A Russellville Police Officer finds himself on the other side of the law. He's been arrested on a felony drug charge.
Officer Gerald Wayne McClurg has been with the Russellville Police Department since 2002.
Wednesday night, the veteran officer was arrested. He's charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, which is a Class C felony.
Police Chief Chris Hargett says McClurg was on duty when he allegedly tried to buy Loricet prescription pills.
"He purchased the pills from one of the undercover informants that we have here at the police department," says Hargett.
Sources tells NewsChannel 19 that Officer McClurg has a history of medical problems and it's likely he became addicted to the medicine.
Chief Hargett describes the incident as a "black eye" for the department, but is quick to point out that it will be handled the same way as any other case.
"We want the public to understand that we're going to police the public as well as the police department," says Hargett. "If someone in the police department crosses the line, then we're going to be there to correct that also. We're going to treat them the same way."
Following his arrest, Officer McClurg was booked into the Franklin County Jail. He was released after posting his $2,000 bond.
The arrested officer is on administrative leave without pay until the internal investigation is complete.
Friday, July 11, 2008
NO DRUGS found in Cookies Given to Officers
LAKE WORTH
The case against a teenager accused of delivering drug-tainted cookies to police crumbled Thursday after scientific tests revealed no traces of narcotics.
Christian Phillips, 18, became a cookie monster and the butt of jokes around the globe following his arrest Tuesday after he left a basket of treats at Lake Worth police headquarters. Authorities said then that "field tests" they conducted on the cookies showed traces of marijuana and LSD.
But lab tests performed by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office were negative for drugs, and Mr. Phillips – who had been charged with tampering with a consumer product – was released from jail shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday. The felony charge was dropped.
Mr. Phillips, of Watauga, was facing up to 20 years in prison and fine of $10,000 if he had been convicted. Neither he nor his family would comment Thursday night.
"These are the facts of the case, and if the lab says it ain't dope, that's what I'm going to go with," Lake Worth Police Chief Brett McGuire said.
Mr. Phillips' attorney, L. Patrick Davis, said that his client was physically fine but that he was "a little upset" about the arrest and subsequent controversy. He said that neither he nor the family was surprised about the negative test results but that no decision has been made whether to pursue further legal action in the matter.
'Rush to judgment'
In an earlier interview, Mr. Phillips' father, Glenn, said the case against his son amounted to a "huge rush to judgment."
"People just need to keep rationale here in perspective and not jump the gun and accuse people of stuff before we know the full facts," he said.
Christian Phillips' story drew worldwide attention – and scorn.
One Australian news anchor referred to Mr. Phillips as "disgruntled." The incident was blogged on USA Today's Web site and on a Corvette forum site. "Tampering with someone elses food? Lock-up and throw key away," one blogger wrote.
Another typed, "Donuts dummy, not cookies."
Mr. Davis said that his client was unfairly targeted by almost everyone who heard about the case.
"He got convicted before he got a chance," Mr. Davis said. "He got buried in the media. He has been derailed, and we need to get him back on course."
Community service
Mr. Phillips was delivering cookies as part of his 80-hour court-supervised community service following his arrest last year on charges of assaulting a police officer. That charge was reduced to simple assault, a misdemeanor, and Mr. Phillips was serving court-appointed community service with Mothers Against Drunk Driving when he delivered the cookies.
That case was to have been dismissed on Wednesday if Mr. Phillips successfully completed his community service hours. He was about 10 hours away, his attorney said.
On June 27, Mr. Phillips was videotaped delivering the snacks to Watauga police. He delivered more cookies to Blue Mound police Monday night and on Tuesday delivered another batch at Lake Worth. Officers there were notified by Blue Mound police officers that the cookies might be tainted.
Chief McGuire said a preliminary field test conducted on the chocolate chip cookies by police detected LSD. A canine was brought in and indicated drugs were inside Mr. Phillips' car.
When he was arrested, Mr. Phillips was carrying a list of 25 police agencies in Dallas and Tarrant counties. Thirteen of the names had been checked off. Officers in some of the jurisdictions, including Fort Worth and Watauga, ate the cookies and reported no ill effects.
Lake Worth sent the cookies to the medical examiner's officer for a more thorough review. Officials there conducted more stringent chemical tests and a microscopic examination as well as tests involving gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Officer stands by nose
Blue Mound police also sent cookie samples to the ME's office and those, too, came back negative for drugs.
But Blue Mound police Lt. Thomas Cain said Thursday that while he respects and accepts the medical examiner's report, he is sure he smelled dope on the home-baked Toll House treats.
"They did have a pungent, rancid odor," Lt. Cain said. "They did have the odor of marijuana. I got within two feet of it; I could smell it."
Blue Mound officers also conducted their own field test that came back positive for marijuana.
"How do you explain it? I don't know," Lt. Cain said.
*****************************
A little bit parnoid...aren't we??
I think Lt. Thomas Cain has been around a little too much dope.
See...Not everyone is out to get you (law enforcement).
The case against a teenager accused of delivering drug-tainted cookies to police crumbled Thursday after scientific tests revealed no traces of narcotics.
Christian Phillips, 18, became a cookie monster and the butt of jokes around the globe following his arrest Tuesday after he left a basket of treats at Lake Worth police headquarters. Authorities said then that "field tests" they conducted on the cookies showed traces of marijuana and LSD.
But lab tests performed by the Tarrant County medical examiner's office were negative for drugs, and Mr. Phillips – who had been charged with tampering with a consumer product – was released from jail shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday. The felony charge was dropped.
Mr. Phillips, of Watauga, was facing up to 20 years in prison and fine of $10,000 if he had been convicted. Neither he nor his family would comment Thursday night.
"These are the facts of the case, and if the lab says it ain't dope, that's what I'm going to go with," Lake Worth Police Chief Brett McGuire said.
Mr. Phillips' attorney, L. Patrick Davis, said that his client was physically fine but that he was "a little upset" about the arrest and subsequent controversy. He said that neither he nor the family was surprised about the negative test results but that no decision has been made whether to pursue further legal action in the matter.
'Rush to judgment'
In an earlier interview, Mr. Phillips' father, Glenn, said the case against his son amounted to a "huge rush to judgment."
"People just need to keep rationale here in perspective and not jump the gun and accuse people of stuff before we know the full facts," he said.
Christian Phillips' story drew worldwide attention – and scorn.
One Australian news anchor referred to Mr. Phillips as "disgruntled." The incident was blogged on USA Today's Web site and on a Corvette forum site. "Tampering with someone elses food? Lock-up and throw key away," one blogger wrote.
Another typed, "Donuts dummy, not cookies."
Mr. Davis said that his client was unfairly targeted by almost everyone who heard about the case.
"He got convicted before he got a chance," Mr. Davis said. "He got buried in the media. He has been derailed, and we need to get him back on course."
Community service
Mr. Phillips was delivering cookies as part of his 80-hour court-supervised community service following his arrest last year on charges of assaulting a police officer. That charge was reduced to simple assault, a misdemeanor, and Mr. Phillips was serving court-appointed community service with Mothers Against Drunk Driving when he delivered the cookies.
That case was to have been dismissed on Wednesday if Mr. Phillips successfully completed his community service hours. He was about 10 hours away, his attorney said.
On June 27, Mr. Phillips was videotaped delivering the snacks to Watauga police. He delivered more cookies to Blue Mound police Monday night and on Tuesday delivered another batch at Lake Worth. Officers there were notified by Blue Mound police officers that the cookies might be tainted.
Chief McGuire said a preliminary field test conducted on the chocolate chip cookies by police detected LSD. A canine was brought in and indicated drugs were inside Mr. Phillips' car.
When he was arrested, Mr. Phillips was carrying a list of 25 police agencies in Dallas and Tarrant counties. Thirteen of the names had been checked off. Officers in some of the jurisdictions, including Fort Worth and Watauga, ate the cookies and reported no ill effects.
Lake Worth sent the cookies to the medical examiner's officer for a more thorough review. Officials there conducted more stringent chemical tests and a microscopic examination as well as tests involving gas chromatography and mass spectrometry.
Officer stands by nose
Blue Mound police also sent cookie samples to the ME's office and those, too, came back negative for drugs.
But Blue Mound police Lt. Thomas Cain said Thursday that while he respects and accepts the medical examiner's report, he is sure he smelled dope on the home-baked Toll House treats.
"They did have a pungent, rancid odor," Lt. Cain said. "They did have the odor of marijuana. I got within two feet of it; I could smell it."
Blue Mound officers also conducted their own field test that came back positive for marijuana.
"How do you explain it? I don't know," Lt. Cain said.
*****************************
A little bit parnoid...aren't we??
I think Lt. Thomas Cain has been around a little too much dope.
See...Not everyone is out to get you (law enforcement).
Officer Eric Kaho Arrested for Embezzlement
NATCHEZ
A former Natchez police officer has been arrested on felony charges of embezzlement.
Eric Kaho, 30, 138 Washington Circle, allegedly embezzled more than $500 from the Metro Narcotics unit to which he was assigned.
Kaho was recently indicted by an Adams County grand jury. He turned himself in at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.
Kaho resigned from the Natchez Police Department in January.
“He worked here for about seven years before this happened,” Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said. “We were shocked and saddened. He had done some excellent police work during his career.”
Mullins said investigations into missing money began in 2007, while Kaho was taking a leave from work due to a knee injury.
“In a routine check of money he was entrusted with, some of it was discovered missing,” Mullins said. “We notified the Attorney General’s office for an outside investigation.”
Since the officer was well known by local authorities, Mullins wanted an outside group to handle the case, he said.
The pool of money Kaho allegedly embezzled from included seized drug money and a fund Metro Narcotics used to purchase drugs from suspected drug dealers. The funds are audited often, Mullins said.
Just before Kaho was scheduled to return to work at NPD in October, he reportedly accidentally shot himself in the chest at his apartment while cleaning his gun. The bullet grazed his heart and he spent more than a month in the hospital recovering.
Kaho was released shortly after his arrest Thursday on a promise to appear in court.
Kaho joins a list of NPD officers arrested that includes Willie B. Jones in 1997, who was charged with felony obstruction of justice for reportedly paying a fellow officer not to pursue a drug charge against a friend, and Keith Fiola who was charged with bribery.
A former Natchez police officer has been arrested on felony charges of embezzlement.
Eric Kaho, 30, 138 Washington Circle, allegedly embezzled more than $500 from the Metro Narcotics unit to which he was assigned.
Kaho was recently indicted by an Adams County grand jury. He turned himself in at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Thursday.
Kaho resigned from the Natchez Police Department in January.
“He worked here for about seven years before this happened,” Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said. “We were shocked and saddened. He had done some excellent police work during his career.”
Mullins said investigations into missing money began in 2007, while Kaho was taking a leave from work due to a knee injury.
