That's what Shasta County Superior Court Judge Bradley Boeckman told jurors Tuesday before attorneys launched into their opening statements in the trial of a federal probation officer accused of molesting three children.
Joseph Nicholas Gama, 46, of Redding is charged with five counts of felony child molestation and three enhancements.
Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna said that Gama is accused of molesting three young girls in two separate instances in the late 1990s or early 2000s and a third in the mid-2000s.
But, Hanna told jurors, they were not Gama's only victims. A fourth alleged victim was identified, but charges were not filed in that late 1980s case because the statute of limitations had expired. Hanna said that girl was about 13 when Gama befriended her, only to betray that trust.
"His crimes happened in secret, but now they are in the open," Hanna said after he described the alleged molestations in detail.
But Gama's defense attorney, Eric Berg of Redding, said his client is being unfairly railroaded, pure and simple.
One of the girls, he told jurors, said that she does not remember having been molested by Gama. The claims of a second girl were investigated in 2006 and dropped because of insufficient evidence, and the third girl suffers from a mental health condition that prevents her from giving or receiving affection, Berg said.
The fourth girl's story also is highly questionable because she has a history of making sexual molestation accusations, Berg said.
Berg said his client is above reproach, has long been a respected community member and was president of a youth soccer league. Gama is free in lieu of $350,000 bail.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Officer Jeffrey Robinson Admitts to Slashing Homeless Man's Bike Tires
A police officer for Tarpon Springs has resigned after admitting to slashing a homeless man's bicycle tires.
The police officer said today it was retaliation.
Surveillance video from back in February shows officer Jeffrey Robinson taking the bike out of a storage unit.
His superiors said today that he took a knife, cut the tires on the bicycle, and put it back into storage.
The bike belonged to a homeless man named John Bilawsky, who Robinson arrested eight days earlier.
"According to officer Robinson, while he was transporting Mr. Bilawsky, Mr Bilawsky made several racial slurs against the officer and the officer stated he was damaging the bicycle in retaliation for those racial slurs," said Lt. Barb Templeton, with the Tarpon Springs Police Department.
The Tarpon Springs police say they were investigating Robinson, but he resigned before the investigation was complete.
This was the first time the officer ever faced disciplinary action.
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http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Tarpon-police-officer-accused-of-slashing-mans/E2owj29IkUaEPFmbecNYRg.cspx
The police officer said today it was retaliation.
Surveillance video from back in February shows officer Jeffrey Robinson taking the bike out of a storage unit.
His superiors said today that he took a knife, cut the tires on the bicycle, and put it back into storage.
The bike belonged to a homeless man named John Bilawsky, who Robinson arrested eight days earlier.
"According to officer Robinson, while he was transporting Mr. Bilawsky, Mr Bilawsky made several racial slurs against the officer and the officer stated he was damaging the bicycle in retaliation for those racial slurs," said Lt. Barb Templeton, with the Tarpon Springs Police Department.
The Tarpon Springs police say they were investigating Robinson, but he resigned before the investigation was complete.
This was the first time the officer ever faced disciplinary action.
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http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Tarpon-police-officer-accused-of-slashing-mans/E2owj29IkUaEPFmbecNYRg.cspx
Officer Craig Swistowicz Charged with Violating Civil Rights
A Chicago police officer has been indicted for allegedly using "unreasonable force" on a suspect, causing him injury, court documents said.
Officer Craig Swistowicz, 38, was charged with "depriving another individual of his civil rights in violation" of federal law. The indictment said the officer struck the alleged victim.
A statement from the Milwaukee U.S. attorney's office -- the Chicago office withdrew from the case to avoid a conflict of interest -- gave few details of the case. However, Swistowicz, a 12-year veteran, was a member of the federal-local High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.
The alleged victim was identified in the indictment only as "J.P." and was said to have suffered an unspecified injury. Court documents did not identify the race of either the officer or the alleged victim.
The federal statement said since the arrested man allegedly suffered an injury from a blow by Swistowicz, if convicted the officer faces a fine of not more than $250,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both.
Officer Craig Swistowicz, 38, was charged with "depriving another individual of his civil rights in violation" of federal law. The indictment said the officer struck the alleged victim.
A statement from the Milwaukee U.S. attorney's office -- the Chicago office withdrew from the case to avoid a conflict of interest -- gave few details of the case. However, Swistowicz, a 12-year veteran, was a member of the federal-local High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force.
