A Sahuarita police officer accused of stealing gasoline from a Pima County pump had his peace officer certification revoked Wednesday.
Warren K. Rivers, 44, resigned last October from the department after working there for nearly 15 months. Prior to working in Sahuarita, Rivers was employed by the Pima Community College Department of Public Safety for seven years.
His certification was revoked as a result of an incident that occurred last September, according to a document from the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board.
On Sept. 18, 2007, Sahuarita Police Officer Belinda Roach approached gas pumps that are shared by the Pima County Sheriff’s Office.
As she drove up, she saw Rivers putting gas into his personal vehicle, the document said.
When Rivers saw Roach, he quickly replaced the hose and left the area without turning the lights on to his vehicle, the document stated.
Roach reported the incident to her chain of command and an internal investigation was launched.
Rivers who was on duty at the time admitted to pumping gas into his own personal vehicle. He was placed on suspension with pay before he resigned.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department took care of the criminal investigation, which resulted in Rivers completing a court ordered diversion program and the theft charges were dismissed.
Because the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board revoked his certification, Rivers can no longer work as a peace officer in Arizona.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Former Officer Ronald Whitworth Jr Arrested for Sexual Abuse of Child
COLUMBIANA, Ala.
A former Anniston police officer is in jail in Shelby County without bond on charges including rape, sexual abuse and child endangerment.
Sheriff's Capt. Eric Burchfield said Ronald Loyd Whitworth Jr. was arrested May 4, following reports of sexual abuse, and also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Anniston Police Chief John Dryden said Whitworth worked for the police several years ago, before leaving for a job near Birmingham.
Whitworth failed to appear in court on Aug. 19 and was later arrested in Washington.
A former Anniston police officer is in jail in Shelby County without bond on charges including rape, sexual abuse and child endangerment.
Sheriff's Capt. Eric Burchfield said Ronald Loyd Whitworth Jr. was arrested May 4, following reports of sexual abuse, and also charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Anniston Police Chief John Dryden said Whitworth worked for the police several years ago, before leaving for a job near Birmingham.
Whitworth failed to appear in court on Aug. 19 and was later arrested in Washington.
Officer Matthew Chambers Arrested for Selling Roxicodone
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
A University of Tennessee-Knoxville police officer has been charged with selling prescription drugs.
WBIR-TV reports that Officer Matthew Chambers was arrested Wednesday at UT Police Department headquarters on charges he sold the drug Roxicodone to an undercover Knoxville police officer.
Knoxville police were not saying when or where the sale took place.
The investigation began when Knoxville police received a tip from an informant in early August.
Chambers has been a UT-Knoxville police officer for less than two years. He was placed on paid leave, his police powers were suspended and he turned in his badge and firearm.
Information from WBIR-TV, Knoxville, http://www.wbir.com
A University of Tennessee-Knoxville police officer has been charged with selling prescription drugs.
WBIR-TV reports that Officer Matthew Chambers was arrested Wednesday at UT Police Department headquarters on charges he sold the drug Roxicodone to an undercover Knoxville police officer.
Knoxville police were not saying when or where the sale took place.
The investigation began when Knoxville police received a tip from an informant in early August.
Chambers has been a UT-Knoxville police officer for less than two years. He was placed on paid leave, his police powers were suspended and he turned in his badge and firearm.
Information from WBIR-TV, Knoxville, http://www.wbir.com
Former Officer John Leggett Accused of Burying 8 Puppies Alive
Fayetteville, N.C.
A Superior Court judge says that a former city police officer accused of burying eight puppies alive must face trial on felony animal cruelty charges despite having paid fines to Cumberland County for violating a county animal cruelty ordinance.
John Leggett's attorney, Bruce Cunningham, had argued that because Leggett paid $800 in fines for county ordinance violations, prosecution on the charges that a grand jury brought in October would be double jeopardy.
Judge Jack Thomas rejected the argument in a ruling Monday.
County animal control agents accused Leggett, who breeds hunting dogs, of burying the puppies on his property in Cedar Creek. Two died. The other six and their mother were seized so they could be put up for adoption.
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=304841
A Superior Court judge says that a former city police officer accused of burying eight puppies alive must face trial on felony animal cruelty charges despite having paid fines to Cumberland County for violating a county animal cruelty ordinance.
John Leggett's attorney, Bruce Cunningham, had argued that because Leggett paid $800 in fines for county ordinance violations, prosecution on the charges that a grand jury brought in October would be double jeopardy.
Judge Jack Thomas rejected the argument in a ruling Monday.
County animal control agents accused Leggett, who breeds hunting dogs, of burying the puppies on his property in Cedar Creek. Two died. The other six and their mother were seized so they could be put up for adoption.
http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=304841
More Information on Officer Dannie Marchan
CHICAGO
Officer Dannie Marchan, 29, was trying to get his wife back, family members told the Chicago Tribune this week.
The off-duty Chicago police officer shot and killed himself Monday after shooting his two children, killing one.
Police believe Marchan was having a domestic dispute with his ex-wife when the shooting occured. The officer divorced in 2005 and shared custody of his two children, according to court records.
Police surmised that he shot his son and daughter, and then turned the gun on himself Monday.
His daughter, 7-year-old Alizay, died from a gunshot wound to her head. Her 9-year-old brother was recovering Tuesday at a hospital.
Police said Marchan had been with the department about four years. He was off-duty when the shootings happened Monday morning.
The Tribune reported Wednesday that the 29-year-old was the youngest of eight children, raised in Pilsen. His family was stunned by Monday's events, saying there had been no indication that their youngest sibling would become violent.
"I know he wanted to get back together (with his wife) for the kids' sake. He really loved her a lot," the shooter's brother, Javier Marchan, said. But a a reunion didn't appear likely, he added.
Javier Marchan told the Tribune that his brother had wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid.
On Monday, ofiicers and a SWAT team responded to a "shots fired" call at the officer's home in the Brighton Park neighborhood at about 10:45 a.m., department spokeswoman Monique Bond said.
When officers arrived, a woman outside told them that there were children in the one-story brick house and that she'd heard shots.
"You could hear moans from within the residence," First Deputy Superintendent James Jackson said.
SWAT officers rushed into the house, finding the dead officer with an apparent self-inflicted shot to his head. The two children were found in separate area of the home. Bond said it appeared that all had been shot with the same handgun.
The children were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where the boy remained in critical condition Tuesday.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Alizay Marchan was pronounced dead at 11:52 a.m. Monday.
Police said the officer who took his own life lived at the house, but they did not know if the two children lived there as well. Officials with the city's Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates all police shootings, also were on scene.
Jonathan Arenas, 26, who lives two blocks away, said he was walking by the residence when he saw SWAT officers rush into the building. He said he also saw blood on the two children as paramedics brought them out on stretchers.
"All the cops were running back and forth," Arenas said. "That's when they took the two children."
The officer's estranged wife was not in the home at the time of the shooting.
More Information: http://www.congoo.com/news/2008September16/Cops-name-officer-shot-family
Officer Dannie Marchan, 29, was trying to get his wife back, family members told the Chicago Tribune this week.
The off-duty Chicago police officer shot and killed himself Monday after shooting his two children, killing one.
Police believe Marchan was having a domestic dispute with his ex-wife when the shooting occured. The officer divorced in 2005 and shared custody of his two children, according to court records.
Police surmised that he shot his son and daughter, and then turned the gun on himself Monday.
His daughter, 7-year-old Alizay, died from a gunshot wound to her head. Her 9-year-old brother was recovering Tuesday at a hospital.
Police said Marchan had been with the department about four years. He was off-duty when the shootings happened Monday morning.
The Tribune reported Wednesday that the 29-year-old was the youngest of eight children, raised in Pilsen. His family was stunned by Monday's events, saying there had been no indication that their youngest sibling would become violent.
"I know he wanted to get back together (with his wife) for the kids' sake. He really loved her a lot," the shooter's brother, Javier Marchan, said. But a a reunion didn't appear likely, he added.
Javier Marchan told the Tribune that his brother had wanted to be a police officer since he was a kid.
On Monday, ofiicers and a SWAT team responded to a "shots fired" call at the officer's home in the Brighton Park neighborhood at about 10:45 a.m., department spokeswoman Monique Bond said.
When officers arrived, a woman outside told them that there were children in the one-story brick house and that she'd heard shots.
"You could hear moans from within the residence," First Deputy Superintendent James Jackson said.
SWAT officers rushed into the house, finding the dead officer with an apparent self-inflicted shot to his head. The two children were found in separate area of the home. Bond said it appeared that all had been shot with the same handgun.
The children were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where the boy remained in critical condition Tuesday.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said Alizay Marchan was pronounced dead at 11:52 a.m. Monday.
Police said the officer who took his own life lived at the house, but they did not know if the two children lived there as well. Officials with the city's Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates all police shootings, also were on scene.