“In a routine check of money he was entrusted with, some of it was discovered missing,” Mullins said. “We notified the Attorney General’s office for an outside investigation.”
Since the officer was well known by local authorities, Mullins wanted an outside group to handle the case, he said.
The pool of money Kaho allegedly embezzled from included seized drug money and a fund Metro Narcotics used to purchase drugs from suspected drug dealers. The funds are audited often, Mullins said.
Just before Kaho was scheduled to return to work at NPD in October, he reportedly accidentally shot himself in the chest at his apartment while cleaning his gun. The bullet grazed his heart and he spent more than a month in the hospital recovering.
Kaho was released shortly after his arrest Thursday on a promise to appear in court.
Kaho joins a list of NPD officers arrested that includes Willie B. Jones in 1997, who was charged with felony obstruction of justice for reportedly paying a fellow officer not to pursue a drug charge against a friend, and Keith Fiola who was charged with bribery.
Officer Arrested for Receiving Stolen Property
MOUNT GILEAD
A Mount Gilead police officer was arrested Tuesday on charges of receiving stolen property -- including a dozen air conditioners used to cool the Morrow County courthouse.
"We were shocked and surprised. News in a small community travels extremely fast," Morrow County Commissioner Olen Jackson said.
Morrow County deputies searched the residence of third-shift village police officer Joe Hughes. The stolen property, a single-axle trailer and several air-conditioning units, were behind Hughes' residence, according to a news release from Mount Gilead Police Chief Brian Zerman.
Hughes was the officer who took the theft report June 9, Morrow County Sheriff Steve Brenneman said.
Hughes has been charged with one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; one count of theft in office, a fourth- degree felony; two counts of receiving stolen property, fifth-degree felonies; and one count of obstruction of justice, a fifth-degree felony.
Brenneman said additional charges are possible.
Hughes was hired as a part-time Mount Gilead police officer Feb. 7, 2006, and made full-time a year later. He was cooperative when he was taken into custody at the Morrow County Correctional Facility. Hughes was released on $5,000 bond, Brenneman said.
"Our maintenance staff had gotten the air conditioners out of storage for the winter," Jackson said. "They loaded them up to take them to a service location, to wash and clean to put back into use. Before they could be put into service, the trailer and air conditioners came up missing."
Hughes was placed on unpaid administrative leave. If convicted on all charges, Hughes could face up to 9 1/2 years in prison and $12,500 in fines.
A Mount Gilead police officer was arrested Tuesday on charges of receiving stolen property -- including a dozen air conditioners used to cool the Morrow County courthouse.
"We were shocked and surprised. News in a small community travels extremely fast," Morrow County Commissioner Olen Jackson said.
Morrow County deputies searched the residence of third-shift village police officer Joe Hughes. The stolen property, a single-axle trailer and several air-conditioning units, were behind Hughes' residence, according to a news release from Mount Gilead Police Chief Brian Zerman.
Hughes was the officer who took the theft report June 9, Morrow County Sheriff Steve Brenneman said.
Hughes has been charged with one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony; one count of theft in office, a fourth- degree felony; two counts of receiving stolen property, fifth-degree felonies; and one count of obstruction of justice, a fifth-degree felony.
Brenneman said additional charges are possible.
Hughes was hired as a part-time Mount Gilead police officer Feb. 7, 2006, and made full-time a year later. He was cooperative when he was taken into custody at the Morrow County Correctional Facility. Hughes was released on $5,000 bond, Brenneman said.
"Our maintenance staff had gotten the air conditioners out of storage for the winter," Jackson said. "They loaded them up to take them to a service location, to wash and clean to put back into use. Before they could be put into service, the trailer and air conditioners came up missing."
Hughes was placed on unpaid administrative leave. If convicted on all charges, Hughes could face up to 9 1/2 years in prison and $12,500 in fines.
Officer Accused of Sexual Battery
OCOEE, Florida
A Central Florida police sergeant is the target of a sex crimes investigation.
Ocoee police Sgt. Tom Maroney is accused of sexual battery but has not been charged with a crime, officials said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said detectives are looking into the case but refused to comment on the case because of the ongoing investigation.
The police chief was terminated after he was accused of borrowing prescription medication from another employee and then using it on duty.
Maroney has been placed on paid leave.
A Central Florida police sergeant is the target of a sex crimes investigation.
Ocoee police Sgt. Tom Maroney is accused of sexual battery but has not been charged with a crime, officials said.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said detectives are looking into the case but refused to comment on the case because of the ongoing investigation.
The police chief was terminated after he was accused of borrowing prescription medication from another employee and then using it on duty.
Maroney has been placed on paid leave.
UPDATE: Donyell Shanchell Car Chase
NEW ORLEANS
Mississippi River bridge police on Wednesday handed the Orleans Parish district attorney's office new video and audio footage of the aftermath of a high-speed pursuit of a New Orleans police officer.
Officer Donyell Sanchell was suspended after he allegedly led Crescent City Connection police on Saturday's chase. Authorities said he fled after being pulled over and later slapped a bridge police officer who followed him to his district station.
Sanchell was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on two counts of battery and trial was set for Aug. 6. Sanchell also received citations for careless driving and hit-and-run.
The bridge police said they want an outside opinion on the appropriateness of municipal charges _ which carry lighter penalties _ against Sanchell.
Because Sanchell was cited with a municipal summons, he was not arrested and will not face state criminal charges. Had the bridge police pursued the more serious charge of simple battery on a police officer, Sanchell could have faced more severe penalties, including at least 15 days in jail if found guilty in criminal court.
The leniency has led some outside observers to question whether regular citizens would receive the same treatment in an altercation with an officer.
"I think any time a police officer gets struck by someone, the suspect is going to be charged with battery on a police officer," said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, a watchdog group. "The fact that he was charged with simple battery is an indication that maybe a different standard was applied to Officer Sanchell."
New footage from Crescent City Connection Police Sgt. David Kramer, who was called to the police department's 1st District headquarters after the altercation, suggests that department officials kept the bridge police officers from apprehending Sanchell at district headquarters.
Additional discussions between the bridge police and department officials indicate that Sanchell was kept behind closed doors until officers with the department's Public Integrity Bureau arrived. The sound recording also indicates that officers moved Sanchell's truck before the investigation was completed.
"We have the material and we'll review it and make a decision on what to do after that," District Attorney Keva Landrum-Johnson said Wednesday.
Police spokesman Bob Young limited his comments on the incident, saying the department is conducting an internal investigation that will be submitted to Superintendent Warren Riley.
"After reviewing the incident, he will take the appropriate action," Young said.
Mississippi River bridge police on Wednesday handed the Orleans Parish district attorney's office new video and audio footage of the aftermath of a high-speed pursuit of a New Orleans police officer.
Officer Donyell Sanchell was suspended after he allegedly led Crescent City Connection police on Saturday's chase. Authorities said he fled after being pulled over and later slapped a bridge police officer who followed him to his district station.
Sanchell was arraigned Tuesday in municipal court on two counts of battery and trial was set for Aug. 6. Sanchell also received citations for careless driving and hit-and-run.
The bridge police said they want an outside opinion on the appropriateness of municipal charges _ which carry lighter penalties _ against Sanchell.
Because Sanchell was cited with a municipal summons, he was not arrested and will not face state criminal charges. Had the bridge police pursued the more serious charge of simple battery on a police officer, Sanchell could have faced more severe penalties, including at least 15 days in jail if found guilty in criminal court.
The leniency has led some outside observers to question whether regular citizens would receive the same treatment in an altercation with an officer.
"I think any time a police officer gets struck by someone, the suspect is going to be charged with battery on a police officer," said Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, a watchdog group. "The fact that he was charged with simple battery is an indication that maybe a different standard was applied to Officer Sanchell."
New footage from Crescent City Connection Police Sgt. David Kramer, who was called to the police department's 1st District headquarters after the altercation, suggests that department officials kept the bridge police officers from apprehending Sanchell at district headquarters.
Additional discussions between the bridge police and department officials indicate that Sanchell was kept behind closed doors until officers with the department's Public Integrity Bureau arrived. The sound recording also indicates that officers moved Sanchell's truck before the investigation was completed.
"We have the material and we'll review it and make a decision on what to do after that," District Attorney Keva Landrum-Johnson said Wednesday.
Police spokesman Bob Young limited his comments on the incident, saying the department is conducting an internal investigation that will be submitted to Superintendent Warren Riley.
"After reviewing the incident, he will take the appropriate action," Young said.
UPDATE: Suspect Dead in His Cell
The killing of a Prince George’s County police officer and the homicide of his suspected killer two days later in his jail cell have sparked questions about the county’s reputation for excessive force — and has county leaders scrambling to quell concerns.
‘‘We should all wait to see what the results of the investigation are before we start indicting the reputation of the entire public safety department,” said Vernon Herron, county director of public safety.
Cpl. Richard Findley, 39, was killed June 27 after he approached a pickup truck that was believed to have been stolen. The truck hit him, injuring him fatally.
The same day, Ronnie L. White, 19, of North Laurel was arrested and charged in Findley’s death. On Sunday morning, White, alone in a maximum security cell in the county’s correctional center, was found dead. An autopsy showed White died of asphyxiation. The FBI and Maryland State Police have taken over the investigation.
Prince George’s has a history of problems with the way it treats suspects. Since 2004, the county police department has been monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice to curb ‘‘patterns of excessive force,” most notably among the department’s police canine unit. Claims of police abuse swirled in the 1990s and, in 1999, 12 people were shot by officers and two others died while in police custody.
‘‘There are a number of questions that go into this from the past,” Ronald Walters, a political expert and professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, said of revived concerns from the community about law enforcement officers. ‘‘You have to look at the number of things that were countenanced in this county.”
On Monday night, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) stressed that White’s death occurred at the correctional center and appeared ‘‘unrelated to any acts of the Prince George’s County Police Department.”
Other officials also walked a fine line between mourning Findley’s death and acknowledging White’s homicide. County Council Chairman Samuel H. Dean (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville expressed sympathy at Tuesday’s council meeting for the officer’s family, and an hour later, a spokeswoman released an e-mail amending his condolences.
‘‘We also extend our sympathy to the family of Ronnie White,” the statement read. ‘‘We will keep all those affected by these tragic events in our thoughts and prayers.”
County officials have noted repeatedly that White’s death does not involve the police department, but the Department of Corrections, which has had its own share of strife over the past year.
Last month, corrections chief Alfred McMurray was fired after a string of security failures, including the disappearance of four guns from the prison armory. Earlier in the year, a corrections officer was accused of smuggling cell phones to gang members; two prisoners were discovered with handcuff keys; and two female correctional officers were suspended for allegedly having sexual relations with male prisoners.
Further concerns were sparked when county officials rejected calls to suspend the jail officers who had access to White’s cell, some of whom refused to cooperate with the homicide investigation.
