Police Department. Lewis was later reinstated after an arbitrator ruled he was fired without sufficient cause.
A city police officer has been arrested for the second time in two months in connection with a domestic incident.
Officer John Lewis was suspended Friday without pay for 30 days and arrested for allegedly violating an order of protection, which was issued after he was charged with pushing his wife in April.
Lewis turned himself in to authorities and was arraigned late Thursday in City Court on one count of second-degree criminal contempt and was released on $500 bail, according to Lt. Brian Kilcullen, a city police spokesman.
He said Lewis, a 15-year veteran, had a phone conversation with his wife earlier this week. That violated the order of protection. Lewis was previously arrested and charged with harassment, a violation, on April 29 following a physical altercation with his wife over custody of their young son.
Police said Lewis shoved the woman, resulting in his original arrest. The officer was released without bail, but was quickly off duty for 30 days.
In 1998, Lewis was fired by then-Mayor Albert P. Jurczynski for using a racial slur in the presence of three people, including a black YWCA counselor working at the Police Department. Lewis was later reinstated after an arbitrator ruled he was fired without sufficient cause.
Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Arrested
A veteran Fort Lauderdale police officer found himself on the other side of the law Friday.
According to the South Florida Times, Officer Robert Merkel has been charged with falsifying a police report.
Specific reasons surrounding Merkel's arrest are unclear.
But sources close to the investigation revealed Officer Merkel did not properly report some cash he seized from a suspect.
According to the South Florida Times, Officer Robert Merkel has been charged with falsifying a police report.
Specific reasons surrounding Merkel's arrest are unclear.
But sources close to the investigation revealed Officer Merkel did not properly report some cash he seized from a suspect.
Officer Thomas Clark Accused of Stealing Marijuana
Idaho Falls, ID
A man who worked as both a Gillette police officer and Campbell County Sheriff’s Office jailer has been bound over to District Court on felony drug charges after waiving his preliminary hearing Tuesday in Circuit Court.
Thomas Brent Clark, 23, has been charged with delivering marijuana and conspiracy to deliver marijuana. He was arrested March 31 in Lyman, a town between Rock Springs and Evanston.
Clark is accused of stealing about 1 pound of marijuana from his father’s patrol car in February, then bringing the drugs back to Gillette. His father, a canine officer for the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office, kept marijuana in his patrol car for “training purposes,” according to court documents.
The Police Department hired Clark in January. His last day was March 17, police Lt. Rod Hauge said.
Hauge said he wasn’t allowed to say whether Clark quit or was fired. But according to court documents, Clark told his neighbor he had been “terminated.”
Hauge declined to say whether Clark had been investigated internally, though he stressed that Clark “did not leave because of those charges.”
“I don’t think anybody knew of the charges when he left,” Hauge said. “We didn’t know about that incident at the time.”
He said Clark had passed a pre-employment drug test and a mental exam.
“It’s an unfortunate thing that happened,” Hauge said.
Clark allegedly stole the marijuana in Lyman sometime between Feb. 15-29, according to court documents.
The marijuana was stored in a mesh container inside a lockbox. Clark told investigators he hid the drugs in an abandoned vehicle near his parents’ home before driving back to Gillette.
Once he returned, Clark allegedly gave several ounces of marijuana to Sarah Holcomb, a Gillette woman now serving a prison sentence in the state women’s penitentiary, according to court documents.
The two met while Clark worked as a jailer for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. It wasn’t clear whether Holcomb was an inmate when the two met.
Later on, they began chatting on MySpace when Holcomb was on probation, according to court documents. Over time the two began hanging out, Holcomb told investigators.
When Clark told her about the marijuana stashed in his father’s patrol car, she said, “You should grab it,” the court affidavit quoted her as saying.
Clark told investigators he called Holcomb just before he allegedly stole the marijuana and told her what he was about to do. Several days later, he showed up at her workplace, the Gurley Avenue Kwik Shop in Gillette, and gave her 2 ounces of marijuana, according to the affidavit.
