New London
A 22-year veteran of the Connecticut State Police was arraigned Friday in New London Superior Court on charges that he allegedly barged into his ex-girlfriend's apartment and pointed a gun at her boyfriend.
Paul T. Vera, 44, of 31 Shore Road, Waterford, was charged with second-degree threatening, third-degree criminal mischief and second-degree criminal trespass.
State police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said Vera has been placed on administrative duty, where he will have no contact with the public, since the incident was reported in November.
The state police is conducting its own internal investigation. Vera could not be reached for comment.
According to the arrest warrant, Groton Town police received a complaint Nov. 9 that Vera, the ex-boyfriend of the complainant's girlfriend, barged into her apartment and into the bedroom in “full battle rattle,” dressed in dark-colored police fatigues with police patches on the chest and arm.
Vera then allegedly pointed a handgun at the complainant's waist and yelled to his ex-girlfriend, calling her “an (expletive) whore,” before leaving the apartment.
Vera's ex-girlfriend also told police Vera entered the apartment with something black in his hand that he was pointing at her and a man, the warrant said.
Vera, who was interviewed Nov. 9, said he had been in an on-and-off relationship with the woman for about two years. They lived together, and she moved out of his house.
Vera told police that on Nov. 8 he asked his ex-girlfriend if she was in a relationship with another man, and she denied it. The next day he tried calling her at 3:30 a.m. and got no response, so he got dressed in a grey T-shirt, blue running pants and sneakers and went to her apartment.
When he got there, he walked to the sliding glass door and noticed that the slider was slightly open and some of the blinds were outside of the porch. He knocked on the door and got not answer.
Vera told police he entered the apartment because he was concerned, and could hear her having sex with someone, so he “barreled” through her bedroom door. According to the warrant, Vera admitted calling the woman “an (expletive) whore” before leaving the apartment.
On his way out of the apartment, he said he took her phone so he could check her calls and text messages. He denied having any firearms with him.
In the warrant, Vera said on his way home he heard over a radio broadcast that Groton Town police were looking for him, and he said he immediately called the on-duty supervisor.
After being reinterviewed the next day, Vera's ex-girlfriend came to police headquarters a few days after the incident to recant her statement, the warrant said. She told police that in the past Vera would come to her apartment late at night through her sliding glass door.
She said she couldn't really see what Vera was wearing and felt her boyfriend was influencing her recollection of the incident because she was drunk, the warrant said. She became suspicious of her boyfriend's behavior when he told her he had retained an attorney and was going to sue the state.
”He told her that they would each win $12 million after paying the attorney $3 million,” the warrant said.
At Vera's arraignment Friday, Judge Michael Frechette issued a protective order prohibiting Vera from having contact with the two alleged victims and from possessing guns.
Defense attorney William T. Koch Jr. asked the judge to consider imposing a “no contact order” rather than a protective order, given Vera's 22 years as a state trooper and lack of a criminal record.
The judge denied the request and continued the case to Feb. 5. Kevin Dunn, a domestic violence attorney for the Chief State's Attorney's office, will be prosecuting the case.
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http://archive.theday.com/re.aspx?re=29391aa0-41bf-45a0-8933-d4310a8c577f
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Officer Linda Coulimore Accused of Stealing Medication from War Veteran
MEAD
Authorities say a woman accused of stealing dangerously strong pain medication from the hospital room of an Iraq war veteran was a police officer, injured twice in the line of duty.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office says it arrested 59-year-old Linda Coulimore at her Mead home without around 10:40 p.m. Friday.
The Denver police says Coulimore saw her picture in a paper and called police.
Our partners at The Denver Post report she has wrestled with pain and painkillers for years.
She was being held for investigation of aggravated assault on an at risk adult. She posted bail Saturday.
Denver Police released surveillance photos of Coulimore on Thursday as she stole narcotics in a pump which police say "must not be used without a doctor's care" and could be fatal if used improperly.
Police say she took the pump from Presbyterian Saint Luke's Hospital, located at 19th and Franklin Street, around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
"This was a bold theft of pain medication we acted on immediately," said Presbyterian/St. Luke's President and CEO Mimi Roberson. "P/SL staff quickly notified security and the Denver Police Department. Our extensive security system showed the female struck rapidly and was in the patient area for less than three minutes."
The veteran, a Marine, was in the hospital recovering from surgery. Roberson says he was not injured and was "doing well."
Detectives continue to assemble their case, which they plan to present to the Denver district attorney, who will consider filing formal charges.
The Weld County Sheriff's Office says it arrested 59-year-old Linda Coulimore at her Mead home without around 10:40 p.m. Friday.
The Denver police says Coulimore saw her picture in a paper and called police.
Our partners at The Denver Post report she has wrestled with pain and painkillers for years.
She was being held for investigation of aggravated assault on an at risk adult. She posted bail Saturday.
Denver Police released surveillance photos of Coulimore on Thursday as she stole narcotics in a pump which police say "must not be used without a doctor's care" and could be fatal if used improperly.
Police say she took the pump from Presbyterian Saint Luke's Hospital, located at 19th and Franklin Street, around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
"This was a bold theft of pain medication we acted on immediately," said Presbyterian/St. Luke's President and CEO Mimi Roberson. "P/SL staff quickly notified security and the Denver Police Department. Our extensive security system showed the female struck rapidly and was in the patient area for less than three minutes."
The veteran, a Marine, was in the hospital recovering from surgery. Roberson says he was not injured and was "doing well."
Detectives continue to assemble their case, which they plan to present to the Denver district attorney, who will consider filing formal charges.
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Friday, January 30, 2009
Former Officer Norman Wesley Berry Charged with Stabbing Man & Stealing Marijuana
Prosecutors charge that a former St. Paul police officer stabbed a man he accused of stealing thousands of dollars' worth of marijuana from him.
Norman Wesley Berry, 52, is charged with second-degree assault and fifth-degree possession of marijuana. He resigned from the St. Paul Police Department in 1993 after he was suspended for assaulting a teen during the Hmong New Year celebration.
In the current case, the Ramsey County attorney's office alleges that Berry told someone he was currently an officer and that the victim told police he was afraid of Berry because he knew he used to be an officer.
Berry is under arrest in Stockton, Calif.
The criminal complaint, filed Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court, gives this account:
On Nov. 19, a St. Paul police officer received information from a confidential informant about a marijuana-growing operation at Berry's home in the 900 block of Fuller Avenue. Police searched the home Dec. 11 and found 6.5 ounces of marijuana and "what was left of a marijuana grow operation," the complaint said. "It appeared that Berry had dismantled the grow operation and was no longer living in his residence."
On Dec. 3, police were called to the 1000 block of Carroll Avenue about a man who had been stabbed. Courtney Allen Bivens, then 26, was "bleeding profusely" from his forearm, the complaint said.
Bivens told police he had gone to the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, 1063 Iglehart Ave., to play basketball and was confronted by a man he identified as Berry. Berry accused Bivens of breaking into his home and stealing $3,200 worth of marijuana from him. Berry told Bivens to get into his vehicle or he would kill him.
Bivens said he walked with Berry toward his vehicle "and was afraid to run away because he knew Berry, an ex-St. Paul police officer, sometimes carries a 9mm handgun and was afraid Berry would shoot him," the complaint said.
Berry told Bivens to get in the trunk, but Bivens refused. Bivens punched Berry to get away. Berry pulled out a kitchen knife and slashed at Bivens, cutting his arm several times. Bivens ran to a friend's home and called police.
Bivens was taken to Regions Hospital and treated for at least five cuts to his arm. One had cut the ligaments in his hand. He has had several surgeries to restore use of his hand and fingers.
Police later showed Bivens a photo lineup, and he identified Berry, saying he was "110 percent sure" he was the man who had stabbed him, the complaint said.
Bivens denied breaking into Berry's home. He told police he knew Berry grew and sold marijuana because his cousin helps Berry with the grow operation. Bivens also said he helped a female friend move out of Bivens' home three to four months ago and she commented about Berry having "a lot of weed" in the basement, the complaint said.
Bivens told police he heard Berry was "robbed" Nov. 28.
On Nov. 29, Berry went to Bivens' workplace looking for him, Bivens told police. Berry identified himself to Bivens' manager as a St. Paul police officer and said he was looking for Bivens because he had been involved in a robbery.
Sgt. Paul Schnell, St. Paul police spokesman, said Berry has "zero affiliation" with the police department. "Any representations he made about being a police officer are clearly wrong," he said.
Police verified Bivens' account by viewing surveillance video from Bivens' employer. They also spoke with Bivens' manager, who said Berry identified himself as a St. Paul officer. The manager told Berry she didn't know where Bivens was.
Officers went to Berry's home and couldn't find him. They also went to the Greenway Liquor Store in Minneapolis, where Berry worked. The owner told them Berry called Dec. 4 to say he couldn't work that weekend and that he hadn't heard from Berry since.
Police spoke with people Berry had contacted after Bivens was assaulted and learned Berry had "asked them to pack up his things, sell his furniture and send the money to Berry at an address in Iowa," the complaint said.
Officers tried to locate Berry there but believed he had gone to Stockton, Calif.
A warrant was issued when Berry was charged, and police arrested him Wednesday in Stockton. He was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.
In November 1992, Berry was accused of striking a 16-year-old boy with his baton during the Hmong New Year's Celebration in St. Paul. He was suspended after a homemade videotape showed the officer striking the teen on the back of the head with no apparent provocation. Berry, a St. Paul officer for five years, resigned in March 1993.
Norman Wesley Berry, 52, is charged with second-degree assault and fifth-degree possession of marijuana. He resigned from the St. Paul Police Department in 1993 after he was suspended for assaulting a teen during the Hmong New Year celebration.
In the current case, the Ramsey County attorney's office alleges that Berry told someone he was currently an officer and that the victim told police he was afraid of Berry because he knew he used to be an officer.
Berry is under arrest in Stockton, Calif.
The criminal complaint, filed Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court, gives this account:
On Nov. 19, a St. Paul police officer received information from a confidential informant about a marijuana-growing operation at Berry's home in the 900 block of Fuller Avenue. Police searched the home Dec. 11 and found 6.5 ounces of marijuana and "what was left of a marijuana grow operation," the complaint said. "It appeared that Berry had dismantled the grow operation and was no longer living in his residence."
On Dec. 3, police were called to the 1000 block of Carroll Avenue about a man who had been stabbed. Courtney Allen Bivens, then 26, was "bleeding profusely" from his forearm, the complaint said.
Bivens told police he had gone to the Jimmy Lee Recreation Center, 1063 Iglehart Ave., to play basketball and was confronted by a man he identified as Berry. Berry accused Bivens of breaking into his home and stealing $3,200 worth of marijuana from him. Berry told Bivens to get into his vehicle or he would kill him.
