Officer Louis Morris Arrested for Lewd Acts with Minor

"It was very disturbing and disgusting. This person also violated their oath of office and that's something we don't take lightly. This man crossed the line," said Chief Norman McNickle, Stillwater Police Dept.

Chief McNickle says a citizen called in a tip that Louis Morris, who is a school resource officer at Stillwater Junior High was having an inappropriate relationship with a 15 -year -old girl. So he started an internal investigation.

"After they started their investigation they realized the allegations were more serious and gave rise to a criminal investigation," said Rob Hudson, Payne County District Attorney.

OSBI was then given the case and Tuesday Morris was arrested on three counts of lewd acts with a minor and two counts of rape by instrumentation. According to court documents, the 15-year-old girl used to be involved with Morris' son. She claims she and Louis Morris were going to get married and the relationship was consensual. But Oklahoma law states otherwise.

"There is no such thing as consent under 16. Another aspect of this case is that teachers, law enforcement or people employed by the school, it has a special statute that relates to the activity or relations they can have with students," said Hudson.

Morris' police powers were revoked before his arrest and Tuesday he was suspended without pay. He has the right to have a hearing about his status. The D.A. says investigating Morris has been difficult and he find this case troubling.

"It's troubling when we think our school are safe then we have someone from law enforcement that has these allegations against him," said Hudson.

__________________

Information: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090617_298_0_STILLW533841

http://1600kush.com/story.php?id=2065&section=1

Former Trooper Albert Silveri III on Trial for Soliciting Minor

A former Pennsylvania state trooper on trial for allegedly soliciting underage sex on the Internet from an undercover cop said yesterday that he never intended to go ahead with a planned meeting.

A Delaware County prosecutor disagreed and said work kept the trooper from the appointment.

Albert Silveri III, 40, of Aston, opted to forgo a jury trial and have his case heard before Common Pleas Court Judge Frank T. Hazel. Silveri was arrested in July on charges of criminal solicitation and criminal use of a communication facility.

In April, Silveri first made contact in an Internet chat room with a Delaware County detective who was posing as a woman with two daughters, ages 8 and 10. Silveri used the screen name "Strongwilled07." Sex was discussed in all of the chats. In late July, Silveri made an appointment to meet with the woman and her daughters.

Yesterday while on the stand, he told Michael Galantino, deputy district attorney, that the fantasy was in the conversation. He said that he had corresponded in chat rooms hundreds of times and that the sexually explicit language came easily to him. But, Silveri said, he never intended to carry through with the meeting and didn't.

Galantino questioned whether Silveri, an accident-reconstruction specialist in the Belmont barracks in Philadelphia, missed the appointment he had set up with the fictitious mother and her daughters because he was busy at work.

Steven M. Pacillio, Silveri's attorney, said that although the conversations in the chat room were "reprehensible and not socially acceptable," they were not illegal.

Hazel said he would issue a verdict June 26.

Former Officer Joseph Kelley Arrested for Stealing Wallet

A former Mashpee police officer was arrested yesterday and accused of stealing a clerk’s wallet at Kmart in Hyannis, reports the Cape Cod Times.

Joseph Kelley, 33, was also arrested last month on drug-trafficking charges.

Also arrested yesterday was Kelley’s girlfriend, Kristen Hendrick, 25, on charges related to both the Kmart allegations and drug trafficking.

Barnstable police said that Hendrick bought a Wii gaming system at Kmart on June 12 using a gift card. Soon after, Kelley allegedly returned the Wii for cash and security cameras allegedly caught him grabbing a clerk’s wallet that was near the register.

Kelley was arrested May 19 after police allegedly found 200 oxycodone tablets and some other drugs at his Cotuit home.
______________
Read full story here.

Detention Officer Leon Wood Accused of Sexually Assaulting to Inmates

Two female inmates at the Sebastian County Detention Center alerted workers that they had been sexually assaulted by 64-year-old Leon Wood, officials said.

Wood was a detention deputy and had access to all parts of the jail. The inmates said the assaults happened while they were both locked in a cell together. The alleged acts were committed both Sunday and Monday.

"The deputy had made contact with the victims throughout the night and committed the acts through out the night," said Bill Hollenbeck with the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office.

Both inmates were treated at a local hospital before being returned to the Detention Center.

After an investigation by the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office, deputies found surveillance video confirming the assault.

"We have footage of certain evidence that collaborates with what the victims have stated," Hollenbeck said.

Deputies said the detention centers policy was violated, as only female workers are suppose to make contact with female inmates. The sheriff's department is now investigating internal procedures at the detention center.

Wood has been charged with two counts of sexual assault in the third degree.
______________________

http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2009/06/17/news/news061709_02.txt

Former Deputy Mark Petrina Accused of Sexually Abusing several Young Girls

Five victims have accused Mark Petrina, a former Kern County Sheriff's deputy, of sexually abusing them at his house in Bakersfield. The police have also identified three other victims who say they were also sexually abused, but they wouldn't go on the record.

