A Hartford judge was arrested on DUI charges after she struck a state trooper’s vehicle Thursday night.
Curtissa Cofield, a judge in the Hartford Community Court System, was driving on Route 2 just before 11 p.m. when her BMW struck the trooper’s vehicle that was part of the construction pattern on the road, police said.
Both vehicles suffered minor damage, police said.
Police said Cofield requested a transfer to the civil court Friday because of the pending case.
The chief court administrator approved the request, effective next week.
Action, if any, will come from the Judicial Review Council, authorities said. The council is made up of legislators, judges and lawyers.
Authorities said the council can take action on cases if a complaint is made or it can decide on its own to act.
As of Friday afternoon, the Judicial Review Council hadn’t made any decisions or taken any action.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Homicide Det. Sgt Pace Charged a 2nd time for Domestic Assault
Authorities have not said whether the woman Pace is accused of assaulting is his girlfriend or wife... Taylor said only that the deputy who arrived at the house determined there was enough evidence to arrest Pace... Pace also was charged with assault in December 2003 after a dispute with his girlfriend and her daughter, but those charges were dropped...
[Pace is "a member of the Danville Police Department Investigations Division and PRESIDENT of the Fraternal Order of Police.' These pics of him recieving the "presitigious" homicide detective of the year award and officer of the year award are meant to show that there's a good chance that these current charges will be dropped like the last one was.
http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2008/10/ky-homicide-det-sgt-pace-union.html
[Pace is "a member of the Danville Police Department Investigations Division and PRESIDENT of the Fraternal Order of Police.' These pics of him recieving the "presitigious" homicide detective of the year award and officer of the year award are meant to show that there's a good chance that these current charges will be dropped like the last one was.
http://behindthebluewall.blogspot.com/2008/10/ky-homicide-det-sgt-pace-union.html
Officer Lucreshia Carey Accused of helping Inmates
FORT WORTH
A 22-year-old police officer has been fired after investigators accused her of using her position to provide information to two federal prison inmates: a bank robber and an international con artist who scammed millions of dollars from his victims.
Lucreshia N. Carey was apparently told by the inmates that information she provided, which included copies of certificates of deposit for large sums of money, would help solve a high-profile murder case and, in turn, possibly get her a promotion and earn the inmates and her incarcerated brother an early release.
Instead, the officer, who joined the force in January 2007, is the focus of a federal investigation and was fired effective Tuesday, police say.
FBI spokesman Mark White said Friday that he was unaware of an investigation involving Carey.
But the Star-Telegram obtained a document that details the case and states that federal investigators have told Fort Worth police that they suspect that Carey was part of a conspiracy. She faces federal charges, according to the document.
Carey has denied to internal affairs investigators that she was involved in illegal activity, documents show.
She could not be reached to comment Friday. Her attorney, Terry Daffron Hickey, said Carey plans to appeal her termination next week.
"Because there is still a pending investigation, I am unable to really comment," she said.
Forwarding information
According to the document, Carey’s brother is serving a long sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in southeast Fort Worth for distributing narcotics. Two fellow inmates learned that Carey was a police officer and asked her brother for her address so they could write to her.
"The inmates explained in the letters that they would like to provide her with information regarding an unsolved high profile murder," the document states. "They possessed important information that would lead to her obtaining a promotion and recognition by solving the crime.
"It would also lead to her brother and the inmates being released early from prison."
The inmates wrote that other federal prisoners had already been released after revealing to authorities portions of information they knew about the crime.
According to the documents, the inmates listed things for Carey to do to solve the crime. The list included researching specific out-of-state addresses to learn owner information, running names through police databases and researching an out-of-state suicide.
The document states that Carey forwarded the information to the inmates through letters to her brother. She never notified police supervisors what she was doing, according to the document.
"Every task given to Officer Carey she performed without question and provided the results back," the document states.
Later, the inmates provided Carey a name and phone number to contact, with instructions to have the person fax her several certificates of deposit, which the inmates said were a major part of solving the murder. The inmates told Carey to deliver the documents to them and to wear her police uniform to circumvent the prison’s visitor policy.
"She was instructed by the inmates to tell prison officials that she was investigating a murder and that they had information for her," the document states.
"Officer Carey received the faxed certificates of deposit that were for large sums of money. She coordinated with her brother and the other inmates on the date and time that she would arrive in uniform with the documents."
An off-duty prison visit
On May 27, Carey’s day off, she dressed in full uniform, took the certificates of deposit to the prison and asked to see the two inmates.
The document states that guards summoned a prison supervisor because uniformed officers usually do not meet with inmates without clearing the visit through prison officials.
Carey told the supervisor that she had prior approval from the prison warden. The inmates’ names had come up during a murder investigation she was conducting, and she believed that they had information about the crime, she said.
She would not, however, provide the supervisor any information about the case, calling her investigation "confidential," the document states.
"The prison warden was contacted who advised that they never spoke to an Officer Carey and apparently she was not being truthful and not there on official business," the document states. "The supervisor turned Officer Carey away who left without pleading her case."
The supervisor later checked the prison computer and learned that Carey had frequently visited her brother. Prison officials notified Fort Worth police, who began an internal affairs investigation.
"Officer Carey chose to wear her police uniform . . . to a federal prison for no other reason than to give the appearance to prison staff that she was there on official business when in fact she was not. She was not truthful with federal prison officials and attempted to bring items into the prison. . ." the document states.
In August, Fort Worth police were notified by an FBI supervisor that federal investigators planned to name Carey as a defendant in a federal indictment.
http://www.star-telegram.com/229/story/965907.html
A 22-year-old police officer has been fired after investigators accused her of using her position to provide information to two federal prison inmates: a bank robber and an international con artist who scammed millions of dollars from his victims.
Lucreshia N. Carey was apparently told by the inmates that information she provided, which included copies of certificates of deposit for large sums of money, would help solve a high-profile murder case and, in turn, possibly get her a promotion and earn the inmates and her incarcerated brother an early release.
Instead, the officer, who joined the force in January 2007, is the focus of a federal investigation and was fired effective Tuesday, police say.
FBI spokesman Mark White said Friday that he was unaware of an investigation involving Carey.
But the Star-Telegram obtained a document that details the case and states that federal investigators have told Fort Worth police that they suspect that Carey was part of a conspiracy. She faces federal charges, according to the document.
Carey has denied to internal affairs investigators that she was involved in illegal activity, documents show.
She could not be reached to comment Friday. Her attorney, Terry Daffron Hickey, said Carey plans to appeal her termination next week.
"Because there is still a pending investigation, I am unable to really comment," she said.
Forwarding information
According to the document, Carey’s brother is serving a long sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in southeast Fort Worth for distributing narcotics. Two fellow inmates learned that Carey was a police officer and asked her brother for her address so they could write to her.
"The inmates explained in the letters that they would like to provide her with information regarding an unsolved high profile murder," the document states. "They possessed important information that would lead to her obtaining a promotion and recognition by solving the crime.
"It would also lead to her brother and the inmates being released early from prison."
The inmates wrote that other federal prisoners had already been released after revealing to authorities portions of information they knew about the crime.
According to the documents, the inmates listed things for Carey to do to solve the crime. The list included researching specific out-of-state addresses to learn owner information, running names through police databases and researching an out-of-state suicide.
The document states that Carey forwarded the information to the inmates through letters to her brother. She never notified police supervisors what she was doing, according to the document.
"Every task given to Officer Carey she performed without question and provided the results back," the document states.
Later, the inmates provided Carey a name and phone number to contact, with instructions to have the person fax her several certificates of deposit, which the inmates said were a major part of solving the murder. The inmates told Carey to deliver the documents to them and to wear her police uniform to circumvent the prison’s visitor policy.
"She was instructed by the inmates to tell prison officials that she was investigating a murder and that they had information for her," the document states.
"Officer Carey received the faxed certificates of deposit that were for large sums of money. She coordinated with her brother and the other inmates on the date and time that she would arrive in uniform with the documents."
An off-duty prison visit
On May 27, Carey’s day off, she dressed in full uniform, took the certificates of deposit to the prison and asked to see the two inmates.
The document states that guards summoned a prison supervisor because uniformed officers usually do not meet with inmates without clearing the visit through prison officials.
Carey told the supervisor that she had prior approval from the prison warden. The inmates’ names had come up during a murder investigation she was conducting, and she believed that they had information about the crime, she said.
She would not, however, provide the supervisor any information about the case, calling her investigation "confidential," the document states.
"The prison warden was contacted who advised that they never spoke to an Officer Carey and apparently she was not being truthful and not there on official business," the document states. "The supervisor turned Officer Carey away who left without pleading her case."
The supervisor later checked the prison computer and learned that Carey had frequently visited her brother. Prison officials notified Fort Worth police, who began an internal affairs investigation.
"Officer Carey chose to wear her police uniform . . . to a federal prison for no other reason than to give the appearance to prison staff that she was there on official business when in fact she was not. She was not truthful with federal prison officials and attempted to bring items into the prison. . ." the document states.
In August, Fort Worth police were notified by an FBI supervisor that federal investigators planned to name Carey as a defendant in a federal indictment.
http://www.star-telegram.com/229/story/965907.html
Michael Shannon sentenced for Stealing Wants to Remain an Officer
Windsor police Const. Michael Shannon was sentenced Thursday to six months of house arrest for stealing $425 from an undercover RCMP officer during a sting operation.