The two got high together several times in February while Clark was working for the Police Department. Holcomb told investigators Clark was “not used to smoking marijuana” and that she had to “show him how to do it,” according to the affidavit.
Eric Seeman, an investigator for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, wrote that Clark didn’t appear to know a lot about marijuana. Clark described the amount he gave to Holcomb as “filling about four inches of the bottom of a one gallon plastic bag,” according to the affidavit. The drug is generally measured in grams, ounces or pounds.
Clark was still in field training when he allegedly was fired from the Police Department. He had been issued a temporary certificate to work as a police officer but hadn’t been through the police academy yet, Hauge said. An officer must undergo 16 to 18 months of field training and complete the 13-week academy before being certified.
Before joining the Police Department, Clark was a detention officer for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. He was hired March 5, 2007, and resigned Jan. 2, Undersheriff Scott Matheny said.
Clark was released from jail after posting a $3,500 bond on Tuesday. An arraignment date hasn’t been set. Campbell County Sheriff’s Lt. Terry Cheirs said Clark had been jailed in Johnson County. He would have been a security risk if he had been jailed in Gillette, Cheirs said.
A man who worked as both a Gillette police officer and Campbell County Sheriff’s Office jailer has been bound over to District Court on felony drug charges after waiving his preliminary hearing Tuesday in Circuit Court.
Thomas Brent Clark, 23, has been charged with delivering marijuana and conspiracy to deliver marijuana. He was arrested March 31 in Lyman, a town between Rock Springs and Evanston.
Clark is accused of stealing about 1 pound of marijuana from his father’s patrol car in February, then bringing the drugs back to Gillette. His father, a canine officer for the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office, kept marijuana in his patrol car for “training purposes,” according to court documents.
The Police Department hired Clark in January. His last day was March 17, police Lt. Rod Hauge said.
Hauge said he wasn’t allowed to say whether Clark quit or was fired. But according to court documents, Clark told his neighbor he had been “terminated.”
Hauge declined to say whether Clark had been investigated internally, though he stressed that Clark “did not leave because of those charges.”
“I don’t think anybody knew of the charges when he left,” Hauge said. “We didn’t know about that incident at the time.”
He said Clark had passed a pre-employment drug test and a mental exam.
“It’s an unfortunate thing that happened,” Hauge said.
Clark allegedly stole the marijuana in Lyman sometime between Feb. 15-29, according to court documents.
The marijuana was stored in a mesh container inside a lockbox. Clark told investigators he hid the drugs in an abandoned vehicle near his parents’ home before driving back to Gillette.
Once he returned, Clark allegedly gave several ounces of marijuana to Sarah Holcomb, a Gillette woman now serving a prison sentence in the state women’s penitentiary, according to court documents.
The two met while Clark worked as a jailer for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. It wasn’t clear whether Holcomb was an inmate when the two met.
Later on, they began chatting on MySpace when Holcomb was on probation, according to court documents. Over time the two began hanging out, Holcomb told investigators.
When Clark told her about the marijuana stashed in his father’s patrol car, she said, “You should grab it,” the court affidavit quoted her as saying.
Clark told investigators he called Holcomb just before he allegedly stole the marijuana and told her what he was about to do. Several days later, he showed up at her workplace, the Gurley Avenue Kwik Shop in Gillette, and gave her 2 ounces of marijuana, according to the affidavit.
The two got high together several times in February while Clark was working for the Police Department. Holcomb told investigators Clark was “not used to smoking marijuana” and that she had to “show him how to do it,” according to the affidavit.
Eric Seeman, an investigator for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, wrote that Clark didn’t appear to know a lot about marijuana. Clark described the amount he gave to Holcomb as “filling about four inches of the bottom of a one gallon plastic bag,” according to the affidavit. The drug is generally measured in grams, ounces or pounds.
Clark was still in field training when he allegedly was fired from the Police Department. He had been issued a temporary certificate to work as a police officer but hadn’t been through the police academy yet, Hauge said. An officer must undergo 16 to 18 months of field training and complete the 13-week academy before being certified.