The alleged victim was identified in the indictment only as "J.P." and was said to have suffered an unspecified injury. Court documents did not identify the race of either the officer or the alleged victim.
The federal statement said since the arrested man allegedly suffered an injury from a blow by Swistowicz, if convicted the officer faces a fine of not more than $250,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both.
Former Sheriff Richard McElhaney Arrested for DUI
Former Grainger County Sheriff Richard McElhaney was arrested on a DUI charge Monday by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
McElhaney, 55, is also charged with violating the implied consent law.
He was pulled over at 4:00 p.m. for weaving on Highway 11W west of Rutledge in the Joppa community as he drove a 1993 Chevrolet pick-up truck.
The Highway Patrol says McElhaney refused a breathalyzer test.
He was released from the Grainger County Jail on bond.
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http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=91913&catid=2
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Officer Ronald Debello Accused of Puncturing Tires
Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn has fired an officer accused of puncturing a tire on a vehicle parked May 2 in the 9000 block of Youree Drive in Shreveport.
Ronald Debello, 34, was dismissed late last week, police Cpl. Bill Goodin said.
Debello, a three-year member of the Police Department, had been on paid administrative leave since May 28, when he was issued a summons to appear in court on a charge of simple criminal property damage — a misdemeanor — and put on paid administrative leave, according to a police news release today.
A citizen reported seeing a uniformed officer get out of a marked patrol unit and puncture a vehicle tire.
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http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10616442&nav=menu1344_2
Ronald Debello, 34, was dismissed late last week, police Cpl. Bill Goodin said.
Debello, a three-year member of the Police Department, had been on paid administrative leave since May 28, when he was issued a summons to appear in court on a charge of simple criminal property damage — a misdemeanor — and put on paid administrative leave, according to a police news release today.
A citizen reported seeing a uniformed officer get out of a marked patrol unit and puncture a vehicle tire.
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http://www.wxvt.com/Global/story.asp?S=10616442&nav=menu1344_2
Mother Watches Son Tasered to Death
It was a mother’s worst nightmare; her son tasered to death before her eyes. And the culprits, says a lawsuit, were the police.
The case came to a head last week, when a northeast Missouri city agreed to an indefinite moratorium on the use of stun guns and will pay $2.4 million to the man’s family.
Taser International, which makes the weapon, says Tasers are "incapable of causing death." The Department of Justice said Taser shock contributed to 36 deaths during arrests in 2003. Amnesty International documented 50 cases.
In August 2008, Athena Bachtel, watched as her son was tasered after arguing with Moberly police during a traffic stop. Stanley Harlan, 23, was stunned three times for a total of 31 seconds. He collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. For 14 minutes he received no medical attention. By the time paramedics arrived, it was too late.
Authorities have said Harlan was suspected of drunken driving. A statement from his family's lawyers said he was accused of speeding.
Bachtel sought the moratorium as a way to prevent other deaths, said the family's lead attorney, Stephen M. Ryals.
“The pursuit of justice for her son and specifically reforms of the behavior of Moberly police was paramount,” Ryals said. “The monetary settlement was really unimportant to her.”
Bachtel, along with Stanley Harlan's father and his 1-year-old son will share in the settlement.
The readout on the officers' Taser indicated Harlan was stunned three times, Ryals said. Harlan lost consciousness and died a short time later.
Calls to attorneys for the city Monday night were not immediately returned. But the city said in a news release that no fault was admitted in the settlement and its insurance company will pay the entire settlement.
“It is never the goal or desire of any police officer to cause or contribute to the death of any person,” the release said. “Mr. Harlan's death was certainly unanticipated and unintentional.”
The release from the city noted that the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI investigated the death and found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. No criminal charges were filed.
But Ryals said his clients haven't given up on the possibility of a criminal prosecution.
He said he also is considering a lawsuit against the maker of the stun gun, Taser International Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz.
The stun gun moratorium in Moberly will continue until two town hall meetings have been held, and the police department has issued a revised Taser policy. The city also has agreed to assign at least one automatic external defibrillator to an on-duty patrol unit and require additional training on topics including recognizing and responding to medical distress.
The case came to a head last week, when a northeast Missouri city agreed to an indefinite moratorium on the use of stun guns and will pay $2.4 million to the man’s family.
Taser International, which makes the weapon, says Tasers are "incapable of causing death." The Department of Justice said Taser shock contributed to 36 deaths during arrests in 2003. Amnesty International documented 50 cases.