Immediately after Ontario court judge Don Downie handed down the sentence, the Windsor Police Service put Shannon on an unpaid suspension. Since his arrest Oct. 4, 2007, Shannon had been suspended but still collecting a paycheque, in accordance with provincial regulations.
Shannon, 40, pleaded guilty to theft and breach of trust after taking the bait during an orchestrated traffic stop. Windsor police brass enlisted the help of an RCMP officer who Shannon wouldn't recognize, after receiving information more than six months earlier that pointed to Shannon being a dirty cop. He took planted money out of a duffel bag, and despite finding a crack pipe in the car, sent the driver off without so much as a ticket. The 15-year-veteran officer was arrested a few minutes later by waiting officers.
Shannon wrote a seven-page letter read in court by his lawyer Thursday in which he said he wants to remain a police officer. "I want to continue to serve my community," he said.
In the letter, he detailed his lifelong struggle with alcohol and drugs. He said he became a substance abuser at the age of 10 after being sexually abused by a babysitter. He managed to function well in life despite his addictions, getting a college diploma and a university degree before becoming a police officer. He racked up 37 commendations for exceptionally good work.
Despite going into rehab in 2001, he said he kept reverting to drugs and booze after: a bitter divorce; responding to the call in which fellow officer Const. John Atkinson had been shot dead; the stillborn birth of a daughter with an ex-girlfriend; the suicide of one fellow officer; and the cancer death of another.
"There's a saying that into every life a little rain must fall," said the judge. "Const. Shannon has had more than his share of rain."
Shannon's defence lawyer asked the officer be spared jail time and be allowed to serve his sentence in the community.
Crown prosecutor David Foulds, called Shannon's conduct "a terrible stain on the Windsor Police Service" and asked the judge to "be mindful of public perception" and send Shannon to "real jail" for six months to one year.
"I hope this is a compromise between what you were both looking for," said the judge.
But after the judge's ruling, Foulds said he was disappointed with the sentence.
"I would have wished a stronger message to be sent that when police officers commit serious breaches of trust, as this was, that real jail is a distinct possibility."
During his sentence, Shannon will be allowed out of the house from noon to 6 p.m. He will have to complete 24 hours of community service during the six months.
Following his sentence of house arrest, Shannon will be on probation for 12 months, during which time he must complete another 72 hours of community service.
Defence lawyer Andrew Bradie called the sentence fair for someone with an addiction. "Some people will be offended by it, some will understand."
Windsor police Deputy Chief Al Frederick said the department will seek Shannon's termination. He said the department has programs to help officers deal with stress and addictions, but "criminal conduct will not be tolerated at any time."
The department brought Shannon up on Police Services Act charges after his arrest. The hearings had been postponed until his criminal proceedings were complete.
Shannon lost his badge and gun at the time of his arrest. He never spent any time in jail, being released about 90 minutes after his arrest on a promise to appear in court.
He is to appear before a Police Services Act tribunal Oct. 16.
Immediately after Ontario court judge Don Downie handed down the sentence, the Windsor Police Service put Shannon on an unpaid suspension. Since his arrest Oct. 4, 2007, Shannon had been suspended but still collecting a paycheque, in accordance with provincial regulations.
Shannon, 40, pleaded guilty to theft and breach of trust after taking the bait during an orchestrated traffic stop. Windsor police brass enlisted the help of an RCMP officer who Shannon wouldn't recognize, after receiving information more than six months earlier that pointed to Shannon being a dirty cop. He took planted money out of a duffel bag, and despite finding a crack pipe in the car, sent the driver off without so much as a ticket. The 15-year-veteran officer was arrested a few minutes later by waiting officers.
Shannon wrote a seven-page letter read in court by his lawyer Thursday in which he said he wants to remain a police officer. "I want to continue to serve my community," he said.
In the letter, he detailed his lifelong struggle with alcohol and drugs. He said he became a substance abuser at the age of 10 after being sexually abused by a babysitter. He managed to function well in life despite his addictions, getting a college diploma and a university degree before becoming a police officer. He racked up 37 commendations for exceptionally good work.
Despite going into rehab in 2001, he said he kept reverting to drugs and booze after: a bitter divorce; responding to the call in which fellow officer Const. John Atkinson had been shot dead; the stillborn birth of a daughter with an ex-girlfriend; the suicide of one fellow officer; and the cancer death of another.
"There's a saying that into every life a little rain must fall," said the judge. "Const. Shannon has had more than his share of rain."
Shannon's defence lawyer asked the officer be spared jail time and be allowed to serve his sentence in the community.
Crown prosecutor David Foulds, called Shannon's conduct "a terrible stain on the Windsor Police Service" and asked the judge to "be mindful of public perception" and send Shannon to "real jail" for six months to one year.
"I hope this is a compromise between what you were both looking for," said the judge.
But after the judge's ruling, Foulds said he was disappointed with the sentence.
"I would have wished a stronger message to be sent that when police officers commit serious breaches of trust, as this was, that real jail is a distinct possibility."
During his sentence, Shannon will be allowed out of the house from noon to 6 p.m. He will have to complete 24 hours of community service during the six months.
Following his sentence of house arrest, Shannon will be on probation for 12 months, during which time he must complete another 72 hours of community service.
Defence lawyer Andrew Bradie called the sentence fair for someone with an addiction. "Some people will be offended by it, some will understand."
Windsor police Deputy Chief Al Frederick said the department will seek Shannon's termination. He said the department has programs to help officers deal with stress and addictions, but "criminal conduct will not be tolerated at any time."
The department brought Shannon up on Police Services Act charges after his arrest. The hearings had been postponed until his criminal proceedings were complete.
Shannon lost his badge and gun at the time of his arrest. He never spent any time in jail, being released about 90 minutes after his arrest on a promise to appear in court.
He is to appear before a Police Services Act tribunal Oct. 16.
Former County Sheriff Clarence Shepard Accused of Child Molestation
A former Evansville police officer and Vanderburgh County Sheriff is accused of child molestation.
A shocking story out of fort Myers, Florida where Clarence Shepard now lives in retirement.
The details of this incident came out Thursday night in an affidavit filed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office in Fort Myers, Florida.
The report outlines a possible sex crime involving a former Vanderburgh County Sheriff and a girl under the age of twelve.
According to that report, the victim told her mother that Clarence Shepard, 76, touched her inappropriately, made her kiss him and also made her touch his leg.
The girl told deputies the incident happened inside Shepard's house while he was showing her his wife's doll collection. The report also shows that the victim's family is friendly with the Shepards.
Following an interview with Clarence Shepard, sheriff's deputies charged him with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and booked him into the Lee County Jail in Florida.
Shepherd served the Evansville police department for 20 years before being elected Vanderburgh County Sheriff in 1983.
He was back in Evansville just about a week ago visiting former co-workers and touring the new Vanderburgh County Jail.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
District Judge Jerry Patterson Accused of Retaliating
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
State judicial panel documents show that a district judge in north Arkansas has been accused of violating the state judicial code by becoming "very angry" over a staff shortage and retaliating against county officials.
District Judge Jerry Patterson of Marshall reportedly became angry that the Searcy (SUR'-see) County Quorum Court in December eliminated a part-time probation officer from his staff who had helped collect fines and fees for the court. That's according to a filing by Director David Stewart of the state Judicial Discipline and Disablity Commission.
Patterson then sent defendants to the county judge's office to pay fines, although the county judge, an administrator, cannot accept court fines and fees, the accusation said. In addition, Patterson told people who appeared in court June 25 on driving-while-intoxicated charges that their "fines are pardoned with amnesty," Stewart's filing said. He allegedly said, "The county doesn't need your money."
Patterson said in a telephone interview today that the accusation grossly mischaracterizes his actions. He said that he never became angry at the quorum court -- that he sent people to the county judge's office to ask where they should pay their fines because the judge's office had no one to collect money -- and that he forgave the fines owed by those who appeared before him June 25 because they could not pay a lump sum and he had no installment plan set up.
State judicial panel documents show that a district judge in north Arkansas has been accused of violating the state judicial code by becoming "very angry" over a staff shortage and retaliating against county officials.
District Judge Jerry Patterson of Marshall reportedly became angry that the Searcy (SUR'-see) County Quorum Court in December eliminated a part-time probation officer from his staff who had helped collect fines and fees for the court. That's according to a filing by Director David Stewart of the state Judicial Discipline and Disablity Commission.
Patterson then sent defendants to the county judge's office to pay fines, although the county judge, an administrator, cannot accept court fines and fees, the accusation said. In addition, Patterson told people who appeared in court June 25 on driving-while-intoxicated charges that their "fines are pardoned with amnesty," Stewart's filing said. He allegedly said, "The county doesn't need your money."
Patterson said in a telephone interview today that the accusation grossly mischaracterizes his actions. He said that he never became angry at the quorum court -- that he sent people to the county judge's office to ask where they should pay their fines because the judge's office had no one to collect money -- and that he forgave the fines owed by those who appeared before him June 25 because they could not pay a lump sum and he had no installment plan set up.
Officer Clarence Shepard Accused of Child Molestation
A former Evansville police officer and Vanderburgh County Sheriff is accused of child molestation.
A shocking story out of fort Myers, Florida where Clarence Shepard now lives in retirement.
The details of this incident came out Thursday night in an affidavit filed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office in Fort Myers, Florida.
The report outlines a possible sex crime involving a former Vanderburgh County Sheriff and a girl under the age of twelve.
According to that report, the victim told her mother that Clarence Shepard, 76, touched her inappropriately, made her kiss him and also made her touch his leg.