‘‘There are nine individuals that have been identified already, and all of them, we find, are still employed and still on duty,” said June White-Dillard, president of the county NAACP. ‘‘We feel it is imperative that they are placed on administrative leave until a complete and thorough has been completed into the homicide of Ronnie White.”
Johnson, the county’s former prosecutor, defended the decision to keep the officers on duty.
‘‘No one is a suspect yet,” Johnson said. ‘‘We have standard procedures that have worked for many years. When [White] came in, he was given a physical, he was processed ... there is nothing to indicate that the standards [were not met].”
Others urged people to remember Findley’s service and the loss to his family, frien.ds and the police department, where he worked for 10 years, and the fire department, where he was a longtime volunteer.
‘‘Unfortunately, public attention has shifted away from remembering the heroic sacrifices of Cpl. Richard Findley,” said Mel Franklin, president of the Greater Marlboro Democratic Club.
Funeral services held July 3 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beltsville were attended by more than 1,000 people and 500 police and firefighters. Dignitaries included Johnson and County Police Chief Melvin C. High, who announced Findley’s posthumous promotion to sergeant.
‘‘He made all of our lives so much richer,” High said during the service. ‘‘He lived his life the way God would have him live it. He’s at peace. Take comfort in that.”
Findley, who lived in Westminster, was buried in Davidsonville.
‘‘We should all wait to see what the results of the investigation are before we start indicting the reputation of the entire public safety department,” said Vernon Herron, county director of public safety.
Cpl. Richard Findley, 39, was killed June 27 after he approached a pickup truck that was believed to have been stolen. The truck hit him, injuring him fatally.
The same day, Ronnie L. White, 19, of North Laurel was arrested and charged in Findley’s death. On Sunday morning, White, alone in a maximum security cell in the county’s correctional center, was found dead. An autopsy showed White died of asphyxiation. The FBI and Maryland State Police have taken over the investigation.
Prince George’s has a history of problems with the way it treats suspects. Since 2004, the county police department has been monitored by the U.S. Department of Justice to curb ‘‘patterns of excessive force,” most notably among the department’s police canine unit. Claims of police abuse swirled in the 1990s and, in 1999, 12 people were shot by officers and two others died while in police custody.
‘‘There are a number of questions that go into this from the past,” Ronald Walters, a political expert and professor at the University of Maryland, College Park, said of revived concerns from the community about law enforcement officers. ‘‘You have to look at the number of things that were countenanced in this county.”
On Monday night, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) stressed that White’s death occurred at the correctional center and appeared ‘‘unrelated to any acts of the Prince George’s County Police Department.”
Other officials also walked a fine line between mourning Findley’s death and acknowledging White’s homicide. County Council Chairman Samuel H. Dean (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville expressed sympathy at Tuesday’s council meeting for the officer’s family, and an hour later, a spokeswoman released an e-mail amending his condolences.
‘‘We also extend our sympathy to the family of Ronnie White,” the statement read. ‘‘We will keep all those affected by these tragic events in our thoughts and prayers.”
County officials have noted repeatedly that White’s death does not involve the police department, but the Department of Corrections, which has had its own share of strife over the past year.
Last month, corrections chief Alfred McMurray was fired after a string of security failures, including the disappearance of four guns from the prison armory. Earlier in the year, a corrections officer was accused of smuggling cell phones to gang members; two prisoners were discovered with handcuff keys; and two female correctional officers were suspended for allegedly having sexual relations with male prisoners.
Further concerns were sparked when county officials rejected calls to suspend the jail officers who had access to White’s cell, some of whom refused to cooperate with the homicide investigation.
‘‘There are nine individuals that have been identified already, and all of them, we find, are still employed and still on duty,” said June White-Dillard, president of the county NAACP. ‘‘We feel it is imperative that they are placed on administrative leave until a complete and thorough has been completed into the homicide of Ronnie White.”
Johnson, the county’s former prosecutor, defended the decision to keep the officers on duty.
‘‘No one is a suspect yet,” Johnson said. ‘‘We have standard procedures that have worked for many years. When [White] came in, he was given a physical, he was processed ... there is nothing to indicate that the standards [were not met].”
Others urged people to remember Findley’s service and the loss to his family, frien.ds and the police department, where he worked for 10 years, and the fire department, where he was a longtime volunteer.
‘‘Unfortunately, public attention has shifted away from remembering the heroic sacrifices of Cpl. Richard Findley,” said Mel Franklin, president of the Greater Marlboro Democratic Club.
Funeral services held July 3 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beltsville were attended by more than 1,000 people and 500 police and firefighters. Dignitaries included Johnson and County Police Chief Melvin C. High, who announced Findley’s posthumous promotion to sergeant.
‘‘He made all of our lives so much richer,” High said during the service. ‘‘He lived his life the way God would have him live it. He’s at peace. Take comfort in that.”
Findley, who lived in Westminster, was buried in Davidsonville.
Officer Victor Greenhouse Arrested on Drug Charges
A Marksville police officer is one of two people facing charges following a drug investigation, authorities said Wednesday.
Officer Victor Greenhouse, 40, who's been with the Marksville Police Department for about five years, was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and malfeasance in office, Marksville police Chief Newman Greenhouse said.
The chief and the officer are distantly related, the chief said.
Also charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute was Monica Hampton, 29, of 159 Little California Road, Marksville, authorities reported.
The investigation of Victor Greenhouse, of 1474 La. Highway 453, Marksville, and Hampton came after a package coming across the U.S.-Mexico border was flagged for containing drugs, Newman Greenhouse said.
The Marksville Police Department worked in conjunction with State Police and the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office on the investigation and conducted a search warrant on Hampton's home, where Victor Greenhouse often stayed.
There, officers found a little more than seven pounds of marijuana -- with a street value of $10,000 to $20,000 -- and other suspected narcotics-related paraphernalia, the Sheriff's Office said.
Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson said information received from the Houston Police Department and further investigation led officers from the three agencies to Hampton's home.
Victor Greenhouse was immediately placed on administrative leave without pay after the arrest pending the outcome of his charges, Newman Greenhouse said. His role at the department was as patrol officer responding to calls and handling traffic incidents.
Victor Greenhouse and Hampton remained in the Avoyelles Parish Jail on Wednesday night pending a bond hearing, jail officials said.
Officer Victor Greenhouse, 40, who's been with the Marksville Police Department for about five years, was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and malfeasance in office, Marksville police Chief Newman Greenhouse said.
The chief and the officer are distantly related, the chief said.
Also charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute was Monica Hampton, 29, of 159 Little California Road, Marksville, authorities reported.
The investigation of Victor Greenhouse, of 1474 La. Highway 453, Marksville, and Hampton came after a package coming across the U.S.-Mexico border was flagged for containing drugs, Newman Greenhouse said.
The Marksville Police Department worked in conjunction with State Police and the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office on the investigation and conducted a search warrant on Hampton's home, where Victor Greenhouse often stayed.
There, officers found a little more than seven pounds of marijuana -- with a street value of $10,000 to $20,000 -- and other suspected narcotics-related paraphernalia, the Sheriff's Office said.
Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Doug Anderson said information received from the Houston Police Department and further investigation led officers from the three agencies to Hampton's home.
Victor Greenhouse was immediately placed on administrative leave without pay after the arrest pending the outcome of his charges, Newman Greenhouse said. His role at the department was as patrol officer responding to calls and handling traffic incidents.
Victor Greenhouse and Hampton remained in the Avoyelles Parish Jail on Wednesday night pending a bond hearing, jail officials said.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Correctional Officer Andrew Ravelo Accused of Sexual Assault
Andrew Ravelo, a former Correctional Officer at the Wyoming Women’s Center, has been charged with sexual assault in the second degree by infliction of sexual intrusion on a victim while he was a state employee at a penal institution and the victim was known by him to be a resident of such facility. If convicted of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree, which is a felony, Ravelo faces a maximum penalty of not less than two nor more than twenty years imprisonment.
Ravelo has also been charged with taking contraband into a correctional facility. Between the dates of Dec. 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008 Ravelo did intentionally convey a compact disc or other items, possession of which are prohibited under certain circumstances by a person confined to a penal institution or correctional facility. If convicted of Taking Contraband into Penal Institution or Correctional Facility, a misdemeanor, Ravelo faces one year imprisonment and/or a $2,000 fine.
When contacted, Capt. Haltor of the Wyoming Women’s Center stated that Officer Ravelo was employed as a correctional officer at the Wyoming Women’s Center, but they are unable to make any comments at this time.
In addition to the above charges Ravelo is charged with Driving Under Suspension. If convicted of Driving Under Suspension, a misdemeanor, Ravelo faces a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a $750 fine.
A $5,000 cash bond was posted and Ravelo is not to leave the State of Wyoming.
Ravelo has also been charged with taking contraband into a correctional facility. Between the dates of Dec. 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008 Ravelo did intentionally convey a compact disc or other items, possession of which are prohibited under certain circumstances by a person confined to a penal institution or correctional facility. If convicted of Taking Contraband into Penal Institution or Correctional Facility, a misdemeanor, Ravelo faces one year imprisonment and/or a $2,000 fine.
When contacted, Capt. Haltor of the Wyoming Women’s Center stated that Officer Ravelo was employed as a correctional officer at the Wyoming Women’s Center, but they are unable to make any comments at this time.
In addition to the above charges Ravelo is charged with Driving Under Suspension. If convicted of Driving Under Suspension, a misdemeanor, Ravelo faces a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a $750 fine.
A $5,000 cash bond was posted and Ravelo is not to leave the State of Wyoming.
Police Finally Admitt they were Wrong about the Ramsey's
The Boulder district attorney's office announced today that new DNA evidence discovered in the clothing worn by JonBenét Ramsey identifies "the perpetrator of the homicide" and excludes all members of the murdered girl's family.
District Attorney Mary Lacy said in a letter posted on the DA's website that the Ramsey family should "be treated only as victims," and she apologized to them.
Six-year-old JonBenét was discovered with a garrote around her neck in the basement of her parents' Boulder home on Dec. 26, 1996.
No one has ever been charged in her death. Boulder police once said "an umbrella of suspicion" was over her parents, Patsy and John Ramsey.
Tabloids pointed the finger at their son, Burke, who was 9 when his sister was killed.
But today, in a letter to John Ramsey, Lacy said her office wanted "to state that we do not consider your immediate family — including you, your wife, Patsy, and your son, Burke — to be under any suspicion in the commission of this crime.
"I wish we could have done so before Mrs. Ramsey died."
Patsy Ramsey died June 26, 2006, of ovarian cancer at age 49.Lacy's office took over the investigation into JonBenét's death in December 2002.
One of the clues they inherited was male DNA found in JonBenet's underwear that did not match that of anyone in her family.
Last year, Lacy attended a National Institute of Justice program on forensic biology and DNA that introduced her to a new technology called "touch DNA," she said in the release.