Bivens said he walked with Berry toward his vehicle "and was afraid to run away because he knew Berry, an ex-St. Paul police officer, sometimes carries a 9mm handgun and was afraid Berry would shoot him," the complaint said.
Berry told Bivens to get in the trunk, but Bivens refused. Bivens punched Berry to get away. Berry pulled out a kitchen knife and slashed at Bivens, cutting his arm several times. Bivens ran to a friend's home and called police.
Bivens was taken to Regions Hospital and treated for at least five cuts to his arm. One had cut the ligaments in his hand. He has had several surgeries to restore use of his hand and fingers.
Police later showed Bivens a photo lineup, and he identified Berry, saying he was "110 percent sure" he was the man who had stabbed him, the complaint said.
Bivens denied breaking into Berry's home. He told police he knew Berry grew and sold marijuana because his cousin helps Berry with the grow operation. Bivens also said he helped a female friend move out of Bivens' home three to four months ago and she commented about Berry having "a lot of weed" in the basement, the complaint said.
Bivens told police he heard Berry was "robbed" Nov. 28.
On Nov. 29, Berry went to Bivens' workplace looking for him, Bivens told police. Berry identified himself to Bivens' manager as a St. Paul police officer and said he was looking for Bivens because he had been involved in a robbery.
Sgt. Paul Schnell, St. Paul police spokesman, said Berry has "zero affiliation" with the police department. "Any representations he made about being a police officer are clearly wrong," he said.
Police verified Bivens' account by viewing surveillance video from Bivens' employer. They also spoke with Bivens' manager, who said Berry identified himself as a St. Paul officer. The manager told Berry she didn't know where Bivens was.
Officers went to Berry's home and couldn't find him. They also went to the Greenway Liquor Store in Minneapolis, where Berry worked. The owner told them Berry called Dec. 4 to say he couldn't work that weekend and that he hadn't heard from Berry since.
Police spoke with people Berry had contacted after Bivens was assaulted and learned Berry had "asked them to pack up his things, sell his furniture and send the money to Berry at an address in Iowa," the complaint said.
Officers tried to locate Berry there but believed he had gone to Stockton, Calif.
A warrant was issued when Berry was charged, and police arrested him Wednesday in Stockton. He was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.
In November 1992, Berry was accused of striking a 16-year-old boy with his baton during the Hmong New Year's Celebration in St. Paul. He was suspended after a homemade videotape showed the officer striking the teen on the back of the head with no apparent provocation. Berry, a St. Paul officer for five years, resigned in March 1993.
Tasered Woman Files Claim Against Officers for Excessive Force
University of Wisconsin football fans Roman and Margaret Hiebing, who have strong ties to the university, have filed claims against the state of Wisconsin claiming police officers used excessive force, including a Taser, when arresting Margaret for sitting in the wrong place at the crowded Penn State football game in October.
The Hiebings were among the 81,524 fans who packed into Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 11 to watch the Nittany Lions pound the Badgers, 48-7.
Like many others in section U on the east side of the stadium, Margaret Hiebing could not sit in her regular seat in row 69 because it had already been taken. So she sat at the end of the row, partially in the aisle, and that led to confrontation with police, which led to Margaret being handcuffed, stung by a Taser, and being ticketed for disorderly conduct on university property.
In a notice of claim filed with the State Justice Department earlier this week, the Hiebings say the conduct of the seven police officers who were eventually involved in arresting Margaret Hiebing, 54, "committed assault on (Margaret); committed, aided and/or abetted battery; used excessive force in an arrest; and falsely imprisoned," her.
Margaret suffered physical and emotional injuries from the conduct of the officers, the filing says, while Roman, who tried to come to his wife's aide, was battered by two officers, falsely imprisoned, and also suffered from emotional and physical injuries. He was also ticketed for disorderly conduct on university lands.
The Hiebings live in Maple Bluff and Roman is retired after a lengthy career in advertising, including 25 years as head of the Hiebing Group, a premier advertising firm in Madison, and he taught in both the business and journalism schools at UW. Margaret worked for many years as a nurse at University Hospital. The couple has had Badger football tickets for the past 25 years, the notice of claim says, and are members of the Bascom Hill Society.
The notice of claim makes UW-Madison Police Officer Tamara Kowalski out to the prime culprit of what the couple calls "excessive force." As Margaret Hiebing was trying to watch the game from her makeshift seat at the end of the aisle, Kowalski approached and told her to get in her seat. Roman Hiebing then asked the officer to check tickets of those in row 69, because some people were obviously in the wrong seats.
Kowalski, the notice of claim says, "did not check the tickets; in fact, (did) nothing to rectify the situation in response to (Roman's) request."
"Without provocation, Kowalski then grabbed (Margaret's) hair, pulling it backwards," and threatened to spray Margaret with pepper spray, the filing says. Kowalski then called six other officers to the area, and they in turned grabbed Margaret and started hauling up the stairs, the notice of claim says.
Margaret Hiebing tried to warn officers that she had previous knee surgery which made her prone to injuries, but said in an affidavit her pleas were ignored. When she got to the top of the stairs, Officer Peter Grimsyer "Tasered her repeatedly," the notice of claim says.
Roman, the claim says, was battered and falsely imprisoned by Officers Benjamin Newman and Nicolas Banuelos when he tried to help his wife.
State Justice Department spokesman William Cosh declined to discuss the claim. "We are reviewing the allegations and have no comment," he said.
Police said at the time that Margaret Hiebing was "kicking and screaming" when officers tried to handcuff her. "That's when one of the officers discharged a Taser weapon on her," said UW Police Sgt. Jason Whitney.
Whitney said UW officers asked Margaret Hiebing to go to her seat and attempted to contact guest services to help her to her seat. "But that didn't happen, so our policy is if you are not in your seat, you get ejected," he said at the time.
Filings of notices of claims with the state are usually precusors to the parties filing of a lawsuit, and must be done according to state statutes, so the Justice Department can analyze the validity of the claim. The Hiebings' claim was filed by Madison attorneys Robert Gingras and Paul Kinne.
The Hiebings were among the 81,524 fans who packed into Camp Randall Stadium on Oct. 11 to watch the Nittany Lions pound the Badgers, 48-7.
Like many others in section U on the east side of the stadium, Margaret Hiebing could not sit in her regular seat in row 69 because it had already been taken. So she sat at the end of the row, partially in the aisle, and that led to confrontation with police, which led to Margaret being handcuffed, stung by a Taser, and being ticketed for disorderly conduct on university property.
In a notice of claim filed with the State Justice Department earlier this week, the Hiebings say the conduct of the seven police officers who were eventually involved in arresting Margaret Hiebing, 54, "committed assault on (Margaret); committed, aided and/or abetted battery; used excessive force in an arrest; and falsely imprisoned," her.
Margaret suffered physical and emotional injuries from the conduct of the officers, the filing says, while Roman, who tried to come to his wife's aide, was battered by two officers, falsely imprisoned, and also suffered from emotional and physical injuries. He was also ticketed for disorderly conduct on university lands.
The Hiebings live in Maple Bluff and Roman is retired after a lengthy career in advertising, including 25 years as head of the Hiebing Group, a premier advertising firm in Madison, and he taught in both the business and journalism schools at UW. Margaret worked for many years as a nurse at University Hospital. The couple has had Badger football tickets for the past 25 years, the notice of claim says, and are members of the Bascom Hill Society.
The notice of claim makes UW-Madison Police Officer Tamara Kowalski out to the prime culprit of what the couple calls "excessive force." As Margaret Hiebing was trying to watch the game from her makeshift seat at the end of the aisle, Kowalski approached and told her to get in her seat. Roman Hiebing then asked the officer to check tickets of those in row 69, because some people were obviously in the wrong seats.
Kowalski, the notice of claim says, "did not check the tickets; in fact, (did) nothing to rectify the situation in response to (Roman's) request."
"Without provocation, Kowalski then grabbed (Margaret's) hair, pulling it backwards," and threatened to spray Margaret with pepper spray, the filing says. Kowalski then called six other officers to the area, and they in turned grabbed Margaret and started hauling up the stairs, the notice of claim says.
Margaret Hiebing tried to warn officers that she had previous knee surgery which made her prone to injuries, but said in an affidavit her pleas were ignored. When she got to the top of the stairs, Officer Peter Grimsyer "Tasered her repeatedly," the notice of claim says.
Roman, the claim says, was battered and falsely imprisoned by Officers Benjamin Newman and Nicolas Banuelos when he tried to help his wife.
State Justice Department spokesman William Cosh declined to discuss the claim. "We are reviewing the allegations and have no comment," he said.
Police said at the time that Margaret Hiebing was "kicking and screaming" when officers tried to handcuff her. "That's when one of the officers discharged a Taser weapon on her," said UW Police Sgt. Jason Whitney.
Whitney said UW officers asked Margaret Hiebing to go to her seat and attempted to contact guest services to help her to her seat. "But that didn't happen, so our policy is if you are not in your seat, you get ejected," he said at the time.
Filings of notices of claims with the state are usually precusors to the parties filing of a lawsuit, and must be done according to state statutes, so the Justice Department can analyze the validity of the claim. The Hiebings' claim was filed by Madison attorneys Robert Gingras and Paul Kinne.
Former Deputy Kyle Yates Accused of Raping & Molesting Child
A former Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy accused of raping and molesting a child gave up his right to a speedy trial Thursday, allowing more time for his attorney to work on his defense.
Kyle Yates, 38, faces three charges of sexual battery on a minor under 12 years old and a charge each of lewd and lascivious molestation and distributing obscene materials to a minor. After being confronted with the accusations in July, investigators say he fled to Texas. He was arrested in November, authorities said.
Yates has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Kyle Yates, 38, faces three charges of sexual battery on a minor under 12 years old and a charge each of lewd and lascivious molestation and distributing obscene materials to a minor. After being confronted with the accusations in July, investigators say he fled to Texas. He was arrested in November, authorities said.
Yates has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Former Officer Nelson Tuatagaloa Kisses Suicidal Woman Ordered to Stand Trial
As West Jordan police officer Nelson Tuatagaloa was kissing a reportedly suicidal woman while on duty last year, he allegedly told investigators he thought to himself: "What are you doing?"
But, according to Tuatagaloa's statement, he continued kissing the woman, and went on to touch her breasts and genital area before dropping her at a hospital for a mental evaluation.
Based on testimony Friday from Salt Lake County district attorney investigator Travis Peterson and the alleged victim, 3rd District Judge Sheila McCleve ordered Tuatagaloa to stand trial on two counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse.
If convicted, Tuatagaloa, 34, -- who no longer is working for the police department -- could face
Nelson Tuatagaloa up to 15 years in prison on each count. A scheduling hearing was set for Feb. 27.