In August 2008, Athena Bachtel, watched as her son was tasered after arguing with Moberly police during a traffic stop. Stanley Harlan, 23, was stunned three times for a total of 31 seconds. He collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. For 14 minutes he received no medical attention. By the time paramedics arrived, it was too late.
Authorities have said Harlan was suspected of drunken driving. A statement from his family's lawyers said he was accused of speeding.
Bachtel sought the moratorium as a way to prevent other deaths, said the family's lead attorney, Stephen M. Ryals.
“The pursuit of justice for her son and specifically reforms of the behavior of Moberly police was paramount,” Ryals said. “The monetary settlement was really unimportant to her.”
Bachtel, along with Stanley Harlan's father and his 1-year-old son will share in the settlement.
The readout on the officers' Taser indicated Harlan was stunned three times, Ryals said. Harlan lost consciousness and died a short time later.
Calls to attorneys for the city Monday night were not immediately returned. But the city said in a news release that no fault was admitted in the settlement and its insurance company will pay the entire settlement.
“It is never the goal or desire of any police officer to cause or contribute to the death of any person,” the release said. “Mr. Harlan's death was certainly unanticipated and unintentional.”
The release from the city noted that the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the FBI investigated the death and found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. No criminal charges were filed.
But Ryals said his clients haven't given up on the possibility of a criminal prosecution.
He said he also is considering a lawsuit against the maker of the stun gun, Taser International Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz.
The stun gun moratorium in Moberly will continue until two town hall meetings have been held, and the police department has issued a revised Taser policy. The city also has agreed to assign at least one automatic external defibrillator to an on-duty patrol unit and require additional training on topics including recognizing and responding to medical distress.
Officer Phillip Devers Arrested for Dousing Girlfriend with Gasoline
A Bartlett police officer was arrested Friday for assaulting his girlfriend by allegedly dousing her with gasoline and threatening to light her and the house on fire.
44-year old Master Patrolman, Phillip Devers, is now charged with domestic aggravated assault. Devers was arrested at his Bartlett home after allegedly forcing his way into his girlfriends Tipton county home, spitting in her girlfriends face and threatening to set her on fire.
Tipton County Deputy Chief Donna Turner says, "He did forcefully drag her from the residence to the porch area, poured gasoline on her and the house and threatened to burn her and the residence".
But the Bartlett police officers girlfriend was able to get to a phone and call for help. Deputies say Devers was not there when they arrived.
Turner says, "We did confirm he lived in Shelby County, he was located and arrested".
The Bartlett police chief says Devers is on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation. Devers has been in the police department since 1994. The chief says he's been on a combination of departmental and medical leave since last year, but wouldn't expand further.
Devers recently testified about finding the bodies of Lillian and Clarence James during the Henry Lee Jones capital murder trial.
He also testified during the 2004 John Britt trial, the former head of security for Memphis City Schools, convicted for trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife. At the time, Devers testified his wife was having an affair with Britt but that he was not involved in the investigation.
The Bartlett Police Chief says Dever's duty weapon has been taken away.
Devers is out of jail after posting a $1,500 bond on Saturday.
His girlfriend has filed an order of protection.
Tipton County could find no other record of domestic violence between Devers and his girlfriend.
44-year old Master Patrolman, Phillip Devers, is now charged with domestic aggravated assault. Devers was arrested at his Bartlett home after allegedly forcing his way into his girlfriends Tipton county home, spitting in her girlfriends face and threatening to set her on fire.
Tipton County Deputy Chief Donna Turner says, "He did forcefully drag her from the residence to the porch area, poured gasoline on her and the house and threatened to burn her and the residence".
But the Bartlett police officers girlfriend was able to get to a phone and call for help. Deputies say Devers was not there when they arrived.
Turner says, "We did confirm he lived in Shelby County, he was located and arrested".
The Bartlett police chief says Devers is on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation. Devers has been in the police department since 1994. The chief says he's been on a combination of departmental and medical leave since last year, but wouldn't expand further.
Devers recently testified about finding the bodies of Lillian and Clarence James during the Henry Lee Jones capital murder trial.
He also testified during the 2004 John Britt trial, the former head of security for Memphis City Schools, convicted for trying to hire a hit man to kill his estranged wife. At the time, Devers testified his wife was having an affair with Britt but that he was not involved in the investigation.
The Bartlett Police Chief says Dever's duty weapon has been taken away.
Devers is out of jail after posting a $1,500 bond on Saturday.
His girlfriend has filed an order of protection.