Jonathan Arenas, 26, who lives two blocks away, said he was walking by the residence when he saw SWAT officers rush into the building. He said he also saw blood on the two children as paramedics brought them out on stretchers.
"All the cops were running back and forth," Arenas said. "That's when they took the two children."
The officer's estranged wife was not in the home at the time of the shooting.
More Information: http://www.congoo.com/news/2008September16/Cops-name-officer-shot-family
Officer Jacob Pfeffer Charged with Communicating Threats
(Pfeffer on right)HOPE MILLS
A Hope Mills police officer has been placed on administrative leave without pay after being charged with communicating threats.
The officer, Jacob Pfeffer, was placed on leave Aug. 22, said Kim Lockamy, human resources director for the town.
Pfeffer, 27, has been with the department since August 2004.
The town became aware of a complaint that had been filed against him Aug. 26.
“If there is any type of criminal summons, then it would be a normal procedure to suspend this person with administrative leave without pay pending an investigation and the outcome of the proceedings,” Lockamy said.
An internal investigation is being done, Lockamy said. That investigation is being conducted by Police Chief John Hodges.
Hodges could not be reached for comment, but Capt. John Smith said it was a personnel matter that could not be discussed.
Robert Ellis filed the complaint with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. It was not clear what his relationship is to Pfeffer.
Pfeffer is scheduled to appear in Cumberland County District Court Oct. 6.
UpDate: Officer Cpl. Cosby Fired for Choking Man
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
A police officer accused choking a man during a traffic stop is out of a job tonight.
The Mount Juliet Police Department fired Cpl. William Cosby Wednesday.
Mount Juliet Police Chief Andy Garrett finished his internal investigation earlier this week.
On Wednesday morning, he met with Cosby, handed him a termination letter and fired him.
During a traffic stop in April, Cosby believed James Anders, Jr. tried to hide marijuana in his mouth. The officer used a choke hold to get Anders to spit it out. Anders eventually lost consciousness.
No marijuana was found in his mouth and a blood test for the drug was negative.
"He was terminated and one of the policies he was terminated was with handling of citizens and prisoners," Garrett said.
Garrett said he fired Cosby during a morning meeting.
"He was professional. He stated he understood," Garrett said. "He was presented with a letter from the city manager that concurred with my findings."
Cosby still faces criminal charges in the case.
Two weeks ago, a Wilson County grand jury indicted him on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of perjury.
Cosby is also being sued by Anders in federal court for $1 million for violating his civil rights.
His attorney believes the tape says it all.
"This video should be shown to trainees. This ain't how things are done," said Anders' attorney Gary Vandever.
Garrett said part of his investigation included new training for his officers.
"We went ahead and took care of retraining the whole department including Officer Cosby in other techniques to use to prevent the ingestion of evidence," he said.
Cosby is not a civil service employee so there is not an appeals process.
However, he is entitled to a hearing with City Manager Randy Robertson within 10 days.
Cosby has been in Louisiana for the last couple of weeks serving with the Tennessee National Guard.
When he returned earlier this week, he turned himself in at the Wilson County jail. He is free on a $5,000 bond.
A police officer accused choking a man during a traffic stop is out of a job tonight.
The Mount Juliet Police Department fired Cpl. William Cosby Wednesday.
Mount Juliet Police Chief Andy Garrett finished his internal investigation earlier this week.
On Wednesday morning, he met with Cosby, handed him a termination letter and fired him.
During a traffic stop in April, Cosby believed James Anders, Jr. tried to hide marijuana in his mouth. The officer used a choke hold to get Anders to spit it out. Anders eventually lost consciousness.
No marijuana was found in his mouth and a blood test for the drug was negative.
"He was terminated and one of the policies he was terminated was with handling of citizens and prisoners," Garrett said.
Garrett said he fired Cosby during a morning meeting.
"He was professional. He stated he understood," Garrett said. "He was presented with a letter from the city manager that concurred with my findings."
Cosby still faces criminal charges in the case.
Two weeks ago, a Wilson County grand jury indicted him on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of perjury.
Cosby is also being sued by Anders in federal court for $1 million for violating his civil rights.
His attorney believes the tape says it all.
"This video should be shown to trainees. This ain't how things are done," said Anders' attorney Gary Vandever.
Garrett said part of his investigation included new training for his officers.
"We went ahead and took care of retraining the whole department including Officer Cosby in other techniques to use to prevent the ingestion of evidence," he said.
Cosby is not a civil service employee so there is not an appeals process.
However, he is entitled to a hearing with City Manager Randy Robertson within 10 days.
Cosby has been in Louisiana for the last couple of weeks serving with the Tennessee National Guard.
When he returned earlier this week, he turned himself in at the Wilson County jail. He is free on a $5,000 bond.
Correctional Officer Michael Clark Arrested for Sexual Assault
LAS CRUCES
A correctional officer for a state prison facility in Las Cruces was arrested Wednesday, accused of sexual assault.
Michael Clark, 42, an officer at Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility, was charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual penetration, Mesilla Marshal Angelo Vega said.
Clark is accused of assaulting a woman with whom he a previous relationship early Monday in Mesilla.
Clark was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.
Tia Bland, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Corrections, said Clark has been an officer since 1988. He will likely be placed on administrative leave from his job, a standard practice when an officer faces felony charges.
Bland said the Department of Corrections will also conduct its own internal investigation.
A correctional officer for a state prison facility in Las Cruces was arrested Wednesday, accused of sexual assault.
Michael Clark, 42, an officer at Southern New Mexico Correctional Facility, was charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual penetration, Mesilla Marshal Angelo Vega said.
Clark is accused of assaulting a woman with whom he a previous relationship early Monday in Mesilla.
Clark was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.
Tia Bland, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Corrections, said Clark has been an officer since 1988. He will likely be placed on administrative leave from his job, a standard practice when an officer faces felony charges.
Bland said the Department of Corrections will also conduct its own internal investigation.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Judge Steve Lile Disbarred
Three years ago, Steve Lile went from being one of the state's top judges to just another attorney because of a sex scandal at the state Capitol.
This morning, the state Supreme Court decided Lile couldn't even be an attorney any more.
Justices disbarred Lile, 60, "from the practice of law" because of the seriousness of his misconduct while a judge on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
The Supreme Court agreed he had committed multiple violations of the standards of conduct including actions that "undermined public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system."
Lile declined comment today. Last year, he said at a disciplinary hearing, "I was plain stupid. I wasn't thinking straight."
Lile resigned in 2005 from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
The Supreme Court found Lile had submitted false travel claims and false expense claims while a judge. He also had involved himself improperly in his son's drug cases and after an administrative assistant, Dawn Lukasik, was arrested in December 2004 for an alleged drug violation.
The assistant was not charged at the time.
Lile's troubles began after he hired Lukasik, a former lover, as his administrative assistant at the court at a time when his own marriage was failing. He said last year he discovered from her that they had a son together and the son, Loran Michael Wilson, was having drug problems.
She was 18 when their son was born. Lile was married and then 37.
The Supreme Court said he traveled at taxpayers' expense from June 24 to Oct 29, 2004, almost on a weekly basis to see his incarcerated son or to take care of legal and other issues involving his son.
"On some of the trips he was accompanied by Dawn Lukasik," the Supreme Court wrote. "He filed travel claims seeking reimbursement for these personal trips, claiming he attended project conferences, projects or meetings of the Regimented Inmate Discipline (RID) Program offered by the Department of Corrections. But there were no RID project conferences, projects or meetings on the dates for which he filed travel claims."
The Supreme Court said the false expenses claims were for purchases made by Lukasik, who was remodeling his office, and her daughter. "Some of those claims were for personal items unrelated to the remodeling," the Supreme Court said.
Before quitting as a judge, Lile reimbursed the state $1,523.64 for the travel and $1,560.43 for the "office" purchases made by Lukasik, or her daughter.
Lile was investigated by the state attorney general but not charged.
Lukasik was charged three times in 2005 on offenses related to methamphetamine and she admitted she had a drug problem. She eventually went to prison.
Lile represented Lukasik in the drug cases and married her when she was released from prison, records show.
This morning, the state Supreme Court decided Lile couldn't even be an attorney any more.
Justices disbarred Lile, 60, "from the practice of law" because of the seriousness of his misconduct while a judge on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
The Supreme Court agreed he had committed multiple violations of the standards of conduct including actions that "undermined public confidence in the integrity of the judicial system."
Lile declined comment today. Last year, he said at a disciplinary hearing, "I was plain stupid. I wasn't thinking straight."
Lile resigned in 2005 from the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
The Supreme Court found Lile had submitted false travel claims and false expense claims while a judge. He also had involved himself improperly in his son's drug cases and after an administrative assistant, Dawn Lukasik, was arrested in December 2004 for an alleged drug violation.
The assistant was not charged at the time.
Lile's troubles began after he hired Lukasik, a former lover, as his administrative assistant at the court at a time when his own marriage was failing. He said last year he discovered from her that they had a son together and the son, Loran Michael Wilson, was having drug problems.