The alleged victim testified that while she never said no or pushed Tuatagaloa away the night of Sept. 30, she did not want or welcome his advances. The woman said she felt she had to do everything Tuatagaloa wanted because he was a police officer and, based on what she had seen on television shows, he could say or do anything, even kill her.
She testified she had called her estranged husband that night and threatened to kill herself even though she had no intention of committing suicide. She left her house with a handgun but called police after she learned they were looking for her.
Tuatagaloa and another officer arrested her. On the way to a hospital in Tuatagaloa's cruiser, the woman said he held her hand and told her, "You've made a new friend tonight."
As they approached the hospital, the woman saw two friends by the entrance and told Tuatagaloa she didn't want to see them. He responded by pulling over on a darkened side of the building.
Tuatagaloa -- who had accused the woman of being intoxicated by alcohol -- asked to smell her breath, then started kissing her, she testified. The alleged victim said when she put on her seat belt, indicating she was ready to go, he took it off and started kissing her again. He put his hand inside her clothing and touched her breasts, she said.
According to police dispatch times, Tuatagaloa and the woman were parked for about 40 minutes.
The woman said that when she told her friends what had happened, they insisted she tell hospital personnel who notified police.
Officer Anthony Miller Resigns After Being Charged with Possession of Child Porn
Anthony Miller, the Hastings Police Department officer charged for possession of child pornography, has resigned from the department, effective Jan. 27.
City officials issued a short press release about Miller's resignation on Friday (Jan. 30).
Miller, who lives in New Richmond, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the criminal complaint filed in December in St. Croix County, Wis., Miller allegedly admitted to agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation that he downloaded, possessed and traded or distributed child pornography for approximately the previous two years, consisting of images of girls Miller estimated to be between the ages of nine and 15.
DOJ officials say Miller also admitted he used his personal laptop while on duty as a police officer in Hastings in order to obtain Internet access via unencrypted wireless signals from random locations throughout the Hastings area.
Both charges against Miller are felonies and carry a combined maximum sentence of 65 years in prison and a $200,000 fine. They have a combined minimum sentence of eight years in prison and a $1,000 fine for each illegal image.
City officials issued a short press release about Miller's resignation on Friday (Jan. 30).
Miller, who lives in New Richmond, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the criminal complaint filed in December in St. Croix County, Wis., Miller allegedly admitted to agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation that he downloaded, possessed and traded or distributed child pornography for approximately the previous two years, consisting of images of girls Miller estimated to be between the ages of nine and 15.
DOJ officials say Miller also admitted he used his personal laptop while on duty as a police officer in Hastings in order to obtain Internet access via unencrypted wireless signals from random locations throughout the Hastings area.
Both charges against Miller are felonies and carry a combined maximum sentence of 65 years in prison and a $200,000 fine. They have a combined minimum sentence of eight years in prison and a $1,000 fine for each illegal image.
Former Officer Sgt. Faron White Hearing Set for Friday Morning
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.
A former north Alabama police officer accused of staging his own disappearance to cover up the theft of funds from his own department is due in court in Birmingham.
A hearing was set for Friday morning for former Decatur police Sgt. Faron White of Falkville. It will be his first court appearance since his indictment earlier this week on federal theft charges.
Prosecutors say White stage his disappearance from his office on Jan. 2 to cover up the fact that more than $5,000 in confiscated drug money was missing from a safe at work. He was arrested three days later in a hotel in Las Vegas.
A former police volunteer is accused of helping White.
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Other Information: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/01/former_alabama_police_officer.html
A former north Alabama police officer accused of staging his own disappearance to cover up the theft of funds from his own department is due in court in Birmingham.
A hearing was set for Friday morning for former Decatur police Sgt. Faron White of Falkville. It will be his first court appearance since his indictment earlier this week on federal theft charges.
Prosecutors say White stage his disappearance from his office on Jan. 2 to cover up the fact that more than $5,000 in confiscated drug money was missing from a safe at work. He was arrested three days later in a hotel in Las Vegas.
A former police volunteer is accused of helping White.
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Other Information: http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/01/former_alabama_police_officer.html
Officer Jimmie L Akins Faces Federal Corruption Charges
Chicago police officer Jimmie L. Akins won’t have his day in court — at least the court of “Judge Jeanine Pirro.”
Akins, who faces federal corruptions charges in an alleged tow truck bribery scheme, played the part of the bailiff on Pirro’s courtroom show.
He has since lost the gig, said Laura Mandel, a spokeswoman with Telepictures Productions.
“Telepictures did its due diligence during the hiring process which included a background check,” Mandel said in a statement. “It did not reveal a federal investigation nor was Akins a member of the Chicago Police Department at the time. The show has completed taping of the first season and Jimmie Akins is no longer associated with the show.”
Pirro, a former district attorney in a county outside New York City, rules in her Chicago-based courtroom every day at 3 p.m. on WGN-Channel 9.
On today’s show, for instance, two friends “duke it out” over teenage pregnancy and drug use, according to Pirro’s Web site.
Akins will still appear in episodes that were previously taped.
The 41-year-old Akins allegedly charged tow truck drivers $100 each time they towed a car from a wreck he was supervising. He was the fourth Chicago police officer arrested in the scheme, which federal agents have been investigating since 2003.
Akins joined the police force in 1998, and declared bankruptcy in 2001, federal court documents said. He is no longer a Chicago police officer.
Akins, who faces federal corruptions charges in an alleged tow truck bribery scheme, played the part of the bailiff on Pirro’s courtroom show.
He has since lost the gig, said Laura Mandel, a spokeswoman with Telepictures Productions.
“Telepictures did its due diligence during the hiring process which included a background check,” Mandel said in a statement. “It did not reveal a federal investigation nor was Akins a member of the Chicago Police Department at the time. The show has completed taping of the first season and Jimmie Akins is no longer associated with the show.”
Pirro, a former district attorney in a county outside New York City, rules in her Chicago-based courtroom every day at 3 p.m. on WGN-Channel 9.
On today’s show, for instance, two friends “duke it out” over teenage pregnancy and drug use, according to Pirro’s Web site.
Akins will still appear in episodes that were previously taped.
The 41-year-old Akins allegedly charged tow truck drivers $100 each time they towed a car from a wreck he was supervising. He was the fourth Chicago police officer arrested in the scheme, which federal agents have been investigating since 2003.
Akins joined the police force in 1998, and declared bankruptcy in 2001, federal court documents said. He is no longer a Chicago police officer.
Officer Ravell Slayton Arrested for Theft & Misconduct
A Memphis police officer who was arrested on theft and misconduct charges turned in his badge Friday.
Ravell Slayton, 36, had been placed on paid leave Thursday, along with another officer who was arrested in a separate investigation.
That officer, Lt. Billy Smallwood, 45, remains with the police department pending an administrative hearing.
Slayton quit before his administrative hearing, which had been scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday.
He is believed to have participated with his brother and another man in a stolen-property scheme.
Acting on a tip, undercover officers sold Slayton three 52-inch TVs he believed were stolen, police said.
He also told investigators he sat in uniform in a marked squad car outside a house where his brother sold drugs more than 50 times.
A Shelby County grand jury indicted Slayton on two counts of official misconduct, one count of theft and another count of attempted theft. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to two years in prison.
A federal grand jury charged Smallwood with using a fake identity to access Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI databases, then selling personal information to a third party.
He's charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of creating a false document in a matter within FBI jurisdiction and another count of computer fraud.
Information: http://www.wztv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.tn/3b64e570-www.fox17.com.shtml
Ravell Slayton, 36, had been placed on paid leave Thursday, along with another officer who was arrested in a separate investigation.
That officer, Lt. Billy Smallwood, 45, remains with the police department pending an administrative hearing.
Slayton quit before his administrative hearing, which had been scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday.
He is believed to have participated with his brother and another man in a stolen-property scheme.
Acting on a tip, undercover officers sold Slayton three 52-inch TVs he believed were stolen, police said.
He also told investigators he sat in uniform in a marked squad car outside a house where his brother sold drugs more than 50 times.
A Shelby County grand jury indicted Slayton on two counts of official misconduct, one count of theft and another count of attempted theft. If convicted of all charges, he could face up to two years in prison.
A federal grand jury charged Smallwood with using a fake identity to access Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and FBI databases, then selling personal information to a third party.
He's charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of creating a false document in a matter within FBI jurisdiction and another count of computer fraud.
Information: http://www.wztv.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.tn/3b64e570-www.fox17.com.shtml
Kenton Officer Arrested for Rape still on Duty
MORE allegations of police brutality in Kenton-on-Sea are being investigated after a woman was allegedly raped at the police station and two other people were allegedly assaulted.
The police officer suspected of rape was arrested on Monday and appeared briefly in the Alexandria Magistrate’s Court before being released on R500 bail.
He was, however, back on duty this week pending a police decision on whether or not to suspend him.
The latest allegations come about two weeks after an alleged late night attack on 25-year- old Vusi Mbabela.
He was taken to hospital under a false name and treated for a broken rib and other injuries.
Ekuphumleni community leader Zache Ngxingo yesterday said emotions were running high after the 24-year-old woman had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly and then allegedly raped by the policeman in the victim empowerment room at the local police station.
The rape allegedly took place two days after 500 people had protested Mbabela’s beating.
They handed over a memorandum calling for an investigation into alleged police brutality .
“The young woman was at home with her parents and was a bit drunk and shouting at them when they decided to call the police to take her away so she could cool off.”
He said after the alleged rape, the policeman told her not to tell anybody before releasing her.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender yesterday confirmed a policeman had been arrested for the alleged rape and that two other cases of alleged assault by police were being investigated.
Ngxingo said a man and a woman had allegedly been beaten up by patrolling police a day after the protest march.
“ The people want police from out of town to investigate these allegations of police brutality.”
The police officer suspected of rape was arrested on Monday and appeared briefly in the Alexandria Magistrate’s Court before being released on R500 bail.
He was, however, back on duty this week pending a police decision on whether or not to suspend him.
The latest allegations come about two weeks after an alleged late night attack on 25-year- old Vusi Mbabela.
He was taken to hospital under a false name and treated for a broken rib and other injuries.
Ekuphumleni community leader Zache Ngxingo yesterday said emotions were running high after the 24-year-old woman had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly and then allegedly raped by the policeman in the victim empowerment room at the local police station.
The rape allegedly took place two days after 500 people had protested Mbabela’s beating.
They handed over a memorandum calling for an investigation into alleged police brutality .
“The young woman was at home with her parents and was a bit drunk and shouting at them when they decided to call the police to take her away so she could cool off.”
He said after the alleged rape, the policeman told her not to tell anybody before releasing her.
Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender yesterday confirmed a policeman had been arrested for the alleged rape and that two other cases of alleged assault by police were being investigated.