Before joining the Police Department, Clark was a detention officer for the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office. He was hired March 5, 2007, and resigned Jan. 2, Undersheriff Scott Matheny said.
Clark was released from jail after posting a $3,500 bond on Tuesday. An arraignment date hasn’t been set. Campbell County Sheriff’s Lt. Terry Cheirs said Clark had been jailed in Johnson County. He would have been a security risk if he had been jailed in Gillette, Cheirs said.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Woman awarded $7.7 million for false arrest
A woman who helped a Chicago police officer from a wrecked squad car and was later accused of stealing a weapon has been awarded $7.7 million by a federal jury for false arrest.
In November 2002, a car ran a stop sign in Rachelle Jackson's neighborhood, slamming into a squad car. According to her attorney, Jackson, who was walking nearby, found the officer behind the wheel unconscious and the passenger, Officer Kelly Brogan, dazed.
She pulled Brogan from the wreckage. Soon after, police approached Jackson and told her that the driver's weapon had been stolen.
Jackson was accused of the theft. She was charged and spent more than 10 months in the Cook County Jail awaiting trial. Her case was later thrown out by a judge and Jackson sued the city of Chicago.
Defense attorney Andrew Hale said the amount the jury awarded Jackson was "excessive."
In November 2002, a car ran a stop sign in Rachelle Jackson's neighborhood, slamming into a squad car. According to her attorney, Jackson, who was walking nearby, found the officer behind the wheel unconscious and the passenger, Officer Kelly Brogan, dazed.
She pulled Brogan from the wreckage. Soon after, police approached Jackson and told her that the driver's weapon had been stolen.
Jackson was accused of the theft. She was charged and spent more than 10 months in the Cook County Jail awaiting trial. Her case was later thrown out by a judge and Jackson sued the city of Chicago.
Defense attorney Andrew Hale said the amount the jury awarded Jackson was "excessive."
Five Officers accused of Jail Beatings
Lexington,KY
Four Fayette County jail officers and one former officer have been indicted on charges they beat inmates and then conspired to cover it up by writing bogus reports and threatening others not to report the incidents.
Those named in the federal indictment released Thursday are Sgt. John McQueen, Cpl. Clarence McCoy, former Cpl. Scott Tyree, Sgt. Anthony Estep and Lt. Kristine Lafoe. The first count of the indictment alleges that "the five defendants conspired with each other and with other unindicted individuals to assault inmates without justification, and to cover up their conduct by filing false reports and charges."
The remaining charges are as follows: McQueen is charged with two counts of using excessive and unnecessary force on inmates, one count of falsifying reports and one count of attempting to obstruct justice in order to cover up the assaults; McCoy and Tyree are charged with one count of assaulting an inmate and one count of falsifying reports to conceal the assault; and Estep is charged with one count of obstruction of justice for filing false charges against an inmate who attempted to report the abuse of an inmate.
None of the officers could be reached for comment Thursday.
Mayor Jim Newberry released a statement Thursday night, saying the city has "implemented various measures to help ensure a safe and secure facility for both our employees and the inmates." Newberry also addressed the indictments at Thursday's Urban County Council meeting.
He said the city installed video cameras in 2007 in the intake area, one site of alleged criminal activity, and "have completely restructured staff in intake."
"We have been aware of the ongoing investigation at the jail and will continue to fully cooperate," Newberry said in the statement.
He said the employees will be suspended with pay, effective immediately, pending further investigation.
All but Tyree still work at the jail, city officials said. Tyree works at the Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, but also will be suspended with pay, said Shaye Rabold, Newberry's chief of staff.
The indictments, filed in U.S. District Court in Covington, were not a surprise.
The jail has been under investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice for at least 20 months. Federal officers executed a search warrant at the jail in September 2006, before Newberry's election that November.
Shortly after the FBI confirmed that there was an investigation at the Fayette County Detention Center, John Vest, an officer at the jail, came forward and said he had been working with the FBI but declined to discuss specifics. Vest was running for public office at the time.