She was 18 when their son was born. Lile was married and then 37.
The Supreme Court said he traveled at taxpayers' expense from June 24 to Oct 29, 2004, almost on a weekly basis to see his incarcerated son or to take care of legal and other issues involving his son.
"On some of the trips he was accompanied by Dawn Lukasik," the Supreme Court wrote. "He filed travel claims seeking reimbursement for these personal trips, claiming he attended project conferences, projects or meetings of the Regimented Inmate Discipline (RID) Program offered by the Department of Corrections. But there were no RID project conferences, projects or meetings on the dates for which he filed travel claims."
The Supreme Court said the false expenses claims were for purchases made by Lukasik, who was remodeling his office, and her daughter. "Some of those claims were for personal items unrelated to the remodeling," the Supreme Court said.
Before quitting as a judge, Lile reimbursed the state $1,523.64 for the travel and $1,560.43 for the "office" purchases made by Lukasik, or her daughter.
Lile was investigated by the state attorney general but not charged.
Lukasik was charged three times in 2005 on offenses related to methamphetamine and she admitted she had a drug problem. She eventually went to prison.
Lile represented Lukasik in the drug cases and married her when she was released from prison, records show.
Prosecutors Want Arrest Warrant for Officer Jay Olsen
SPOKANE
Prosecutors are asking a superior court judge to issue an arrest warrant for a suspended Spokane police officer.
Officer Jay Olsen has failed to comply with the conditions of his release and prosecutors want his $25,0000 bond revoked.
Olsen has failed to remain in contact with his attorney and is now missing.
Olsen is suspended and is scheduled to stand trial in November on charges of first degree assault and reckless endangerment.
Detectives say on February 26, 2007 Olsen was legally drunk at the time he chased Shonto Pete, a man he accused of stealing his car. Pete was later acquitted of auto theft.
A judge will make a decision about the warrant on Thursday.
Controversial Case Says Democrat Alvarez Helped Cover Up Charges
The controversial case of a Chicago police officer involved in a fatal crash on Thanksgiving became an issue in the Cook County state's attorney race Tuesday after Republican candidate Tony Peraica accused his rival of being part of the initial decision to seek lesser charges.
But Democrat Anita Alvarez quickly rebuffed the claim, saying she started her leave of absence from the office more than a month before the crash and wasn't involved in the case. A state's attorney spokesman confirmed that Alvarez hasn't had any official duties with the office since Oct. 15.
Alvarez's campaign suggested Peraica's unfounded accusation is evidence he's not fit to run the county's chief legal office, where decisions are made on when to seek the death penalty, what crimes to prosecute and who gets plea deals.
"He's demonstrated a willingness to mislead and distort the truth," Sally Daly, Alvarez's spokeswoman, said of Peraica. "In an office where decisions involve life and death . . . this does reflect upon his judgment."
Peraica admitted he based his allegation on secondhand information from a "senior member" of the state's attorney's office whom he declined to name.
"Since I wasn't in the room, I can't personally confirm or deny that Ms. Alvarez was there or not, but that's what I was told and I trust the person that informed me," Peraica said.
The flap surfaced during the first public debate between the candidates at the Union League Club of Chicago. Alvarez, a top assistant state's attorney, and Peraica, a county commissioner from Riverside, are vying Nov. 4 to succeed retiring State's Atty. Richard Devine, a Democrat.
At issue is the case of John Ardelean, a Chicago police officer who was charged in November with a misdemeanor count of drunken driving after a crash that killed Miguel Flores, 22 and Erick Lagunas, 21, both of Cicero.
Videotape from the River North nightclub where Ardelean was drinking after work shows him downing three beers and four shots in a little more than two hours. Ardelean declined to take a sobriety or Breathalyzer test until almost eight hours after the crash, when he was ordered to by a superior.
Charges against Ardelean later were upgraded to two felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence, but the case was dismissed in February after a judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence.
Family members of the men who were killed were outraged, and citing new videotaped evidence, the state's attorney's office reopened the case last month.
Peraica said his source claimed Alvarez sat in on a meeting where the decision was made to seek lesser charges against Ardelean. Alvarez said her involvement in the case was limited to meeting with the families of the men who were killed after they contacted her.
Officer Dannie Marchan Kills Family then Himself
Off-duty Chicago Police Officer Dannie Marchan, 29, committed suicide Monday morning by turning his gun on himself after fatally shooting his young daughter Alizay, and grievously wounding his 9-year-old son.
The horrific incident was discovered Monday when neighbors near Dannie Marchan's Southwest Side Chicago house reported a series of gunshots coming from inside the house. Police arriving on the scene heard the sounds of an injured person within the one-story home and forced their way inside, where they found Marchan lying dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and his two children in another room, both also suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. Marchan was officially pronounced dead at the scene at 12:22 p.m., while the children were transported to Chicago's Mt. Sinai Hospital, where 7-year-old Alizay Marchan was pronounced dead at 11:52 a.m. Monday and where the son (whose name has not been released) remains in critical condition.
Police stated they believed the incident was related to upheavals in Marchan's domestic life; people who knew Marchan said he was depressed over his 2005 divorce from the children's mother. Marchard and the mother shared custody of his two childen, according to court records; while Marchard's former spouse was not at the house at the time of the shootings she later arrived at Mt. Sinai Hospital to be with the children.
The horrific incident was discovered Monday when neighbors near Dannie Marchan's Southwest Side Chicago house reported a series of gunshots coming from inside the house. Police arriving on the scene heard the sounds of an injured person within the one-story home and forced their way inside, where they found Marchan lying dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and his two children in another room, both also suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. Marchan was officially pronounced dead at the scene at 12:22 p.m., while the children were transported to Chicago's Mt. Sinai Hospital, where 7-year-old Alizay Marchan was pronounced dead at 11:52 a.m. Monday and where the son (whose name has not been released) remains in critical condition.
Police stated they believed the incident was related to upheavals in Marchan's domestic life; people who knew Marchan said he was depressed over his 2005 divorce from the children's mother. Marchard and the mother shared custody of his two childen, according to court records; while Marchard's former spouse was not at the house at the time of the shootings she later arrived at Mt. Sinai Hospital to be with the children.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Officer Ronald Whitworth to Remain in Jail Until Trial
A former Alabama police officer who fled to Washington state to avoid prosecution on federal charges he possessed child pornography and took a 9-year-old girl across state lines for sex will remain in jail until trial, a judge ruled this morning.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Greene said he found Ronald Whitworth, 35, a flight risk and a danger to the community and denied him bond during a detention hearing at Birmingham's federal courthouse.
Whitworth, a former Vestavia Hills and Anniston police officer, was captured Aug. 18 in Lynwood, Wash. In April, Shelby County investigators arrested Whitworth on charges of child endangerment, sexual abuse of a child under 12, rape and sodomy. He made bond after six days in jail.
A federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted Whitworth, who left the state before federal agents could arrest him on the charges.
His truck was found July 31 at the Birmingham International Airport containing guns and a note that law enforcement would not find him.
His attorney, citing Whitworth's safety while in jail because he is a former officer facing child abuse charges, suggested conditions could be made to allow Whitworth to be released on bond.
The judge said he believed Whitworth's safety could be maintained in jail.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Greene said he found Ronald Whitworth, 35, a flight risk and a danger to the community and denied him bond during a detention hearing at Birmingham's federal courthouse.
Whitworth, a former Vestavia Hills and Anniston police officer, was captured Aug. 18 in Lynwood, Wash. In April, Shelby County investigators arrested Whitworth on charges of child endangerment, sexual abuse of a child under 12, rape and sodomy. He made bond after six days in jail.
A federal grand jury in Birmingham indicted Whitworth, who left the state before federal agents could arrest him on the charges.
His truck was found July 31 at the Birmingham International Airport containing guns and a note that law enforcement would not find him.
His attorney, citing Whitworth's safety while in jail because he is a former officer facing child abuse charges, suggested conditions could be made to allow Whitworth to be released on bond.
The judge said he believed Whitworth's safety could be maintained in jail.
Officer William Cosby Faces Federal Lawsuit
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
A police officer accused of choking a Mount Juliet man faces $1 million federal lawsuit.
During a traffic stop in April, Cpl. Will Cosby questioned 26-year-old James Anders, Jr.
He thought Anders hid marijuana in his mouth and tried to stop him from swallowing the narcotic.
The traffic stop was recorded by a camera inside Cosby's squad car.
Anders collapsed unconscious.
On Monday, his attorney filed a $1.5. million lawsuit accusing Cosby, assisting officer James Crosslin and the city of Mount Juliet of violating his constitutional rights.
"He was being choked to death. That's what he felt at that time," said Ander's attorney Gary Vandever.