Ngxingo said a man and a woman had allegedly been beaten up by patrolling police a day after the protest march.
“ The people want police from out of town to investigate these allegations of police brutality.”
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Deputy Michael Arrington Arrested for Selling Drugs to Inmates
AUGUSTA, Ga.
A Richmond County deputy was arrested after investigators say he sold marijuana to an inmate. Investigators arrested Deputy Michael Arrington on Thursday and placed him inside the same jail where he worked.
Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength says Arrington’s arrest comes after a month long investigation.
Investigators say an inmate tipped them off about contraband being sold inside the Law Enforcement Center on Walton Way.
Strength tells 26 News officers caught Arrington selling some marijuana to an inmate. Arrington is also accused of selling cigarettes to other inmates.
"We in law enforcement are no different that anyone else. We have to stay in the guidelines of the law. And we have no problem taking what ever actions are warranted," said Strength.
Arrington is on administrative leave without pay, until the end of the investigation. He's worked at the sheriff's office for a year and a half. Investigators say has no prior disciplinary history.
Arrington is charged with selling marijuana and crossing a guard line with drugs. Both are felonies.
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/crime/38602117.html
A Richmond County deputy was arrested after investigators say he sold marijuana to an inmate. Investigators arrested Deputy Michael Arrington on Thursday and placed him inside the same jail where he worked.
Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength says Arrington’s arrest comes after a month long investigation.
Investigators say an inmate tipped them off about contraband being sold inside the Law Enforcement Center on Walton Way.
Strength tells 26 News officers caught Arrington selling some marijuana to an inmate. Arrington is also accused of selling cigarettes to other inmates.
"We in law enforcement are no different that anyone else. We have to stay in the guidelines of the law. And we have no problem taking what ever actions are warranted," said Strength.
Arrington is on administrative leave without pay, until the end of the investigation. He's worked at the sheriff's office for a year and a half. Investigators say has no prior disciplinary history.
Arrington is charged with selling marijuana and crossing a guard line with drugs. Both are felonies.
http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/crime/38602117.html
Officer Ryan Wilcox Arrested for Break-in and Assault
A Chandler Police officer was arrested Monday in connection with an alleged break-in and assault at a home in the Brownsboro area.
Thirty-year-old Ryan Michael Wilcox was booked into the Henderson County Jail Monday afternoon and released a short time later after posting $2,500 bond.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a woman Monday night telling of the incident. According to the complaint, Wilcox entered the home at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Because the accused in the case is a police officer, the investigation is being conducted by Texas Ranger Trace McDonald.
McDonald, who was working on his arrest report Tuesday, said he did not wish to reveal the address of the break-in or the identity of the victim at this time. He said the break-in was not an attempt to steal from the victim.
“It wasn’t a theft type situation,” McDonald said. “It was a case of him entering a home without consent and committing an assault.”
According to the Texas Penal Code, a person commits a burglary if he or she “enters a habitation, or a building (or any portion of a building) not then open to the public, with intent to commit a felony, theft or an assault”
McDonald and Henderson County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Michael Teal arrested Wilcox without incident.
Athens Review attempts to reach Chandler Police Chief Ron Reeves concerning Wilcox’s arrest were unsuccessful Wednesday.
Officer Michael Strobele Fights Over Parking Spot
An off-duty Buffalo Police officer is suspended following an incident Thursday morning outside Buffalo City Court.
Several patrol cars responded to the scene shortly before 10 A.M.
According to police spokesperson Mike DeGeorge, it's believed Michael Strobele, a 10-year veteran of the force, and John Stronka of Cheektowaga, got into a fight over a parking spot.
Strobele, 35, is charged with assault and harassment. Stronka suffered injuries to his face.
http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/38631152.html
Officer Matthew Brown Charged with Inappropriately Touching 16-year-old
ALBANY, GA
An Albany Police Officer is in jail charged with inappropriately touching a 16-year old girl in his custody.
G-B-I Agents arrested 25-year old Matthew Brown Wednesday night.
He's charged with sexual assault, sexual battery, and violation of oath of office, all felonies.
A-P-D fired the 3-year veteran Tuesday
On January 5th Brown was supposed to drive a 16-year old runaway back home to South Albany.
She told her family Brown instead touched her.
GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Pro said "After the intiation of the report that he did, evidently she stayed in the vehicle , and they went to another location where the incident occured."
Brown is in the Dougherty County Jail without bond.
An Albany Police Officer is in jail charged with inappropriately touching a 16-year old girl in his custody.
G-B-I Agents arrested 25-year old Matthew Brown Wednesday night.
He's charged with sexual assault, sexual battery, and violation of oath of office, all felonies.
A-P-D fired the 3-year veteran Tuesday
On January 5th Brown was supposed to drive a 16-year old runaway back home to South Albany.
She told her family Brown instead touched her.
GBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mark Pro said "After the intiation of the report that he did, evidently she stayed in the vehicle , and they went to another location where the incident occured."
Brown is in the Dougherty County Jail without bond.
Officer Brian Carswell Accused of Assaulting 16-year-old
A BURLY policeman has been accused of assaulting a 16-year-old cafe worker.
PC Brian Carswell took David Shields to Ayr police station to question him about money which had gone missing from the cafe the teenager worked in.
But it is alleged that Carswell, 48, assaulted the youngster before grabbing his mobile phone and deleting a recording of the attack.
During a trial at Ayr Sheriff Court this week, Sheriff Carole Cunninghame heard that despite no money being found on him at a search in O’Briens’s sandwich bar, David agreed to go with Carswell to the police station.
While the two were alone, David claimed that Carswell flew at him, grabbing his clothes and pinning him against a wall. He said that he was seized by the throat and that Carswell tried to take his mobile phone from him.
The court heard that when three other officers came to the interview room they found David with marks on his throat, crying and distressed.
Carswell said that he was restraining David because he feared he had a knife in his hand.
Carswell, who has 25 years service, denies two charges of assault and a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by taking David’s mobile phone with the intention of deleting incriminating evidence.
The trial continues next week.
http://www.ayrshirepost.net
PC Brian Carswell took David Shields to Ayr police station to question him about money which had gone missing from the cafe the teenager worked in.
But it is alleged that Carswell, 48, assaulted the youngster before grabbing his mobile phone and deleting a recording of the attack.
During a trial at Ayr Sheriff Court this week, Sheriff Carole Cunninghame heard that despite no money being found on him at a search in O’Briens’s sandwich bar, David agreed to go with Carswell to the police station.
While the two were alone, David claimed that Carswell flew at him, grabbing his clothes and pinning him against a wall. He said that he was seized by the throat and that Carswell tried to take his mobile phone from him.
The court heard that when three other officers came to the interview room they found David with marks on his throat, crying and distressed.
Carswell said that he was restraining David because he feared he had a knife in his hand.
Carswell, who has 25 years service, denies two charges of assault and a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by taking David’s mobile phone with the intention of deleting incriminating evidence.
The trial continues next week.
http://www.ayrshirepost.net
Former Officer Nicholas Minet Pleads Guilty to Killing 2-year-old
LIBERTY, Mo.
A former police officer charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter changed his plea to guilty on Thursday.
Nicholas Minet, a former Kansas City, Mo., police officer admitted in a Clay County courtroom that he shook Alyssa Eickmeier violently and threw her on the floor or a mattress causing a deadly blow to the head.
Minet said he shook the girl because she wouldn't stop crying for her mother.
"He was a new boyfriend. You go through the whole divorce process, every boyfriend you have around your kids, of course, you hate them, but I was actually comfortable with him for the fact that he was a police officer," said Chris Eickmeier, Alyssa Eickmeier's father.
Minet was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
"It's hard to deal with, reliving all this stuff. That's why this plea I'm glad happened. Like I said, memories, bad memories," Chris Eickmeier said.
Alyssa Eickmeier's mother and several other family members were in the courtroom. They wore pink T-shirts in her memory.
"I know he's sorry. He said he was sorry in court. I believe that he's sorry," the girl's mother Amy Eickmeier said. "She paid with her life. She didn't get a chance to plead for hers."
Other Information: http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1008507.html
A former police officer charged with second-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter changed his plea to guilty on Thursday.
Nicholas Minet, a former Kansas City, Mo., police officer admitted in a Clay County courtroom that he shook Alyssa Eickmeier violently and threw her on the floor or a mattress causing a deadly blow to the head.
Minet said he shook the girl because she wouldn't stop crying for her mother.
"He was a new boyfriend. You go through the whole divorce process, every boyfriend you have around your kids, of course, you hate them, but I was actually comfortable with him for the fact that he was a police officer," said Chris Eickmeier, Alyssa Eickmeier's father.
Minet was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
"It's hard to deal with, reliving all this stuff. That's why this plea I'm glad happened. Like I said, memories, bad memories," Chris Eickmeier said.
Alyssa Eickmeier's mother and several other family members were in the courtroom. They wore pink T-shirts in her memory.
"I know he's sorry. He said he was sorry in court. I believe that he's sorry," the girl's mother Amy Eickmeier said. "She paid with her life. She didn't get a chance to plead for hers."
Other Information: http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1008507.html
Tasering of the Mental Ill
One of the most distrubing aspects of the use of taser torture devices is its common use on the mentally ill. Here, you have schizophrenic man, in custody, tasered and pepper sprayed mercilessly because he woulodn't come out of his cell. He finally did when they told him he could call his mother.
New court documents reveal disturbing details of what happened to Reynaldo “Reny” Cabral, the young Orland man who became paralyzed from the neck down when he rammed his head against a wall during a schizophrenic episode in the Glenn County Jail.
The CN&R has previously reported (”Breakdown in mental-health care,” Dec. 13, 2007) how, in the morning of Jan. 6, 2007, sheriff’s officers arrested Cabral after he assaulted his girlfriend, Torrie Gonzales, at his family’s Orland home. At the time, Cabral’s brother Arturo and others told them he was ill and needed medications.
According to an amended complaint, the jail nurse, Donna Tomisch, and Jail Staff Cpl. Rosemary Carmen initially refused to receive Cabral until he’d had a psychiatric evaluation. However, a sheriff’s deputy, Brandy McDonald, told Carmen that there would be no evaluation “because inmate Cabral had tried to kill someone and that he needed to be in jail,” not sent to a mental-health facility.
Over a period of several hours, while Cabral was kept in a holding cell, various people—his brother; his mother, Rosa Cabral; his girlfriend, who didn’t want him jailed; Tony Nasr, MD, a family friend; and officials at Butte County Behavioral Health, where he’d been placed on an involuntary hold just three days before—contacted the jail to say Cabral was mentally ill.
Efforts to get him seen by health professionals were fruitless. A single call was made to Glenn County Mental Health, which punted responsibility to Dr. Robert Zadra, whose company, Sierra Family Services, was under contract to provide mental-health care at the jail. But Zadra was on vacation, and his office referred the matter back to GCMH, which in turn said it had no contract with the jail.