According to court documents, the eight victims said they were molested over a period of several months, and sometimes years, while they were young, and just beginning puberty. Two of those victims are now adult women, who say Petrina sexually abused them when they were young, more than 30 years ago.

The investigating detective called several of the alleged victims, and each girl told roughly the same story, that Petrina would molest them in his bed, by touching and fondling their private parts. One girl reported she remembered Petrina giving her toys after the molestations were over.

Petrina was recently extradited to Kern County from Aberdeen, Wash. The Bakersfield Police Department said Petrina moved there earlier this year after he became aware of the molestation investigation.

Petrina is now retired, but as a sheriff's deputy court documents show, Petrina was primarily assigned to jail operations. He has been placed on suicide watch while being held in jail.

Petrina has pleaded not guilty to five felony charges of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and one felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child. Those charges stem from the alleged abuse of only three of the listed victims. Petrina is due back in court for his pre-preliminary hearing on June 18. His bail is set at $270,000.

Officer Dedrick Riley Charged with Punching Handcuffed Suspect

A Richmond police officer with a short but troubled history with the department was charged today with punching a handcuffed drug suspect in the face during an arrest in March.

Officer Dedrick Riley was charged with assault under the color of law and filing a false police report, both felonies, and misdemeanor battery, Deputy District Attorney Barry Grove said.

The drug suspect, a Richmond man in his late 30s, was never charged in connection with the arrest and did not suffer any lasting injuries from the assault, officials said.

Police sources said the man claimed Riley punched him several times and slammed him against a car. Afterward, source say, he failed to properly report his use of force, and the department forwarded the case to the district attorney after finding some conflicting evidence.

Riley, 39, started with the Police Department in 2004. He has been on administrative leave since the department's Internal Affairs unit began investigating in March, Grove said.

Today's charges are a result of the District Attorney's Office's own investigation, in which the man and numerous officers were interviewed, Grove said.

Riley is scheduled to turn himself in in the company of his lawyer, Harry Stern, at his arraignment Tuesday. The charges against Riley carry a penalty of more than six years in prison.

"Officer Riley is a veteran of the Richmond Police Department with a strong work ethic," Stern said. "It is my belief that the city of Richmond, and the chief in particular, have presented these groundless charges to the District Attorney's Office in an attempt to retaliate against him for suing them and prevailing against them in a previous matter."

The Police Department fired Riley after a similar complaint in 2006, but court records show he regained his job with back pay through binding arbitration, after the Richmond Police Officers Association filed a grievance on his behalf.

In that case, Riley, who worked the graveyard shift both before and after his termination, responded to an emergency call at Serrano's Bakery on 23rd Street about 7 a.m. March 26, 2006, according to a lawsuit filed in Contra Costa Superior Court.

The business owner's daughter called police when she found a homeless man sleeping at a counter inside the bakery when she opened shop. The victim and the suspect were arguing loudly on the sidewalk when Riley arrived with rookie probationary Officer Robert Garcia in tow.

The officers separated them. Riley moved the homeless man, Degangjara "Dave" Evans, away from the storefront when he suddenly turned.

Witnesses told internal affairs investigators that Riley struck Evans several times with his flashlight, bringing him to the ground. But according to court documents, he failed to report his use of force to his supervisor, and later told investigators that Evans resisted, but he did not intentionally hit Evans.

The department's Professional Standards Unit concluded that Riley used an acceptable level force but lied about it, a firing offense in policing. Richmond fired Riley in September 2006 and also let Garcia go.

An arbitrator found insufficient cause to fire Riley, and he regained his position in May 2007. He then sued the department in August of that year, claiming the firing amounted to racial discrimination and retaliation.

A judge dismissed the case in April 2008, and records show he dropped his appeal in state court in April this year.

Coincidentally, Riley also rode with another probationary officer the night involving today's criminal charges. The department took no action against that recruit.

Riley is also a named defendant in a Contra Costa County lawsuit against the city of Richmond and the Police Department in December. In that case, a woman said that in January 2008, Riley falsely arrested her and drove erratically when she was handcuffed in the back of his squad car. She said his driving caused her head to slam into a window, causing a bump, and Riley denied her when she requested medical treatment.
_______________
Other Information: http://www.ktvu.com/news/19780949/detail.html

Judge Tom Bartheld Sentences Man to only 1 year in Jail for Raping 4-year-old

A District Judge Tom Bartheld may be forced to step down from his position as an officer of the court, after he sentences a man who admitted to raping and sodomizing a four year old girl over several months to only one year in jail.

The one year sentence (which includes time served, which will bump it down to three months), was a show of gross negligence in the case. While Oklahoma attorney general Drew Edmondson is still gathering facts to the chagrin of many, two state legislators Mike Ritze and Mike Reynolds have filed a bill that, if passed by the House of Representatives, would ask a state court to remove the judge from office, and have his sentence turned for a harsher punishment. By the way, not sure why the district attorney who agreed to the plea bargain is also not under fire.