"Forensic scientists scrape a surface where there is no observable stain or other indication of possible DNA in an effort to recover for analysis any genetic material that might nonetheless be present. This methodology was not well-known in this country until recently and is still used infrequently," she said.
At the end of last year, her office opted to work with Bode Technology
Matching DNA was found in JonBenét Ramsey's underwear and the long johns she was wearing when her body was found in 1996. It did not match DNA of anyone in her family.
The lab scraped both sides of the waist of the long johns JonBenét was wearing over her underwear the night she was killed.
This area was chosen, the release said, because it was assumed that her killer took off JonBenét's clothing and then redressed her and would have handled the long johns.
The lab notified the DA on March 24 that DNA was found on both sides of the waist of the long johns.
That DNA matched the DNA found years ago in JonBenét's underwear.
Lacy's office had the Colorado Bureau of Investigation analyze other samples to make sure the DNA profile could not have been left during the autopsy, when JonBenét's clothes were removed.
That was not the case, the CBI reported on June 27.
Lacy called the DNA found on JonBenét's clothing "very significant and powerful evidence."
She said in the release, "It is very unlikely that there would be an innocent explanation for DNA found at three different locations on two separate items. It is, therefore, the position of the Boulder district attorney's office that this profile belongs to the perpetrator of the homicide."
And "the most reliable forensic evidence we can hope to find" excludes all members of the Ramsey family, the release concluded.
Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner issued a statement this afternoon on the new DNA findings:
"The discovery of additional matching DNA in the JonBenet Ramsey murder case is important information that raises more questions in the search for JonBenet's killer. The Boulder Police Department concurs with the Boulder District Attorney's Office that this is a significant finding. We remain committed to bringing JonBenet's killer to justice. That is, and always will be, our goal."
In the letter Lacy sent to John Ramsey dated July 9, she explained how the new DNA was found.
She apologized to him and his family, saying: "To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you may have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry."
She told him "solving this crime remains our goal."
When asked what receiving the letter means to him, Ramsey replied, "The most significant thing to me was the fact that we now have pretty irrefutable DNA evidence we now have very, very solid evidence and that's always been my hope, at least in the recent past, that that would lead us to the killer eventually as the DNA database grows and is populated."
A Little Sweet Revenge?
A Watauga teen accused of delivering drug-tainted cookies and candy to area police departments denied to investigators any involvement, but he told authorities that friends may have been using marijuana while he baked the cookies, police said Wednesday.
The 18-year-old was carrying the names of 25 departments with 12 of them checked off when he was arrested Tuesday at the Lake Worth police station.
Christian Phillips of Watauga was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of tampering with a consumer product. He remained in the Lake Worth Jail with bail set at $75,000.
If convicted, Phillips faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
“He’s claiming that there was no criminal intent or that he was not trying to hurt someone,” Lake Worth Police Chief Brett McGuire said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, seven Fort Worth police officers and department employees have been tested for drugs after eating some of the cookies, police said. Blood has been taken from the officers and employees to test for any drugs, Fort Worth police Lt. Paul Henderson said Wednesday.
“This is an eye opener for not just our agency, but any government agency. Our officers and employees ate these food items believing them to be safe and from a good person,” Henderson said. “The truth of the matter is though, there are evil people out there intent on doing us harm.”
Watauga police received cookies and all of them were eaten.
Watauga police said Wednesday that they would be sending three to four officers and employees to be tested for drugs.
“The city has made arrangements to take them to a medical clinic,” Watauga Officer Sean Romer said Wednesday.
Investigators believe the teen may have started dropping off the baskets with candy and cookies about a week ago. The baskets included a logo indicating that they were from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD.
But Lake Worth police were ready for Phillips. MADD officials had called the Lake Worth department Tuesday morning after they learned that someone had been delivering the baskets to area police departments, claiming to be from that agency.
MADD officials said they had nothing to do with the baskets.
Phillips was arrested about 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Lake Worth police station when he attempted to drop off a basket of cookies and peppermint candy, saying they came from MADD. Cookies in that basket tested positive for LSD, police said.
Lake Worth police also confiscated additional cookies from Phillips’ car which was parked at the Lake Worth police station. Tests on those goodies had not been completed.
After Phillips’ arrest, Lake Worth police on Tuesday sent out bulletins to area police departments concerning the gift baskets.
Police in Blue Mound received a basket filled with candy and cookies just before 8 p.m. Monday.
When a Blue Mound officer picked up one of the cookies, it smelled like marijuana, police said. A field test proved that the cookie contained marijuana, police said.
Hurst, Euless and Richland Hills police also reported receiving the gift baskets last week.
In Hurst, the basket contained only Dum Dum Pops, but no officer or employees have reported being ill, Hurst police Sgt. Craig Teague said Wednesday.
Richland Hills police said Wednesday they received a basket with wrapped candy and cookies and no one reported being sick.
At Euless, police Lt. John Williams said that a kid came to the department last week and dropped off some cookies.
“An officer picked up a cookie and it smelled,” Williams said. “We tested it but it didn’t test positive for anything. We still threw the cookies away.”
According to Watauga police reports, Phillips has a criminal history in that city.
A loud party was reported to Watauga police on July 21, 2007, and Phillips opened the door when police arrived, police said.
Phillips tried to shut the door on officers and when an officer propped the door open with his arm, Phillips swatted it away, according to police reports. About 20 or 30 people were at the party.
When Watauga officers made their way through the blocked door, Phillips tried to punch an officer, missed and was immediately taken down with force.
A Tarrant County court reduced the charge of assault on a public servant to assault with bodily injury.
Phillips is still fulfilling community service for the assault charge.
Woman Testifies She had Secret Affair with Offiicer Accused of Murder
GRAND HAVEN
At the same time Ken DeKleine claimed his estranged wife was having an affair with her therapist, he was romantically involved with another woman, court testimony today revealed.
Richelle VanderWal, once married to a Holland police officer, was in the midst of a divorce in 2006 when she said she met Ken DeKleine and began a relationship that lasted until his arrest for allegedly killing his wife.
VanderWal testified today at Ken DeKleine's murder trial, describing how she met DeKleine in July 2006 and began a sexual relationship that fall, before her December 2006 divorce. DeKleine still was living at the Calvin Street address with Lori DeKleine until she filed a personal protection order in January 2007.
They kept the relationship a secret, she said.
VanderWal testified DeKleine was fixated on doing something about suspicions his wife was having a relationship with her therapist and planned to report the man to a state board. She acknowledged DeKleine was upset and frustrated with the constant rescheduling of court dates for his divorce.
VanderWal said she never came to police after DeKleine's arrest this past January to tell about their relationship. They eventually contacted her.
"I know how police think. I was afraid of being accused of her murder," she said.
In other testimony, police testified they asked DeKleine the same day of his wife's death if he killed her. He denied any involvement.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 11, in an interview room at the Zeeland Police Department, Ottawa County sheriff's Detective Tom Knapp told DeKleine they had found clothes in the garage attic with apparent blood stains. During that interview, DeKleine claimed he left items in the attic while fixing a vent pipe in 2006 and had cut himself.
When Knapp directly accused DeKleine of being responsible for his wife's death, DeKleine replied: "I don't know how to respond to that, Tom."
At the same time Ken DeKleine claimed his estranged wife was having an affair with her therapist, he was romantically involved with another woman, court testimony today revealed.
Richelle VanderWal, once married to a Holland police officer, was in the midst of a divorce in 2006 when she said she met Ken DeKleine and began a relationship that lasted until his arrest for allegedly killing his wife.
VanderWal testified today at Ken DeKleine's murder trial, describing how she met DeKleine in July 2006 and began a sexual relationship that fall, before her December 2006 divorce. DeKleine still was living at the Calvin Street address with Lori DeKleine until she filed a personal protection order in January 2007.
They kept the relationship a secret, she said.
VanderWal testified DeKleine was fixated on doing something about suspicions his wife was having a relationship with her therapist and planned to report the man to a state board. She acknowledged DeKleine was upset and frustrated with the constant rescheduling of court dates for his divorce.
VanderWal said she never came to police after DeKleine's arrest this past January to tell about their relationship. They eventually contacted her.
"I know how police think. I was afraid of being accused of her murder," she said.
In other testimony, police testified they asked DeKleine the same day of his wife's death if he killed her. He denied any involvement.
In the early morning hours of Jan. 11, in an interview room at the Zeeland Police Department, Ottawa County sheriff's Detective Tom Knapp told DeKleine they had found clothes in the garage attic with apparent blood stains. During that interview, DeKleine claimed he left items in the attic while fixing a vent pipe in 2006 and had cut himself.
When Knapp directly accused DeKleine of being responsible for his wife's death, DeKleine replied: "I don't know how to respond to that, Tom."
Are Police Giving Other Officers Special Treatment?
UPDATE on Officer Donyell Sanchell
For the second time in recent weeks, a traffic stop raises the question, are police giving some people special treatment?
First, it was the Causeway incident involving Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price. Now Crescent City Connection Police say they will ask the Orleans Parish District Attorney if their handling of an incident involving a New Orleans Police officer was appropriate.
A spokesman says the Crescent City Connection Police will ask the Orleans District Attorney's Office to look at a squad car video and other evidence in the incident involving NOPD Officer Donyell Sanchell.
Spokesman Mark Lambert says the bridge police will ask the District Attorney’s Office if the charges against Sanchell are appropriate.
Criminologist Peter Scharf of Tulane University says the question's clear: Did officer Sanchell get special treatment? ****(Why of course he did!! All officers get this special treatment from their buddies!!!)****
“We have a culture where people think that they’re above the law and they’re entitled to some kind of deferential, special treatment,” Scharf said.
The incident took place Saturday evening.
According to the bridge police report, they gave chase with lights flashing when they see a black pickup doing up to 90 mph, weaving around traffic on the Crescent City Connection.
The truck driver speeds over the bridge, gets on I-10 east and doesn't pull over until he gets off at Basin Street.
The police report says the driver in the pickup, Officer Sanchell of the NOPD, was "irate" because he was late for work, then Sanchell drives off again -- his truck allegedly grazing the forearm of bridge police Officer Jeremy Wright.
When Sanchell finally stopped at First District police headquarters, an altercation takes place off camera, and Officer Wright says Sanchell slapped him.
“It seems incredible that a police officer would for whatever reason not respect the authority of another officer,” said John Penny of SUNO’s Criminal Justice Department.
What happened next raised even more questions. The bridge police gave Sanchell a summons for two counts of battery and traffic tickets for hit and run and careless operation.
“If that had happened to anyone else, what would have happened? Jail, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault,” said Scharf.
“This officer should have been arrested and been placed in jail until he made bond,” Penny said. People across the community are saying the same thing.
In one viewer's words, “If I would have sped away, refused to stop, left after stopping and slapped an officer, I should have been arrested and brought to lockup.”