There was a contract, but it was with Glenn Medical Center, the local hospital. In any event, there is a “handshake agreement” between the jail and Mental Health, said Scott Gruendl, the Chico City Councilman whose day job is director of Glenn County Health Services. “If the jail requires our assistance, we’re going to provide it,” he said.
Not this time, apparently.
By early the next morning, court documents continue, Cabral began hearing voices and showing signs of mental illness. He took off his clothes, vomited, and began throwing feces, urine and vomit around his cell.
Jail staff wanted to move him into the padded “safety cell.” Lacking the help of a health-care professional, and without contacting anyone in Cabral’s family, they called in a total of four officers from the Willows Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Three Highway Patrol officers showed up later.
Cabral wasn’t being violent, but Deputy Paulette Blakeley testified that he was “scooping water from the toilet in his cell and rubbing it on his body, and that the water, possibly containing his own waste, was spread elsewhere in the cell.” At this point, Willows PD Officer Jason Dahl ordered Cabral to come out of the cell. When Cabral refused, saying “I’m fine,” Dahl pointed his Taser weapon at Cabral “and said he would shoot him with it if he did not do as Officer Dahl demanded.”
“Shoot me,” Cabral replied. The officers stormed the cell.
By the time it was over, Dahl had alternately demanded that Cabral come out of his cell and, when he refused, Tasered him a total of eight times, for five seconds each time, over a period of 4-1/2 minutes. “Each time, the [officers] watched … Cabral react with great pain and slide down the wall, seeking protection of the toilet,” the documents read. The Tasering stopped only when the weapon’s battery ran out of charge.
“The officers then left the cell but observed that … Cabral had reacted to the shocks by chewing on the telephone in the cell and observed that he was bleeding from the mouth.”
And so it went. The officers again stormed the cell, this time using an electric stun-gun-type shield that they applied directly to Cabral’s wet, bare skin. Cabral slid to the floor in agony. When that didn’t convince him to leave, Dahl subsequently Tasered him three more times.
Again the officers pulled back, this time to wait for the CHP to show up. Then, all seven officers went into the cell, determined to remove Cabral physically. Cabral was having none of it, continuing rather “to throw water on himself stating that he wanted to play with the water and that it was fun.” Officer Dahl then emptied a 4-ounce can of pepper spray on Cabral, covering his face, head, shoulder and back. Cabral used toilet water to try to wash it off but only got it in his eyes.
When he asked to speak with his mother, the officers said he could if he came out. He did so and was quickly handcuffed. He wasn’t allowed to make the call.
By 3:30 that morning, Cabral had finally been placed in the “safety cell.” It had “little or no light, no furnishings other than a drain in the floor, and no monitoring other than a small sliding window. … The walls had a thin coating of hard rubber.” Cabral was naked.
The rest of the story already has been told—how Cabral, hearing voices from God and still stinging from the spray, charged into the wall head-first, breaking his neck; how he lay on the floor unmoving from about 4:45 that morning until nearly 2 in the afternoon, more than nine hours; and how he told jail staff he was paralyzed and several times asked for help but was ignored.
Cabral’s civil suit names numerous defendants, from the officers at the jail to the heads of various county departments, including Gruendl. The CN&R left messages for several of the attorneys representing them, but only John Whiteside, of the Sacramento firm Angelo Kilday & Kilduff, representing the city of Willows and Officer Dahl, called back.
The firm has filed a motion to dismiss, he said, on the basis that nothing the complaint alleges to have occurred is a violation of federal or state law.
“In layman’s terms: ‘OK, so what?'” Whiteside said.
I won't comment on that sadistic and inhuman comment. It speaks for itself.
But the fact that there are no state or federal laws against torturing mentally ill citizens who are in custody seems to me to be an obvious problem in any country that considers itself to be even moderately civilized.
New court documents reveal disturbing details of what happened to Reynaldo “Reny” Cabral, the young Orland man who became paralyzed from the neck down when he rammed his head against a wall during a schizophrenic episode in the Glenn County Jail.
The CN&R has previously reported (”Breakdown in mental-health care,” Dec. 13, 2007) how, in the morning of Jan. 6, 2007, sheriff’s officers arrested Cabral after he assaulted his girlfriend, Torrie Gonzales, at his family’s Orland home. At the time, Cabral’s brother Arturo and others told them he was ill and needed medications.
According to an amended complaint, the jail nurse, Donna Tomisch, and Jail Staff Cpl. Rosemary Carmen initially refused to receive Cabral until he’d had a psychiatric evaluation. However, a sheriff’s deputy, Brandy McDonald, told Carmen that there would be no evaluation “because inmate Cabral had tried to kill someone and that he needed to be in jail,” not sent to a mental-health facility.
Over a period of several hours, while Cabral was kept in a holding cell, various people—his brother; his mother, Rosa Cabral; his girlfriend, who didn’t want him jailed; Tony Nasr, MD, a family friend; and officials at Butte County Behavioral Health, where he’d been placed on an involuntary hold just three days before—contacted the jail to say Cabral was mentally ill.
Efforts to get him seen by health professionals were fruitless. A single call was made to Glenn County Mental Health, which punted responsibility to Dr. Robert Zadra, whose company, Sierra Family Services, was under contract to provide mental-health care at the jail. But Zadra was on vacation, and his office referred the matter back to GCMH, which in turn said it had no contract with the jail.
There was a contract, but it was with Glenn Medical Center, the local hospital. In any event, there is a “handshake agreement” between the jail and Mental Health, said Scott Gruendl, the Chico City Councilman whose day job is director of Glenn County Health Services. “If the jail requires our assistance, we’re going to provide it,” he said.
Not this time, apparently.
By early the next morning, court documents continue, Cabral began hearing voices and showing signs of mental illness. He took off his clothes, vomited, and began throwing feces, urine and vomit around his cell.
Jail staff wanted to move him into the padded “safety cell.” Lacking the help of a health-care professional, and without contacting anyone in Cabral’s family, they called in a total of four officers from the Willows Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office. Three Highway Patrol officers showed up later.
Cabral wasn’t being violent, but Deputy Paulette Blakeley testified that he was “scooping water from the toilet in his cell and rubbing it on his body, and that the water, possibly containing his own waste, was spread elsewhere in the cell.” At this point, Willows PD Officer Jason Dahl ordered Cabral to come out of the cell. When Cabral refused, saying “I’m fine,” Dahl pointed his Taser weapon at Cabral “and said he would shoot him with it if he did not do as Officer Dahl demanded.”
“Shoot me,” Cabral replied. The officers stormed the cell.
By the time it was over, Dahl had alternately demanded that Cabral come out of his cell and, when he refused, Tasered him a total of eight times, for five seconds each time, over a period of 4-1/2 minutes. “Each time, the [officers] watched … Cabral react with great pain and slide down the wall, seeking protection of the toilet,” the documents read. The Tasering stopped only when the weapon’s battery ran out of charge.
“The officers then left the cell but observed that … Cabral had reacted to the shocks by chewing on the telephone in the cell and observed that he was bleeding from the mouth.”
And so it went. The officers again stormed the cell, this time using an electric stun-gun-type shield that they applied directly to Cabral’s wet, bare skin. Cabral slid to the floor in agony. When that didn’t convince him to leave, Dahl subsequently Tasered him three more times.
Again the officers pulled back, this time to wait for the CHP to show up. Then, all seven officers went into the cell, determined to remove Cabral physically. Cabral was having none of it, continuing rather “to throw water on himself stating that he wanted to play with the water and that it was fun.” Officer Dahl then emptied a 4-ounce can of pepper spray on Cabral, covering his face, head, shoulder and back. Cabral used toilet water to try to wash it off but only got it in his eyes.
When he asked to speak with his mother, the officers said he could if he came out. He did so and was quickly handcuffed. He wasn’t allowed to make the call.
By 3:30 that morning, Cabral had finally been placed in the “safety cell.” It had “little or no light, no furnishings other than a drain in the floor, and no monitoring other than a small sliding window. … The walls had a thin coating of hard rubber.” Cabral was naked.
The rest of the story already has been told—how Cabral, hearing voices from God and still stinging from the spray, charged into the wall head-first, breaking his neck; how he lay on the floor unmoving from about 4:45 that morning until nearly 2 in the afternoon, more than nine hours; and how he told jail staff he was paralyzed and several times asked for help but was ignored.
Cabral’s civil suit names numerous defendants, from the officers at the jail to the heads of various county departments, including Gruendl. The CN&R left messages for several of the attorneys representing them, but only John Whiteside, of the Sacramento firm Angelo Kilday & Kilduff, representing the city of Willows and Officer Dahl, called back.
The firm has filed a motion to dismiss, he said, on the basis that nothing the complaint alleges to have occurred is a violation of federal or state law.
“In layman’s terms: ‘OK, so what?'” Whiteside said.
I won't comment on that sadistic and inhuman comment. It speaks for itself.
But the fact that there are no state or federal laws against torturing mentally ill citizens who are in custody seems to me to be an obvious problem in any country that considers itself to be even moderately civilized.
Former Sheriff Bill Keating Admits to Being A Rapist with a Badge
Law-enforcement officers are supposed to be protectors of the public. As such, they make claim to certain rights and privileges in the use of force and other techniques denied the rest of us. They demand deference from the masses for the supposed extra risks they take in keeping the peace. And then ... every now and then one of them reminds us that it's not always wise to hand carte blanche to normal humans with feet of clay -- or worse, the souls of sexual predators. Predators like former Sheriff William E. Keating of Montague County, Texas.
On January 29, 2009, 62-year-old Bill Keating pleaded guilty in federal court to extorting sex from a woman as the price for avoiding drug charges. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas:
[A]t approximately 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, Sheriff Keating, dressed in civilian clothes with his sheriff’s badge and gun in plain view on his belt, and other Montague County Sheriff’s Office employees, executed an arrest warrant at a residence occupied by the victim, L.M., and her boyfriend. As they entered the residence, L.M. and her boyfriend were asleep in a bedroom of the house. Sheriff deputies arrested the boyfriend on the outstanding warrant and removed him from the bedroom. Deputies searched the residence and discovered a bag that contained utensils and other articles used to manufacture methamphetamine. Deputies also located a plastic container that appeared to have trace amounts of methamphetamine on it.
After deputies removed the arrested man from the bedroom, Sheriff Keating ordered the other deputy to leave the bedroom so that L.M. could get dressed. Sheriff Keating then closed the door and, once alone with L.M., told her, “You are about to be my new best friend.” He told her that he found illegal drugs in the residence that belonged to her and that for her to avoid going to jail, she would be required to “assist” him. Keating admitted that the assistance he referred to included oral sex with him on multiple occasions and an agreement to act as an informant for the Montague County Sheriff’s Office. Keating told L.M. that if she complied with his request, that he would help her get a job, a place to live and that she wouldn’t be criminally charged with possessing any drugs or drug-making equipment that was found in the home. Keating also told her that if she didn’t comply, she would go straight to jail.