He said it shouldn't have happened. He filed the lawsuit in federal court alleging the officers' treatment was "unwarranted, cruel, abusive, unjustifiable and excessive and possibly fatal.
Vandever believes said the in-car video shown be shown to law enforcement trainees as an example of how not conduct themselves during traffic stops.
The lawsuit alleges assault and battery on behalf of the two officers.
It also accuses the city of negligence for hiring of Cosby, who had prior legal troubles as an officer in Lebanon.
Cosby remains on the job serving desk duty while the matter is investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The Wilson County district attorney asked the TBI to investigate whether Crosby or Crosslin violated any laws.
Officials said the case will likely go to a grand jury in August.
A police officer accused of choking a Mount Juliet man faces $1 million federal lawsuit.
During a traffic stop in April, Cpl. Will Cosby questioned 26-year-old James Anders, Jr.
He thought Anders hid marijuana in his mouth and tried to stop him from swallowing the narcotic.
The traffic stop was recorded by a camera inside Cosby's squad car.
Anders collapsed unconscious.
On Monday, his attorney filed a $1.5. million lawsuit accusing Cosby, assisting officer James Crosslin and the city of Mount Juliet of violating his constitutional rights.
"He was being choked to death. That's what he felt at that time," said Ander's attorney Gary Vandever.
He said it shouldn't have happened. He filed the lawsuit in federal court alleging the officers' treatment was "unwarranted, cruel, abusive, unjustifiable and excessive and possibly fatal.
Vandever believes said the in-car video shown be shown to law enforcement trainees as an example of how not conduct themselves during traffic stops.
The lawsuit alleges assault and battery on behalf of the two officers.
It also accuses the city of negligence for hiring of Cosby, who had prior legal troubles as an officer in Lebanon.
Cosby remains on the job serving desk duty while the matter is investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The Wilson County district attorney asked the TBI to investigate whether Crosby or Crosslin violated any laws.
Officials said the case will likely go to a grand jury in August.
Lt Jeff Manning Indicted on Charged he Helped Son Impersonate a Police Officer
A Louisville Metro Police officer was indicted yesterday by a Jefferson County grand jury on a charge he helped his son impersonate a police officer.
Lt. Jeff Manning is accused of letting his son go on police runs with him and perform police duties that included patting down suspects, said Steve Tedder, a spokesman for the Jefferson County commonwealth's attorney's office. Manning is charged with facilitation of impersonation of a police officer.
Manning was suspended with pay yesterday pending the outcome of the investigation, Police Chief Robert White said.
White said that in February, the department began investigating allegations by other officers that Manning had engaged in "improper behavior."
"He put his son in a situation where his son was impersonating a police officer," the chief said.
White said that several incidents were under investigation and that the son, whom he described as a juvenile, had engaged in various activities during those incidents. He declined to comment further, citing the investigation.
Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said she did not know the age of Manning's son.
If convicted of the charge, a class A misdemeanor, Manning faces up to a year in jail.
The commonwealth's attorney's office, which generally prosecutes only felony cases, will take charge of this case because the county attorney's office, which handles misdemeanors, represents the police department.
Manning works in the department's 1st Division. He has served in the community relations unit of the police department and has worked with the police athletic league youth teams.
Smiley said she did not immediately know how long Manning had worked for the department. He was a sergeant in 1997, according to The Courier-Journal's archives.
A message left on Manning's cell phone last night was not returned.
While working with the department's community relations unit, Manning often brought his two sons to the unit's youth athletic events.
He also has worked with Love Squad, a program dedicated to helping Louisville's homeless, while serving as chairman of Shield of Faith, a Christian law enforcement officers' association.
John McGuire, president of the police officers' union, declined to comment on the indictment
Lt. Jeff Manning is accused of letting his son go on police runs with him and perform police duties that included patting down suspects, said Steve Tedder, a spokesman for the Jefferson County commonwealth's attorney's office. Manning is charged with facilitation of impersonation of a police officer.
Manning was suspended with pay yesterday pending the outcome of the investigation, Police Chief Robert White said.
White said that in February, the department began investigating allegations by other officers that Manning had engaged in "improper behavior."
"He put his son in a situation where his son was impersonating a police officer," the chief said.
White said that several incidents were under investigation and that the son, whom he described as a juvenile, had engaged in various activities during those incidents. He declined to comment further, citing the investigation.
Police spokeswoman Alicia Smiley said she did not know the age of Manning's son.
If convicted of the charge, a class A misdemeanor, Manning faces up to a year in jail.
The commonwealth's attorney's office, which generally prosecutes only felony cases, will take charge of this case because the county attorney's office, which handles misdemeanors, represents the police department.
Manning works in the department's 1st Division. He has served in the community relations unit of the police department and has worked with the police athletic league youth teams.
Smiley said she did not immediately know how long Manning had worked for the department. He was a sergeant in 1997, according to The Courier-Journal's archives.
A message left on Manning's cell phone last night was not returned.
While working with the department's community relations unit, Manning often brought his two sons to the unit's youth athletic events.
He also has worked with Love Squad, a program dedicated to helping Louisville's homeless, while serving as chairman of Shield of Faith, a Christian law enforcement officers' association.
John McGuire, president of the police officers' union, declined to comment on the indictment
Monday, September 15, 2008
Officer Regina Thompson Arrested for Aggravated Burglary and Assault
A Memphis police officer has been arrested for aggravated burglary.
The officer is part of the Organized Crime Unit. According to an affidavit, she drove her undercover car to her ex-boyfriend's house and used her duty weapon to allegedly assault him.
Regina Thompson was arrested Monday morning and charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated assault.
Court documents say she climbed through the window of her ex-boyfriend's house where he was asleep with another woman.
She allegedly punched her ex-boyfriend in the face and pointed a gun at him while making threats then started tearing things off the wall.
She also is accused of taking some clothes from his house.
Thompson told police they could search the car where they allegedly found a gun loaded with five rounds.
Thompson is being held on a $5,000 bond; she's expected to be in court Tuesday morning.
Joke About Penis Size Turns to Murder
South Africa
Closed circuit television footage will be a key factor in the investigation into last week's shooting of five men at the Merseyside Tavern and Pub in Umbilo.
A joke about penis size and racist taunts allegedly culminated in the shooting that claimed the lives of Shawn Strydom, 33, Nick Jansen van Rensburg, 57, and Rory Menzes, 40. Shaun and Bruce Edwards were injured and rushed to hospital. Shaun was discharged on Thursday.
On Friday five men, including two police brothers, appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Still dressed in the clothes they wore on the night of the incident, Insp Samuel Steven, 39, of Point Police Station, Insp Leon Steven, 33 of Mayville Police Station, Naeem Sadick, 22, Nithanandan Ganess, 37, and Julian Naidoo, 31, stood confidently in the dock.
They were supported by at least 30 of their family and friends, who packed the last two rows of the court room.
Zane Haneef, who represented the Steven brothers and Sadick, told the court the truth of what had happened on September 10 would be revealed once CCTV footage had been viewed.
"The footage available of the incident will give clearance on their (the accuseds') version of what transpired," he said.
Fateful
In an affidavit read out in court, Samuel Steven, a married father of three aged between seven and 15, said he intended to plead not guilty to the charges and he was prepared to stand trial because the state did not have a strong case. He said once CCTV footage had been viewed, a true account of what happened on that "fateful night will be known".
He said he had been employed as a police officer for 17 years. He told the court he had a case of extortion pending against him, and had been released on warning in that case.
Leon Steven stated in his affidavit that he had been a police officer for 15 years, was married and had two children aged nine and seven. He said he acted in "self defence after surviving a racial attack".
Haneef noted that Samuel had sustained visible facial injuries in the incident and was admitted to Mt Edgecombe Hospital at the time of arrest.
Magistrate Thandi Nomvungu asked Samuel to stand up so she could take a better look at his face, but said she could not see any injuries.
He informed her that his nose was broken and he sustained lacerations to his eye.
Asif Latib, legal counsel for Ganess, a marine engineer employed by Transnet, and Naidoo, an operations supervisor for a shipping company, said his clients were not directly involved in the shooting.
Samuel and Leon Steven were released on R5 000 bail each, and Ganess, Naidoo and Sadick were released on R3 000 each. They are due to appear again on November 13.
This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on September 15, 2008
Closed circuit television footage will be a key factor in the investigation into last week's shooting of five men at the Merseyside Tavern and Pub in Umbilo.
A joke about penis size and racist taunts allegedly culminated in the shooting that claimed the lives of Shawn Strydom, 33, Nick Jansen van Rensburg, 57, and Rory Menzes, 40. Shaun and Bruce Edwards were injured and rushed to hospital. Shaun was discharged on Thursday.
On Friday five men, including two police brothers, appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court on three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
Still dressed in the clothes they wore on the night of the incident, Insp Samuel Steven, 39, of Point Police Station, Insp Leon Steven, 33 of Mayville Police Station, Naeem Sadick, 22, Nithanandan Ganess, 37, and Julian Naidoo, 31, stood confidently in the dock.