64-year-old David Earls admitted to raping the four year old girl over the course of four months, including sodomy. It is also suspected that he may have raped and abused her five year old brother. He was arrested after the children told their grandmother, the Pryor Daily Times reports. Bartheld dismissed the charge against the five year old brother, during Earls’ May 13 sentencing, “based upon the recommendation of the district attorney,” according to court records. Though Earls gave a full confession, and there was overwhelming evidence to the charges, District Judge Tom Bartheld and District Attorney Jim Bob Miller felt that a year served of a 2o month sentence was enough, and sent him on his way.

“What I know about the case at this point in time is that I was very disturbed by reports of the sentence in that case,” Attorney General Drew Edmondson who is making a run at govenor was quoted as saying by the Pryor Daily Times. Edmondson said said he will receive a report from the lawyers in his office “in due course,” before deciding if he will take action. Truthfully as an outsider looking in it appears like the two state reps. have raised the heat on Edmonson who is now trying to save face without ruining his political ambitions. Let’s hope politics doesn’t get in the way of punishing vile criminals and judges and district attorney’s that for whatever reason have failed to protect our children.

Officer Brian Lynk Accused of Punching Man in Face outside Nightclub

A Beaver County police officer turned himself in to face aggravated assault charges.

Brian Lynk, 30, of Aliquippa, is an officer in Midland.

He is accused of punching Matthew Molish 21, of Industry, in the face outside the Kamikaze Nightclub near Chester, W.Va., on June 7.

Lynk was off-duty and attending a bachelor party at the time of the incident.

"The mayor placed him on suspension," said Midland Police Solicitor Myron Sainovich. "At the next regualar council meeting, that's when council has to take action to decide whether or not they're going to continue that suspension."

Lynk turned himself in and is free on bond pending his court date.
____________________________

http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=60944

Brothers Vindicated .... Officers Arrested

When undercover detectives busted Jose and Maximo Colon last year for selling cocaine at a seedy club in Queens, there was a glaring problem: The brothers hadn't done anything wrong.

But proclaiming innocence wasn't going to be good enough. The Dominican immigrants needed proof.

"I sat in the jail and thought ... how could I prove this? What could I do?" Jose, 24, recalled in Spanish during a recent interview.

As he glanced around a holding cell, the answer came to him: Security cameras. Since then, a vindicating video from the club's cameras has spared the brothers a possible prison term, resulted in two officers' arrest and become the basis for a multimillion-dollar lawsuit.

The officers, who are due back in court June 26, have pleaded not guilty, and New York Police Department officials have downplayed their case.

But the drug corruption case isn't alone.

On May 13, another NYPD officer was arrested for plotting to invade a Manhattan apartment where he hoped to steal $900,000 in drug money. In another pending case, prosecutors in Brooklyn say officers were caught in a 2007 sting using seized drugs to reward a snitch for information. And in the Bronx, prosecutors have charged a detective with lying about a drug bust captured on a surveillance tape that contradicts her story.

Elsewhere, Philadelphia prosecutors dismissed more than a dozen drug and gun charges against a man last month when a narcotics officer was accused of making up information on search warrants.

The revelations in New York have triggered internal affairs inquiries, transfers of commanders and reviews of dozens of other arrests involving the accused officers. Many drug defendants' cases have been tossed out. Others have won favorable plea deals.

The misconduct "strikes at the very heart of our system of justice and erodes public confidence in our courts," said Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson.

Despite the fallout, authorities describe the corruption allegations as aberrations in a city where officers daily make hundreds of drugs arrests that routinely hold up in court. They also note none of the cases involved accusations of organized crews of officers using their badges to steal or extort drugs or money for personal gain — the story line of full-blown corruption scandals from bygone eras.

Peter Moskos, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, agrees the majority of narcotics officers probably are clean. But he also believes the city's unending war on drugs will always invite corruption by some who don't think twice about framing suspects they're convinced are guilty anyway.

"Drugs are a dirty game," Moskos said. "Once you realize it's a game, then you start playing with the rules to win the game."

Just ask the Colon brothers.
_______________________________
More of the story: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hmJ1Jq2YZ3d4GR0r1Ll7pTBuyonQD98PSUIG1

Deputy Jeffrey Scott Hoover Charged with Sexual Battery on Child

A Sumter County sheriff's deputy is being held without bond this morning facing child sex charges.

Deputy Jeffrey Scott Hoover is charged with sexual battery on a child under the age of 12.

The child told authorities that Hoover committed sex acts on her between June of last year and June of this year.

He has been employed by the Sumter County Sheriff's Office since 2005. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is conducting the investigation at this time.
___________________

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/state_news/061209_Deputy_arrested_for_sexual_battery_of_minor

Dwight Madison Tasered at Jail Hits Head and Dies

A man taken into the Harford County Detention Center Friday night died after police say they were forced to tase him when he began fighting with officers.

On Thursday night Harford County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 48-year-old Dwight Madison for trespassing. At around 1:30 the next morning, deputies tried to fingerprint Madison when they say he became uncooperative. Madison was then placed in a holding cell. A few hours later, shortly after 9 a.m., police say they tried again to fingerprint Madison.

Police say Madison fought with deputies and even tried to choke one of them. After a lengthy struggle one of the officers deployed a TASER, striking Madison in the upper leg. Madison fell to the floor and hit his head.