Several former inmates have sued the jail in state and federal court alleging brutality at the hand of officers.
The indictment says that the third shift officers engaged in a conspiracy to assault and then cover-up brutality at the jail.
Between January 2006 to October 2006, the five engaged in a conspiracy to "assault, injure, inflict pain upon and otherwise physically punish" detainees at the jail and then justify the use of force by writing false and misleading incident reports that would say that the detainee attacked a jail officer, provoking the use of force, the indictment alleges.
The indictment says that the five used a "code" language to describe the use of force that made the incidents sound justifiable. Third-shift supervisors in intake would review the incident reports and make sure that officers were using the appropriate "code" language.
The indictment lists incidents involving six different inmates. The inmates are only listed by their initials. But court documents and documents obtained by the Herald-Leader through a public records request show that one of the inmates -- S.H. -- Is Scott Howe, who sued the jail in July 2007.
According to Howe's lawsuit and the indictment, McQueen reportedly slammed Howe's head into a counter in the intake area on June 17, 2006, even though Howe was handcuffed and not resisting. According to the indictment, Estep and Tyree watched and failed to report it.
McQueen then instructed Estep not to write an incident report about his assault on Howe, the indictment alleges. The Herald-Leader asked for all incident reports regarding use of force in the intake area from October 2005 to December 2006; there was no report on Howe.
In another incident, McCoy and Tyree planned to assault another detainee -- B.M. -- to retaliate against B.M. for taking a sack lunch out of the intake area. Before the alleged assault on B.M., defendants McCoy and Tyree agreed that they would falsely claim that B.M. turned on McCoy. The two officers than assaulted B.M., the indictment alleges.
Lafoe, the indictment alleges, knew that officers were using unnecessary force and failed to intervene. The indictment also says that Lafoe "instructed officers known to the grand jury that if they were going to use unjustified physical force on detainees, they should do so outside the view of any fixed or hand-held video cameras."
The indictment also alleges that jail officers retaliated against an inmate who tried to report an assault using his cell phone. The officers allegedly filed a false report against the inmate.
It is unclear whether the investigation into wrongdoing at the jail is ongoing.
The remaining charges are as follows: McQueen is charged with two counts of using excessive and unnecessary force on inmates, one count of falsifying reports and one count of attempting to obstruct justice in order to cover up the assaults; McCoy and Tyree are charged with one count of assaulting an inmate and one count of falsifying reports to conceal the assault; and Estep is charged with one count of obstruction of justice for filing false charges against an inmate who attempted to report the abuse of an inmate.
None of the officers could be reached for comment Thursday.
Mayor Jim Newberry released a statement Thursday night, saying the city has "implemented various measures to help ensure a safe and secure facility for both our employees and the inmates." Newberry also addressed the indictments at Thursday's Urban County Council meeting.
He said the city installed video cameras in 2007 in the intake area, one site of alleged criminal activity, and "have completely restructured staff in intake."
"We have been aware of the ongoing investigation at the jail and will continue to fully cooperate," Newberry said in the statement.
He said the employees will be suspended with pay, effective immediately, pending further investigation.
All but Tyree still work at the jail, city officials said. Tyree works at the Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, but also will be suspended with pay, said Shaye Rabold, Newberry's chief of staff.
The indictments, filed in U.S. District Court in Covington, were not a surprise.
The jail has been under investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice for at least 20 months. Federal officers executed a search warrant at the jail in September 2006, before Newberry's election that November.
Shortly after the FBI confirmed that there was an investigation at the Fayette County Detention Center, John Vest, an officer at the jail, came forward and said he had been working with the FBI but declined to discuss specifics. Vest was running for public office at the time.
Several former inmates have sued the jail in state and federal court alleging brutality at the hand of officers.
The indictment says that the third shift officers engaged in a conspiracy to assault and then cover-up brutality at the jail.