In court, Keating disputed none of the elements of the charges against him.
Of course, it's still good to be a cop. Keating was allowed to roam the streets until Judge Robert K. Roach decides what to do with him. According to news reports, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert "said he did not oppose Keating's remaining free until the sentencing because this crime and other alleged misdeeds happened when he was acting as the sheriff..."
Rape, apparently, isn't quite so bad when you're wearing a badge.
State authorities plan to take their own crack at Keating. Maybe they'll dig a little deeper and ask him just what he did, and who he did it to, with that "rack made of nails" discovered in the jail he administered until the end of last year.
On January 29, 2009, 62-year-old Bill Keating pleaded guilty in federal court to extorting sex from a woman as the price for avoiding drug charges. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas:
[A]t approximately 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, Sheriff Keating, dressed in civilian clothes with his sheriff’s badge and gun in plain view on his belt, and other Montague County Sheriff’s Office employees, executed an arrest warrant at a residence occupied by the victim, L.M., and her boyfriend. As they entered the residence, L.M. and her boyfriend were asleep in a bedroom of the house. Sheriff deputies arrested the boyfriend on the outstanding warrant and removed him from the bedroom. Deputies searched the residence and discovered a bag that contained utensils and other articles used to manufacture methamphetamine. Deputies also located a plastic container that appeared to have trace amounts of methamphetamine on it.
After deputies removed the arrested man from the bedroom, Sheriff Keating ordered the other deputy to leave the bedroom so that L.M. could get dressed. Sheriff Keating then closed the door and, once alone with L.M., told her, “You are about to be my new best friend.” He told her that he found illegal drugs in the residence that belonged to her and that for her to avoid going to jail, she would be required to “assist” him. Keating admitted that the assistance he referred to included oral sex with him on multiple occasions and an agreement to act as an informant for the Montague County Sheriff’s Office. Keating told L.M. that if she complied with his request, that he would help her get a job, a place to live and that she wouldn’t be criminally charged with possessing any drugs or drug-making equipment that was found in the home. Keating also told her that if she didn’t comply, she would go straight to jail.
In court, Keating disputed none of the elements of the charges against him.
Of course, it's still good to be a cop. Keating was allowed to roam the streets until Judge Robert K. Roach decides what to do with him. According to news reports, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Calvert "said he did not oppose Keating's remaining free until the sentencing because this crime and other alleged misdeeds happened when he was acting as the sheriff..."
Rape, apparently, isn't quite so bad when you're wearing a badge.
State authorities plan to take their own crack at Keating. Maybe they'll dig a little deeper and ask him just what he did, and who he did it to, with that "rack made of nails" discovered in the jail he administered until the end of last year.
Chief William B. Fuller Arrested for Soliciting Sex From a Minor
Virginia Commonwealth University's police chief faces sex charges stemming from an online investigation.
Chesterfield County police said Thursday that VCU Chief William B. Fuller has been charged with use of a communications device to solicit sex from a minor, and with attempted indecent liberties with a minor.
VCU has placed the 50-year-old Fuller on administrative leave without pay, said John M. Bennett, senior vice president for finance and administration. Capt. Carlton Edwards has been named acting chief.
Chesterfield police said Fuller thought he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl but he was actually conversing with police. He was arrested Wednesday.
"We regard this situation as extremely serious," Bennett said. "VCU has taken aggressive action to address it and we will fully cooperate with the Chesterfield County police investigation."
More Information: http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/CHEF30_20090129-221305/192788/
Chesterfield County police said Thursday that VCU Chief William B. Fuller has been charged with use of a communications device to solicit sex from a minor, and with attempted indecent liberties with a minor.
VCU has placed the 50-year-old Fuller on administrative leave without pay, said John M. Bennett, senior vice president for finance and administration. Capt. Carlton Edwards has been named acting chief.
Chesterfield police said Fuller thought he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl but he was actually conversing with police. He was arrested Wednesday.
"We regard this situation as extremely serious," Bennett said. "VCU has taken aggressive action to address it and we will fully cooperate with the Chesterfield County police investigation."
More Information: http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/crime/article/CHEF30_20090129-221305/192788/
Detroit Woman Files Lawsuit After Officers Break into Her Home - Assault Her & Children
DETROIT
A woman who claims a police lieutenant offered her cash and store gift cards to keep quiet about her allegation that several officers broke into her home and assaulted her and her children has filed a $15 million lawsuit.
Attorneys for Tasha Flowers filed a the suit Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court. The alleged incident occurred Jan. 3.
Flowers claims in the lawsuit that several Detroit police officers from the department's Western District were responding to a neighbor's complaint that she was selling drugs in her home on Shrewsbury when they rushed into Flowers' home without her permission and without a search warrant.
"They showed up at my door and pointed a gun at me," Flowers said. "Then the officers pushed past me into my house and started asking me about drugs and guns.
"My 13-year-old daughter asked them, 'What are you doing? You can't come into our house without a warrant.'"
Flowers said her 17-year-old son's friend also questioned officers about their actions. "They pushed my daughter, and threw me to the ground and twisted my arm," she said. "Then the lieutenant grabbed my 14-year-old son in a chokehold until he was unconscious."
Flowers said the group of about 10 officers began assaulting her other six children, ages 8 to 17. The children suffered cuts, scrapes and bruises, she said.
"The cops were all standing around afterward, bragging about how they beat up the whole family," Flowers said.
Then, the next day, Flowers said the lieutenant in charge of the officers paid a second visit to her home.
"He said he felt bad about what he'd done, and asked if there was anything he could do to make up for it," Flowers said. "Then he offered me two gift cards: One from Walmart and Target; and $100 -- like I'm supposed to take this money and keep quiet. He also told me to call the domestic shelter and tell him I got my bruises because my boyfriend had beat me up."
Flowers said she turned the money and gift cards over to Detroit Police Internal affairs investigators.
Cmdr. Brian Stair of the Internal Affairs Section acknowledged that investigators are looking into the allegations. He said all the pertinent witnesses have been interviewed, and that police officials are waiting for other materials, such as squad car video, to come back before making a decision on whether to discipline the officers involved.
"This is domestic terrorism, plain and simple," said Ron Scott, director of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality.
Added Flowers' attorney, Karri Mitchell: "The police ran roughshod over these people. There is absolutely no justification for what they did."
More Information: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-policeraid-lawsui,0,1309811.story
A woman who claims a police lieutenant offered her cash and store gift cards to keep quiet about her allegation that several officers broke into her home and assaulted her and her children has filed a $15 million lawsuit.
Attorneys for Tasha Flowers filed a the suit Wednesday in Wayne County Circuit Court. The alleged incident occurred Jan. 3.
Flowers claims in the lawsuit that several Detroit police officers from the department's Western District were responding to a neighbor's complaint that she was selling drugs in her home on Shrewsbury when they rushed into Flowers' home without her permission and without a search warrant.
"They showed up at my door and pointed a gun at me," Flowers said. "Then the officers pushed past me into my house and started asking me about drugs and guns.
"My 13-year-old daughter asked them, 'What are you doing? You can't come into our house without a warrant.'"
Flowers said her 17-year-old son's friend also questioned officers about their actions. "They pushed my daughter, and threw me to the ground and twisted my arm," she said. "Then the lieutenant grabbed my 14-year-old son in a chokehold until he was unconscious."
Flowers said the group of about 10 officers began assaulting her other six children, ages 8 to 17. The children suffered cuts, scrapes and bruises, she said.
"The cops were all standing around afterward, bragging about how they beat up the whole family," Flowers said.
Then, the next day, Flowers said the lieutenant in charge of the officers paid a second visit to her home.
"He said he felt bad about what he'd done, and asked if there was anything he could do to make up for it," Flowers said. "Then he offered me two gift cards: One from Walmart and Target; and $100 -- like I'm supposed to take this money and keep quiet. He also told me to call the domestic shelter and tell him I got my bruises because my boyfriend had beat me up."
Flowers said she turned the money and gift cards over to Detroit Police Internal affairs investigators.
Cmdr. Brian Stair of the Internal Affairs Section acknowledged that investigators are looking into the allegations. He said all the pertinent witnesses have been interviewed, and that police officials are waiting for other materials, such as squad car video, to come back before making a decision on whether to discipline the officers involved.
"This is domestic terrorism, plain and simple," said Ron Scott, director of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality.
Added Flowers' attorney, Karri Mitchell: "The police ran roughshod over these people. There is absolutely no justification for what they did."
More Information: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mi-policeraid-lawsui,0,1309811.story
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Former Officer Jerry Bristow Charged with Taking Weapons from Evidence Room
CLINTON
A former longtime Clinton police officer was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on charges that he took guns last year from an evidence room at the Clinton police station.
Jerry Bristow, 55, wearing an orange DeWitt County jumpsuit, appeared before Judge Chris Freese. He faces eight felony charges and one misdemeanor count.
Bristow acknowledged he understood the charges and said he would be represented by Clinton attorney Kevin Hammer.
DeWitt County State’s Attorney Richard Koritz said Wednesday that Bristow surrendered voluntarily on Tuesday and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Bond was returned to jail in lieu of posting $1,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4.
Bristow is accused of taking a target pistol and shotgun from the evidence room at the police station on May 12, 2008, a pistol on July 3, 2008, and a revolver on Aug. 1, 2008.
The revolver was valued at less than $300, so that incident carries the misdemeanor charge. The other gun theft charges are felonies.
He also is charged with six counts of official misconduct.
Each felony count carries a prison term of two to five years.
Bristow supervised the evidence room at the department and recently worked as a school resource officer before submitting his resignation Jan. 1. His resignation was not related to theft allegations, officials said.
DeWitt County Sheriff Roger Massey said Wednesday that his department was asked by Clinton Police Chief Mike Reidy on Friday to investigate the missing property.
Massey hinted that Bristow’s financial problems may have contributed to the thefts.
“I think it’s an example of tough economic times that probably led to a very poor and costly decision,” said Massey.
In addition to his time with the Clinton department, Bristow also worked for the sheriff’s department for several years. A year ago Bristow received a watch from the city of Clinton after celebrating 25 years on the force.
Information & Video: http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=66651
A former longtime Clinton police officer was arraigned Wednesday afternoon on charges that he took guns last year from an evidence room at the Clinton police station.
Jerry Bristow, 55, wearing an orange DeWitt County jumpsuit, appeared before Judge Chris Freese. He faces eight felony charges and one misdemeanor count.