An ambulance was called to the jail and Madison was taken to Upper Chesapeake Medical Center for treatment. He died Saturday.

One of the officers was also treated for minor injuries.

The incident remains under investigation.
_______________________

http://www.daggerpress.com/2009/06/14/prisoner-dies-at-detention-center-after-being-tasered/

Officer Michael Ficken Charged with Misconduct

A Prior Lake police officer was charged today with misconduct by an officer and three misdemeanor crimes after he allegedly ran the license plate of a car that was parked at the home of his former girlfriend, then caused a disturbance after finding her and a man in her bedroom.

Michael A. Ficken, 34, of Prior Lake, was charged in Scott County District Court with one count each of misconduct by a public officer, which is a gross misdemeanor, as well as misdemeanor disorderly conduct, damage to property and fifth-degree assault.

Court papers say that on June 10, while he was on duty, Ficken went to the home owned by a woman in Prior Lake, where he once lived. He had been given until June 15 to move out his belongings. Ficken had a key and always had contacted the woman who owns the residence before going there, according to court papers. This time, however, he did not call before arriving.

When he saw a car he did not recognize in the driveway, he ran the plate, then entered the house to try to contact the woman. He allegedly broke down a bedroom door as the woman tried to hold it shut, then yelled at her and a man who also was in the room. Ficken was in uniform and was wearing his gun and Taser at the time. He did not draw the weapons, though he placed his hand on his gun, court papers say.

Because of a potential conflict of interest, the case is being prosecuted by the Dakota County attorney's office. Ficken was released from jail on his own recognizance today after appearing in Scott County District Court.
______________________

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S976524.shtml?cat=1

Former Deputy Rodney Thompson Accused of Stalking

A former Campbell County and Bedford County sheriff’s deputy accused of stalking was denied bond in Lynchburg Circuit Court Friday morning after appealing his conviction in general district court.

Late last month, Rodney Thompson, 35, of Forest, was sentenced to four months in jail for stalking a woman with whom he had an off-again-on-again relationship for seven years.

He would have been released from jail June 6 with time served since early April and credit for good behavior, his attorney, Joseph Sanzone said during Friday’s bond hearing.

After Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Bennett told Judge Leyburn Mosby that Thompson had threatened the woman’s life, however, Mosby said Thompson should remain jailed until he can be scheduled for a jury trial in early July.

“The court can’t take chances with people’s lives,” Mosby said.

An additional charge of stalking filed earlier in Campbell County, covering much of the same February-through-April time period as the Lynchburg charge, was dropped by prosecutors there Friday pending the resolution of the Lynchburg case.

Officer Jose Diaz Arrested for Assaulting Daughter

A Springfield police officer is under arrest for allegedly assaulting his daughter.

Police arrived at 45 year old Jose Diaz's Roosevelt Ave. home late Friday afternoon for a routine assault and battery call.

When it ended, Diaz was taken away and booked at the station where he would normally report to work for the midnight shift.

Diaz is accused of assault and battery. Police say he inflicted minor scratches on his 19 year old daughter.

Police say, this is the first time Diaz has been in trouble with the law.
_________________________
http://wbztv.com/wireapnewsfma/Police.Officer.accused.2.1045831.html

Officer Joseph Edward Wild Charged with Harassment

A Portland Police officer charged with making harassing phone calls appeared in court Monday.

Portland Police Officer Joseph Edward Wild, 28, is accused of using his bureau-issued cell phone to make harassing phone calls to women.

According to a probable cause statement, Wild faces 41 counts of official misconduct and 19 counts of telephone harassment. Wild was arrested Friday.

At Wild's court appearance Monday, protesters who didn’t even know Officer Wild showed up to stand up for those who may have been victimized.

“I wouldn’t want to be in her (the victim’s) position. Whoever he was bothering and bugging, it’s not okay,“ said Marie Suttle.

The case is so sensitive that Portland police only told reporters that a woman has come forward to say Officer Wild was harassing her over the phone. But new documents released accuse Officer Wild of using his police cell phone to harass at least two women -- including an underage girl.

“Chief Sizer and the Portland Police Bureau will release as much information as possible in an effort to be fully transparent when the Bureau is able to do so,” spokeswoman Mary Wheat said.

No other officers were aware of the conduct, police said.

“Everyone I talked to at North Precinct remembers the man in the police car next to him going on calls for service and find it difficult that these allegations can be true, “Said Scott Westerman, spokesman with the Portland Police Association.

Wild was scheduled to be back in court Thursday morning, and more charges were possible in the case.

_________________________

Update: http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_080409_news_portland_officer_calls_resigns.aaf4e432.html

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/06/portland_police_officer_charge.html

Officer Christopher Bond Arrested for trying to Buy Meth

State Police say Town of Pulaski police officer Christopher Bond was arrested Thursday, while trying to buy meth in Wythe County.