Between January 2006 to October 2006, the five engaged in a conspiracy to "assault, injure, inflict pain upon and otherwise physically punish" detainees at the jail and then justify the use of force by writing false and misleading incident reports that would say that the detainee attacked a jail officer, provoking the use of force, the indictment alleges.
The indictment says that the five used a "code" language to describe the use of force that made the incidents sound justifiable. Third-shift supervisors in intake would review the incident reports and make sure that officers were using the appropriate "code" language.
The indictment lists incidents involving six different inmates. The inmates are only listed by their initials. But court documents and documents obtained by the Herald-Leader through a public records request show that one of the inmates -- S.H. -- Is Scott Howe, who sued the jail in July 2007.
According to Howe's lawsuit and the indictment, McQueen reportedly slammed Howe's head into a counter in the intake area on June 17, 2006, even though Howe was handcuffed and not resisting. According to the indictment, Estep and Tyree watched and failed to report it.
McQueen then instructed Estep not to write an incident report about his assault on Howe, the indictment alleges. The Herald-Leader asked for all incident reports regarding use of force in the intake area from October 2005 to December 2006; there was no report on Howe.
In another incident, McCoy and Tyree planned to assault another detainee -- B.M. -- to retaliate against B.M. for taking a sack lunch out of the intake area. Before the alleged assault on B.M., defendants McCoy and Tyree agreed that they would falsely claim that B.M. turned on McCoy. The two officers than assaulted B.M., the indictment alleges.
Lafoe, the indictment alleges, knew that officers were using unnecessary force and failed to intervene. The indictment also says that Lafoe "instructed officers known to the grand jury that if they were going to use unjustified physical force on detainees, they should do so outside the view of any fixed or hand-held video cameras."
The indictment also alleges that jail officers retaliated against an inmate who tried to report an assault using his cell phone. The officers allegedly filed a false report against the inmate.
It is unclear whether the investigation into wrongdoing at the jail is ongoing.
Schenectady cop accused of violating wife's order of protection
Schenectady, NY
The Schenectady police officer accused last month of grabbing and pushing his wife has been arrested again, accused this time of violating an order of protection by repeatedly calling her.
John W. Lewis is accused of repeatedly contacting his estranged wife late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Lewis allegedly called her at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and said he wanted to come to her place of employment, then called her on her cell and business phones around 1:30 a.m. and finally drove past a tavern she was visiting after work.
“Apparently, it was a pretty innocuous conversation,” police spokesman Lt. Brian Kilcullen said, “but any contact is a violation of the order.”
Lewis turned himself in Thursday evening and was charged with second-degree criminal contempt, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned and released on $500 bail. He was also suspended again, without pay.
He spent 30 days suspended without pay last month after the initial incident, which resulted in a second-degree harassment charge. Lewis returned to the payroll two weeks ago, but not to work.
In the original case, Lewis is accused of grabbing and pushing his wife on Plymouth Avenue during a dispute over their child, according to papers filed in court.
The Schenectady police officer accused last month of grabbing and pushing his wife has been arrested again, accused this time of violating an order of protection by repeatedly calling her.
John W. Lewis is accused of repeatedly contacting his estranged wife late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Lewis allegedly called her at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and said he wanted to come to her place of employment, then called her on her cell and business phones around 1:30 a.m. and finally drove past a tavern she was visiting after work.
“Apparently, it was a pretty innocuous conversation,” police spokesman Lt. Brian Kilcullen said, “but any contact is a violation of the order.”
Lewis turned himself in Thursday evening and was charged with second-degree criminal contempt, a misdemeanor. He was arraigned and released on $500 bail. He was also suspended again, without pay.
He spent 30 days suspended without pay last month after the initial incident, which resulted in a second-degree harassment charge. Lewis returned to the payroll two weeks ago, but not to work.
In the original case, Lewis is accused of grabbing and pushing his wife on Plymouth Avenue during a dispute over their child, according to papers filed in court.