Bristow acknowledged he understood the charges and said he would be represented by Clinton attorney Kevin Hammer.
DeWitt County State’s Attorney Richard Koritz said Wednesday that Bristow surrendered voluntarily on Tuesday and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
Bond was returned to jail in lieu of posting $1,000 and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 4.
Bristow is accused of taking a target pistol and shotgun from the evidence room at the police station on May 12, 2008, a pistol on July 3, 2008, and a revolver on Aug. 1, 2008.
The revolver was valued at less than $300, so that incident carries the misdemeanor charge. The other gun theft charges are felonies.
He also is charged with six counts of official misconduct.
Each felony count carries a prison term of two to five years.
Bristow supervised the evidence room at the department and recently worked as a school resource officer before submitting his resignation Jan. 1. His resignation was not related to theft allegations, officials said.
DeWitt County Sheriff Roger Massey said Wednesday that his department was asked by Clinton Police Chief Mike Reidy on Friday to investigate the missing property.
Massey hinted that Bristow’s financial problems may have contributed to the thefts.
“I think it’s an example of tough economic times that probably led to a very poor and costly decision,” said Massey.
In addition to his time with the Clinton department, Bristow also worked for the sheriff’s department for several years. A year ago Bristow received a watch from the city of Clinton after celebrating 25 years on the force.
Information & Video: http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=66651
Former Trooper Anthony Keith Carlton Arrested for Drunk Driving
A former Johnston County state trooper is facing drunken driving charges.
Anthony Keith Carlton, 47, of Old Roberts Road, Benson, was arrested in the parking lot of Food Lion on N.C. 210 near Interstate 40 on Friday.
Two concerned citizens called authorities after reportedly seeing Mr. Carlton behind the wheel of his pickup.
He was arrested by Trooper C.J. Bell. Mr. Carlton later registered .34 on the Breathalyzer, more than four times the legal limit of .08 in North Carolina.
According to court documents obtained by WTSB radio station, Trooper Bell said Mr. Carlton had "very red bloodshot eyes (and) a strong odor of alcohol."
Mr. Carlton served on the Highway Patrol from January 1986 until Jan. 5, 2009.
Officials would not say why he left the patrol earlier this month.
He was released into the custody of a former corrections officer pending his next court appearance on March 18.
Anthony Keith Carlton, 47, of Old Roberts Road, Benson, was arrested in the parking lot of Food Lion on N.C. 210 near Interstate 40 on Friday.
Two concerned citizens called authorities after reportedly seeing Mr. Carlton behind the wheel of his pickup.
He was arrested by Trooper C.J. Bell. Mr. Carlton later registered .34 on the Breathalyzer, more than four times the legal limit of .08 in North Carolina.
According to court documents obtained by WTSB radio station, Trooper Bell said Mr. Carlton had "very red bloodshot eyes (and) a strong odor of alcohol."
Mr. Carlton served on the Highway Patrol from January 1986 until Jan. 5, 2009.
Officials would not say why he left the patrol earlier this month.
He was released into the custody of a former corrections officer pending his next court appearance on March 18.
Chattanooga Detective Accused of Assaulting Elderly Wal-Mart Greeter
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.
A Chattanooga detective accused of assaulting an elderly Wal-Mart greeter who asked to see his sales receipt at the store has been suspended from duty.
Police Chief Freeman Cooper told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that following a disciplinary hearing the officer was suspended 28 days without pay for conduct unbecoming an officer, improper procedure and excessive use of force.
The chief said the officer must also be retrained in the department's use of force policy and take an anger management course.
The detective was accused of pushing the 71-year-old Wal-Mart greeter who touched the off-duty officer's arm while asking if he could see a receipt in December. A report shows the greeter fell and received a scratch on his right elbow.
___
Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com
A Chattanooga detective accused of assaulting an elderly Wal-Mart greeter who asked to see his sales receipt at the store has been suspended from duty.
Police Chief Freeman Cooper told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that following a disciplinary hearing the officer was suspended 28 days without pay for conduct unbecoming an officer, improper procedure and excessive use of force.
The chief said the officer must also be retrained in the department's use of force policy and take an anger management course.
The detective was accused of pushing the 71-year-old Wal-Mart greeter who touched the off-duty officer's arm while asking if he could see a receipt in December. A report shows the greeter fell and received a scratch on his right elbow.
___
Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, http://www.timesfreepress.com
Officer Jimmie AkinsCharged with Attempted Extortion
A Chicago Police scandal widened today with the unsealing of federal charges against an officer for allegedly taking bribes from tow-truck operators — at least the fourth cop ensnared in the corruption probe.
Officer Jimmie Akins is charged with attempted extortion for allegedly taking bribes in 2006 and 2007.
Akins accepted bribes to let tow-truck operators remove vehicles from accident scenes the officer was responsible for in the Near North District, according to an affidavit by FBI Agent Craig Henderson. Akins would use his cell phone to alert the tow truck operators about accidents, Henderson said.
Under police rules, cops are prohibited from advising tow operators that their services might be needed — and from recommending services to car accident victims.
An informant who owns a towing company told the feds he met Akins at a nightclub in 2004 and they began a crooked business relationship, according to the affidavit.
The informant allegedly started paying Akins $100 per towed car and told the FBI he towed about 20 cars from accident scenes in downtown Chicago. The informant also said he paid Akins $500 to pay off the officer’s cell phone bill.
In 2006, Akins was secretly recorded by the FBI demanding $2,300 from the informant for vehicles the informant had towed in 2005, according to the FBI.
“We did one hundred a car — I got you 38 cars,” Akins allegedly told the informant. “So from the 38 cars, out of those you gave me $1,500. So the change is $2,300.”
On April 21, 2006, they met at a McDonald’s and the informant paid Akins $1,000. The meeting was secretly recorded, according to the FBI. The informant paid Akins the remaining $500 about a week later, the FBI says.
Meanwhile, another tow-truck operator said Akins was angry at him for not paying for tows from accident scenes. In April 2006, Akins allegedly tried to get the tow-truck operator to leave an accident scene.
Akins wound up hitting the tow-truck operator, handcuffing him to a steering wheel and arresting him on charges of theft, illegally using a cell phone in a vehicle and resisting a peace officer, records show. Those charges were later thrown out.
In 2007, they apparently had repaired their relationship and the tow-truck operator paid Akins at least $1,800 in exchange for towing jobs, the FBI said.
Even after the Chicago Police Department stripped Akins of his police powers because of the FBI investigation, he continued to call the tow-truck driver and inquire about accident scenes, the FBI said. Akins was still interested in getting paid for towing jobs, according to the FBI.
In one secretly recorded meeting with the second tow-truck operator, Akins told him that he expected an additional $2,000 for billings on repairs to vehicles towed from accident scenes, the FBI said.
Three other cops have been charged in the corruption investigation, which involves at least five Chicago Police districts and began in 2003.
In April 2008, federal prosecutors charged Chicago Police Officer Scott Campbell with setting up a scheme to make it look as if someone had stolen his 1996 green Volkswagen Passat.
Federal prosecutors said Campbell arranged to have the car taken and sold in pieces. State Farm Insurance paid Campbell about $4,000 for what they believed was a stolen vehicle. Joseph DeMichael of Chicago was charged with scheming with Campbell by taking the car home, dismantling it and selling the parts.
In March 2008, Chicago Police Officer Michael J. Ciancio, who also served as an assistant athletic director at a west suburban high school, was accused of extorting up to $800 a week from a tow truck company. He pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month and is awaiting sentencing May 13.
Chicago Police Officer Joseph Grillo and Collision Towing owner Jim “Meatball” Athans were previously charged in the investigation.
Grillo and Athans were charged with helping Campbell carry out the insurance scam. Grillo, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to change his plea on Feb. 17, records show.
http://www.suntimes.com
Officer Jimmie Akins is charged with attempted extortion for allegedly taking bribes in 2006 and 2007.
Akins accepted bribes to let tow-truck operators remove vehicles from accident scenes the officer was responsible for in the Near North District, according to an affidavit by FBI Agent Craig Henderson. Akins would use his cell phone to alert the tow truck operators about accidents, Henderson said.
Under police rules, cops are prohibited from advising tow operators that their services might be needed — and from recommending services to car accident victims.
An informant who owns a towing company told the feds he met Akins at a nightclub in 2004 and they began a crooked business relationship, according to the affidavit.
The informant allegedly started paying Akins $100 per towed car and told the FBI he towed about 20 cars from accident scenes in downtown Chicago. The informant also said he paid Akins $500 to pay off the officer’s cell phone bill.
In 2006, Akins was secretly recorded by the FBI demanding $2,300 from the informant for vehicles the informant had towed in 2005, according to the FBI.
“We did one hundred a car — I got you 38 cars,” Akins allegedly told the informant. “So from the 38 cars, out of those you gave me $1,500. So the change is $2,300.”
On April 21, 2006, they met at a McDonald’s and the informant paid Akins $1,000. The meeting was secretly recorded, according to the FBI. The informant paid Akins the remaining $500 about a week later, the FBI says.
Meanwhile, another tow-truck operator said Akins was angry at him for not paying for tows from accident scenes. In April 2006, Akins allegedly tried to get the tow-truck operator to leave an accident scene.
Akins wound up hitting the tow-truck operator, handcuffing him to a steering wheel and arresting him on charges of theft, illegally using a cell phone in a vehicle and resisting a peace officer, records show. Those charges were later thrown out.
In 2007, they apparently had repaired their relationship and the tow-truck operator paid Akins at least $1,800 in exchange for towing jobs, the FBI said.
Even after the Chicago Police Department stripped Akins of his police powers because of the FBI investigation, he continued to call the tow-truck driver and inquire about accident scenes, the FBI said. Akins was still interested in getting paid for towing jobs, according to the FBI.
In one secretly recorded meeting with the second tow-truck operator, Akins told him that he expected an additional $2,000 for billings on repairs to vehicles towed from accident scenes, the FBI said.
Three other cops have been charged in the corruption investigation, which involves at least five Chicago Police districts and began in 2003.
In April 2008, federal prosecutors charged Chicago Police Officer Scott Campbell with setting up a scheme to make it look as if someone had stolen his 1996 green Volkswagen Passat.
Federal prosecutors said Campbell arranged to have the car taken and sold in pieces. State Farm Insurance paid Campbell about $4,000 for what they believed was a stolen vehicle. Joseph DeMichael of Chicago was charged with scheming with Campbell by taking the car home, dismantling it and selling the parts.
In March 2008, Chicago Police Officer Michael J. Ciancio, who also served as an assistant athletic director at a west suburban high school, was accused of extorting up to $800 a week from a tow truck company. He pleaded guilty in federal court earlier this month and is awaiting sentencing May 13.