The girl told deputies the incident happened inside Shepard's house while he was showing her his wife's doll collection. The report also shows that the victim's family is friendly with the Shepards.
Following an interview with Clarence Shepard, sheriff's deputies charged him with one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and booked him into the Lee County Jail in Florida.
Shepherd served the Evansville police department for 20 years before being elected Vanderburgh County Sheriff in 1983.
He was back in Evansville just about a week ago visiting former co-workers and touring the new Vanderburgh County Jail.
Jury Declines to Indict Judge Charged with Evading
HOUSTON
A Harris County grand jury declined Thursday to indict a Houston municipal court judge who had been charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle, a felony, after deputies said she interfered with the questioning of her two sons during an arrest, then sped away after an officer asked her to stop.
After hearing from several witnesses, the grand jury chose not to indict April Jill Walker, a part-time associate judge who also teaches law at Texas Southern University.
Walker's arrest in July was her second this year. She has filed a lawsuit against the Harris County Sheriff's Office in connection with an earlier arrest in January.
Walker and her attorney, Lloyd Kelley, claimed the deputies targeted her in retaliation for a formal complaint she made against the two who arrested her in January. In that incident, Walker was arrested after calling 911 because of suspicious activity in her neighborhood.
She was charged with impersonating a public official after identifying herself as a judge. The charges were dropped at her initial court appearance when officials determined she was, in fact, a judge.
The Harris County District Attorney's office does not plan to pursue the charges any further, spokeswoman Donna Hawkins said in a story in the Houston Chronicle.
"It takes pretty extraordinary circumstances to assemble another grand jury," Hawkins said. "It's not anticipated."
The July incident began when deputies were called to a house in northwest Harris County and detained Walker's two teenage sons, who were eventually charged with trespassing and possession of marijuana. Deputies said Walker heard about the incident, came to the scene and attempted to speak to the teenagers in the back of the patrol car.
Deputies said they told Walker she was at the scene of an active investigation and could talk with her sons later. They said she eventually left but did not follow a deputy's request to stop her car. A deputy followed her and after a confrontation in her driveway, Walker resisted before being arrested.
She said she did not speed when leaving the scene and that she did nothing to deserve arrest.
A Harris County grand jury declined Thursday to indict a Houston municipal court judge who had been charged with evading arrest in a motor vehicle, a felony, after deputies said she interfered with the questioning of her two sons during an arrest, then sped away after an officer asked her to stop.
After hearing from several witnesses, the grand jury chose not to indict April Jill Walker, a part-time associate judge who also teaches law at Texas Southern University.
Walker's arrest in July was her second this year. She has filed a lawsuit against the Harris County Sheriff's Office in connection with an earlier arrest in January.
Walker and her attorney, Lloyd Kelley, claimed the deputies targeted her in retaliation for a formal complaint she made against the two who arrested her in January. In that incident, Walker was arrested after calling 911 because of suspicious activity in her neighborhood.
She was charged with impersonating a public official after identifying herself as a judge. The charges were dropped at her initial court appearance when officials determined she was, in fact, a judge.
The Harris County District Attorney's office does not plan to pursue the charges any further, spokeswoman Donna Hawkins said in a story in the Houston Chronicle.
"It takes pretty extraordinary circumstances to assemble another grand jury," Hawkins said. "It's not anticipated."
The July incident began when deputies were called to a house in northwest Harris County and detained Walker's two teenage sons, who were eventually charged with trespassing and possession of marijuana. Deputies said Walker heard about the incident, came to the scene and attempted to speak to the teenagers in the back of the patrol car.
Deputies said they told Walker she was at the scene of an active investigation and could talk with her sons later. They said she eventually left but did not follow a deputy's request to stop her car. A deputy followed her and after a confrontation in her driveway, Walker resisted before being arrested.
She said she did not speed when leaving the scene and that she did nothing to deserve arrest.
Officer James Guerra Arrested for Rape
Less than two months after DC's troubled Protected Services Police hired a new Chief, another officer in the department is facing scandalous allegations.
Officer James Guerra was arrested last Thursday and has been held without bond after being accused of raping a female acquaintance.
Court records show that the crime occurred inside Guerra's 4th Street Northeast home when the victim came to visit Guerra who had been sick. The victims say she had known Guerra for about a year.
Guerra and the victim reportedly began fighting when she told him she wanted to leave. When the victim screamed for help, Guerra allegedly put a blanket over her head, punched and choked her, handcuffed her, and bound her to a bed with a belt.
The victim alleges Guerra threatened her with a knife and told her he was going to kill her. The victim claims he then raped her and left her bound to the bed after giving her an icepack and some Tylenol for her injuries.
DC Protective Services Police are in charge of protecting the Mayor and city employees inside District-owned buildings like the Wilson Building and the Reeves Center. Six months ago, an investigation exposed several Protective Services Police officers that were allowed to carry weapons even though they had disciplinary and criminal records.
A spokesman for the DC Protective Services Police Department says the agency is not going to make a comment about the arrest. Guerra is scheduled to next appear in court on Friday.
More Information: http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7623639&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
Officer James Guerra was arrested last Thursday and has been held without bond after being accused of raping a female acquaintance.
Court records show that the crime occurred inside Guerra's 4th Street Northeast home when the victim came to visit Guerra who had been sick. The victims say she had known Guerra for about a year.
Guerra and the victim reportedly began fighting when she told him she wanted to leave. When the victim screamed for help, Guerra allegedly put a blanket over her head, punched and choked her, handcuffed her, and bound her to a bed with a belt.
The victim alleges Guerra threatened her with a knife and told her he was going to kill her. The victim claims he then raped her and left her bound to the bed after giving her an icepack and some Tylenol for her injuries.
DC Protective Services Police are in charge of protecting the Mayor and city employees inside District-owned buildings like the Wilson Building and the Reeves Center. Six months ago, an investigation exposed several Protective Services Police officers that were allowed to carry weapons even though they had disciplinary and criminal records.
A spokesman for the DC Protective Services Police Department says the agency is not going to make a comment about the arrest. Guerra is scheduled to next appear in court on Friday.
More Information: http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7623639&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1
South Tucson Officer Fired for Stealing more then $300,000
New information has been released regarding a high-ranking South Tucson Police officer fired last summer after allegations of theft. The officer is believed to have stolen more than $300,000 in money and seized items.
"We suspect it's somewhere in the range of $300 - $400,000," says City Manager Enrique Serna.
The story began last may when FBI agents served search warrants at the South Tucson City Hall, the South Tucson Police Department and the former officer's west side home.
Officials say the former officer was solely responsible for the evidence room, including all seized assets and cash. Some of that money was to help fund the police department's $2 million budget.
The sheer amount of money and items stolen will not only affect the police department, but the community as well.
"It's going to hurt us," says Serna.
The police department was going to use part of the money to hire more officers.
South Tucson Police Chief Sharon Hayes Martinez says, "That's a huge loss for us monetarily because that is what we use to buy police cars, send people to training and equipment that we purchase."
Another thing hurting the bottom line of South Tucson's Police department is that they get no government money. Federal officials are holding back handing over funds until they are satisfied South Tucson has safeguards in place to keep this from happening again.
The investigation is now in the hands of the U.S. attorney's office. The DEA has reviewed the new policies and procedures and has resumed working with them on asset seizures.
The officer has not been publicly named because he is not yet been charged.
"We suspect it's somewhere in the range of $300 - $400,000," says City Manager Enrique Serna.
The story began last may when FBI agents served search warrants at the South Tucson City Hall, the South Tucson Police Department and the former officer's west side home.
Officials say the former officer was solely responsible for the evidence room, including all seized assets and cash. Some of that money was to help fund the police department's $2 million budget.
The sheer amount of money and items stolen will not only affect the police department, but the community as well.
"It's going to hurt us," says Serna.
The police department was going to use part of the money to hire more officers.
South Tucson Police Chief Sharon Hayes Martinez says, "That's a huge loss for us monetarily because that is what we use to buy police cars, send people to training and equipment that we purchase."
Another thing hurting the bottom line of South Tucson's Police department is that they get no government money. Federal officials are holding back handing over funds until they are satisfied South Tucson has safeguards in place to keep this from happening again.
The investigation is now in the hands of the U.S. attorney's office. The DEA has reviewed the new policies and procedures and has resumed working with them on asset seizures.
The officer has not been publicly named because he is not yet been charged.
Officers Accused of Using Excessive Force
An East Dundee Wal-Mart employee has sued the village and two of its police officers, claiming they used excessive force during a medical emergency last year by shocking him twice with a Taser gun and breaking his arm.
The complaint, filed earlier this week in U.S. District Court, does not name the police officers involved.
In the suit, Johnny E. Ward claims as a result of unlawful and excessive force he incurred mental, emotional and physical injuries, humiliation, medical and legal expenses and mental distress and anguish.
The seven-count suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
Ward says the incident occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 17, 2007 as he was trying to leave his job at the Wal-Mart store on Dundee Avenue to get medication for a diabetic condition.
The complaint says that as an ambulance arrived to assist Ward, multiple officers in several police squad cars also pulled up to the store, even though store employees had not requested police assistance.
After Ward discussed his condition with paramedics, the complaint says, one of the officers shot him in the back with a Taser, knocking him to the ground. Ward hit his head on the ground as a result of the unprovoked use of force, the complaint says.
The suit says Ward then heard one of the police officers make a racially derogatory comment to another officer before pulling the Taser trigger again, administering a second shock.
Ward's left arm was broken when the officers handcuffed him behind his back and lifted him from the ground to the ambulance, the suit says.