Atlanta Police Officer Accused Of Sexual Assault
Atlanta,GA
Atlanta police officer Wayne Longe is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he’d arrested for public drunkenness. The Fulton County Grand Jury indicted him Friday afternoon.
The case has been going on for four years -- ever since a woman claimed Longe arrested her for public drunkenness, drove her to a nearby park and raped her.
Longe's attorney said that sex did happen but that it was consensual.
The grand jury did not indict Longe on rape charges but it did indict him on charges of sexual assault on a person in custody and violation of oath of office.
Longe's attorney, Jackie Patterson, told WSB-TV Channel 2 his client would be found innocent. "We will certainly assert that sex did occur, there's no dispute on that. But she was not in custody and obviously it was not rape because he was not indicted on that charge," said Patterson.
The Atlanta Police Department released a statement that said, "The Atlanta Police Department is in full cooperation with the District Attorney's Office. We do not condone any behavior associated with these allegations. These allegations are against everything our department stands for and will be dealt with swiftly and appropriately."
Longe is currently on administrative leave. He was being held in the Fulton County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Animal Control Officer Accused of Killing Animals
LACKAWANNA, N.Y
A Lackawanna animal control officer is accused of killing at least three animals.
The SPCA's Executive Director makes it her mission to help protect helpless animals. So she finds it appalling that anyone would abuse or kill an animal.
Barbara Carr, SPCA: "I don't ever want to have to arrest another animal control officer. It is disgusting."
Barbara Carr tells us an animal cruelty investigator began looking into the actions of Fred Grasso after receiving anonymous tips from people who live in this Lackawanna neighborhood.
Tricia Cruz: "The animal control officer in this case was apparently responding to a complaint from the landlord at the apartment complex. Cats were getting into the basement."
One woman who lives in the complex tells us a cat had recently given birth to seven kittens. She urged the landlord to call animal control services so someone could help find them a home. Some of them were relocated. But the mother cat and two of her kittens were shot and killed instead.
Barbara Carr, SPCA: "This is the second animal control officer we've had to arrest in six months. Is really a sad state of affairs."
A Lackawanna animal control officer is accused of killing at least three animals.
The SPCA's Executive Director makes it her mission to help protect helpless animals. So she finds it appalling that anyone would abuse or kill an animal.
Barbara Carr, SPCA: "I don't ever want to have to arrest another animal control officer. It is disgusting."
Barbara Carr tells us an animal cruelty investigator began looking into the actions of Fred Grasso after receiving anonymous tips from people who live in this Lackawanna neighborhood.
Tricia Cruz: "The animal control officer in this case was apparently responding to a complaint from the landlord at the apartment complex. Cats were getting into the basement."
One woman who lives in the complex tells us a cat had recently given birth to seven kittens. She urged the landlord to call animal control services so someone could help find them a home. Some of them were relocated. But the mother cat and two of her kittens were shot and killed instead.
Barbara Carr, SPCA: "This is the second animal control officer we've had to arrest in six months. Is really a sad state of affairs."
Lexington Police Officer Arrested For DUI
Lexington,KY
There's more trouble for a former Lexington Police officer who was fired because of comments he made on his MySpace page.
A former Lexington police officer pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of DUI and carrying a concealed weapon — the same charges for which he arrested country singer John Michael Montgomery in 2006.
Police arrested Joshua Cromer about 1 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of the Shillito Park Luxury Apartments complex at 3500 Beaver Place Road after he blocked a vehicle driven by a possible car thief from leaving the scene of a hit-and-run. Cromer also ran afoul of police nearly two years ago after a similar incident at the same apartments while suspended from the force.
Officers early Friday morning found Cromer blocking a vehicle’s path with his SUV. The occupants of the other vehicle had fled on foot, Lt. Dwayne Holman said.
When the officers talked to Cromer, “they realized he was impaired” and performed sobriety tests that Cromer failed, Holman said. His blood-alcohol level was measured at .147, according to the report. The legal limit for driving in Kentucky is .08.