Tipton County could find no other record of domestic violence between Devers and his girlfriend.
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Monday, June 29, 2009
Deputy Paul Schene Offered Plea Bargain for Beating 15-year-old
A King County sheriff's deputy accused of beating a 15-year-old girl in a holding cell was offered a plea bargain that potentially would have spared him a longer prison term if he agreed to resign, according to documents obtained by seattlepi.com.
The proposal fell through when the U.S. Justice Department, which could seek to indict Deputy Paul Schene on federal civil rights violations, would not agree to it. If indicted on federal charges, Schene could face up to 3 ½ years in prison, compared to a maximum of one year in jail on Washington state charges.
Initially, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle had reached consensus with King County prosecutors on a deal that would have allowed Schene, 31, to plead guilty in state court. He would have served a jail term of 6 to 9 months and avoided federal charges, as long as he "immediately resign from the King County Sheriff's Office," according to a draft letter between Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Harris and the King County prosecutors.
"Anything short of this resolution will result in our office pursuing a federal felony indictment. Feel free to use this letter in your negotiations with Deputy Schene's counsel, and assure them that we will be prepared to present this case to the Grand Jury before the end of March," the letter said.
Harris never signed the March 3 letter, which would have made it official, and it was rescinded when his superiors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., decided not to endorse it. Federal authorities still are watching the case and likely won't decide whether to federally charge Schene until his King County trial is over, Harris said last week when asked about the letter.
"At this point, we're probably going to wait and see what happens with the county's case. But we haven't foreclosed prosecution. No decision one way or the other has been made," he said.
"But our interest is the same as the county's, and that is that he is punished and that he's no longer able to work as a police officer," he said.
King County prosecutors drafted a letter to Schene's attorney on March 27. With no guarantee that he could avoid federal prosecution, Schene turned down the plea offer. His trial is set for Sept. 9 in King County Superior Court, where he is charged with fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor.
Schene's attorney, Peter Offenbecher, declined to comment when asked about the plea negotiations. Schene has been on paid administrative leave since December.
Schene's conduct came to light because he alleged in a report that the teenager had resisted arrest and assaulted him inside a holding cell at a SeaTac police precinct on Nov. 29, 2008. Detectives sought video evidence from the cell's security camera and instead, found footage of Schene as he punched, kicked and tossed the girl to the floor after she had kicked her shoe at him. In his report, Schene, a training officer and 8-year veteran, said the girl's shoe struck his shin, causing "injury and pain."
Schene and a second deputy, Travis Brunner, had arrested the girl, Malika Calhoun, and her 15-year-old friend, on suspicion of auto theft. Brunner assisted Schene in handcuffing Calhoun inside the holding cell, although prosecutors did not file charges against Brunner. Later, police learned the girls were driving a car that they'd taken without permission from another friend's mother. Schene wrote that he "placed" the girl in handcuffs.
The Sheriff's Office, meanwhile, is conducting an internal investigation, which is expected to be finished before Schene's trial, Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart said. Schene could be fired regardless of what happens with his criminal case.
"Any plea bargain or any deal made between Schene and the feds, or the Prosecutor's Office, has nothing to do us," Urquhart said.
While the case against Schene is bolstered by video evidence, prosecutors at the state and federal level have not been successful in recent King County trials involving police misconduct, particularly with officers from the Sheriff's Office. In two cases during the last year, deputies accused of assault were acquitted of criminal charges.
In December, a federal jury acquitted Deputy Brian Bonnar of civil rights violations and lying to a grand jury, despite statements from four officers who testified for the prosecution. Bonnar, who worked in the same Burien precinct as Schene, was accused of twice dropping his knee on a handcuffed woman's head after a chase. The U.S. attorney's office handled the prosecution.
Bonnar was suspended for 20 days from the Sheriff's Office.
In March, another deputy, Don Griffee, was acquitted of misdemeanor assault in King County District Court after he was accused of punching a handcuffed suspect who turned out to be innocent. Again, jurors weren't persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt, despite incriminating testimony from other officers. The state Attorney General's Office handled the case on behalf of King County.
Griffee remains on restrictive duty. Sheriff's officials have completed an internal investigation, but the case has not yet made its way through the chain of command for disciplinary action.
If he's convicted, or the sheriff fires him regardless of the criminal case, Schene's law enforcement certification would be reviewed for revocation by the state Criminal Justice Training Commission. State law says an officer's certification can be revoked for "disqualifying misconduct," such as convictions for any crimes committed under color of authority or involving dishonesty, drug possession, or any crime that would invalidate an officer's ability to carry a gun, such as domestic violence.