They were supported by at least 30 of their family and friends, who packed the last two rows of the court room.
Zane Haneef, who represented the Steven brothers and Sadick, told the court the truth of what had happened on September 10 would be revealed once CCTV footage had been viewed.
"The footage available of the incident will give clearance on their (the accuseds') version of what transpired," he said.
Fateful
In an affidavit read out in court, Samuel Steven, a married father of three aged between seven and 15, said he intended to plead not guilty to the charges and he was prepared to stand trial because the state did not have a strong case. He said once CCTV footage had been viewed, a true account of what happened on that "fateful night will be known".
He said he had been employed as a police officer for 17 years. He told the court he had a case of extortion pending against him, and had been released on warning in that case.
Leon Steven stated in his affidavit that he had been a police officer for 15 years, was married and had two children aged nine and seven. He said he acted in "self defence after surviving a racial attack".
Haneef noted that Samuel had sustained visible facial injuries in the incident and was admitted to Mt Edgecombe Hospital at the time of arrest.
Magistrate Thandi Nomvungu asked Samuel to stand up so she could take a better look at his face, but said she could not see any injuries.
He informed her that his nose was broken and he sustained lacerations to his eye.
Asif Latib, legal counsel for Ganess, a marine engineer employed by Transnet, and Naidoo, an operations supervisor for a shipping company, said his clients were not directly involved in the shooting.
Samuel and Leon Steven were released on R5 000 bail each, and Ganess, Naidoo and Sadick were released on R3 000 each. They are due to appear again on November 13.
This article was originally published on page 2 of Daily News on September 15, 2008
Officer William Cosby Jr Accused of Choking Man
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Mount Juliet police officer who is accused of choking a man during a traffic stop.
In August, a Wilson County Grand Jury indicted 36-year-old William Cosby Jr. in connection to an incident during a traffic stop in April, according to a TBI news release.
Cosby was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, one for bodily injury and one for fear of bodily injury, and one count of aggravated perjury.
He is accused of using a vascular restraint maneuver on James Lawrence Anders Jr., of Lebanon until Anders blacked out. The perjury charge stems from a report Cosby filled out accusing Anders of resisting arrest. Cosby was been booked into the Wilson County jail on a $5,000 bond.
Video and Story
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9013035
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Mount Juliet police officer who is accused of choking a man during a traffic stop.
In August, a Wilson County Grand Jury indicted 36-year-old William Cosby Jr. in connection to an incident during a traffic stop in April, according to a TBI news release.
Cosby was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, one for bodily injury and one for fear of bodily injury, and one count of aggravated perjury.
He is accused of using a vascular restraint maneuver on James Lawrence Anders Jr., of Lebanon until Anders blacked out. The perjury charge stems from a report Cosby filled out accusing Anders of resisting arrest. Cosby was been booked into the Wilson County jail on a $5,000 bond.
Video and Story
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9013035
Officer Jeffrey McKay Exposes Himself by Urinating on His Front Lawn while Drunk
A six-year Sacramento Police patrolman is out on bail today after his arrest on charges that included indecent exposure, brandishing a firearm and suspicion of public drunkeness.
Jeffrey Wayne McKay, 34, of Rocklin, was arrested by Rocklin police Saturday after officers were called to Heron Court and Darby Road about a disturbance at about 10 p.m., a Rocklin police spokesman said.
Mckay's neighbors told police that McKay had made threats against them while loading a firearm in front of his home, according Rocklin Police Lt. Lon Milka.
The neighbors also said that McKay exposed himself by urinating on his front lawn, Milka said.
Officers then arrested McKay and recovered a handgun at the scene, he said.
McKay was also arrested for suspicion of public intoxication and making threats of physical harm to the victims.
McKay was booked into the Auburn jail and later freed on $15,000 bail.
Information about McKay's arraignment hearing was not available , a Placer County Superior Court clerk said.
McKay is assigned to the Metro Division, said Sacramento police spokesman Konrad Von Schoech.
He said an administrative investigation is under way and declined further comment.
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=47717&catid=2
Jeffrey Wayne McKay, 34, of Rocklin, was arrested by Rocklin police Saturday after officers were called to Heron Court and Darby Road about a disturbance at about 10 p.m., a Rocklin police spokesman said.
Mckay's neighbors told police that McKay had made threats against them while loading a firearm in front of his home, according Rocklin Police Lt. Lon Milka.
The neighbors also said that McKay exposed himself by urinating on his front lawn, Milka said.
Officers then arrested McKay and recovered a handgun at the scene, he said.
McKay was also arrested for suspicion of public intoxication and making threats of physical harm to the victims.
McKay was booked into the Auburn jail and later freed on $15,000 bail.
Information about McKay's arraignment hearing was not available , a Placer County Superior Court clerk said.
McKay is assigned to the Metro Division, said Sacramento police spokesman Konrad Von Schoech.
He said an administrative investigation is under way and declined further comment.
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=47717&catid=2
Officer Gary Utter Arrrested for DUI
A Springettsbury Township police officer, charged with being drunk on duty, can be seen on his own patrol car's video camera weaving on and off the road before sideswiping a wall in the early morning hours of Aug. 23.
Gary D.S. Utter, 37, of the first block of North Sycamore Lane, Stewartstown, now faces driving under the influence charges after an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
After the crash, Utter can be seen on the video inspecting the damage of a marked white 2005 Crown Victoria patrol car at a business parking lot and later at police headquarters, less than a mile from the accident scene in the 2000 block of Mount Zion Road, according to court records.
In listening to what happened, Utter's shift commander Cpl. David Kennedy detected a "strong odor" of alcohol, according to court records.
After consulting with his supervisors, Kennedy took Utter to Memorial Hospital where a blood test determined Utter had a .123 percent blood-alcohol content. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08 percent.
Kennedy asked Utter how much the officer had had to drink prior to starting his morning shift.
"Not much," Utter replied, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by state police Cpl. Rob Feiser.
Feiser determined that Utter smashed into a stone wall on a straight stretch of road, according to court records.
Utter will be notified of the charges by mail, according to a district court spokesperson. His preliminary hearing date is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 29.
Utter could not be reached for comment Monday.
If convicted of DUI, a misdemeanor, Utter could lose his ability to serve as an police officer.
In July 2007, Utter, a seven-year police veteran at Springettsbury, was involved in a fatal shooting of a prisoner in custody. He was cleared in October 2007 by York County District Attorney Stan Rebert, who ruled Utter used justifiable force after he was attacked by Ronald T. Whitaker Jr.
While being held for robbing a grocery store, Whitaker tried to hang himself with his shoelaces, according to the district attorney's office. Utter found Whitaker and revived him, but Whitaker then became violent, officials said.
Utter used a Taser on Whitaker, but it worked only momentarily, police said.
The fight spilled into a hallway, where Whitaker backed Utter into a corner, had his nightstick and was trying to grab his gun, Springettsbury Township Police Chief David Eshbach said.
Utter fired twice.
Whitaker's family has filed a wrongful death civil suit against the police department, Eshbach, Utter and Springettsbury Township.
Rebert and Eshbach asked state police to investigate the Aug. 23 crash into the stone wall.
Eshbach declined comment, saying it was a personnel matter.
Springettsbury Lt. Scott Laird referred all questions to township manager John Holman. Holman was out of the office Monday.
Click here for the affadavit.
Gary D.S. Utter, 37, of the first block of North Sycamore Lane, Stewartstown, now faces driving under the influence charges after an investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police.
After the crash, Utter can be seen on the video inspecting the damage of a marked white 2005 Crown Victoria patrol car at a business parking lot and later at police headquarters, less than a mile from the accident scene in the 2000 block of Mount Zion Road, according to court records.
In listening to what happened, Utter's shift commander Cpl. David Kennedy detected a "strong odor" of alcohol, according to court records.
After consulting with his supervisors, Kennedy took Utter to Memorial Hospital where a blood test determined Utter had a .123 percent blood-alcohol content. The legal limit in Pennsylvania is .08 percent.
Kennedy asked Utter how much the officer had had to drink prior to starting his morning shift.
"Not much," Utter replied, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by state police Cpl. Rob Feiser.
Feiser determined that Utter smashed into a stone wall on a straight stretch of road, according to court records.
Utter will be notified of the charges by mail, according to a district court spokesperson. His preliminary hearing date is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 29.
Utter could not be reached for comment Monday.
If convicted of DUI, a misdemeanor, Utter could lose his ability to serve as an police officer.
In July 2007, Utter, a seven-year police veteran at Springettsbury, was involved in a fatal shooting of a prisoner in custody. He was cleared in October 2007 by York County District Attorney Stan Rebert, who ruled Utter used justifiable force after he was attacked by Ronald T. Whitaker Jr.