He was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin where he was treated for a broken arm and other injuries. No report was completed documenting the police officers' use of force or use of the Taser device, the complaint says.
Calls to Ward's attorney, George Sachs, were not returned Wednesday.
East Dundee Police Chief Terry Mee said he had could not comment on the case because he had not yet seen the complaint.
Ward was not charged with violation of any law or ordinance.
The complaint, filed earlier this week in U.S. District Court, does not name the police officers involved.
In the suit, Johnny E. Ward claims as a result of unlawful and excessive force he incurred mental, emotional and physical injuries, humiliation, medical and legal expenses and mental distress and anguish.
The seven-count suit seeks an unspecified amount in damages.
Ward says the incident occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 17, 2007 as he was trying to leave his job at the Wal-Mart store on Dundee Avenue to get medication for a diabetic condition.
The complaint says that as an ambulance arrived to assist Ward, multiple officers in several police squad cars also pulled up to the store, even though store employees had not requested police assistance.
After Ward discussed his condition with paramedics, the complaint says, one of the officers shot him in the back with a Taser, knocking him to the ground. Ward hit his head on the ground as a result of the unprovoked use of force, the complaint says.
The suit says Ward then heard one of the police officers make a racially derogatory comment to another officer before pulling the Taser trigger again, administering a second shock.
Ward's left arm was broken when the officers handcuffed him behind his back and lifted him from the ground to the ambulance, the suit says.
He was taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin where he was treated for a broken arm and other injuries. No report was completed documenting the police officers' use of force or use of the Taser device, the complaint says.
Calls to Ward's attorney, George Sachs, were not returned Wednesday.
East Dundee Police Chief Terry Mee said he had could not comment on the case because he had not yet seen the complaint.
Ward was not charged with violation of any law or ordinance.
Sergeant John Landahl Accused of Stealing Cooking Grease
Four Folsom police officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, including a sergeant who is accused of stealing cooking oil, officials said Wednesday.
The actions have come as a result of four separate internal affairs investigations.
Sgt. John Landahl, a 22-year veteran of the Folsom Police Department, turned himself in Sept. 30 after he was accused of stealing $350 worth of cooking oil during a theft in March from the Malabar restaurant, police said.
"The police department has a duty to investigate all crimes regardless of who may be involved," Folsom Police Chief Sam Spiegel said in a statement. "Our investigation revealed a member of the department as a suspect."
The theft was reported by Sacramento Rendering Co., who are contracted to collect used cooking oil from local restaurants for recycling, police said.
Cooking oil is commonly used to convert to bio-diesel and other consumer products.
Landahl was released on his own recognizance the same day he turned himself in and has a court date set for later this month, officials said.
Last Thursday, three other officers were put on administrative leave for alleged misconduct.
"If the allegations are proven, than the department takes the appropriate steps necessary to impose the discipline that fits the crime," Lt. Perry Albers said.
http://cbs13.com/local/folsom.police.department.2.836125.html
Chop Shop Owner and two Officers Arrested
GEORGETOWN
Georgetown County Sheriff’s Investigators and members of the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB) arrested 22-year-old Martin Grice of Jackson Village Road, Georgetown, 30-year-old Patrick Cumbee of Freddie Lane, Andrews, and 26-year-old Dedrick McCray of Spruce Street, Andrews yesterday afternoon. Grice, a Georgetown County Detention Center Correctional Officer, was charged with Misconduct in Office and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Cumbee, an Andrews Police Officer, was charged with Misconduct in Office and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and McCray, owner of a chop shop, was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Chop Shop, and Receiving Stolen Goods.
The investigation began Monday, October 6, 2008, when members of the OCB received information from a Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office employee that Grice was attempting to sell a stolen motorcycle. Once members of the OCB received this information they, along with sheriff’s investigators, discovered that Grice sold the motorcycle to Cumbee.
As the investigation continued, sheriff’s investigators, members of the OCB and members of the Andrews Police Department found that Cumbee purchased the motorcycle from Grice and took the motorcycle to McCray’s chop shop for alleged mechanical work.
When the investigation led to the whereabouts of the motorcycle and other valuable evidence, a search warrant was obtained for McCray’s residence to retrieve the motorcycle. During the execution of the search warrant, members of the OCB and sheriff’s investigators located the motorcycle in addition to other motorcycles. At this point another search warrant was obtained for the additional motorcycles.
Once the second search warrant was obtained it was discovered that parts on the other motorcycles were from other stolen motorcycles combined to construct one along with removed VINs and stolen license plates. These motorcycles and the one Grice sold Cumbee were seized along with other evidence items relating to the operation of a chop shop.
Grice, Cumbee, and McCray turned themselves in at the sheriff’s office yesterday where they were arrested and transported to the Georgetown County Detention Center. All three are currently awaiting a bond hearing.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/625095.html
Georgetown County Sheriff’s Investigators and members of the Organized Crime Bureau (OCB) arrested 22-year-old Martin Grice of Jackson Village Road, Georgetown, 30-year-old Patrick Cumbee of Freddie Lane, Andrews, and 26-year-old Dedrick McCray of Spruce Street, Andrews yesterday afternoon. Grice, a Georgetown County Detention Center Correctional Officer, was charged with Misconduct in Office and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Cumbee, an Andrews Police Officer, was charged with Misconduct in Office and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and McCray, owner of a chop shop, was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Chop Shop, and Receiving Stolen Goods.
The investigation began Monday, October 6, 2008, when members of the OCB received information from a Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office employee that Grice was attempting to sell a stolen motorcycle. Once members of the OCB received this information they, along with sheriff’s investigators, discovered that Grice sold the motorcycle to Cumbee.
As the investigation continued, sheriff’s investigators, members of the OCB and members of the Andrews Police Department found that Cumbee purchased the motorcycle from Grice and took the motorcycle to McCray’s chop shop for alleged mechanical work.
When the investigation led to the whereabouts of the motorcycle and other valuable evidence, a search warrant was obtained for McCray’s residence to retrieve the motorcycle. During the execution of the search warrant, members of the OCB and sheriff’s investigators located the motorcycle in addition to other motorcycles. At this point another search warrant was obtained for the additional motorcycles.
Once the second search warrant was obtained it was discovered that parts on the other motorcycles were from other stolen motorcycles combined to construct one along with removed VINs and stolen license plates. These motorcycles and the one Grice sold Cumbee were seized along with other evidence items relating to the operation of a chop shop.
Grice, Cumbee, and McCray turned themselves in at the sheriff’s office yesterday where they were arrested and transported to the Georgetown County Detention Center. All three are currently awaiting a bond hearing.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/local/story/625095.html
Deputy Accused of Stealing Nickles From Crash Site
TITUSVILLE, Fla.
At least one Brevard County sheriff's deputy is being investigated on suspicion of gathering some of the federal government's scattered nickels that remain along Interstate 95 nearly a month after a crash involving a U.S. Treasury truck.
Details of the internal investigation will not be made public until the inquiry is complete.
"All we are allowed to say is that there is an active internal investigation going on that started on Sept. 26," Brevard County sheriff's Sgt. Linda Moros said. "The investigation was authorized by the sheriff and it was brought about internally."
One motorist caught with $300 in nickels had to give them up but was let off with only a warning.
The freshly minted nickels are property of the U.S. Treasury, and, in this case, finders aren't keepers.
The nickels were en route from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia to the Federal Reserve Bank in Miami.
Two other people were injured in the crash, which shut down southbound I-95 just south of Scottsmoor for several hours while Treasury officials used heavy equipment to scrape up as many nickels as they could collect.
The Sept. 17 fatal wreck closed a stretch of I-95 for several hours in north Brevard County as Secret Service crews worked to clear the roadway of 3.7 million nickels. Most of the $185,000 was recovered.
The Florida Highway Patrol said that the armored truck carrying the booty rear-ended another truck, sending it into a guardrail on the west shoulder of the highway, just south of county Road 5A. The armored truck then overturned on its right side in the center median, killing a guard in the truck's sleeper cab and spilling tons of nickels.
The truck was on its way to the Miami branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, according to authorities.
Florida Highway Patrol officials have warned against anyone stopping to take the coins, as they are still property of the Treasury Department.
FHP spokeswoman Kim Miller said it is not only dangerous, but against the law.
"This isn't abandoned property," she said last month. "We know who the owner is."
http://www.local6.com/
September 22, 2008: Police Search For Motorists Who Stuffed Pockets With Nickels After Treasury Rig Crash
September 17, 2008: 4 Million Nickels Scattered On I-95 When U.S. Treasury Big Rig Crashes
At least one Brevard County sheriff's deputy is being investigated on suspicion of gathering some of the federal government's scattered nickels that remain along Interstate 95 nearly a month after a crash involving a U.S. Treasury truck.
Details of the internal investigation will not be made public until the inquiry is complete.
"All we are allowed to say is that there is an active internal investigation going on that started on Sept. 26," Brevard County sheriff's Sgt. Linda Moros said. "The investigation was authorized by the sheriff and it was brought about internally."
One motorist caught with $300 in nickels had to give them up but was let off with only a warning.
The freshly minted nickels are property of the U.S. Treasury, and, in this case, finders aren't keepers.
The nickels were en route from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia to the Federal Reserve Bank in Miami.
Two other people were injured in the crash, which shut down southbound I-95 just south of Scottsmoor for several hours while Treasury officials used heavy equipment to scrape up as many nickels as they could collect.