Dr. Scharf says Officer Sanchell's behavior may be troubling, but the message the response by bridge police sends is even more disturbing. “It's devastating. It's that if you’re in the entitled group that you’re above the law.”
The NOPD has launched an administrative review and suspended Sanchell without pay.
Dr. John Penny says the NOPD should send a message that makes it clear to other officers behavior like Sanchell's won't tolerated.
“Given what we see and if any of this is proven true, I think the officer should no doubt be fired,” Penny said. “He's unfit to be a police officer.”
For the second time in recent weeks, a traffic stop raises the question, are police giving some people special treatment?
First, it was the Causeway incident involving Mandeville Mayor Eddie Price. Now Crescent City Connection Police say they will ask the Orleans Parish District Attorney if their handling of an incident involving a New Orleans Police officer was appropriate.
A spokesman says the Crescent City Connection Police will ask the Orleans District Attorney's Office to look at a squad car video and other evidence in the incident involving NOPD Officer Donyell Sanchell.
Spokesman Mark Lambert says the bridge police will ask the District Attorney’s Office if the charges against Sanchell are appropriate.
Criminologist Peter Scharf of Tulane University says the question's clear: Did officer Sanchell get special treatment? ****(Why of course he did!! All officers get this special treatment from their buddies!!!)****
“We have a culture where people think that they’re above the law and they’re entitled to some kind of deferential, special treatment,” Scharf said.
The incident took place Saturday evening.
According to the bridge police report, they gave chase with lights flashing when they see a black pickup doing up to 90 mph, weaving around traffic on the Crescent City Connection.
The truck driver speeds over the bridge, gets on I-10 east and doesn't pull over until he gets off at Basin Street.
The police report says the driver in the pickup, Officer Sanchell of the NOPD, was "irate" because he was late for work, then Sanchell drives off again -- his truck allegedly grazing the forearm of bridge police Officer Jeremy Wright.
When Sanchell finally stopped at First District police headquarters, an altercation takes place off camera, and Officer Wright says Sanchell slapped him.
“It seems incredible that a police officer would for whatever reason not respect the authority of another officer,” said John Penny of SUNO’s Criminal Justice Department.
What happened next raised even more questions. The bridge police gave Sanchell a summons for two counts of battery and traffic tickets for hit and run and careless operation.
“If that had happened to anyone else, what would have happened? Jail, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault,” said Scharf.
“This officer should have been arrested and been placed in jail until he made bond,” Penny said. People across the community are saying the same thing.
In one viewer's words, “If I would have sped away, refused to stop, left after stopping and slapped an officer, I should have been arrested and brought to lockup.”
Dr. Scharf says Officer Sanchell's behavior may be troubling, but the message the response by bridge police sends is even more disturbing. “It's devastating. It's that if you’re in the entitled group that you’re above the law.”
The NOPD has launched an administrative review and suspended Sanchell without pay.
Dr. John Penny says the NOPD should send a message that makes it clear to other officers behavior like Sanchell's won't tolerated.
“Given what we see and if any of this is proven true, I think the officer should no doubt be fired,” Penny said. “He's unfit to be a police officer.”
Police Officer Charged With Stalking
Officer Rob Vargas was arrested in Jackson County and charged with stalking.
Here is a statement from the Lansing Dept:
On July 1, 2008 the Jackson County Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for Lansing Police Officer Rob Vargas. On July 3, 2008 Officer Vargas was arraigned on charges of Felony Aggravated Stalking and Misdemeanor Malicious Use of Telecommunications.
Officer Vargas was hired on August 22, 1997 and was most recently assigned to the uniform patrol division. Officer Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave on May 23, 2007 due to a criminal investigation in Jackson County. Since that time Officer Vargas has applied for a duty disability pension. The Pension Board is currently reviewing his request.
Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley said today that the Lansing Police Department does not tolerate criminal misconduct by any of its members and that allegations of wrongdoing by any member of the agency are thoroughly investigated.
"We have and will continue to hold ourselves to the highest possible standards of integrity and professional conduct in law enforcement," Chief Alley said. "We will not compromise our core values and will assure that those values are applied to all our personnel on or off duty. The Lansing Police Department will maintain the integrity of our disciplinary process by following the policies, procedures and union contract, which details the disciplinary process."
Chief Alley noted that Officer Vargas's situation remains in the criminal justice system and therefore it would be inappropriate to discuss the details of his case.
Here is a statement from the Lansing Dept:
On July 1, 2008 the Jackson County Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for Lansing Police Officer Rob Vargas. On July 3, 2008 Officer Vargas was arraigned on charges of Felony Aggravated Stalking and Misdemeanor Malicious Use of Telecommunications.
Officer Vargas was hired on August 22, 1997 and was most recently assigned to the uniform patrol division. Officer Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave on May 23, 2007 due to a criminal investigation in Jackson County. Since that time Officer Vargas has applied for a duty disability pension. The Pension Board is currently reviewing his request.
Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley said today that the Lansing Police Department does not tolerate criminal misconduct by any of its members and that allegations of wrongdoing by any member of the agency are thoroughly investigated.
"We have and will continue to hold ourselves to the highest possible standards of integrity and professional conduct in law enforcement," Chief Alley said. "We will not compromise our core values and will assure that those values are applied to all our personnel on or off duty. The Lansing Police Department will maintain the integrity of our disciplinary process by following the policies, procedures and union contract, which details the disciplinary process."
Chief Alley noted that Officer Vargas's situation remains in the criminal justice system and therefore it would be inappropriate to discuss the details of his case.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Lawsuit Filed In Mount Juliet Officer Incident
Alleged Victim Seeks $1 Million In Damages
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
Video of a Mount Juliet police officer accused of choking a driver in April could cost the city quite a bit of cash after a lawsuit was filed on Monday.
A lawsuit filed in district court accuses the Mount Juliet Police Department of being negligent in hiring the officer and should be liable for his actions. The traffic stop in early April violated James Anders constitutional rights, according to his attorney.
Police video shows that for nearly two minutes, police officer William Cosby had his hands around Anders' neck until he passed out.
Cosby said he was doing the choke move to keep Anders from swallowing marijuana, but his attorney said an independent drug test found no drugs in Anders system and all charges against him have been dropped
"We have alleged Officer Cosby violated 42 USC 1983, what is commonly known as police brutality statute," said attorney Gary Vandever.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of Anders, his attorney said the incident caused Anders physical pain and suffering extreme emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
"He has lost respect for the police. He's having nightmares about this," said Vandever.
The lawsuit said both Cosby and Officer James Crosslin should be held responsible personally along with the city of Mount Juliet Police Department.
They are asking for $1 million in punitive damages as punishment and $500,000 to compensate Anders.
The lawsuit alleges the police department is liable for failing to control and discipline the officers and was negligent in ever hiring Cosby because he had been accused of abuse when he worked as a police officer for the city of Lebanon.
"They had knowledge of his prior problems, and it's like the old adage every dog gets it's first bite free. Well, apparently he had several bites," said Vandever.
Cosby remains a police officer in Mount Juliet and received only a written reprimand. Because of this, the lawsuit said Mount Juliet police created an atmosphere of lawlessness and had a policy of inaction.
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
Video of a Mount Juliet police officer accused of choking a driver in April could cost the city quite a bit of cash after a lawsuit was filed on Monday.
A lawsuit filed in district court accuses the Mount Juliet Police Department of being negligent in hiring the officer and should be liable for his actions. The traffic stop in early April violated James Anders constitutional rights, according to his attorney.
Police video shows that for nearly two minutes, police officer William Cosby had his hands around Anders' neck until he passed out.
Cosby said he was doing the choke move to keep Anders from swallowing marijuana, but his attorney said an independent drug test found no drugs in Anders system and all charges against him have been dropped
"We have alleged Officer Cosby violated 42 USC 1983, what is commonly known as police brutality statute," said attorney Gary Vandever.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of Anders, his attorney said the incident caused Anders physical pain and suffering extreme emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
"He has lost respect for the police. He's having nightmares about this," said Vandever.
The lawsuit said both Cosby and Officer James Crosslin should be held responsible personally along with the city of Mount Juliet Police Department.
They are asking for $1 million in punitive damages as punishment and $500,000 to compensate Anders.
The lawsuit alleges the police department is liable for failing to control and discipline the officers and was negligent in ever hiring Cosby because he had been accused of abuse when he worked as a police officer for the city of Lebanon.
"They had knowledge of his prior problems, and it's like the old adage every dog gets it's first bite free. Well, apparently he had several bites," said Vandever.
Cosby remains a police officer in Mount Juliet and received only a written reprimand. Because of this, the lawsuit said Mount Juliet police created an atmosphere of lawlessness and had a policy of inaction.
UPDATE: Officer Arrested for Murder
Grand Haven
Testimony in the trial of a Holland police officer accused of killing his wife began Tuesday afternoon with the first police officer to arrive at the murder scene.
Sgt. Jeff Belthouse is on the stand as the trial's first witness. He is testifying on what he saw at the murder scene when he arrived. The jury is also hearing the 911 call from the DeKleine home reporting the murder.
Ken DeKleine is accused of killing his wife, Lori DeKleine on January 10, 2008 at her home on Calvin Avenue in Holland. Police believe Ken DeKleine snuck into the house, hiding until his children left for school, then strangled his wife.
Lori DeKleine had a protection order against her estranged husband for almost a year before her death. Investigators say DeKleine tried to make Lori's death look like a suicide.
Ken DeKleine spent time in Iraq training police officers there about a year before his wife's murder. After his return, he said the hardest part of going to Iraq was being away from his family.
Waterbury officer fired, accused of warning friend
WATERBURY, Conn.
A Waterbury police officer accused of warning a friend about a drug investigation has been fired.
Twenty-nine-year-old Israel Lugo had been accused last month of illegally disclosing information about a state police drug investigation that netted 20 pounds of marijuana.
Lugo was arrested June 23 after police said he illegally used a police computer to check the license plate of a state police vehicle that was tailing the target of a drug investigation.
Police say that Lugo was lifelong friends with 29-year-old Shaun Ducham who was arrested June 20 after state police raided his home and seized guns, 20 pounds of marijuana and about $1,000 in cash.
Lugo was with the department for three years.
A Waterbury police officer accused of warning a friend about a drug investigation has been fired.
Twenty-nine-year-old Israel Lugo had been accused last month of illegally disclosing information about a state police drug investigation that netted 20 pounds of marijuana.
Lugo was arrested June 23 after police said he illegally used a police computer to check the license plate of a state police vehicle that was tailing the target of a drug investigation.
Police say that Lugo was lifelong friends with 29-year-old Shaun Ducham who was arrested June 20 after state police raided his home and seized guns, 20 pounds of marijuana and about $1,000 in cash.
Lugo was with the department for three years.