While being held for robbing a grocery store, Whitaker tried to hang himself with his shoelaces, according to the district attorney's office. Utter found Whitaker and revived him, but Whitaker then became violent, officials said.
Utter used a Taser on Whitaker, but it worked only momentarily, police said.
The fight spilled into a hallway, where Whitaker backed Utter into a corner, had his nightstick and was trying to grab his gun, Springettsbury Township Police Chief David Eshbach said.
Utter fired twice.
Whitaker's family has filed a wrongful death civil suit against the police department, Eshbach, Utter and Springettsbury Township.
Rebert and Eshbach asked state police to investigate the Aug. 23 crash into the stone wall.
Eshbach declined comment, saying it was a personnel matter.
Springettsbury Lt. Scott Laird referred all questions to township manager John Holman. Holman was out of the office Monday.
Click here for the affadavit.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Officer Matthew Brown Charged with Battery
ALBANY, GA
An Albany police officer was arrested early Saturday, accused of pushing his ex-girlfriend during an argument, police officials said.
Officer Matthew Brown, 24, called police after a woman he described as his ex-girlfriend refused to leave his Pinson Road apartment.
According to APD Spokesperson Phyllis Banks, Brown and Armanda Jones got into a verbal altercation. During the argument, Jones grabbed Brown’s cell phone and wouldn’t give it back and Jones says that Brown pushed her.
“She told officers that during the argument he pushed her,” Banks said. “And officers charged him with simple battery.”
Brown was taken to the Dougherty County Jail where he was booked on the misdemeanor charge. He is scheduled for arraignment this morning, jail officials say.
Jones, who was not arrested Saturday morning, is being investigated for a possible criminal trespass charge, Banks said.
In addition, an internal affairs investigation has been launched to determine if Brown’s conduct may have put him on the wrong side of Chief James Younger and the City of Albany, Banks said.
“That investigation will determine whether he violated any of the department’s policies and procedures and will be used by Chief Younger to determine what, if any, disciplinary measures are taken,” Banks said.
Brown, who has been with the department for two years, is assigned to the uniform division.
Banks said that Brown will NOT be reassigned pending the internal affairs investigation.
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9005172
An Albany police officer was arrested early Saturday, accused of pushing his ex-girlfriend during an argument, police officials said.
Officer Matthew Brown, 24, called police after a woman he described as his ex-girlfriend refused to leave his Pinson Road apartment.
According to APD Spokesperson Phyllis Banks, Brown and Armanda Jones got into a verbal altercation. During the argument, Jones grabbed Brown’s cell phone and wouldn’t give it back and Jones says that Brown pushed her.
“She told officers that during the argument he pushed her,” Banks said. “And officers charged him with simple battery.”
Brown was taken to the Dougherty County Jail where he was booked on the misdemeanor charge. He is scheduled for arraignment this morning, jail officials say.
Jones, who was not arrested Saturday morning, is being investigated for a possible criminal trespass charge, Banks said.
In addition, an internal affairs investigation has been launched to determine if Brown’s conduct may have put him on the wrong side of Chief James Younger and the City of Albany, Banks said.
“That investigation will determine whether he violated any of the department’s policies and procedures and will be used by Chief Younger to determine what, if any, disciplinary measures are taken,” Banks said.
Brown, who has been with the department for two years, is assigned to the uniform division.
Banks said that Brown will NOT be reassigned pending the internal affairs investigation.
http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9005172
Sgt. David Romeo Charged with Kicking Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE
A suspended Wildwood police officer accused of kicking two handcuffed suspects in the head last year pleaded innocent Friday morning in Superior Court to a charge of official misconduct.
Sgt. David Romeo, 37, was suspended without pay Aug. 24, 2007, following an internal police investigation of his conduct July 24, 2007.
Officers at the scene reported the alleged use of excessive force, prompting the internal-affairs investigation with the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office.
Romeo's lawyer, John Tumelty, told Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten that he is asking for information about a knife secured from the scene but not included in police reports.
Tumelty did not indicate the significance of the knife.
He also said he is seeking expert witnesses and awaiting a copy of a grand jury transcript.
Friday was Romeo's first court appearance after his indictment in August.
In 2007, two suspects, Louis McCullough, 28, and Gilbert Haege, 28, of Wildwood Crest, were arrested following a surveillance operation led by detectives and a bicycle patrol unit, according to police reports.
Police observed McCullough and Haege burglarizing a car in a parking lot.
The two suspects had resisted arrest, injuring Officer Ed Ramsey.
Romeo was not the arresting officer that night and was not present during the scuffle in which Ramsey was injured.
First Assistant Prosecutor J. David Meyer has said that by the time Romeo arrived on the scene, the two men were already apprehended and lying on the ground in handcuffs waiting to be transported.
The two men were lying on the ground on their stomachs when Romeo kicked them, Meyer has said. Neither suffered serious injuries.
Romeo, 36, was charged by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office with official misconduct, a second-degree crime, and two counts of simple assault, a disorderly persons offense.
Wildwood hired Romeo in 1994. He earned $74,000 per year as a police sergeant, not including longevity payments.
A suspended Wildwood police officer accused of kicking two handcuffed suspects in the head last year pleaded innocent Friday morning in Superior Court to a charge of official misconduct.
Sgt. David Romeo, 37, was suspended without pay Aug. 24, 2007, following an internal police investigation of his conduct July 24, 2007.
Officers at the scene reported the alleged use of excessive force, prompting the internal-affairs investigation with the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office.
Romeo's lawyer, John Tumelty, told Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten that he is asking for information about a knife secured from the scene but not included in police reports.
Tumelty did not indicate the significance of the knife.
He also said he is seeking expert witnesses and awaiting a copy of a grand jury transcript.
Friday was Romeo's first court appearance after his indictment in August.
In 2007, two suspects, Louis McCullough, 28, and Gilbert Haege, 28, of Wildwood Crest, were arrested following a surveillance operation led by detectives and a bicycle patrol unit, according to police reports.
Police observed McCullough and Haege burglarizing a car in a parking lot.
The two suspects had resisted arrest, injuring Officer Ed Ramsey.
Romeo was not the arresting officer that night and was not present during the scuffle in which Ramsey was injured.
First Assistant Prosecutor J. David Meyer has said that by the time Romeo arrived on the scene, the two men were already apprehended and lying on the ground in handcuffs waiting to be transported.
The two men were lying on the ground on their stomachs when Romeo kicked them, Meyer has said. Neither suffered serious injuries.
Romeo, 36, was charged by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office with official misconduct, a second-degree crime, and two counts of simple assault, a disorderly persons offense.
Wildwood hired Romeo in 1994. He earned $74,000 per year as a police sergeant, not including longevity payments.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Officer Scott Lanner Arrested for Meancing and False Imprisonment
COLORADO SPRINGS
An employee of Colorado Springs Police has been arrested Friday for what police say stems from an off duty incident in Widefield on August 6th.
Police say 46-year-old Scott Alan Lanner drew his pistol on a man who was inspecting roofs for hail damage. Lanner was booked into the county jail on suspicion of menacing, a felony, and false imprisonment, a misdemeanor, according to jail records.
The report says Lanner came across Patrick Wilson, an employee of Claims Specialist International, working in his neighborhood. He ordered Wilson to leave the neighborhood because he did not have a permit althought they are not required for the work, the affidavit said. Lanner than drew his weapon on Wilson after he dropped his hands to his lap. Wilson was handcuffed and searched.
Colorado Springs Police say they will remain neutral as the charge plays through the judicial system. Lanner, who has worked for the CSPD since April of 1995, has been placed on un-paid administrative leave by the department until the case is resolved.
Police are planning an internal investigation into the matter after the judicial proceedings.
http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/28318759.html
SWAT Officer Robert Booth Kicks Handcuffed Suspect Maybe Charged
SPOKANE, Wash.
Investigators believe a Spokane police officer who has been accused of kicking a handcuffed man in the face should be charged with a misdemeanor.
According to a police investigation release late Friday, detectives are recommending a fourth-degree assault charge against 37-year-old Officer Robert M. Booth. He has been on the force since 1994 and is a member of the city's SWAT team.
Booth has denied accusations that he kicked 22-year-old John Luna on Sept. 5 after he pursued and captured Luna for investigation of car theft. Three other officers, however, told investigators they saw the officer kick Luna while he lay handcuffed on the ground. One says he heard Boothe tell Luna, "You're lucky that's all you got."
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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesmanreview.com
Investigators believe a Spokane police officer who has been accused of kicking a handcuffed man in the face should be charged with a misdemeanor.
According to a police investigation release late Friday, detectives are recommending a fourth-degree assault charge against 37-year-old Officer Robert M. Booth. He has been on the force since 1994 and is a member of the city's SWAT team.
Booth has denied accusations that he kicked 22-year-old John Luna on Sept. 5 after he pursued and captured Luna for investigation of car theft. Three other officers, however, told investigators they saw the officer kick Luna while he lay handcuffed on the ground. One says he heard Boothe tell Luna, "You're lucky that's all you got."