Bond faces three charges:

One count of attempting to possess meth (A Class 5 felony)
One count of attempting to possess loritab (Class one misdemeanor)
One count of knowingly or intentionally possessing marijuana (Class one misdemeanor)
In a news release Pulaski Police Chief G.W. Roche says Bond has been suspended from duty and an internal affairs investigation has been started.

Chief Roche said Bond has been with the department for two years, and was a police officer before joining the department.

Roche added, "I am very disappointed that this incident has occurred but I am grateful to the Virginia State Police and the Wythe Co. Sheriff’s Office for their consideration in notifying me of the investigation and their professionalism in processing this case."
___________________

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/208314

Officer Kenneth Kapton Accused of Firing Gun into Air While Drunk

A Swissvale police officer resigned after being accused of firing a gun into the air behind his Penn Hills residence while intoxicated.

Kenneth Kapton, 57, handed in his letter of resignation to Swissvale Council on Wednesday night.

Kapton is charged with two counts of prohibited acts related to marijuana police seized from his home, disorderly conduct and violating a municipal ordinance prohibiting firearms and air guns, according to a criminal complaint.

Following the May 7 incident, Kapton underwent a psychological evaluation and was placed on administrative leave, officials said.

Kapton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 6.

Officer Joseph Rios III Suspended After Caught on Tape Beating Man

A northern New Jersey police officer suspended after being caught on a videotape beating an unarmed man said Wednesday he did nothing wrong.

"I did what was proper," Passaic Officer Joseph Rios III said at a news conference at the office of his attorney, Anthony Iacullo. "I did what I was trained to do under the circumstances that existed at that time. I stand by my actions."

In the video, parts of which have been shown on television and on the Internet, Rios is seen throwing 49-year-old Ronnie Holloway against the hood of his police car and then to the ground, and appears to punch him and hit him with his baton. Holloway appears to be offering little resistance.

According to Iacullo, the video doesn't show what happened earlier. He declined to be specific other than to say that Holloway's words, actions and demeanor justified Rios' actions. The video, taken from a nearby surveillance camera, has no sound.
____________
Video: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=7773867&page=1
For More Information: http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20090610_ap_njofficerinrecordedbeatingdenieswrongdoing.html

Officer William Cozzi Sentence to 40 Months for Beating Handcuffed Man

A Chicago cop who was caught on tape beating a man handcuffed to a wheelchair received a 40 month sentence today.

William Cozzi, a Chicago cop, became angry with Randy Miles who was shackled to a wheelchair in a hospital, after Miles was verbally rude. Cozzi's beating of Miles was captured on tape, as well as witnessed by numerous bystanders. Cozzi was prosecuted in state court, where he received no jail time. He was due to return to the Chicago police force after a 2 year suspension, however Cozzi was also indicted on Federal charges related to the beating. Cozzi plead guilty, and was sentenced today to 40 months in prison. He is scheduled to report to Federal prison on August 6th, 2009.
________________________

Information: http://www.enewspf.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8153:chicago-police-officer-sentenced-to-40-months-in-prison-for-violating-federal-civil-rights-of-a-man-confined-in-a-wheelchair&catid=88888909&Itemid=88888905

Former Officer Jason Carey Hughes Arrested for Illegal Use of Database

A former law enforcement officer was arrested on Thursday for the illegal use of state computer databases.

Former Headland Police officer Jason Carey Hughes is accused of tapping into law enforcement tactical system software to obtain criminal records. Those records weren't used for official police business.

He was arrested by officers with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center and taken to the Henry County Jail.

"The LETS system is an invaluable tool for law enforcement, and the information it contains is privileged, confidential and is protected by law," said Maury Mitchell, ACJIC Director. "We take the use of LETS for reasons other than legitimate law enforcement or criminal justice purposes seriously, and will aggressively investigate and seek prosecution whenever it is misused."

Charges:
One count of unauthorized use of a computer to obtain criminal records of individuals through the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), which is the property of the ACJIC. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(a), a class A misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000; and

One count of unauthorized disclosure of computerized criminal records obtained through the Law Enforcement Tactical System, which is the property of the ACJIC. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(c), a class A misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to 12 monthsimprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000.
_______________________

http://www.wtvynews4.com/home/headlines/47920907.html

Officer William Greenwood Charged with Sexually Assaulting Underaged Family Member

A Chicago Police officer was ordered held on $350,000 bond Tuesday after being charged with the criminal sexual assault of a teenage girl.

Officer William Greenwood, 43, is a nine-year veteran of the police force, according to police News Affairs. He has been relieved of his police powers.

He was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault for the attack on an underage family member, according to police.
_________________
Video & Picture: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=6860257&rss=rss-espnChicago-wls-article-6860257

Cpl Eddie Smith Jr Charged with Trying to Rob Bank

A 16-year veteran of the Prince George's County Police Department has been charged with allegedly trying to rob a bank early Wednesday morning, acting as a lookout — dressed in his police uniform — while another man tried to saw into the bank's vault.

Cpl. Eddie Smith Jr., 41, of the 9700 block of Rider Court in Fort Washington has been suspended without pay after being arrested by officers from his own police district.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department responded to an alarm at the SunTrust Bank at 4625 Old Branch Ave. in Temple Hills. Responders called in police from District 4, the district where Smith served as a patrol officer, according to Maj. Andy Ellis, the police department's chief spokesman.