The Sept. 17 fatal wreck closed a stretch of I-95 for several hours in north Brevard County as Secret Service crews worked to clear the roadway of 3.7 million nickels. Most of the $185,000 was recovered.
The Florida Highway Patrol said that the armored truck carrying the booty rear-ended another truck, sending it into a guardrail on the west shoulder of the highway, just south of county Road 5A. The armored truck then overturned on its right side in the center median, killing a guard in the truck's sleeper cab and spilling tons of nickels.
The truck was on its way to the Miami branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, according to authorities.
Florida Highway Patrol officials have warned against anyone stopping to take the coins, as they are still property of the Treasury Department.
FHP spokeswoman Kim Miller said it is not only dangerous, but against the law.
"This isn't abandoned property," she said last month. "We know who the owner is."
http://www.local6.com/
September 22, 2008: Police Search For Motorists Who Stuffed Pockets With Nickels After Treasury Rig Crash
September 17, 2008: 4 Million Nickels Scattered On I-95 When U.S. Treasury Big Rig Crashes
Sgt Jerry Pace Jr Back on the Job After Being Arrested for Domestic Assault
Danville Police Sgt. Jerry L. Pace has returned to administrative desk duty after being on administrative leave, Chief Philip Broadfoot said in a statement released Wednesday.
Pace was arrested by the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 30 on a charge of domestic assault.
Pace was placed on administrative leave until his arraignment on Tuesday, Broadfoot said.
“I have reviewed the preliminary findings of the department’s internal affairs investigation into this matter,” Broadfoot said. “I have determined that it is appropriate to return Sgt. Pace to administrative desk duty, effective today (Wednesday), until the conclusion of the internal investigation and all court proceedings, at which time a final decision on the status of Sgt. Pace will be made.”
Pace, a member of the police department’s Investigations Division and president of the Fraternal Order of Police, was arrested and charged with assault after a deputy responded to a domestic violence call in the county, Sheriff Mike Taylor said Monday.
Authorities have not said whether the woman Pace is accused of assaulting is his girlfriend or wife, and have not released any other evidence from the case.
Pace was released on bond.
The sergeant also was charged with assault in December 2003 after a dispute with his girlfriend and her daughter, but those charges were dropped in May 2004.
Officer Mark Szweda Suspended for Drunk Driving
SOUTH BEND
A South Bend police officer who admitted to drunk driving is now serving a 21-day unpaid suspension.
The Public Safety Board handed down the punishment Wednesday morning.
The Public Safety Board handed down the punishment Wednesday morning.
Nappanee Police arrested Mark Szweda in August. They say he was going 62 in a 35 mph zone.
In addition to the suspension Szweda will have to participate in an alcohol treatment program.
The punishment adopted was recommended by Police Chief Daryll Boykins.
“Anytime an officer, whether it’s DUI or any type of discipline, has to go through the Board of Works they can take my recommendation or go with their own,” Boykins explained.
A judge sentenced Szweda to one year in jail, but suspended that and placed him on probation.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Officer Robert Bennett Charged with Bribery
A Pearson Police officer is arrested, charged with extorting money from drivers.
28 year-old Robert Bennett is charged with two counts bribery and two counts theft by extortion.
The GBI and Atkinson County Sheriff's Office say they arrested Bennett while he was on duty Friday.
He's accuse of pulling over Hispanic drivers and not ticketing them in exchange for money.
http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9147133
28 year-old Robert Bennett is charged with two counts bribery and two counts theft by extortion.
The GBI and Atkinson County Sheriff's Office say they arrested Bennett while he was on duty Friday.
He's accuse of pulling over Hispanic drivers and not ticketing them in exchange for money.
http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9147133
Officer Ken Groppi Has Resigned
A Plymouth police officer accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a female high school student has resigned.
Officer Ken Groppi was a resource officer at Plymouth North High School. He had been under investigation since last week when the student came forward and reported the messages to school officials.
Groppi, 36, submitted a letter of resignation to Plymouth police Tuesday morning.
Police officials say there is no indication that any physical contact occurred between Groppi and the student.
Groppi had been with the Plymouth Police Department for five years and had been assigned to the high school for about three years.
http://www.patriotledger.com/news/x2046364301/Officer-accused-of-inappropriate-text-messages-resigns
Officer Kevin Sledge Facing Rape Charges is Free on Bond
LAWRENCE
A Lawrence police officer facing rape and kidnapping charges has been released on $10,000 cash bail.
Chief John Romero says Officer Kevin Sledge was released Friday.
The 46-year-old Sledge, a 15-year veteran, allegedly left his post without permission and picked up an intoxicated 23-year-old woman he came upon on Jackson Street last month. He allegedly sexually assaulted the woman in his car in a parking lot near the police station over a two-hour period before the woman got out of his car and went to the station to report the incident.
Sledge, of Salem, N.H., has been placed on paid administrative leave and stripped of his gun and badge.
Romero says a termination hearing scheduled for last Friday was postponed at the request of the patrolmen’s union’s lawyer until later this month.
___
Information from: The Eagle-Tribune, http://www.eagletribune.com
A Lawrence police officer facing rape and kidnapping charges has been released on $10,000 cash bail.
Chief John Romero says Officer Kevin Sledge was released Friday.
The 46-year-old Sledge, a 15-year veteran, allegedly left his post without permission and picked up an intoxicated 23-year-old woman he came upon on Jackson Street last month. He allegedly sexually assaulted the woman in his car in a parking lot near the police station over a two-hour period before the woman got out of his car and went to the station to report the incident.
Sledge, of Salem, N.H., has been placed on paid administrative leave and stripped of his gun and badge.
Romero says a termination hearing scheduled for last Friday was postponed at the request of the patrolmen’s union’s lawyer until later this month.
___
Information from: The Eagle-Tribune, http://www.eagletribune.com
Deputy Robert McClain Fired After Attacking his Wife
IRVINE
A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy arrested in Irvine for allegedly attacking his wife and a man he apparently believed to be her lover will be fired today, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Deputy Robert Avery McClain, 34, will be separated from the job he has held since November 2007 by the end of the business day, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
"Obviously, it was a very brutal attack, and the sheriff feels very strongly about it," Whitmore said.
McClain is also expected to be charged and make his initial appearance in a Newport Beach courtroom today for allegedly attacking his wife and the 23- year-old man, authorities said.
The woman was hurt in the attack but not as severely as the young man.
McClain was in custody in the Theo Lacy branch jail, where he was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and other crimes for allegedly attacking the man and stabbing him near the genitals.
Handfield took issue with press accounts describing the attack on the man as an attempted castration.
"He does have puncture wounds in the area of the groin, on the inside of his leg, but (a castration attempt) is a little too exaggerated for me," he said.
The victim was being kept in a medically induced coma and listed in stable condition, Handfield said.
The father of the injured man said that his son's face was beaten so severely that he could hardly recognize him. He said it was his "understanding" that the woman was trying to leave the deputy, who thought his wife was having an affair with his son.
McClain also allegedly attacked his wife, but police refused to identify her or say how she had been hurt.
Irvine police were sent to an apartment leasing office at 1000 Peyton on Monday in response to reports of an assault, which apparently took place there between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday, Handfield said. The wife works in the office, and the male victim lives at the complex, according to police and published reports.
A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy arrested in Irvine for allegedly attacking his wife and a man he apparently believed to be her lover will be fired today, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Deputy Robert Avery McClain, 34, will be separated from the job he has held since November 2007 by the end of the business day, said Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
"Obviously, it was a very brutal attack, and the sheriff feels very strongly about it," Whitmore said.
McClain is also expected to be charged and make his initial appearance in a Newport Beach courtroom today for allegedly attacking his wife and the 23- year-old man, authorities said.
The woman was hurt in the attack but not as severely as the young man.
McClain was in custody in the Theo Lacy branch jail, where he was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and other crimes for allegedly attacking the man and stabbing him near the genitals.
Handfield took issue with press accounts describing the attack on the man as an attempted castration.
"He does have puncture wounds in the area of the groin, on the inside of his leg, but (a castration attempt) is a little too exaggerated for me," he said.
The victim was being kept in a medically induced coma and listed in stable condition, Handfield said.
The father of the injured man said that his son's face was beaten so severely that he could hardly recognize him. He said it was his "understanding" that the woman was trying to leave the deputy, who thought his wife was having an affair with his son.
McClain also allegedly attacked his wife, but police refused to identify her or say how she had been hurt.
Irvine police were sent to an apartment leasing office at 1000 Peyton on Monday in response to reports of an assault, which apparently took place there between 10:30 p.m. Sunday and 1 a.m. Monday, Handfield said. The wife works in the office, and the male victim lives at the complex, according to police and published reports.
Sergeant Jerry Pace Jr Charged with Assault
Danville Police Department Sergeant, Jerry Pace, Jr., was arrested by the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office last Tuesday and charged with assault.
Details concerning the case were not released other than the arrest and charge.
Pace, also the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, is on administrative leave from the police department indefinitely.
He was previously charged with assault in Dec. 2003, but those charges were dropped in May 2004.
Pace is the president of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Details concerning the case were not released other than the arrest and charge.
Pace, also the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, is on administrative leave from the police department indefinitely.
He was previously charged with assault in Dec. 2003, but those charges were dropped in May 2004.
Pace is the president of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Officer Nicholas Reitmeier Pleads Guilty of Taking Pornographic Photos of Teens
A Lakeville police officer accused of supplying two 17-year-old girls with liquor and taking pornographic photos and video footage of them pleaded guilty Tuesday.