Officers searched Cromer’s Nissan Pathfinder and found a handgun under a bulletproof vest in the front seat, according to the police report. Cromer did not have a concealed carry permit for the gun.
It appears from the report, Holman said, that Cromer “took some affirmative action to stop one of the vehicles from leaving” the parking lot.
Private citizens can make citizens’ arrests, but “we would obviously prefer those people become good witnesses,” Holman said.
In August 2006, while suspended from the department, Cromer detained an individual who was sleeping in his car at the apartment complex. After another officer arrested the man for alcohol intoxication, Cromer searched the man’s vehicle. As part of his suspension, Cromer was stripped of his powers to arrest and perform other law enforcement duties, so detaining the man and then searching his vehicle violated his suspension, according to charges brought against him by police officials.
On Friday afternoon, a Shillito Park Apartments property manager declined to discuss Cromer’s arrest, but did say he is employed by the apartments. She declined to discuss his duties.
Cromer bonded out of the Fayette County jail Friday morning after posting a $2,700 bond.
He declined comment and referred questions to defense attorney Fred Peters, who entered a not-guilty plea on Cromer’s behalf during an arraignment Friday afternoon in Fayette District Court.
Peters said it “doesn’t seem fair” that Cromer was charged when he was trying to prevent a car thief from leaving the scene of an accident. Peters said he doesn’t think the gun in Cromer’s vehicle was concealed.
Cromer was asleep inside his apartment when he heard a thud in the parking lot, Peters said. He went outside and realized a driver had hit another vehicle and was trying to escape. He got in his vehicle and tried to stop it from leaving, Peters said. A neighbor later told Cromer that the vehicle was stolen.
Cromer is scheduled to return to court at 10 a.m. July 2.
Cromer arrested Montgomery in 2006 after the performer left the Austin City Saloon and ran a red light. During the traffic stop, two guns were found in Montgomery’s Dodge pickup. He was charged with two counts of having a concealed deadly weapon, DUI and possession of a controlled drug. Montgomery, of Jessamine County, eventually entered an Alford plea to a drunken-driving charge, which means he did not admit guilt but acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him.
On Cromer’s MySpace.com page, some of the postings congratulated Cromer on the high-profile arrest. One officer posted an altered photograph of Montgomery and a fan, in which Cromer’s face had been substituted for the head of the fan.
The Urban County Council unanimously approved Cromer’s firing, citing misconduct, inefficiency, insubordination and conduct unbecoming a police officer. Cromer filed a lawsuit against the city seeking reinstatement and back pay. Cromer’s attorney, Shane Sidebottom, argued that Cromer’s firing was arbitrary and unjustified.
Fayette Circuit Judge Thomas Clark ruled in March 2008 that the city was justified in firing Cromer.
Muskogee Officer Arrested for Stealing Weapons
Muskogee, Oklahoma
Muskogee Police Officer Kris Ledford is accused of impersonating a Tulsa Police Officer. Muskogee Officer Brad Holt said that an arrest warrant has been issued for Ledford. Holt said Officer Kris Ledford was placed on administrative leave by the Muskogee Police Department on May 28th.
On Friday, the Muskogee Police Department's Special Investigations Unit, with assistance from ATF, Broken Arrow Police Department and the Wagoner County DA Task Force, executed a search warrant at Ledford's Broken Arrow home.
The search warrant executed is in regard to missing weapons from the Muskogee Police Department's Evidence Room.
Officer Ledford was arrested at his home and has been transported to an undisclosed detention facility pending court proceedings on Monday. He was arrested on probable cause for multiple counts of Embezzlement by Trustee.
Officer Kris Ledford was taken into custody after a search of his home.
Top Ten Misconceptions About Police Officers
This Information Has Been Derived from a Federal Report on The State of Law Enforcement in the United States
1) Being a cop is a dangerous job.
False: Being a cop is not even on the list of the top 15 most dangerous jobs in America. Being a cab driver is 50 times more dangerous than being a cop.
2) Cops in the U.S are highly trained.