Smith was off-duty at the time but was in uniform and carrying his department-issued handgun, although the weapon was never used in the incident or brandished, Ellis said.

Investigators believe Smith likely remained outside the bank during the attempted robbery, while Earl Blake Sr., 52, of the 1900 block of Brooks Drive in Capitol Heights was allegedly inside the bank, unsuccessfully trying to break into the vault.

Smith was found with a pry bar, electrical cords and saw blade and was charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property for the damage to the vault and with using a handgun in the commission of a felony. He was also charged with possessing and permitting the use of burglars' tools with intent to use in the commission of a burglary.

Blake was found with a crowbar and cut-off saw, which he claims Smith provided him, and charged with burglary and malicious destruction of property. He was also charged with possessing burglars' tools with intent to use in the commission of a burglary.

Both men had fled from the bank before police arrived. Blake was picked up by police on a nearby road, and Smith was located hours later after investigators identified him as a suspect.

Ellis said under department policy, an internal investigation will commence after the state's criminal investigation.

He was unable to confirm Thursday afternoon how the two men allegedly broke into the bank or how Blake and Smith knew each other but said Blake is not affiliated with the police department.

He said investigators have no evidence at this point that any other officers were involved or had any knowledge of the crime. Ellis said about 175 officers work in police District 4.

Police officials denounced the incident as disappointing and disconcerting.

"One bad cop can tarnish the badge that we all wear," Ellis said. "This is something that's upsetting to all hard-working police officers."

Ellis said officers new to the force undergo background checks, polygraphs and psychological tests, but the department does not require the process be repeated during an officer's tenure.

In a statement Thursday, Police Chief Roberto L. Hylton said he was "disheartened" and will not tolerate wrongdoing by any member of the department.

"Bad cops have no place in our profession; they tarnish the good work that is being done by the rest of our employees," Hylton said. "We will be very thorough in investigating this case along with any others to which this investigation may lead."

Vince Canales, president of the county's Fraternal Order of Police, said Thursday the alleged robbery attempt is "very disappointing" but that it is an isolated incident and not reflective of the department, adding that hiring practices for officers are stringent.

"I would hope that the citizens of the county wouldn't paint the entire agency in this light," he said.

Canales cautioned that the investigation is ongoing. He said if Smith is found guilty, "clearly he will have to pay the price for those actions like any member of the community."

Smith is being held on $250,000 bond at the Department of Corrections in Upper Marlboro, and Blake is being held on $100,000 bond.

Preliminary hearings for Smith and Blake are scheduled for 8:45 a.m. July 9 in Prince George's County District Court. Attorneys had not been listed Thursday afternoon in the court for either defendant.

Calls Thursday to a phone number listed for Smith's address went unanswered. No phone number was listed for Blake.

Former Officer Jason Carey Hughes Arrested for Unauthorized Use of Database

The Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC) has announced the arrest 38 year old Jason Carey Hughes, a former officer of the Headland, Alabama Police Department, for allegedly misusing confidential law enforcement information.

Hughes, 38, was arrested Thursday morning by agents of ACJIC, the state agency responsible for gathering and providing critical information to Alabama law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

Hughes was taken to the Henry County jail.

The Alabama Attorney General’s office presented evidence to a Henry County grand jury which resulted in the two-count indictment* against Hughes.

Specifically, the indictment charges Hughes with:

1. One count of unauthorized use of a computer to obtain criminal records of individuals through the Law Enforcement Tactical System (LETS), which is the property of the ACJIC. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(a).

2. One count of unauthorized disclosure of computerized criminal records obtained through the Law Enforcement Tactical System. This is a violation of Code of Alabama Section 13A-8-102(c).

Both charges are Class A misdemeanors, each punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $6,000.

Officer Chrissy Miller Charged with Manslaughter

A Sunset Hills police officer's blood alcohol level was twice Missouri's legal limit hours after the crash she is accused of causing that killed four people, say prosecutors. Chrissy Miller is now charged with four counts of manslaughter and one count of assault. She is under house arrest.

"Obviously there was a problem here with an individual who went way beyond the limit and had incredibly tragic results," says St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch. "She'd been drinking with friends at an establishment for several hours before the accident. At the hospital it was determined her blood alcohol was substantially above the recognized limit in the state of Missouri. It was a .16 about three hours later and a .15 about four hours after the accident."

Miller was allegedly going the wrong direction on Dougherty Ferry at 1:45 AM March 21. She crashed into a car carrying five people of Indian descent. Four of them: Anusha Anumolu, 23, of Charleston, IL; Satya Chinta, 25, of Aurora, IL; Anitha Lakshmi, 23, of Charleston, IL.; and Prya Muppvarapu, 22, of Charleston, IL died instantly. The driver Nitesh Adusumilli, 27, had serious injuries but survived.