Patrol officer Nicholas Albert Reitmeier, 25, pleaded guilty in Dakota County District Court to a felony charge for the use of minors in pornography and a misdemeanor charge for the reckless use of handguns. He initially faced two charges for each of those offenses as well as two gross misdemeanors for allegedly furnishing alcohol to minors.
Dakota County prosecutor Scott Hersey and defense attorney Jim Carlson reached a plea agreement to dismiss the other charges, which Judge Timothy McManus accepted.
The agreement also stated Reitmeier would serve 30 days in county jail, would not use alcohol or drugs, would not have contact with the victims and would not possess firearms. He will be on probation for up to four years.
"I'm just trying to move on with my life now," Reitmeier said during the court hearing. "I have a kid on the way. I want to be there for that."
Reitmeier is on administrative leave from the Lakeville Police Department, Carlson said. However, he likely will lose his job because of the felony conviction.
A police spokesman could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.
"Mr. Reitmeier has given up a lot more than most individuals in his same situation," Carlson said. "This was a huge error in his judgment."
According to the criminal complaint:
Reitmeier's friend Shin Taniguchi, 26, of Apple Valley, knew one of the teenagers and invited the girls to Reitmeier's house in the early morning of Dec. 23, 2007.
Reitmeier allegedly gave them 40-ounce beers and asked how old they were, the girls told authorities. "Old enough," one girl answered.
Taniguchi later told investigators he knew the age of the girl he invited to the house.
Carlson said Tuesday that Reitmeier did not know how old the girls were.
"These individuals were 17 years of age. These individuals were not 5," Carlson said.
Regardless, the victims, now 18, were affected by the incident, Hersey said.
After the beers, Reitmeier made the teens several mixed drinks in a martini shaker, the girls said. One of them changed into Reitmeier's shirt, which had a police logo on it.
The men also posed with Reitmeier's guns in photos and aimed them at each other. One of the weapons was Reitmeier's police sidearm.
The teenagers said they started kissing each other and became partially undressed while the men took pictures with a camera and videotaped them with cell phones.
Someone who knew Taniguchi later told one of the girls about seeing the videos. News of the recorded images circulated at the girls' school, and a student told a police liaison about them. Authorities refused to name the Dakota County school.
On Jan. 11, Dakota County sheriff's investigators searched Reitmeier's home. They seized a computer with 12 photographs of Reitmeier, Taniguchi and a female posing with the handguns, which detectives found in his house and vehicle.
They found an additional 19 photographs and four short videos of the girls partially undressed in sexual positions with each other.
Taniguchi faces two felony counts for the alleged use of minors in the pornography and two misdemeanor counts each for the alleged reckless use of handguns. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 17.
Reitmeier became a patrol officer in 2004 after serving as a nonsworn community service officer for two years in Lakeville.
http://www.twincities.com/
Patrol officer Nicholas Albert Reitmeier, 25, pleaded guilty in Dakota County District Court to a felony charge for the use of minors in pornography and a misdemeanor charge for the reckless use of handguns. He initially faced two charges for each of those offenses as well as two gross misdemeanors for allegedly furnishing alcohol to minors.
Dakota County prosecutor Scott Hersey and defense attorney Jim Carlson reached a plea agreement to dismiss the other charges, which Judge Timothy McManus accepted.
The agreement also stated Reitmeier would serve 30 days in county jail, would not use alcohol or drugs, would not have contact with the victims and would not possess firearms. He will be on probation for up to four years.
"I'm just trying to move on with my life now," Reitmeier said during the court hearing. "I have a kid on the way. I want to be there for that."
Reitmeier is on administrative leave from the Lakeville Police Department, Carlson said. However, he likely will lose his job because of the felony conviction.
A police spokesman could not be reached Tuesday night for comment.
"Mr. Reitmeier has given up a lot more than most individuals in his same situation," Carlson said. "This was a huge error in his judgment."
According to the criminal complaint:
Reitmeier's friend Shin Taniguchi, 26, of Apple Valley, knew one of the teenagers and invited the girls to Reitmeier's house in the early morning of Dec. 23, 2007.
Reitmeier allegedly gave them 40-ounce beers and asked how old they were, the girls told authorities. "Old enough," one girl answered.
Taniguchi later told investigators he knew the age of the girl he invited to the house.
Carlson said Tuesday that Reitmeier did not know how old the girls were.
"These individuals were 17 years of age. These individuals were not 5," Carlson said.
Regardless, the victims, now 18, were affected by the incident, Hersey said.
After the beers, Reitmeier made the teens several mixed drinks in a martini shaker, the girls said. One of them changed into Reitmeier's shirt, which had a police logo on it.
The men also posed with Reitmeier's guns in photos and aimed them at each other. One of the weapons was Reitmeier's police sidearm.
The teenagers said they started kissing each other and became partially undressed while the men took pictures with a camera and videotaped them with cell phones.
Someone who knew Taniguchi later told one of the girls about seeing the videos. News of the recorded images circulated at the girls' school, and a student told a police liaison about them. Authorities refused to name the Dakota County school.
On Jan. 11, Dakota County sheriff's investigators searched Reitmeier's home. They seized a computer with 12 photographs of Reitmeier, Taniguchi and a female posing with the handguns, which detectives found in his house and vehicle.
They found an additional 19 photographs and four short videos of the girls partially undressed in sexual positions with each other.
Taniguchi faces two felony counts for the alleged use of minors in the pornography and two misdemeanor counts each for the alleged reckless use of handguns. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 17.
Reitmeier became a patrol officer in 2004 after serving as a nonsworn community service officer for two years in Lakeville.
http://www.twincities.com/
Police Officers Accused of Assaulting 4 Inmates
South Africa
FOUR Mdantsane residents have accused police of beating them up in an attack last weekend that put one of them in hospital with serious injuries. And the NU1 officers have responded by opening a case of assault against their accusers.
Yesterday Nomava Nonto, Thamsanqa Faku and Bulelani Makeleni were nursing bruises they claimed to have got while being held in the police cells.
One victim , Simbonile Ntongwane, 27, was taken to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital after a fire extinguisher was allegedly slammed into his head by the officers at the station.
Yesterday he was transferred to Frere Hospital to receive stitches to his gums and head.
His mother, Nolakhe Ntongwane, said she couldn’t hold back her tears when she saw him.
“They nearly killed my son,” she said. “He can’t eat; he is in pain; he just can’t do anything.
“He told me that the police said they will kill him to stop the case.”
The other three said they were terrified of the officers who, they claimed, bragged they would dispose of the dockets if any case was opened against them.
The trouble began on Friday when the policemen tried to arrest a group of people playing dice on the street.
The gamblers ran away and at that point Faku, who is Nonto’s brother, was stopped by the officers and questioned as he apparently passed by.
Nonto alleged that the police grabbed Faku and when she stopped them, they pulled out a gun and hit her with it.
In an ensuing melee, the two police officers allegedly pulled out another firearm and arrested Ntongwane and Makeleni, who were on the scene.
Nonto said they were then forced into the back of the police vehicle at gun point and taken to the cells, where the assaults allegedly continued.
Children at the scene captured footage of the incident but none of the cellphone clips showed any assaults taking place, although one officer can be seen with a firearm.
Mdantsane police spokesperson Leon Fortune said he could confirm that an officer was assaulted last week.
“We don’t know about the alleged assault in the holding cells,” said Fortune.
“Anyone who was assaulted must come to the police station to open up a case.”
The three making the allegations against the police appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of assault and are scheduled to appear again on November 6.
FOUR Mdantsane residents have accused police of beating them up in an attack last weekend that put one of them in hospital with serious injuries. And the NU1 officers have responded by opening a case of assault against their accusers.
Yesterday Nomava Nonto, Thamsanqa Faku and Bulelani Makeleni were nursing bruises they claimed to have got while being held in the police cells.
One victim , Simbonile Ntongwane, 27, was taken to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital after a fire extinguisher was allegedly slammed into his head by the officers at the station.
Yesterday he was transferred to Frere Hospital to receive stitches to his gums and head.
His mother, Nolakhe Ntongwane, said she couldn’t hold back her tears when she saw him.
“They nearly killed my son,” she said. “He can’t eat; he is in pain; he just can’t do anything.
“He told me that the police said they will kill him to stop the case.”
The other three said they were terrified of the officers who, they claimed, bragged they would dispose of the dockets if any case was opened against them.
The trouble began on Friday when the policemen tried to arrest a group of people playing dice on the street.
The gamblers ran away and at that point Faku, who is Nonto’s brother, was stopped by the officers and questioned as he apparently passed by.
Nonto alleged that the police grabbed Faku and when she stopped them, they pulled out a gun and hit her with it.
In an ensuing melee, the two police officers allegedly pulled out another firearm and arrested Ntongwane and Makeleni, who were on the scene.
Nonto said they were then forced into the back of the police vehicle at gun point and taken to the cells, where the assaults allegedly continued.
Children at the scene captured footage of the incident but none of the cellphone clips showed any assaults taking place, although one officer can be seen with a firearm.
Mdantsane police spokesperson Leon Fortune said he could confirm that an officer was assaulted last week.
“We don’t know about the alleged assault in the holding cells,” said Fortune.
“Anyone who was assaulted must come to the police station to open up a case.”
The three making the allegations against the police appeared in the Mdantsane Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of assault and are scheduled to appear again on November 6.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Arrest of Brandon Backe leads to Galveston PD Internal Probe
GALVESTON
Police have begun an internal investigation of a weekend confrontation between police and members of a wedding party that led to the arrest of Astros pitcher Brandon Backe.