False: Cops in the U.S. only receive 9 to 12 weeks of training, sometimes a lot less, one of the lowest in the industrialized world. Cops in most other countries receive at least 104 weeks of training, (two years) and usually require an education.
3) Cops are chosen because of their superior decision making skills.
False: A report by the federal government states that over 90% of cops on duty in the U.S. barely passed high school or received a GED.
4) Cops are morally superior to regular citizens.
False: Out of 750,000 cops in the U.S. over 11,000 are indicted each year for felony crimes. That's 32.8 per day. This is only a drop in the bucket, most cop violations go unreported.
5) Cops are not civilians.
False: Cops are civilians, they are civil servants protected by the Civil Service Act. Only elected officials and military personnel are government officials. Not appointed offices such as law enforcement officers, deputies, civil servants, government contractors or government employees. The only law enforcement officer that is not a civilian is a Sheriff, because he is elected.
6) Cops are legal experts.
False False False: Cops are not experts at anything, especially law. If any cop tells you he is a legal expert, call your local Bar Associations Unlicensed Practice of Law Branch.
7) Cops can give you legal advice.
False: Only a licensed attorney can give you legal advice. If a cop suggests any legal action, report it to the State Bar.
8) Cops are under paid.
False: They are well paid for a job that requires no education, unskilled, minimally trained low risk labor, with government benefits and retirement.
9) Cops are society's best people.
False: Some departments have been found to have convicted felons in uniform and as high up as the highest ranking officers in their precincts.
10) Police do a good job of policing themselves.
False: Insider information has reported to us that it is most departments' policies to use internal affairs to cover up anything that would embarrass a departments administration. Unless it is caught on record or reported by the media. Letting cops police themselves is the same as letting the inmates run the prisons. Vote for any local change in your community to put citizen review boards in charge of police discipline matters. Remember, we are the taxpayers, the cops are our employees, Stop letting them get away with murder.
1) Being a cop is a dangerous job.
False: Being a cop is not even on the list of the top 15 most dangerous jobs in America. Being a cab driver is 50 times more dangerous than being a cop.
2) Cops in the U.S are highly trained.
False: Cops in the U.S. only receive 9 to 12 weeks of training, sometimes a lot less, one of the lowest in the industrialized world. Cops in most other countries receive at least 104 weeks of training, (two years) and usually require an education.
3) Cops are chosen because of their superior decision making skills.
False: A report by the federal government states that over 90% of cops on duty in the U.S. barely passed high school or received a GED.
4) Cops are morally superior to regular citizens.
False: Out of 750,000 cops in the U.S. over 11,000 are indicted each year for felony crimes. That's 32.8 per day. This is only a drop in the bucket, most cop violations go unreported.
5) Cops are not civilians.
False: Cops are civilians, they are civil servants protected by the Civil Service Act. Only elected officials and military personnel are government officials. Not appointed offices such as law enforcement officers, deputies, civil servants, government contractors or government employees. The only law enforcement officer that is not a civilian is a Sheriff, because he is elected.
6) Cops are legal experts.
False False False: Cops are not experts at anything, especially law. If any cop tells you he is a legal expert, call your local Bar Associations Unlicensed Practice of Law Branch.
7) Cops can give you legal advice.
False: Only a licensed attorney can give you legal advice. If a cop suggests any legal action, report it to the State Bar.
8) Cops are under paid.
False: They are well paid for a job that requires no education, unskilled, minimally trained low risk labor, with government benefits and retirement.
9) Cops are society's best people.
False: Some departments have been found to have convicted felons in uniform and as high up as the highest ranking officers in their precincts.
10) Police do a good job of policing themselves.
False: Insider information has reported to us that it is most departments' policies to use internal affairs to cover up anything that would embarrass a departments administration. Unless it is caught on record or reported by the media. Letting cops police themselves is the same as letting the inmates run the prisons. Vote for any local change in your community to put citizen review boards in charge of police discipline matters. Remember, we are the taxpayers, the cops are our employees, Stop letting them get away with murder.
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