Chicago Police Officer Joseph Grillo and Collision Towing owner Jim “Meatball” Athans were previously charged in the investigation.
Grillo and Athans were charged with helping Campbell carry out the insurance scam. Grillo, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to change his plea on Feb. 17, records show.
http://www.suntimes.com
Retired Officer Walter Fournier Arrested for Growing Marijuana
A retired Detroit police officer was arrested at his Waterford Township home last week after federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) personnel executed a search warrant at the home and discovered drugs.
According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit, DEA personnel executed a federal search warrant on Thursday, Jan. 22 at Walter Fournier's residence in the 3000 block of Megan Street.
Fournier was home at the time of the search.
The DEA reportedly found a dedicated indoor marijuana grow room in the basement of Fournier's home. According to the federal court documents, the basement contained 157 marijuana plants, two paper grocery bags containing approximately three pounds of marijuana, a heat sealer, packaging and pre-packaged marijuana in a heat-sealed bag.
A loaded revolver was also found inside a nightstand in the home's master bedroom. The court documents didn't indicate whether the gun was registered.
DEA Information Officer Rich Isaacson said he couldn't comment on the case because it's still under investigation.
Fournier, who retired from the Detroit Police Department in 1974, has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was released on a $10,000 bond and appointed a public defender. The attorney's name hasn't been released.
While free on bond, Fournier will have to participate in random testing for prohibited substances, participate in abuse therapy and counseling, and refrain from possessing a firearm, a destructive device, or other dangerous weapons.
Fournier will appear in court again on Wednesday, Feb. 11 for a preliminary examination.
According to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit, DEA personnel executed a federal search warrant on Thursday, Jan. 22 at Walter Fournier's residence in the 3000 block of Megan Street.
Fournier was home at the time of the search.
The DEA reportedly found a dedicated indoor marijuana grow room in the basement of Fournier's home. According to the federal court documents, the basement contained 157 marijuana plants, two paper grocery bags containing approximately three pounds of marijuana, a heat sealer, packaging and pre-packaged marijuana in a heat-sealed bag.
A loaded revolver was also found inside a nightstand in the home's master bedroom. The court documents didn't indicate whether the gun was registered.
DEA Information Officer Rich Isaacson said he couldn't comment on the case because it's still under investigation.
Fournier, who retired from the Detroit Police Department in 1974, has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was released on a $10,000 bond and appointed a public defender. The attorney's name hasn't been released.
While free on bond, Fournier will have to participate in random testing for prohibited substances, participate in abuse therapy and counseling, and refrain from possessing a firearm, a destructive device, or other dangerous weapons.
Fournier will appear in court again on Wednesday, Feb. 11 for a preliminary examination.
Judge Says Tasering Was Excessive Force
BANFF, Alta.
A judge says an Alberta man was wrongly arrested and Tasered multiple times, before and after he was handcuffed - and he's slamming the arresting Mountie's testimony as "deliberately false."
Judge John Reilly this week dismissed an obstruction charge and a bylaw ticket for being a nuisance against Adam Dormer stemming from an incident in Banff in 2007.
The judge said Dormer was subjected to excessive force when he was Tasered while in handcuffs.
"I am not even sure, on the basis of what I hear here, there was a justification for arrest at all," Reilly told court Monday.
He issued a stern rebuke to Banff RCMP Const. Casey Murphy, whose evidence he called "deliberately false."
Dormer, a 26-year-old carpenter and resident of Exshaw - 85 kilometres west of Calgary - testified he and two friends were walking from one bar to another on July 21, 2007, giving random people high fives.
He said when he encountered the constable, he offered the officer a high five, which did not go over well. Dormer testified he then tried to express to the officer that he has a lot of respect for what the RCMP do, adding that his brother was training to join the force.
He said he attempted to shake Murphy's hand, which was refused.
"After he wouldn't shake my hand a second time, I took it as offensive," Dormer said, adding he told Murphy his refusal is one of the reasons why people view cops as "f-- pigs."
Dormer said that after he was Tasered twice while being handcuffed, the weapon was discharged another three times while Murphy held the Taser to his back and pushed him toward a police cruiser.
Const. Murphy testified that he only approached Dormer after a woman complained the six-foot-nine Dormer had been bothering her earlier in the evening, trying to look up her skirt.
"I directed him to go home, he had been drinking and I was going to leave it at that," he said.
Murphy said the accused became combative, swearing at the officer.
http://www.canada.com
A judge says an Alberta man was wrongly arrested and Tasered multiple times, before and after he was handcuffed - and he's slamming the arresting Mountie's testimony as "deliberately false."
Judge John Reilly this week dismissed an obstruction charge and a bylaw ticket for being a nuisance against Adam Dormer stemming from an incident in Banff in 2007.
The judge said Dormer was subjected to excessive force when he was Tasered while in handcuffs.
"I am not even sure, on the basis of what I hear here, there was a justification for arrest at all," Reilly told court Monday.
He issued a stern rebuke to Banff RCMP Const. Casey Murphy, whose evidence he called "deliberately false."
Dormer, a 26-year-old carpenter and resident of Exshaw - 85 kilometres west of Calgary - testified he and two friends were walking from one bar to another on July 21, 2007, giving random people high fives.
He said when he encountered the constable, he offered the officer a high five, which did not go over well. Dormer testified he then tried to express to the officer that he has a lot of respect for what the RCMP do, adding that his brother was training to join the force.
He said he attempted to shake Murphy's hand, which was refused.
"After he wouldn't shake my hand a second time, I took it as offensive," Dormer said, adding he told Murphy his refusal is one of the reasons why people view cops as "f-- pigs."
Dormer said that after he was Tasered twice while being handcuffed, the weapon was discharged another three times while Murphy held the Taser to his back and pushed him toward a police cruiser.
Const. Murphy testified that he only approached Dormer after a woman complained the six-foot-nine Dormer had been bothering her earlier in the evening, trying to look up her skirt.
"I directed him to go home, he had been drinking and I was going to leave it at that," he said.
Murphy said the accused became combative, swearing at the officer.
http://www.canada.com
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Deputy Lt. Steve Ford Accused of Falsify TimeCard
VALPARAISO
The Porter County Sheriff's Department has suspended a deputy who they say was off doing unknown activities when he should have been supervising his crew of officers.
Lt. Steve Ford, a 13-year veteran of the department, received a seven-day suspension without pay.
Ford will not be demoted and will not be required to reimburse the county for pay he received for work he didn't perform, Sheriff David Lain said. But Lain said the suspension does cost Ford monetarily.
Lain said the allegations came to light a few weeks ago and the department "discovered there was a discrepancy between what his timecard showed and what was in fact the hours he worked."
Lain said there is no proof of what Ford was doing when he should have been supervising, but the bottom line is the department "wants to make sure our shift supervisors in particular are accessible to their crews' needs."
The Porter County Sheriff's Department has suspended a deputy who they say was off doing unknown activities when he should have been supervising his crew of officers.
Lt. Steve Ford, a 13-year veteran of the department, received a seven-day suspension without pay.
Ford will not be demoted and will not be required to reimburse the county for pay he received for work he didn't perform, Sheriff David Lain said. But Lain said the suspension does cost Ford monetarily.
Lain said the allegations came to light a few weeks ago and the department "discovered there was a discrepancy between what his timecard showed and what was in fact the hours he worked."
Lain said there is no proof of what Ford was doing when he should have been supervising, but the bottom line is the department "wants to make sure our shift supervisors in particular are accessible to their crews' needs."
Deputy Dennis Walker Charged with Obscuring His License Plate
Texas
A Precinct 7 constable’s deputy who was assigned to the Toll Road Authority was fired and charged with obscuring his license plate after allegations surfaced that he had been driving on the Sam Houston Tollway without paying, authorities said Tuesday.
Harris County District Attorney spokeswoman Donna Hawkins said Dennis Walker was charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted.
Walker, 45, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Investigators with the Harris County Toll Road Authority videotaped Walker stopping his personal vehicle at the southeast toll plaza on Jan. 21, court records show.
Walker can be seen taping a piece of paper over his license plate before going through the toll booth, Hawkins said.
About 90 officers are assigned to the 100 miles of Houston’s toll roads, said Assistant Chief Randy Johnson of the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office.
In July 2007, more than 1,000 county employees, including officers, lost the free EZ Tag privileges for their personal vehicles after agency officials reviewed the perk, Johnson said.
Precinct 7 spokeswoman Pamela Greenwood said Walker was terminated this week after eight years with the department.
A Precinct 7 constable’s deputy who was assigned to the Toll Road Authority was fired and charged with obscuring his license plate after allegations surfaced that he had been driving on the Sam Houston Tollway without paying, authorities said Tuesday.
Harris County District Attorney spokeswoman Donna Hawkins said Dennis Walker was charged with a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted.
Walker, 45, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Investigators with the Harris County Toll Road Authority videotaped Walker stopping his personal vehicle at the southeast toll plaza on Jan. 21, court records show.
Walker can be seen taping a piece of paper over his license plate before going through the toll booth, Hawkins said.
About 90 officers are assigned to the 100 miles of Houston’s toll roads, said Assistant Chief Randy Johnson of the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office.
In July 2007, more than 1,000 county employees, including officers, lost the free EZ Tag privileges for their personal vehicles after agency officials reviewed the perk, Johnson said.
Precinct 7 spokeswoman Pamela Greenwood said Walker was terminated this week after eight years with the department.
Judge Curtissa Cofield Placed on Administrative Duties
ROCKY HILL, Conn.
A Connecticut judge charged with a DUI months ago has request she be placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of her judicial review hearing.
Hartford Superior Court Judge Curtissa Cofield was arrested in October after police said she struck a state trooper's cruiser with her car. The trooper was parked in a construction zone on Route 2 in Glastonbury.
A videotape was released earlier in the week that shows Cofield making racial remarks at the police station following her arrest.
On the videotape, Cofield, who is black, asked Sgt. Dwight Washington, who is also black, "if a Negro was sent to arrest a Negro." She also called herself the most intelligent person in the room.
When asked if she was drunk or sick, Cofield said she “was suffering from Negroitis.”
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2009/01/judge-curtissa-cofield-arrested-for-dui.html
A Connecticut judge charged with a DUI months ago has request she be placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of her judicial review hearing.
Hartford Superior Court Judge Curtissa Cofield was arrested in October after police said she struck a state trooper's cruiser with her car. The trooper was parked in a construction zone on Route 2 in Glastonbury.
A videotape was released earlier in the week that shows Cofield making racial remarks at the police station following her arrest.
On the videotape, Cofield, who is black, asked Sgt. Dwight Washington, who is also black, "if a Negro was sent to arrest a Negro." She also called herself the most intelligent person in the room.
When asked if she was drunk or sick, Cofield said she “was suffering from Negroitis.”
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