Officer Drives Drunk and Flips Truck
Chamblee police have arrested DeKalb County police officer Jose Vizcaino-Caro, 22, Sunday morning for driving drunk and crashing into another car has quit the force.
Officials said around 5:30 am, the officer’s truck crossed the center line on Clairmont Road, hit another car and flipped. Investigators said Officer Vizcaino-Caro tried to then run from the scene, but was quickly captured.
The victim in the other car was slightly injured.
Besides the DUI charge, Caro has also been charged with failure to stop and render aid. A judge released Caro after he posted a $2,000 bond.
Officials said around 5:30 am, the officer’s truck crossed the center line on Clairmont Road, hit another car and flipped. Investigators said Officer Vizcaino-Caro tried to then run from the scene, but was quickly captured.
The victim in the other car was slightly injured.
Besides the DUI charge, Caro has also been charged with failure to stop and render aid. A judge released Caro after he posted a $2,000 bond.
UPDATE: Officer Christopher Paciorkowski Arrested for Domestic Battery
ELKHART
An Elkhart police officer accused of domestic battery is being placed on administrative leave without pay.
Christopher Paciorkowski was arrested on June 25 for felony domestic battery after his fiancée told police he pushed her. Paciorkowski is also accused of interfering with reporting a crime.
The Elkhart Safety Board decided Tuesday morning to stop paying Paciorkowski until the case against him is resolved.
If convicted, Packorkowski would not be able to carry a firearm so he could not be a police officer. Paciorkowski is a five-year veteran of the department.
An Elkhart police officer accused of domestic battery is being placed on administrative leave without pay.
Christopher Paciorkowski was arrested on June 25 for felony domestic battery after his fiancée told police he pushed her. Paciorkowski is also accused of interfering with reporting a crime.
The Elkhart Safety Board decided Tuesday morning to stop paying Paciorkowski until the case against him is resolved.
If convicted, Packorkowski would not be able to carry a firearm so he could not be a police officer. Paciorkowski is a five-year veteran of the department.
UPDATE: Officer Accused of Gas Theft Has Been Fired
MINDEN
A suspended Minden police officer accused in May of felony theft was fired Monday night by the Minden City Council.
The vote was unanimous to fire Craigburke Bucknor, effective on the date of his May 2 suspension. Bucknor’s suspension has been without pay.
Bucknor, 30, was arrested by Minden police detectives after an investigation indicated he had accessed another officer’s gas card to charge $400 in fuel for personal use.
Bucknor confessed to detectives after being confronted. He had been employed with the department since 2005 and had no prior disciplinary problems.
In other police-related matters Monday, the City Council:
* Accepted the resignation of police officer David Bradshaw, effective Sunday. Bradshaw had been recommended for termination by the Personnel Committee.
* Confirmed the employment of Heath Humble as a Minden police officer, subject to his successfully passing all applicable tests.
* Reappointed firefighter Tom Guy Mandino and police officer Julie Harmon to the Minden Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board. Both will serve three-year terms.
A suspended Minden police officer accused in May of felony theft was fired Monday night by the Minden City Council.
The vote was unanimous to fire Craigburke Bucknor, effective on the date of his May 2 suspension. Bucknor’s suspension has been without pay.
Bucknor, 30, was arrested by Minden police detectives after an investigation indicated he had accessed another officer’s gas card to charge $400 in fuel for personal use.
Bucknor confessed to detectives after being confronted. He had been employed with the department since 2005 and had no prior disciplinary problems.
In other police-related matters Monday, the City Council:
* Accepted the resignation of police officer David Bradshaw, effective Sunday. Bradshaw had been recommended for termination by the Personnel Committee.
* Confirmed the employment of Heath Humble as a Minden police officer, subject to his successfully passing all applicable tests.
* Reappointed firefighter Tom Guy Mandino and police officer Julie Harmon to the Minden Municipal Fire & Police Civil Service Board. Both will serve three-year terms.
Officer Charged with Multiple Traffic Offenses
A New Orleans Police officer has been suspended without pay from the force after being charged with multiple traffic offenses, including hit and run.
The high speed chase was caught by the dashboard camera of a Crescent City Connection police cruiser.
It was almost 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, when two Crescent City police officers noticed a black pickup truck traveling east across the Crescent City Connection.
The officers reported that the truck was going in excess of 90 mph in a 50-mph-zone and switched lanes erratically.
The driver of the truck was identified as New Orleans police officer Donyell Sanchell, a four-year veteran of the department.
The police report states that despite having their lights and siren on the pickup truck didn’t pull over and continued east until taking the Vieux Carre exit and coming to a stop at the bottom of the exit.
The report states Officer Sanchell was irate and he said that was not going to stop because he was late for work, and, as the Crescent City officers were questioning Sanchell, he sped off hitting CCC Officer Jeremy Wright in the left forearm with his truck.
The officers began pursuit again and it ended a short distance later when the pickup truck pulled into First District headquarters on North Rampart Street.
The report states that Officer Sanchell got out of the truck and hit Officer Wright in the face with an open hand and went inside – that was not captured by the cruiser’s dashboard camera because of other vehicles in between.
Officer Sanchell was not arrested and was given a municipal summons for two counts of battery and traffic citations for hit and run and careless operation.
The high speed chase was caught by the dashboard camera of a Crescent City Connection police cruiser.
It was almost 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, when two Crescent City police officers noticed a black pickup truck traveling east across the Crescent City Connection.
The officers reported that the truck was going in excess of 90 mph in a 50-mph-zone and switched lanes erratically.
The driver of the truck was identified as New Orleans police officer Donyell Sanchell, a four-year veteran of the department.
The police report states that despite having their lights and siren on the pickup truck didn’t pull over and continued east until taking the Vieux Carre exit and coming to a stop at the bottom of the exit.
The report states Officer Sanchell was irate and he said that was not going to stop because he was late for work, and, as the Crescent City officers were questioning Sanchell, he sped off hitting CCC Officer Jeremy Wright in the left forearm with his truck.
The officers began pursuit again and it ended a short distance later when the pickup truck pulled into First District headquarters on North Rampart Street.
The report states that Officer Sanchell got out of the truck and hit Officer Wright in the face with an open hand and went inside – that was not captured by the cruiser’s dashboard camera because of other vehicles in between.
Officer Sanchell was not arrested and was given a municipal summons for two counts of battery and traffic citations for hit and run and careless operation.
Officer Daniel Venegas Charged With Beating His Wife
Merrillville police officer Daniel Venegas, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, is on administrative leave without pay after being charged with battering his wife.
The 25-year-old was expected to be released Monday afternoon from the Porter County Jail where he has been held since the Wednesday incident at his Portage home.
Venegas is charged with a felony count of strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery with injury, according to police.
Anyone convicted of domestic battery is prohibited by federal law from having a firearm -- so a battery conviction for Venegas could spell the end of his career in law enforcement.
The incident involved an argument over finances and his wife's use of Internet, said Portage police spokesman Sgt. Keith Hughes.
Police removed five weapons from the home and turned three over to the Merrillville police department, according to a report.
The Merrillville police department is conducting an internal investigation, according to Chief Joseph Petruch.
Venegas has been with the department since Feb. 27, 2007 and currently serves as a patrolman, Petruch said.
He has been on disability for several weeks as a result of a motorcycle injury, said defense attorney Larry Rogers.
Venegas was to be placed on pretrial supervision, which requires he receive counseling from the Veteran's Administration for post traumatic stress disorder and report to a probation officer, Rogers said.
Rogers believes PTSD is behind his client's actions. Venegas was wounded twice while in Iraq, Rogers said.
PTSD is brought on when an individual experiences a severe threat and then suffers a repeated fear as a result, said Sandy Carlson, vice president of clinical services at Porter-Starke Services.
The disorder can cause reoccurring bad dreams, loss of sleep and flashbacks of the initial threat, she said. It can also result in hyper vigilance, irritability and angry outbursts.
The goal of therapy is to desensitize the person to the trauma and the sooner the better, she said.
"To wait it out and hope it goes away is a huge mistake," Carlson said.
The 25-year-old was expected to be released Monday afternoon from the Porter County Jail where he has been held since the Wednesday incident at his Portage home.
Venegas is charged with a felony count of strangulation and misdemeanor domestic battery with injury, according to police.
Anyone convicted of domestic battery is prohibited by federal law from having a firearm -- so a battery conviction for Venegas could spell the end of his career in law enforcement.
The incident involved an argument over finances and his wife's use of Internet, said Portage police spokesman Sgt. Keith Hughes.
Police removed five weapons from the home and turned three over to the Merrillville police department, according to a report.
The Merrillville police department is conducting an internal investigation, according to Chief Joseph Petruch.
Venegas has been with the department since Feb. 27, 2007 and currently serves as a patrolman, Petruch said.
He has been on disability for several weeks as a result of a motorcycle injury, said defense attorney Larry Rogers.
Venegas was to be placed on pretrial supervision, which requires he receive counseling from the Veteran's Administration for post traumatic stress disorder and report to a probation officer, Rogers said.
Rogers believes PTSD is behind his client's actions. Venegas was wounded twice while in Iraq, Rogers said.
PTSD is brought on when an individual experiences a severe threat and then suffers a repeated fear as a result, said Sandy Carlson, vice president of clinical services at Porter-Starke Services.
The disorder can cause reoccurring bad dreams, loss of sleep and flashbacks of the initial threat, she said. It can also result in hyper vigilance, irritability and angry outbursts.
The goal of therapy is to desensitize the person to the trauma and the sooner the better, she said.
"To wait it out and hope it goes away is a huge mistake," Carlson said.
Officer Arrested in Sex Sting
Pennsylvania police officer posed as 14-year-old girl in Internet fetish room.
"Chancemaycome" and "Jess" met during an online chat on Yahoo Messenger last year.
Chancemaycome claimed to be a 56-year-old man from Canada. Jess said she was a teenage girl, but was actually an undercover police officer in Pennsylvania.
Their conversations became sexual. The man masturbated and said what he'd like to do to the teen. He sent photographs of children having sex. They eventually agreed to meet up.
Now, a 57-year-old former Ottawa police officer is accused of driving more than nine hours to the U.S. to have sex with a minor.
Paul Maher, who was an officer with the former City of Ottawa police force between 1974 and 1988, is accused of knowingly travelling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and distributing child pornography, according to an affidavit for a criminal complaint filed in a U.S. District Court.
Mr. Maher was arrested in New York state at the end of last month. He has allegedly made several admissions, a document filed in court shows.
Based on information from U.S. officials, Ottawa police executed a search warrant at a home in Richmond last week and seized computer equipment and two firearms.
Yesterday, they issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Maher on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, child luring and seven firearms offences including unsafe storage and possession of prohibited weapons.
Ottawa police are awaiting the outcome of Mr. Maher's U.S. proceedings before determining whether an extradition order will be necessary to have him answer to their charges.