Witnesses said Monday that police needlessly beat, Tasered and pepper-sprayed wedding guests who were trying to comply with police commands during an incident in which officers arrested 10 people, including Backe, at an outdoor bar at the San Luis Hotel on Seawall Boulevard.
Daniel Cole O'Balle, 19, was injured during the incident and flown by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Backe was charged with three counts of assault on a public servant and two counts of retaliation. He was released on $115,000 bond.
Galveston police spokesman Cpt. Walter Braun said the department's office of professional conduct was conducting an internal investigation, although no formal complaints of officer misconduct had been received. "This administration is taking a proactive step," Braun said.
Police said a melee ensued after an officer approached O'Balle about entering the pool area with an open container of alcohol.
Witnesses' versions of the Saturday night confrontation differ widely from the description in the police report. Five witnesses told the Houston Chronicle they saw no one, including Backe, resist police.
They also said that there was no fight in the bar as described by police.
Witnesses described dozens of police storming a shocked and unresisting wedding party, shouting profanity and roughly shoving men and women.
Michael McMillan, 36, of Houston, said he and Backe walked up to see what the commotion was about and saw O'Balle on the ground bleeding, being shocked with a Taser and handcuffed. Police began shouting at them to back up and they complied, he said.
After they backed up as far as they could, McMillan said, officers continued shouting, "and Brandon Backe said, 'Sir, be cool, we're backed up as far as we can go.' "
As soon as Backe spoke, several officers wrestled him to the ground, punching him as he went down, McMillan said.
"A police officer kicks him right in the face," he said.
Backe never used profanity, insults or resisted the officers, McMillan said.
McMillan said he moved away and began walking down the hill with his wife when an officer ran at him and struck him with an elbow, knocking him to the ground. Several officers piled on and one put a foot in his back, he said.
He was put in a police car with Backe, he said. When they complained about their handcuffs being painfully tight, officers increased the pain by cornering at high speeds and forcing them to slide along the seat, he said. He said officers laughed as they cried out in pain.
Describing the experience, McMillan said, "You will feel the most helpless, humiliated, betrayed, that you will ever feel."
Chris Cornwell, 26, of Galveston, said police threw him to the ground when he asked them to stop shoving his pregnant wife. An officer put his foot on Cornwell's head until he stopped talking, he said.
Matt Goodson, 26, of Galveston, said he was taken down next to Cornwell. One of the officers picked up his head and pepper-sprayed him in the face for no reason, he said.
http://www.chron.com
Deputy Randall Creek Wanted for Murder has been Captured
A Kentucky sheriff's deputy accused of killing his ex-girlfriend was captured in Iowa early Tuesday after an officer spotted his car at a hotel.
Randall Creek, 41, of Bowling Green, Ky., was taken into custody without incident shortly after midnight at a motel in Evansdale, about 600 miles from Smiths Grove, Ky., where his ex-girlfriend, Debbie Rediess, was gunned down Sunday.
Black Hawk County sheriff's Capt. Reid Corson said they had information that Creek was in Iowa, and officers started checking motels. A police officer on routine patrol spotted Creek's car at a Days Inn and officers set up surveillance.
"He exited the hotel room unaware that they were there and they grabbed him," Corson said.
Corson said Creek had no ties to Iowa and was just "traveling through."
Kentucky authorities have said Creek confessed to the killing in an e-mail exchange Monday that was sent to a newspaper, Kentucky State Police and about 30 other recipients.
"I am not running to get away but I am going to make the KSP earn their money on this one," Creek said in the e-mail, which was posted on the Daily News of Bowling Green's Web site. "I have never been armed after the encounter and there will be no chase or struggle I assure you."
Late Monday afternoon, Creek sent another e-mail to law enforcement and media in which he threatened a county jailer.
Creek waived extradition during a court appearance Tuesday morning, Black Hawk County sheriff's Sgt. Pat Hagerty said.
Creek was represented by the public defender's office. Bond was set at $1 million.
Hagerty said Creek will return to Kentucky. He declined to say when that might happen.
More Information: http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081007/NEWS/710079940/1006/news
Randall Creek, 41, of Bowling Green, Ky., was taken into custody without incident shortly after midnight at a motel in Evansdale, about 600 miles from Smiths Grove, Ky., where his ex-girlfriend, Debbie Rediess, was gunned down Sunday.
Black Hawk County sheriff's Capt. Reid Corson said they had information that Creek was in Iowa, and officers started checking motels. A police officer on routine patrol spotted Creek's car at a Days Inn and officers set up surveillance.
"He exited the hotel room unaware that they were there and they grabbed him," Corson said.
Corson said Creek had no ties to Iowa and was just "traveling through."
Kentucky authorities have said Creek confessed to the killing in an e-mail exchange Monday that was sent to a newspaper, Kentucky State Police and about 30 other recipients.
"I am not running to get away but I am going to make the KSP earn their money on this one," Creek said in the e-mail, which was posted on the Daily News of Bowling Green's Web site. "I have never been armed after the encounter and there will be no chase or struggle I assure you."
Late Monday afternoon, Creek sent another e-mail to law enforcement and media in which he threatened a county jailer.
Creek waived extradition during a court appearance Tuesday morning, Black Hawk County sheriff's Sgt. Pat Hagerty said.
Creek was represented by the public defender's office. Bond was set at $1 million.
Hagerty said Creek will return to Kentucky. He declined to say when that might happen.
More Information: http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081007/NEWS/710079940/1006/news
Deputy Randall Creek Wanted for Murder Taunts Police
A sheriff's deputy accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in Kentucky taunted state police in an e-mail exchange Monday, threatening a county jailer and telling police he was going to "make them earn their money" in their search for him.
Simpson County Sheriff's Deputy Randall Creek, 41, is wanted on a warrant for murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Debbie R. Rediess, 46, authorities said. Rediess was shot to death outside her home Sunday morning in Smiths Grove, 85 miles south of Louisville.
In an e-mail that was sent to a newspaper, Kentucky State Police and about 30 other recipients, Creek confesses to the killing, trooper Todd Holder said.
"I am not running to get away but I am going to make the KSP earn their money on this one," Creek said in the e-mail, which was posted on The Daily News of Bowling Green's Web site. "I have never been armed after the encounter and there will be no chase or struggle I assure you."
Authorities, however, said they think Creek is armed with at least a handgun, and they said they had evidence that he had been in the Louisville area.
Late Monday afternoon, Creek sent another e-mail to law enforcement and media in which he threatened Warren County Jailer Jackie Strode. Creek ran as a Republican in the 2002 jailer's race and was defeated by Strode, the incumbent. Creek also said in the e-mail that Strode fired him from a job at the county jail in 1999.
"If I have contact with him at his facility I assure you I will kill him with my bare hands and he knows I am capable even before this encounter happened," he said in the e-mail.
Holder said police had notified Strode, the jail and area law enforcement.
"We know he's stopping and using computers. We know he's alive," Holder said.
Hours before Rediess was shot, Creek sent an e-mail to The Daily News describing his feelings for her. It was one of several letters Creek had written to the paper in recent years, the newspaper reported.
In the letter, Creek said Rediess ended their relationship after five years because he wouldn't set a wedding date.
"I don't blame her for leaving but I guess the message I am trying to get across to couples in this area is never take for granted that your spouse or girlfriend will always be there," he wrote in the e-mail. "To my darling Debbie I love you very much and I hope that one day we will be married and live happily ever after."
State police got Creek's personal e-mail address from the suspect's brother and sent their own message asking Creek to turn himself in. Three hours and 35 minutes later, Creek responded, saying he had become jealous after seeing his ex-girlfriend with another man.
Louisville police, state troopers and U.S. marshals were searching for Creek.
Simpson County Sheriff's Deputy Randall Creek, 41, is wanted on a warrant for murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Debbie R. Rediess, 46, authorities said. Rediess was shot to death outside her home Sunday morning in Smiths Grove, 85 miles south of Louisville.
In an e-mail that was sent to a newspaper, Kentucky State Police and about 30 other recipients, Creek confesses to the killing, trooper Todd Holder said.
"I am not running to get away but I am going to make the KSP earn their money on this one," Creek said in the e-mail, which was posted on The Daily News of Bowling Green's Web site. "I have never been armed after the encounter and there will be no chase or struggle I assure you."
Authorities, however, said they think Creek is armed with at least a handgun, and they said they had evidence that he had been in the Louisville area.
Late Monday afternoon, Creek sent another e-mail to law enforcement and media in which he threatened Warren County Jailer Jackie Strode. Creek ran as a Republican in the 2002 jailer's race and was defeated by Strode, the incumbent. Creek also said in the e-mail that Strode fired him from a job at the county jail in 1999.
"If I have contact with him at his facility I assure you I will kill him with my bare hands and he knows I am capable even before this encounter happened," he said in the e-mail.
Holder said police had notified Strode, the jail and area law enforcement.
"We know he's stopping and using computers. We know he's alive," Holder said.
Hours before Rediess was shot, Creek sent an e-mail to The Daily News describing his feelings for her. It was one of several letters Creek had written to the paper in recent years, the newspaper reported.
In the letter, Creek said Rediess ended their relationship after five years because he wouldn't set a wedding date.
"I don't blame her for leaving but I guess the message I am trying to get across to couples in this area is never take for granted that your spouse or girlfriend will always be there," he wrote in the e-mail. "To my darling Debbie I love you very much and I hope that one day we will be married and live happily ever after."