Miller was arrested at home Tuesday morning, and booked in the St. Louis County jail, but she was released into her family's custody. McCulloch says Miller's head injuries are so severe, she needs to be kept on house arrest with an ankle monitor. She will only be allowed to leave for doctors' appointments. Miller can walk, but was in a wheelchair as she left the jail.

St. Louis's Indian community still mourns, but Telugu Association President Suren Pathuri says there is no anger, "It's a step in the right direction, hopefully justice will prevail," he says. "Our sympathy goes out to the Christine Miller family. It's hard for her and we hope God will give her strength to face this. Hopefully she'll be stronger."

Pathuri says some in the Indian community were worried the charges were taking too long. McCulloch says it was simply because there were no eye witnesses and reconstruction took a while. He says this case isn't treated any differently because a law enforcement officer is involved.

"You certainly might expect more from a police officer, but from a legal standpoint they're not held to a higher or lower standard. They are held to the same standard as everybody else," says McCulloch.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch explained, "Her arrest was made by Missouri State Trooper Ryan Burckhardt this morning, at her home. She was taken to St. John's Hospital where she was examined and she was listed as fit for confinement, understanding she's still receiving medical attention. That's why we arranged to have her under house arrest with an ankle bracelet on."

Miller is suspended without pay from the Sunset Hills Police Department effective Tuesday.

"Hours after the crash it was determined her blood alcohol was substantially above the recognized limit in the state of Missouri. It was a .16 at about three hours later and a .15 about four hours after the accident, " stated McCulloch.

Her bond is set at $200,000 and the case will be presented to the grand jury in four to six weeks.

Miller is a 12-year veteran of the police department.

After the accident, Miller had surgery and was in critical condition at St. John's.

At the time of the accident, Nothum would not say why authorities suspected Miller had been drinking. Sunset Hills Police Chief William LaGrand added at the time that drinking and driving would be out of character for Miller, a single mother with one son.
________________________
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/46DECB2C72B02AB5862575D1000B60A9?OpenDocument

Trooper Daniel Martin On Leave While Investigation Continues

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper at the heart of a May 24 confrontation with a Creek Nation paramedic has been placed on administrative leave, authorities said Wednesday.

OHP Capt. Chris West said Trooper Daniel Martin was put on paid administrative leave June 1 while the patrol’s internal affairs investigation into the incident continues.

West emphasized that the leave is not punishment — the trooper is still being paid — but only routine while an investigation is conducted.

However, West was unable to explain why it took the patrol a week to put Martin on administrative leave. He continued working for a week after the confrontation, along U.S. 62 in Paden, seven miles east of Prague.

West said he didn’t know how long Martin would be on leave.

But he did say that a Tulsa World request under the state’s Open Records Act for the video from the trooper’s dashboard camera is being denied. West did not elaborate on the reason for the denial.

Okfuskee County District Attorney Max Cook said last week that the Highway Patrol should release the dashboard-camera video.

Cook said he would not charge either the trooper or the paramedic, Maurice White Jr., in connection with the confrontation.

“Although I do not condone their actions, I do not believe that filing charges at this time would serve the best interests of the public or the interests of justice,” he said last week.

The confrontation occurred as a Creek Nation ambulance was taking a woman to the hospital in Prague. The ambulance was not using

its emergency lights or siren.
Martin was en route along U.S. 62 to aid the Okfuskee County Sheriff’s Office with a stolen-vehicle call and was using his lights and siren, he said in his report.

He said the ambulance didn’t immediately pull over to let him pass. Eventually, the ambulance did let him pass.

Martin said he radioed the ambulance crew that they should be more vigilant.

White acknowledged receiving that transmission and said his driver, Paul Franks, threw up his hands in surprise at the call.

White said the trooper might have mistaken Franks’ response as an obscene finger gesture.

Martin claimed that as the ambulance passed by in Paden, Franks gave him the finger. Franks denies that.

Martin said he gave chase and pulled over the ambulance and approached Franks, telling him he would be cited for failure to yield and asking why he flipped him off.

White got between Franks and Martin, telling Martin that they were on their way to the hospital and that “we can continue this there.”

Martin said that despite repeated requests to White that he back off, the trooper said he tried to arrest White for obstructing an officer.

That’s when the scuffle broke out between the two, with Martin claiming that White grabbed him around the neck and White claiming Martin put him in a choke hold.

Eventually, the ambulance was allowed to go on its way. Martin was not arrested and Franks received a written warning for failure to yield.

Part of the scuffle was captured on a cell-phone camera at the scene by a witness.
_______________
Information from the Tulsa World

Deputy Angie Clark Accused of Killing Husband

An off-duty Lee County sheriff's deputy is on paid administrative leave Thursday night after investigators say she fatally shot her estranged husband at their home in Broadway.

Harnett County deputies responded to the home of Michael and Angie Clark at 8 Bee Hive Lane at 10:22 p.m. Wednesday after a report of a shooting there.

Michael Clark, 44, died at the scene, deputies said.
____________________
More information & Video: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/5331724/

Brian Cardall Dies After Being Tasered

An Arizona man with a recent history of mental illness died Tuesday after being Tasered by a Hurricane City Police officer southeast of Hurricane, according to family members and law enforcement reports.