A document filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Pennsylvania states that on Oct. 14, 2007, a police officer from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, posed as a 14-year-old girl in an online fetish room and chatted with a person identified as "chancemaycome."
When the pair exchanged photographs, the officer sent a photo of a girl.
Chat between them became sexual and took place over multiple days. The man could be seen masturbating on his webcam and transmitted images of his penis, the affidavit for a criminal complaint states.
As early as Oct. 17, the man raised the issue of travelling to Pennsylvania to meet and engage in sex with the undercover officer, explaining that it would take nine hours and 13 minutes to drive to the Pittsburgh area from his home, according to the affidavit.
In November, the man told the officer that he worked for the Canadian government, but that his passport was expired and needed to be renewed before he could travel to the U.S.
The man, who also used the name "Pablo Mendez," also allegedly sent the officer about 227 images and 37 videos, many of which depict children engaged in sexual conduct.
He said he had a desire to have the gift of the girl's virginity, the affidavit states.
The man and the undercover officer arranged to meet at a Mount Pleasant convenience store at about 10 a.m. on June 27.
After 8 a.m. that day, officers conducting surveillance saw a black Dodge SUV with Ontario licence plates in the area and recognized the man from the photos and images seen during the online chats.
The man failed to show up to the scheduled meeting, but later that morning confirmed during a telephone call to a "civilian decoy" who was helping with the investigation that he had travelled to Mount Pleasant to meet the girl, but became nervous and left the area after he saw two people talking on radios and a red pickup truck following him, the affidavit states.
The FBI sent out law enforcement bulletins and Mr. Maher was arrested in his vehicle in New York State.
He has made statements that he had a webcam in his vehicle that he had brought for "Jess" and admitted that he sent photographs of his penis, according to the affidavit.
He also "acknowledges that he could have sent child pornography and probably sent it," the document states. Mr. Maher admitted to travelling to Mount Pleasant but claimed he did not believe the undercover officer was 14 years old, the affidavit states.
Mr. Maher was in Binghamton, New York, yesterday, awaiting transfer to Pittsburgh, according to a spokeswoman from the U.S. Attorney's office in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
"Chancemaycome" and "Jess" met during an online chat on Yahoo Messenger last year.
Chancemaycome claimed to be a 56-year-old man from Canada. Jess said she was a teenage girl, but was actually an undercover police officer in Pennsylvania.
Their conversations became sexual. The man masturbated and said what he'd like to do to the teen. He sent photographs of children having sex. They eventually agreed to meet up.
Now, a 57-year-old former Ottawa police officer is accused of driving more than nine hours to the U.S. to have sex with a minor.
Paul Maher, who was an officer with the former City of Ottawa police force between 1974 and 1988, is accused of knowingly travelling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and distributing child pornography, according to an affidavit for a criminal complaint filed in a U.S. District Court.
Mr. Maher was arrested in New York state at the end of last month. He has allegedly made several admissions, a document filed in court shows.
Based on information from U.S. officials, Ottawa police executed a search warrant at a home in Richmond last week and seized computer equipment and two firearms.
Yesterday, they issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Maher on charges of possession and distribution of child pornography, child luring and seven firearms offences including unsafe storage and possession of prohibited weapons.
Ottawa police are awaiting the outcome of Mr. Maher's U.S. proceedings before determining whether an extradition order will be necessary to have him answer to their charges.
A document filed in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Pennsylvania states that on Oct. 14, 2007, a police officer from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, posed as a 14-year-old girl in an online fetish room and chatted with a person identified as "chancemaycome."
When the pair exchanged photographs, the officer sent a photo of a girl.
Chat between them became sexual and took place over multiple days. The man could be seen masturbating on his webcam and transmitted images of his penis, the affidavit for a criminal complaint states.
As early as Oct. 17, the man raised the issue of travelling to Pennsylvania to meet and engage in sex with the undercover officer, explaining that it would take nine hours and 13 minutes to drive to the Pittsburgh area from his home, according to the affidavit.
In November, the man told the officer that he worked for the Canadian government, but that his passport was expired and needed to be renewed before he could travel to the U.S.
The man, who also used the name "Pablo Mendez," also allegedly sent the officer about 227 images and 37 videos, many of which depict children engaged in sexual conduct.
He said he had a desire to have the gift of the girl's virginity, the affidavit states.
The man and the undercover officer arranged to meet at a Mount Pleasant convenience store at about 10 a.m. on June 27.
After 8 a.m. that day, officers conducting surveillance saw a black Dodge SUV with Ontario licence plates in the area and recognized the man from the photos and images seen during the online chats.
The man failed to show up to the scheduled meeting, but later that morning confirmed during a telephone call to a "civilian decoy" who was helping with the investigation that he had travelled to Mount Pleasant to meet the girl, but became nervous and left the area after he saw two people talking on radios and a red pickup truck following him, the affidavit states.
The FBI sent out law enforcement bulletins and Mr. Maher was arrested in his vehicle in New York State.
He has made statements that he had a webcam in his vehicle that he had brought for "Jess" and admitted that he sent photographs of his penis, according to the affidavit.
He also "acknowledges that he could have sent child pornography and probably sent it," the document states. Mr. Maher admitted to travelling to Mount Pleasant but claimed he did not believe the undercover officer was 14 years old, the affidavit states.
Mr. Maher was in Binghamton, New York, yesterday, awaiting transfer to Pittsburgh, according to a spokeswoman from the U.S. Attorney's office in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Officer Xavier Herrera Arrested for Attempting to Purchase Cocaine
A man prosecutors identify as a Northwest Indiana police officer is facing federal drug charges.
The Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Officer Xavier Herrera and two other men in a Burger King parking lot. The 47-year old East Chicago police officer had been set-up in a sting operation. A paid government source offered to sell him cocaine for 19-thousand dollars a kilogram.
According to the criminal complaint, Herrera told arresting officers he was the deal's middle-man, and stood to make only $500. He's been detained since his arrest last week, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning.
The police chief and mayor of East Chicago did not return calls for comment
The Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Officer Xavier Herrera and two other men in a Burger King parking lot. The 47-year old East Chicago police officer had been set-up in a sting operation. A paid government source offered to sell him cocaine for 19-thousand dollars a kilogram.
According to the criminal complaint, Herrera told arresting officers he was the deal's middle-man, and stood to make only $500. He's been detained since his arrest last week, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday morning.
The police chief and mayor of East Chicago did not return calls for comment
No Mug Shot Taken of Officer Christopher Vesey Arrested for Drunk Driving
Waukee police officers forgot to take a mug shot of an off-duty undercover police officer arrested last week, officials said Monday.
Officer Christopher Vesey, a Waukee resident and member of the West Des Moines narcotics task force, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated at 2:20 a.m. July 2. Waukee police took his fingerprints and impounded his car.
Waukee Police Chief L.J. Phillips said that it is department policy to take a booking photo but that each of the two officers involved in Vesey's booking thought the other had taken one. It's not the first time it has happened, Phillips said: "It was not done deliberately."
Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said the incident should be investigated. "Circumstances would certainly raise strong suspicions that there was favorable treatment," he said.
West Des Moines police have so far refused to release a photo of Vesey, 33, who joined the department in 1999. Authorities said because of his undercover work, releasing a photo of Vesey could jeopardize cases he has pending.
Waukee police found Vesey after another motorist spotted his car being driven in an irregular manner. Officers found Vesey in his car, stopped near the intersection of Hickman Road and North 10th Street. Vesey refused to take a breath analysis test.
Iowa law suspends the licenses of drivers who refuse to take a breath test.
Vesey is on paid administrative leave from the West Des Moines Police Department. The department said it will conduct an investigation to determine whether he violated department policy and whether any action will be taken on his employment.
Officer Christopher Vesey, a Waukee resident and member of the West Des Moines narcotics task force, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated at 2:20 a.m. July 2. Waukee police took his fingerprints and impounded his car.
Waukee Police Chief L.J. Phillips said that it is department policy to take a booking photo but that each of the two officers involved in Vesey's booking thought the other had taken one. It's not the first time it has happened, Phillips said: "It was not done deliberately."
Ben Stone, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said the incident should be investigated. "Circumstances would certainly raise strong suspicions that there was favorable treatment," he said.
West Des Moines police have so far refused to release a photo of Vesey, 33, who joined the department in 1999. Authorities said because of his undercover work, releasing a photo of Vesey could jeopardize cases he has pending.
Waukee police found Vesey after another motorist spotted his car being driven in an irregular manner. Officers found Vesey in his car, stopped near the intersection of Hickman Road and North 10th Street. Vesey refused to take a breath analysis test.
Iowa law suspends the licenses of drivers who refuse to take a breath test.
Vesey is on paid administrative leave from the West Des Moines Police Department. The department said it will conduct an investigation to determine whether he violated department policy and whether any action will be taken on his employment.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Several Officers Arrested on Drug Charges
TORONTO
Two Toronto police officers and three correctional officers were among 20 people arrested in a sweep of area houses used to grow marijuana, police said.
Early Thursday, police executed 63 search warrants in the York region, north of the city and Peel region to the west, the Toronto Sun reported.
Professional Standards Superintendent Jim Ramer told reporters police seized three homes, five vehicles, $60,000 in cash, 16 pounds of marijuana, drug-making equipment and small amounts of ecstasy and steroids.
Police allege the group arrested used a real estate agent to buy and sell properties they converted to hydroponic marijuana farms known in Canada as "grow-ops," the Toronto Star said.
Police Chief Bill Blair was obviously upset about the two officers' arrests, saying at a news conference it was "more than merely a betrayal of their oath of office," but a slap in the face to every honest officer.
Asked about the officers' employment, Blair was terse, the Star said.
"They'll get full salary until we can deal with employment status," the chief said.
Two Toronto police officers and three correctional officers were among 20 people arrested in a sweep of area houses used to grow marijuana, police said.
Early Thursday, police executed 63 search warrants in the York region, north of the city and Peel region to the west, the Toronto Sun reported.
Professional Standards Superintendent Jim Ramer told reporters police seized three homes, five vehicles, $60,000 in cash, 16 pounds of marijuana, drug-making equipment and small amounts of ecstasy and steroids.
Police allege the group arrested used a real estate agent to buy and sell properties they converted to hydroponic marijuana farms known in Canada as "grow-ops," the Toronto Star said.
Police Chief Bill Blair was obviously upset about the two officers' arrests, saying at a news conference it was "more than merely a betrayal of their oath of office," but a slap in the face to every honest officer.
Asked about the officers' employment, Blair was terse, the Star said.
"They'll get full salary until we can deal with employment status," the chief said.
Former Fremont Officer Nick Maureer Charged with Assault
SAN FRANCISCO
A 26-year-old former Fremont police officer Nick Maurer, is expected to be arraigned today on seven misdemeanor counts stemming from an assault on a Richmond firefighter last month after a country music concert at AT&T Park.