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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesmanreview.com
Officer Rick Johnson Charged With Sexual Abuse is Fired
Altoona City Council fires a police officer charged with sexual abuse.
It happened at Wednesday night’s city council meeting.
Everyone there voted to fire Rick Johnson. Erik Cagle was the only council member not at the meeting.
Johnson is accused of having sex with a sixteen year old girl back in July.
According to the criminal complaint he picked the girl up in Indiana and took her to an Ohio motel to have sex. Then he brought her back to his house in Altoona. The two met on a police mentor website called policelink.com.
Johnson was originally suspended from the force.
He waived his preliminary hearing on September 8th. He’ll face charges of endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of a minor. At this point there's no word yet on a trial date.
When the case does go to trial the State Attorney General’s office will be prosecuting.
The Blair County District Attorney asked the state to step in so there would be no conflict of interest.
There’s still no word on whether or not Johnson will get his pension. That decision is up to the police pension board.
No one at city hall would comment on either the pension issue or his firing in general.
It happened at Wednesday night’s city council meeting.
Everyone there voted to fire Rick Johnson. Erik Cagle was the only council member not at the meeting.
Johnson is accused of having sex with a sixteen year old girl back in July.
According to the criminal complaint he picked the girl up in Indiana and took her to an Ohio motel to have sex. Then he brought her back to his house in Altoona. The two met on a police mentor website called policelink.com.
Johnson was originally suspended from the force.
He waived his preliminary hearing on September 8th. He’ll face charges of endangering the welfare of a child and corruption of a minor. At this point there's no word yet on a trial date.
When the case does go to trial the State Attorney General’s office will be prosecuting.
The Blair County District Attorney asked the state to step in so there would be no conflict of interest.
There’s still no word on whether or not Johnson will get his pension. That decision is up to the police pension board.
No one at city hall would comment on either the pension issue or his firing in general.
District Attorney Reviewing Evidence of Officer Cover Up
Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr is now reviewing evidence of whether a pair of San Jose police officers tried to cover up the drunken driving of a former cop, the Mercury News has learned.
Carr will determine if the two officers broke a law and should be charged with a crime.
The county's top prosecutor can decide to charge them, decline to charge or present the case to a grand jury to let it decide if charges are warranted. A decision may not come soon.
The office may wait until a pending drunk-driving charge being prosecuted by the state Attorney General's office against Sandra Woodall is complete, according to Assistant District Attorney David Tomkins, who is reviewing the case.
Woodall, a former San Jose police officer who now works as an investigator with the District Attorney's office, is charged with drunkenly smashing her Cadillac Escalade into two cars, causing minor injuries. The officers being investigated may be looking at criminal conspiracy or other charges because reports seem to show that they overlooked plentiful of evidence that Woodall was highly intoxicated. They did not test her blood alcohol level or even ask her whether she had been drinking.
No matter what Carr's decision, many will be watching closely to see how she handles the controversial case. The suspect in the DUI is her own employee. And Carr has been targeted by some critics who suspect that she is too close to the police department — something she strongly denies. Her husband and stepson are officers.
Tomkins said: " I routinely review allegations of criminal wrong-doing of police officers. I don't see this as being any different.'' The office has two pending felony cases against officers, including one - ironically — against Woodall's husband, who is charged with time sheet fraud.
Many in and out of law enforcement said Thursday that they thought Carr's office would fairly evaluate the case.
"I'm very confident we've done a thorough, professional and objective investigation," Assistant Police Chief Dan Katz said. "And we have full confidence the District Attorney's office in their review of the case.''
It was the police department brass that launched the criminal probe of their own officers, assigning two veteran investigators to gather evidence.
San Jose's Independent Police Auditor Police Barbara Attard said: "I have confidence the District Attorney will make the right decision to ensure public confidence in the criminal justice system and its fair application to persons regardless of their status or employment.''
The two officers at the heart of the controversial case — Sgt. Will Manion and Officer Patrick D'Arrigo — are on paid administrative leaves.
Attorney Craig Brown, who is representing the officers, said they are "good, honorable well- respected officers who absolutely would not have put themselves, their families and their careers at risk to cover up a suspected DUI for a former police officer.''
Brown emphasized the word "former" and added that neither officer were friends or even close with either Woodall or her husband.
The investigation stems from a multi-vehicle accident on March 25. Woodall hit two cars on Branham Lane and Pearl Avenue, police said. Woodall told medical responders she was just out of rehab, had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening and was so disoriented that she didn't know what year it was, according to reports and witnesses.
Both the paramedic and the EMT on the scene who treated Woodall noted the strong smell of alcohol on her breath. One reported that he told the officers that Woodall was drunk, something Brown said the officers "bitterly" dispute.
But neither Manion — the police supervisor on the scene — nor any of the other officers noted these things. And at one point, Manion seemed to the medical workers to be coaching Woodall to answer their questions, according to a police report. He later tried to prevent them from bringing her to a hospital, they alleged.
Brown said: "There are reasons to question the veracity and credibility at least one — if not both — of the paramedics."
Backed up by some other officers at the scene, Manion's account was that he had no evidence at the time that Woodall was drunk and he was trying to determine whether she could be brought to a hospital against her will. Some officers concluded that the collision could have been caused because Woodall was eating egg rolls from Jack in the Box while she was driving.
D'Arrigo, also at the crash scene, allegedly told the mother of one of the victims that too much time had passed to give Woodall a blood test. The woman thought she had spoken to the officer less than two hours after the accident.
The investigation into the case didn't proceed until after a resident complained to police commanders that no charges had been filed even though there was evidence Woodall was drunk. Carr then referred the case to the California Attorney General's Office.
That office filed felony drunken-driving charges against Woodall in early July. Woodall has pleaded not guilty. Her next scheduled court date is later this month.
http://www.pr.com/press-release/
Carr will determine if the two officers broke a law and should be charged with a crime.
The county's top prosecutor can decide to charge them, decline to charge or present the case to a grand jury to let it decide if charges are warranted. A decision may not come soon.
The office may wait until a pending drunk-driving charge being prosecuted by the state Attorney General's office against Sandra Woodall is complete, according to Assistant District Attorney David Tomkins, who is reviewing the case.
Woodall, a former San Jose police officer who now works as an investigator with the District Attorney's office, is charged with drunkenly smashing her Cadillac Escalade into two cars, causing minor injuries. The officers being investigated may be looking at criminal conspiracy or other charges because reports seem to show that they overlooked plentiful of evidence that Woodall was highly intoxicated. They did not test her blood alcohol level or even ask her whether she had been drinking.
No matter what Carr's decision, many will be watching closely to see how she handles the controversial case. The suspect in the DUI is her own employee. And Carr has been targeted by some critics who suspect that she is too close to the police department — something she strongly denies. Her husband and stepson are officers.
Tomkins said: " I routinely review allegations of criminal wrong-doing of police officers. I don't see this as being any different.'' The office has two pending felony cases against officers, including one - ironically — against Woodall's husband, who is charged with time sheet fraud.
Many in and out of law enforcement said Thursday that they thought Carr's office would fairly evaluate the case.
"I'm very confident we've done a thorough, professional and objective investigation," Assistant Police Chief Dan Katz said. "And we have full confidence the District Attorney's office in their review of the case.''
It was the police department brass that launched the criminal probe of their own officers, assigning two veteran investigators to gather evidence.
San Jose's Independent Police Auditor Police Barbara Attard said: "I have confidence the District Attorney will make the right decision to ensure public confidence in the criminal justice system and its fair application to persons regardless of their status or employment.''
The two officers at the heart of the controversial case — Sgt. Will Manion and Officer Patrick D'Arrigo — are on paid administrative leaves.
Attorney Craig Brown, who is representing the officers, said they are "good, honorable well- respected officers who absolutely would not have put themselves, their families and their careers at risk to cover up a suspected DUI for a former police officer.''
Brown emphasized the word "former" and added that neither officer were friends or even close with either Woodall or her husband.
The investigation stems from a multi-vehicle accident on March 25. Woodall hit two cars on Branham Lane and Pearl Avenue, police said. Woodall told medical responders she was just out of rehab, had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening and was so disoriented that she didn't know what year it was, according to reports and witnesses.
Both the paramedic and the EMT on the scene who treated Woodall noted the strong smell of alcohol on her breath. One reported that he told the officers that Woodall was drunk, something Brown said the officers "bitterly" dispute.
But neither Manion — the police supervisor on the scene — nor any of the other officers noted these things. And at one point, Manion seemed to the medical workers to be coaching Woodall to answer their questions, according to a police report. He later tried to prevent them from bringing her to a hospital, they alleged.
Brown said: "There are reasons to question the veracity and credibility at least one — if not both — of the paramedics."