Brian Cardall, 32, a doctoral student in molecular ecology at Northern Arizona University, was traveling south on State Road 59 when the incident occurred, according to a KSL news report.

Cardall was the son of KSL Editorial Director Duane Cardall and was returning home after visiting his family in Salt Lake City, the report said.

"Police and medical personnel responded to a call for assistance with an agitated subject on State Route 59," Undersheriff Jake Adams of the Washington County Sheriff's Office said in a prepared statement. "During the incident, a Hurricane City Police officer deployed a Taser and the subject lost consciousness."

Cardall was treated on the scene by medical personnel but was declared dead after being transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center. Adams said an autopsy is planned Wednesday. For further information, see Wednesday's edition of The Spectrum.

Officer Matthew Leavitt Charged with Violating Civil Rights

A former Montgomery police officer accused of beating a black man in September has been charged with two federal civil rights violations.

In an information filed Tuesday in federal court, Matthew Leavitt is accused of beating Twan Reynolds with a "slap jack" and illegally charging his wife, Lauren Reynolds, with a DUI.

An information generally indicates a defendant is cooperating with the case and can't be filed without a defendant's permission.

"We're obviously pleased," said Reynolds' lawyer, Mike Clifford. "And it would appear that because it was done by information that some sort of plea agreement is forthcoming."

Twan and Lauren Reynolds say Leavitt and fellow officer Shawn Hutchinson hit Twan Reynolds in the head with the slap jack (a small club), kicked him in the back and sprayed him in the eyes with pepper spray at close range following a traffic stop at the 7-Eleven in Montgomery on Sept. 26.

They are suing the two officers and the town.

They also say Leavitt repeatedly used a racial epithet against Twan Reynolds. Lauren Reynolds accused Leavitt of licking her on the neck during an interrogation and saying, "Little whore, you like it like that."

@bodsub2:'I think this is a confirmation'

@bod:Clifford said that he's grateful Charles Miller, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, took up the case. But he's disappointed that the prosecuting attorneys in Fayette and Kanawha Counties did not touch the case. (Montgomery is on the Kanawha-Fayette border.)

Clifford said he does not believe Miller waved off either county to get the federal indictment.

"The information that I received is that did not occur, at least as of the time of the grand jury testimony," he said. "What we predominantly were interested in was a confirmation that one, what the Montgomery officers did was wrong and two, that what Twan and Lauren did was not a criminal act or in any way improper. I think this is a confirmation of that."

In December, Montgomery Police Lt. J.D. Burrow told the Gazette that Leavitt and Hutchinson threatened to arrest him when he tried to stop them from attacking Reynolds.

"These guys were on their own. They felt like they could do what they want," Burrow said at the time. "It seemed like they always had that little leeway to do what they wanted to, to me."

Burrow said he was on patrol when he saw Leavitt and Hutchinson driving to the 7-Eleven with lights flashing, according to a statement Burrow provided to the city of Montgomery.

Burrow followed the officers to the store, where they had Lauren and Twan Reynolds pulled over. Burrow says he overheard Lauren repeatedly tell Leavitt and Hutchinson that she hadn't been drinking.

Deputy Scott Benton Arrested for Indecent Behavior with 13-year-old

The St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office arrested one of their own last week on a charge of indecent behavior with a juvenile, Sheriff Jack Strain said in a statement released Tuesday.

According to the release, Scott Benton, 42, 231 Forest Loop, Mandeville, was arrested last Thursday, after a three day investigation of a complaint from the mother of a 13-year-old girl who is from the Mandeville area. The complaint was received June 1. Strain said investigators discovered that Benton allegedly had an inappropriate conversation with the girl and there was one alleged incidence of kissing involved. Strain said that no other incidents between the two are believed to have occurred.

Strain said Benton was fired from the Sheriff’s Office on June 4, the same day he was arrested.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office deputy Scott Benton, 42, was arrested last Thursday and charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Capt. George Bonnett, Sheriff’s Office spokesman said that Benton has worked as a deputy for the past three years, and was on court security during that time, where he worked at the front door of the Justice Center in Covington.

Bonnett said Benton was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail June 4, and was released on a $25,000 bond later that evening. Bonnett said Benton has not made any statements on the incident.
________________________
http://www.wdsu.com/news/19713295/detail.html

Officer Todd Prawdzik Sentenced to Probation for Assaulting Man

A Hyattsville police officer accused of assaulting an unarmed man who had done nothing to provoke the attack has been sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation.

Todd Prawdzik entered an Alford plea in Prince George's County District Court on Monday to a charge of second-degree assault. In an Alford plea, the defendant maintains his innocence but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.

Prawdzik's twin brother, Jeff, a Riverdale Park police officer, is also charged with second-degree assault in the incident. His attorney expects that the state will place the charge on the inactive docket.

Prosecutors say Todd Prawdzik asked Melty Castillo-Hernandez and another man whether they had somewhere to go and hit Castillo-Hernandez on the head with a metal baton when he asked if they were police officers.
_______________________
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/08/AR2009060803953.html