Nick Maurer, who at the time of the June 8 incident was employed by the Fremont Police Department, was cited by BART police and released from custody after a fight with a 41-year-old firefighter at the Embarcadero BART station.
Maurer, who is out of custody, is expected to be arraigned on three counts of assault with force possibly causing great bodily injury, three counts of battery on a transportation passenger and a single count of public intoxication.
Prosecutors announced the charges Friday afternoon, nearly a month after the incident happened. Fremont authorities wouldn't comment on the case Friday, stating only that Maurer is no longer employed by the city.
"It's a personnel matter, and we cannot comment," said Fremont police Detective Bill Veteran. All he would say is that "(Maurer) is separated from service with the department."
The facts of the case have not been fully disclosed by police or prosecutors, but the incident apparently started on a MUNI train that took concertgoers from AT&T Park to the Embarcadero BART station.
According to BART Police Chief Gary Gee — who spoke briefly with The Argus about the case a few days after it happened but has since refused comment — the firefighter's wife warned Maurer's friend, Vince Bedolla, also a Fremont police officer attending the Kenny Chesney concert, about Maurer leaning against the door of the train.
At some point, someone hit Bedolla in the face, which apparently sparked a skirmish minutes later at the BART station, Gee said.
The altercation did not take place on the platform near any moving trains, the chief said.
No one was seriously hurt, although one published report indicated that Bedolla may have suffered a broken nose, and the firefighter suffered cuts and bruises to his face.
Maurer was placed under citizen's arrest at the station, but later was released with a citation to appear in court.
San Francisco prosecutors received the case from investigators about a week after the incident and said they had 30 days to make a decision about charges. Their intention to charge Maurer was not publicized until Friday afternoon.
Bedolla was questioned after the incident but not arrested. It remained unclear Thursday if he was still employed by the city of Fremont. Veteran said he could not comment on Bedolla's status. However, his name is no longer listed on the department's roster of employees.
A 26-year-old former Fremont police officer Nick Maurer, is expected to be arraigned today on seven misdemeanor counts stemming from an assault on a Richmond firefighter last month after a country music concert at AT&T Park.
Nick Maurer, who at the time of the June 8 incident was employed by the Fremont Police Department, was cited by BART police and released from custody after a fight with a 41-year-old firefighter at the Embarcadero BART station.
Maurer, who is out of custody, is expected to be arraigned on three counts of assault with force possibly causing great bodily injury, three counts of battery on a transportation passenger and a single count of public intoxication.
Prosecutors announced the charges Friday afternoon, nearly a month after the incident happened. Fremont authorities wouldn't comment on the case Friday, stating only that Maurer is no longer employed by the city.
"It's a personnel matter, and we cannot comment," said Fremont police Detective Bill Veteran. All he would say is that "(Maurer) is separated from service with the department."
The facts of the case have not been fully disclosed by police or prosecutors, but the incident apparently started on a MUNI train that took concertgoers from AT&T Park to the Embarcadero BART station.
According to BART Police Chief Gary Gee — who spoke briefly with The Argus about the case a few days after it happened but has since refused comment — the firefighter's wife warned Maurer's friend, Vince Bedolla, also a Fremont police officer attending the Kenny Chesney concert, about Maurer leaning against the door of the train.
At some point, someone hit Bedolla in the face, which apparently sparked a skirmish minutes later at the BART station, Gee said.
The altercation did not take place on the platform near any moving trains, the chief said.
No one was seriously hurt, although one published report indicated that Bedolla may have suffered a broken nose, and the firefighter suffered cuts and bruises to his face.
Maurer was placed under citizen's arrest at the station, but later was released with a citation to appear in court.
San Francisco prosecutors received the case from investigators about a week after the incident and said they had 30 days to make a decision about charges. Their intention to charge Maurer was not publicized until Friday afternoon.
Bedolla was questioned after the incident but not arrested. It remained unclear Thursday if he was still employed by the city of Fremont. Veteran said he could not comment on Bedolla's status. However, his name is no longer listed on the department's roster of employees.
Multiple Complaints Received Against Lieutenant Arnson
AZ
Buckeye Police Lieutenant Derek Arnson, favored by some Town Council members as the next police chief is on paid leave after the town received "multiple complaints" against him, documents show.
Lt. Arnson was notified June 5 of a formal investigation into complaints of intimidation and inappropriate comments.
The notice of investigation indicates the probe is exploring "multiple complaints of ongoing intimidation of employees coupled with threats of job loss; intimidation regarding hiring practices; inappropriate comments regarding an employee's sexual orientation, and inappropriate comments regarding employee employment status."
The document is a preliminary form to notify employees of an investigation. Details of the allegations were unavailable.
Arnson's attorney, Edmundo Robaina, said he was unable to comment because Arnson is prohibited from discussing the investigation.
Former mayoral candidate Michael Todd said Buckeye Vice Mayor Elaine May and Councilman David Hardesty advocated for Arnson to be picked as chief during talks around the time of the town's March 11 council primary.
May ran as an unopposed incumbent. Hardesty was not up for re-election.
"Arnson had two council members lobbying for him, telling me, 'We want this guy,' " Todd said, referring to May and Hardesty.
Arnson's promotion to commander "was a push by two council members to make Arnson chief," Todd added.
Arnson rose to the rank of sergeant during his 16-year tenure with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. He served last year as operational supervisor for DPS' Gang and Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission, the state gang task force, which received a 2007 Director's Unit Citation.
Arnson joined Buckeye as a lieutenant in December under then-Police Chief Dan Saban and briefly served as an acting commander under Assistant Town Manager Scott Rounds. Rounds later reassigned Arnson to lieutenant when he named Mark Mann interim chief.
Arnson has confirmed he applied for chief after Saban decided to retire to run for Maricopa County sheriff. A list of four finalists released last week did not include him or any other internal candidates.
"You don't go that low and pull people up and then bump them back down," Todd said. "It's part of a good ol' boy deal. I can't believe we would have council members so blind to say, 'This is the guy we need,' without ever seeing what's out there. I was a little troubled by that."
Because he was the subject of an active inquiry, May said she would decline to talk about claims that she favored Arnson. Buckeye Human Resources Director Nancy Love expects Arnson's investigation to be completed this week.
Todd lost his mayoral bid to Jackie Meck by 49 votes in the May 20 general election and remains closely involved in town politics.
Buckeye Police Lieutenant Derek Arnson, favored by some Town Council members as the next police chief is on paid leave after the town received "multiple complaints" against him, documents show.
Lt. Arnson was notified June 5 of a formal investigation into complaints of intimidation and inappropriate comments.
The notice of investigation indicates the probe is exploring "multiple complaints of ongoing intimidation of employees coupled with threats of job loss; intimidation regarding hiring practices; inappropriate comments regarding an employee's sexual orientation, and inappropriate comments regarding employee employment status."
The document is a preliminary form to notify employees of an investigation. Details of the allegations were unavailable.
Arnson's attorney, Edmundo Robaina, said he was unable to comment because Arnson is prohibited from discussing the investigation.
Former mayoral candidate Michael Todd said Buckeye Vice Mayor Elaine May and Councilman David Hardesty advocated for Arnson to be picked as chief during talks around the time of the town's March 11 council primary.
May ran as an unopposed incumbent. Hardesty was not up for re-election.
"Arnson had two council members lobbying for him, telling me, 'We want this guy,' " Todd said, referring to May and Hardesty.
Arnson's promotion to commander "was a push by two council members to make Arnson chief," Todd added.
Arnson rose to the rank of sergeant during his 16-year tenure with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. He served last year as operational supervisor for DPS' Gang and Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission, the state gang task force, which received a 2007 Director's Unit Citation.
Arnson joined Buckeye as a lieutenant in December under then-Police Chief Dan Saban and briefly served as an acting commander under Assistant Town Manager Scott Rounds. Rounds later reassigned Arnson to lieutenant when he named Mark Mann interim chief.
Arnson has confirmed he applied for chief after Saban decided to retire to run for Maricopa County sheriff. A list of four finalists released last week did not include him or any other internal candidates.
"You don't go that low and pull people up and then bump them back down," Todd said. "It's part of a good ol' boy deal. I can't believe we would have council members so blind to say, 'This is the guy we need,' without ever seeing what's out there. I was a little troubled by that."
Because he was the subject of an active inquiry, May said she would decline to talk about claims that she favored Arnson. Buckeye Human Resources Director Nancy Love expects Arnson's investigation to be completed this week.
Todd lost his mayoral bid to Jackie Meck by 49 votes in the May 20 general election and remains closely involved in town politics.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Officer Charged in Security Guard Shooting
MARIETTA, GA
After seven years on the force, Atlanta police officer John Freeman is being charged with murder.
Investigators say he shot and killed an unarmed security guard at the apartment complex where Freeman lives with his wife and two children. It happened at 4:28am Saturday at the Ivy Ridge Apartments on Bentley Road.
Cobb County police say 37-year-old Xavier Mallet of Marietta, Georgia, who provides security at the apartments, was banging on Freeman's front door. Freeman's wife answered the door and Mallet reportedly forced his way in. Authorities will not elaborate on what happened inside the home, but say Freeman's wife ran from the home followed by Mallet and Freeman. There was some sort of physical altercation and investigators say Freeman went back into his apartment, got his gun and shot and killed Mallet as he was leaving.
Freeman made his first court appearance Saturday night, but had his attorney, Bruce Harvey, represent him in front of the judge. Two of Freeman's fellow officers watched the appearance and afterward Harvey insisted that once all the facts the charges should be dropped against his client.
"You know Georgia has a 'stand your ground law' meaning that you can defend not just yourself, but your wife, your children, or even your property," said Harvey.
Harvey says Freeman has been placed on paid administrative leave and the Atlanta Police Department says it is cooperating fully with Cobb County investigators and, at the same time, is conducting it's own internal investigation.
Former Officer Jake Shirley Charged with Murder
LOVINGTON, N.M.
A former Lovington police officer has been charged with an open count of murder in the shooting death of his father.
State police say 23-year-old Jake Shirley is being held at the Lea County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash only bond.
State police say Lovington officers responded to the home of 48-year-old Jimmy Shirley last night after getting multiple 911 calls regarding a domestic violence incident.
Police found the elder Shirley with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to Lea County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators say Jake Shirley allegedly shot his father after the elder Shirley struck his wife, Brenda, in the face. The couple had been arguing earlier at their son's home.
A former Lovington police officer has been charged with an open count of murder in the shooting death of his father.
State police say 23-year-old Jake Shirley is being held at the Lea County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash only bond.
State police say Lovington officers responded to the home of 48-year-old Jimmy Shirley last night after getting multiple 911 calls regarding a domestic violence incident.
Police found the elder Shirley with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to Lea County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators say Jake Shirley allegedly shot his father after the elder Shirley struck his wife, Brenda, in the face. The couple had been arguing earlier at their son's home.
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