State police got Creek's personal e-mail address from the suspect's brother and sent their own message asking Creek to turn himself in. Three hours and 35 minutes later, Creek responded, saying he had become jealous after seeing his ex-girlfriend with another man.
Louisville police, state troopers and U.S. marshals were searching for Creek.
Two Officers Charged with Beating Pasadena Officer
An apparent love triangle among three police officers erupted in violence last week, landing two of them in court Monday, officials said.
Tina Marie Perez, 37, a Pasadena police officer, and Timothy Robert Troxell, 38, a South Houston police sergeant, are charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a confrontation between them and another Pasadena police officer, said John Cannon, spokesman for the Houston Police Department.
Cannon said Houston police investigated the case. The three officers were off-duty at the time.
Perez and Troxell appeared in court Monday but were rescheduled to appear Nov. 12. They are free on $30,000 bond each. Perez's attorney, Charles Adams, said the incident is a case of self-defense.
"I am saying emphatically that Ms. Perez and Troxell did nothing wrong in this case," Adams said outside the courtroom.
Troxell's attorney, Cristobal Galindo, said his client had come to Perez's aid after she was attacked.
Assistant District Attorney Katie Warren declined to discuss the case, saying it is under investigation.
Houston police identified the third officer as Marvin Ouellette, 36.
The officers could not be reached for comment.
Houston police said Perez told investigators she had broken off her relationship with Ouellette. She said Troxell was her boyfriend.
Ouellette told investigators that he and Perez had an on-again, off-again relationship and that they were trying to reconcile, police said.
Police said that Ouellette arrived at Perez's home in the 9700 block of Ebb about 3 a.m. Friday after he had tried in vain to reach Perez by telephone.
Perez told investigators, police said, that Ouellette assaulted her outside her house in the driveway and that Troxell defended her.
Troxell, police said, hit Ouellette several times with a pistol, and Perez kicked and punched him. Ouellette did not admit hitting Perez, police said.
A witness saw two people beating a third person, police said.
Ouellette was treated at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital and later released, said Vance Mitchell, spokesman for the Pasadena Police Department. Mitchell said Perez is temporarily suspended without pay. He said she was rehired by the department in June 2005 after leaving the force to work for another law enforcement agency.
Mitchell said he could not release information about Ouellette's status in the department because he has not been charged with a crime.
Troxell has been temporarily suspended without pay, said South Houston Police Chief Herbert Gilbert.
Gilbert declined to discuss the allegations, but added that Troxell has been with the department for 5 1/2 years.
Perez and Troxell each could face up to 20 years in prison if they are convicted of the second-degree felony.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Officer Christopher McGinn Charged with Drug Offences
A SERVING Police officer has appeared in court charged with drug offences.
Christopher McGinn, 28, appeared on petition at Haddington Sheriff Court today, where he was charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and with perverting the course of justice.
McGinn, a serving police officer from Prestonpans in East Lothian, has now been suspended from duty.
He appeared in court alongside another man, 27-year-old David Gare.
Gare, of Musselburgh in East Lothian, was also charged under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.
A Crown Office spokeswoman said both men made no plea or declaration and were remanded in custody.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News
The case was continued for further examination and they are expected to appear in court again later this month.
Lothian and Borders Police today confirmed two men had been arrested and charged with alleged drugs offences following an investigation by the force.
In a statement, they said: "The force can confirm that one of the accused is a serving uniformed police officer, and that individual has been suspended."
Christopher McGinn, 28, appeared on petition at Haddington Sheriff Court today, where he was charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and with perverting the course of justice.
McGinn, a serving police officer from Prestonpans in East Lothian, has now been suspended from duty.
He appeared in court alongside another man, 27-year-old David Gare.
Gare, of Musselburgh in East Lothian, was also charged under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.
A Crown Office spokeswoman said both men made no plea or declaration and were remanded in custody.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News
The case was continued for further examination and they are expected to appear in court again later this month.
Lothian and Borders Police today confirmed two men had been arrested and charged with alleged drugs offences following an investigation by the force.
In a statement, they said: "The force can confirm that one of the accused is a serving uniformed police officer, and that individual has been suspended."
Rookie Officer Alfie Madrid Charged with Killing Officer
MANILA, Philippines
A rookie policeman – one of the topnotchers in the 2005 criminology licensure examinations – was charged Monday with shooting and killing a police officer and wounding his wife following an argument over a minor road accident in Bacoor, Cavite province.
PO1 Alfie Madrid, 26, was charged with murder and frustrated murder at the Bacoor Prosecutor’s Office, according to Supt. Mario Reyes, town police chief.
Reyes said they also filed a case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions against the suspect.
The same charges were filed against Hermogenes Gagan, a civilian who was with Madrid at the time of the shooting incident.
A police investigation showed that Madrid, who is assigned to the Regional Special Action Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office, shot Insp. William Pelicano, a policeman assigned in Las Piñas City, during an argument following a vehicular accident on Marcos Alvarez Road in Barangay Molino 3, Bacoor, at around 8 p.m. Friday.
Pelicano, who was accompanied by his wife, Babylyn, was in a passenger jeepney when it was bumped by a Daihatsu multicab driven by Gagan. Seated beside Gagan was Madrid.
The victim, who was wearing a police uniform, alighted from the jeep and talked to Gagan. When the victim and the suspects started arguing, Madrid allegedly shot Pelicano several times, a police report said.
Pelicano’s wife rushed to his aid, but Madrid also shot her in the arm, the report added.
Pelicano was rushed to the Molino Doctors Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Police found two 9 mm Beretta pistols, bullets and magazines for .45 cal. and 9 mm handguns and Gagan’s license to carry firearms in his van. Gagan was arrested by Bacoor police who rushed to the scene, while Madrid was apprehended in a follow-up operation.
According to the records of the Professional Regulation Commission, Madrid ranked seventh among the 1,476 examinees who passed the criminology board tests in May 2005.
Madrid’s superior, NCRPO chief Director Jefferson Soriano, Monday ordered his men to undergo a weekly “troop information and education” to prevent similar incidents from happening.
He also met with RSAU personnel in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he told them to strictly “respect the police uniform and rank.”
“Starting today, I will require a strict observance of the chain of command, from Police Officers 1 to the highest position in the command,” Soriano told 300 RSAU agents, considered as the NCRPO’s elite police unit.
In his speech, Soriano said the incident only showed the “grave problem” regarding the lack of respect among PNP members.
“There’s no reason for us to draw our guns and shoot whoever we want to kill, especially someone who is wearing a police uniform,” he said.
A rookie policeman – one of the topnotchers in the 2005 criminology licensure examinations – was charged Monday with shooting and killing a police officer and wounding his wife following an argument over a minor road accident in Bacoor, Cavite province.
PO1 Alfie Madrid, 26, was charged with murder and frustrated murder at the Bacoor Prosecutor’s Office, according to Supt. Mario Reyes, town police chief.
Reyes said they also filed a case for illegal possession of firearms and ammunitions against the suspect.
The same charges were filed against Hermogenes Gagan, a civilian who was with Madrid at the time of the shooting incident.
A police investigation showed that Madrid, who is assigned to the Regional Special Action Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office, shot Insp. William Pelicano, a policeman assigned in Las Piñas City, during an argument following a vehicular accident on Marcos Alvarez Road in Barangay Molino 3, Bacoor, at around 8 p.m. Friday.
Pelicano, who was accompanied by his wife, Babylyn, was in a passenger jeepney when it was bumped by a Daihatsu multicab driven by Gagan. Seated beside Gagan was Madrid.
The victim, who was wearing a police uniform, alighted from the jeep and talked to Gagan. When the victim and the suspects started arguing, Madrid allegedly shot Pelicano several times, a police report said.
Pelicano’s wife rushed to his aid, but Madrid also shot her in the arm, the report added.
Pelicano was rushed to the Molino Doctors Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Police found two 9 mm Beretta pistols, bullets and magazines for .45 cal. and 9 mm handguns and Gagan’s license to carry firearms in his van. Gagan was arrested by Bacoor police who rushed to the scene, while Madrid was apprehended in a follow-up operation.
According to the records of the Professional Regulation Commission, Madrid ranked seventh among the 1,476 examinees who passed the criminology board tests in May 2005.
Madrid’s superior, NCRPO chief Director Jefferson Soriano, Monday ordered his men to undergo a weekly “troop information and education” to prevent similar incidents from happening.
He also met with RSAU personnel in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, where he told them to strictly “respect the police uniform and rank.”
“Starting today, I will require a strict observance of the chain of command, from Police Officers 1 to the highest position in the command,” Soriano told 300 RSAU agents, considered as the NCRPO’s elite police unit.
In his speech, Soriano said the incident only showed the “grave problem” regarding the lack of respect among PNP members.
“There’s no reason for us to draw our guns and shoot whoever we want to kill, especially someone who is wearing a police uniform,” he said.
Trial Begins for Keith Peoples
CHARLESTON
The trial of a fifth Charleston police officer accused of double dipping is scheduled to start Monday.
Keith Peoples is charged with obtaining by fraudulent schemes and computer fraud.
Peoples is accused of working security at the Charleston Town Center Mall while he was on the clock for the Charleston Police Department. It allegedly happened several times between January 2000 and August 2004.
The trial of a fifth Charleston police officer accused of double dipping is scheduled to start Monday.
Keith Peoples is charged with obtaining by fraudulent schemes and computer fraud.
Peoples is accused of working security at the Charleston Town Center Mall while he was on the clock for the Charleston Police Department. It allegedly happened several times between January 2000 and August 2004.
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