Backed up by some other officers at the scene, Manion's account was that he had no evidence at the time that Woodall was drunk and he was trying to determine whether she could be brought to a hospital against her will. Some officers concluded that the collision could have been caused because Woodall was eating egg rolls from Jack in the Box while she was driving.
D'Arrigo, also at the crash scene, allegedly told the mother of one of the victims that too much time had passed to give Woodall a blood test. The woman thought she had spoken to the officer less than two hours after the accident.
The investigation into the case didn't proceed until after a resident complained to police commanders that no charges had been filed even though there was evidence Woodall was drunk. Carr then referred the case to the California Attorney General's Office.
That office filed felony drunken-driving charges against Woodall in early July. Woodall has pleaded not guilty. Her next scheduled court date is later this month.
http://www.pr.com/press-release/
Friday, September 12, 2008
Officer Bolitada Theodore Arrested for Helping Woman to Escape
Solomon Islands
A police officer, Mr. Bolitada Theodore, 46, was arrested at Avu Avu this week for Obstructing the Justice as according to a section of the penal code.
Acting Commissioner, Mr. Peter Marshall stated in yesterday's Police Press Conference that the SIPF and the PPF are carrying out their duty with fairness and without favor.
Mr. Marshall said that the officer was arrested for assisting the escape of the wife of Mr. Alphonseus Toghovotu, the Weathercoast murder suspect.
He continued on saying that the wife was wanted for an interview by the police following the investigation of the attempted murder of the RAMSI police officer at Weathercoast last week.
Police officers were out looking for the wife, when she was warned by the Police officer from Avu Avu.
Mr. Bolitada Theodore appeared before the Magistrate Courts in Honiara yesterday after been remanded in custody at the Central Police Station.
The court case was adjourned for 28 days and the next hearing will be on the 10th of October, 2008.
In the meantime he was to be kept 50 kilometers away from Avu Avu and report to the White River Police Post every Mondays and Fridays. He was also granted a principle bail of $1,000.
Mr. Bolitada Theodore was a long serving officer for the SIPF and only recently moved to the Avu Avu Police Post in 2003.
A police officer, Mr. Bolitada Theodore, 46, was arrested at Avu Avu this week for Obstructing the Justice as according to a section of the penal code.
Acting Commissioner, Mr. Peter Marshall stated in yesterday's Police Press Conference that the SIPF and the PPF are carrying out their duty with fairness and without favor.
Mr. Marshall said that the officer was arrested for assisting the escape of the wife of Mr. Alphonseus Toghovotu, the Weathercoast murder suspect.
He continued on saying that the wife was wanted for an interview by the police following the investigation of the attempted murder of the RAMSI police officer at Weathercoast last week.
Police officers were out looking for the wife, when she was warned by the Police officer from Avu Avu.
Mr. Bolitada Theodore appeared before the Magistrate Courts in Honiara yesterday after been remanded in custody at the Central Police Station.
The court case was adjourned for 28 days and the next hearing will be on the 10th of October, 2008.
In the meantime he was to be kept 50 kilometers away from Avu Avu and report to the White River Police Post every Mondays and Fridays. He was also granted a principle bail of $1,000.
Mr. Bolitada Theodore was a long serving officer for the SIPF and only recently moved to the Avu Avu Police Post in 2003.
Officer Chad Broder Suspended Without Pay
An Erie police officer was arrested and jailed Wednesday in Weld County on suspicion of attempting to sexually assault an 18-year-old woman he had arrested, according to police and court reports.
Chad Broder, 25, was arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual assault on a victim in custody and sexual contact with a victim in custody, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in Weld District Court today.
“The officer has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of our investigation and the investigation of the Greeley Police Department,” Erie Police Chief John Hall said, adding that he could not comment on Greeley’s open investigation.
Greeley police detectives arrested Broder at his Frederick home Wednesday after investigating the Aug. 31 incident since Sept. 3, Greeley police spokesman Sgt. Joe Tymkowich said.
He said Broder arrested the woman Aug. 31 on suspicion of violating a restraining order. The woman told police that Broder was driving her to the Weld County Jail, allowing her to ride in the front seat, when he stopped his marked patrol car in Greeley and kissed her, released one of her hands from the handcuffs and placed her hand on his crotch, Tymkowich said.
“She was able to protect herself, as it were, and she (told him she) wasn’t interest in doing that,” Tymkowich said.
Broder then took the woman to the jail and booked her, Tymkowich said.
When she bonded out the following day, she told a friend what had happened, and the friend talked with a Longmont police officer, who recommended that she report the incident to Greeley police, according to Tymkowich.
“From personal experience ... you pursue it just as you would any other case,” he said of investigating allegations against a fellow law enforcement officer. “We’ve got to police our own just as you would anyone else.”
Broder was sworn in as an officer with the Erie Police Department in June 2006 and has worked as a patrol officer since then.
Chad Broder, 25, was arrested on suspicion of attempted sexual assault on a victim in custody and sexual contact with a victim in custody, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in Weld District Court today.
“The officer has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of our investigation and the investigation of the Greeley Police Department,” Erie Police Chief John Hall said, adding that he could not comment on Greeley’s open investigation.
Greeley police detectives arrested Broder at his Frederick home Wednesday after investigating the Aug. 31 incident since Sept. 3, Greeley police spokesman Sgt. Joe Tymkowich said.
He said Broder arrested the woman Aug. 31 on suspicion of violating a restraining order. The woman told police that Broder was driving her to the Weld County Jail, allowing her to ride in the front seat, when he stopped his marked patrol car in Greeley and kissed her, released one of her hands from the handcuffs and placed her hand on his crotch, Tymkowich said.
“She was able to protect herself, as it were, and she (told him she) wasn’t interest in doing that,” Tymkowich said.
Broder then took the woman to the jail and booked her, Tymkowich said.
When she bonded out the following day, she told a friend what had happened, and the friend talked with a Longmont police officer, who recommended that she report the incident to Greeley police, according to Tymkowich.
“From personal experience ... you pursue it just as you would any other case,” he said of investigating allegations against a fellow law enforcement officer. “We’ve got to police our own just as you would anyone else.”
Broder was sworn in as an officer with the Erie Police Department in June 2006 and has worked as a patrol officer since then.
Officer Laura Donovan Arrested on Drug Charges
WATERBURY, Conn.
A member of the Waterbury police department was arrested Wednesday, accused of arranging to buy illegally prescribed pain pills.
Laura Donovan, 40, of Waterbury, surrendered at police headquarters the day after police arrested a man they said illegally bought OxyContin and Percocet for her.
Donovan, a 10-year-member of the force, was charged with criminal attempt to possess narcotics in connection with illegal drug buys on Tuesday and Saturday, police said.
Members of the police department were watching Tuesday as John Soricelli, 34, of Waterbury, pulled into a Huntington Avenue parking lot to buy drugs from Domenic George, 57, of Waterbury, police said.
Both men were arrested, then police saw Donovan’s personal car drive by the parking lot, police said. She was not on duty or in uniform, police said.
After being arrested, Soricelli told police he was buying pills for Donovan, police said.
Soricelli also bought OxyContin for Donovan in another location on Saturday, police said.
Donovan was arrested Wednesday. She was suspended from the force with pay, pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, police said.
Donovan was released and is scheduled to appear in court next week.
A member of the Waterbury police department was arrested Wednesday, accused of arranging to buy illegally prescribed pain pills.
Laura Donovan, 40, of Waterbury, surrendered at police headquarters the day after police arrested a man they said illegally bought OxyContin and Percocet for her.
Donovan, a 10-year-member of the force, was charged with criminal attempt to possess narcotics in connection with illegal drug buys on Tuesday and Saturday, police said.
Members of the police department were watching Tuesday as John Soricelli, 34, of Waterbury, pulled into a Huntington Avenue parking lot to buy drugs from Domenic George, 57, of Waterbury, police said.
Both men were arrested, then police saw Donovan’s personal car drive by the parking lot, police said. She was not on duty or in uniform, police said.
After being arrested, Soricelli told police he was buying pills for Donovan, police said.
Soricelli also bought OxyContin for Donovan in another location on Saturday, police said.
Donovan was arrested Wednesday. She was suspended from the force with pay, pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, police said.
Donovan was released and is scheduled to appear in court next week.
Former Employee of Sheriff's Office Pleads Guilty to Rape of Child
MEMPHIS, TN
A former Shelby County Sheriff’s Office employee pleaded guilty to charges of Rape and Rape of a Child.
According to court documents, 60 year-old Wayne Logan has been sentenced to six years in prison for rape and eight years for raping a child after pleading guilty, Thursday, September 11, 2008.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office says Crawford had sex with an 8 year-old girl several times over a two year period. Investigators say the girl’s mother knew about the rape and took money from Crawford. She was indicted on charges of Facilitation of Rape and Facilitation of Rape of a Child.
Police say the abuse was brought to the attention of authorities after the little girl told her teacher that Crawford was having sex with her.
Crawford worked as a civilian employee at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
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