Felony convictions generally mean an automatic revocation. A misdemeanor charge, however, depending on the allegation, allows the officer some wiggle room in challenging any disciplinary action against him.
Prosecutors want to avoid any risk that Schene could keep his badge, especially given the outcome in recent police misconduct trials.
"This went beyond excessive use of force and into a criminal charge. As a result, we're seeking a criminal conviction at trial and all the likely consequences that would result from that, which would include the potential loss of his commission as a police officer," said Ian Goodhew, deputy chief of staff to county Prosecutor Dan Satterberg.
Prosecutors, however, didn't think they could prove felony charges in Schene's case because the girl suffered no injuries, Goodhew said. She reported breathing troubles afterward, but showed no visible injuries during an examination by paramedics.
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Video: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407640_deputy29.html
The proposal fell through when the U.S. Justice Department, which could seek to indict Deputy Paul Schene on federal civil rights violations, would not agree to it. If indicted on federal charges, Schene could face up to 3 ½ years in prison, compared to a maximum of one year in jail on Washington state charges.
Initially, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle had reached consensus with King County prosecutors on a deal that would have allowed Schene, 31, to plead guilty in state court. He would have served a jail term of 6 to 9 months and avoided federal charges, as long as he "immediately resign from the King County Sheriff's Office," according to a draft letter between Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly Harris and the King County prosecutors.
"Anything short of this resolution will result in our office pursuing a federal felony indictment. Feel free to use this letter in your negotiations with Deputy Schene's counsel, and assure them that we will be prepared to present this case to the Grand Jury before the end of March," the letter said.
Harris never signed the March 3 letter, which would have made it official, and it was rescinded when his superiors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division in Washington, D.C., decided not to endorse it. Federal authorities still are watching the case and likely won't decide whether to federally charge Schene until his King County trial is over, Harris said last week when asked about the letter.
"At this point, we're probably going to wait and see what happens with the county's case. But we haven't foreclosed prosecution. No decision one way or the other has been made," he said.
"But our interest is the same as the county's, and that is that he is punished and that he's no longer able to work as a police officer," he said.
King County prosecutors drafted a letter to Schene's attorney on March 27. With no guarantee that he could avoid federal prosecution, Schene turned down the plea offer. His trial is set for Sept. 9 in King County Superior Court, where he is charged with fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor.
Schene's attorney, Peter Offenbecher, declined to comment when asked about the plea negotiations. Schene has been on paid administrative leave since December.
Schene's conduct came to light because he alleged in a report that the teenager had resisted arrest and assaulted him inside a holding cell at a SeaTac police precinct on Nov. 29, 2008. Detectives sought video evidence from the cell's security camera and instead, found footage of Schene as he punched, kicked and tossed the girl to the floor after she had kicked her shoe at him. In his report, Schene, a training officer and 8-year veteran, said the girl's shoe struck his shin, causing "injury and pain."
Schene and a second deputy, Travis Brunner, had arrested the girl, Malika Calhoun, and her 15-year-old friend, on suspicion of auto theft. Brunner assisted Schene in handcuffing Calhoun inside the holding cell, although prosecutors did not file charges against Brunner. Later, police learned the girls were driving a car that they'd taken without permission from another friend's mother. Schene wrote that he "placed" the girl in handcuffs.
The Sheriff's Office, meanwhile, is conducting an internal investigation, which is expected to be finished before Schene's trial, Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart said. Schene could be fired regardless of what happens with his criminal case.
"Any plea bargain or any deal made between Schene and the feds, or the Prosecutor's Office, has nothing to do us," Urquhart said.
While the case against Schene is bolstered by video evidence, prosecutors at the state and federal level have not been successful in recent King County trials involving police misconduct, particularly with officers from the Sheriff's Office. In two cases during the last year, deputies accused of assault were acquitted of criminal charges.
In December, a federal jury acquitted Deputy Brian Bonnar of civil rights violations and lying to a grand jury, despite statements from four officers who testified for the prosecution. Bonnar, who worked in the same Burien precinct as Schene, was accused of twice dropping his knee on a handcuffed woman's head after a chase. The U.S. attorney's office handled the prosecution.
Bonnar was suspended for 20 days from the Sheriff's Office.
In March, another deputy, Don Griffee, was acquitted of misdemeanor assault in King County District Court after he was accused of punching a handcuffed suspect who turned out to be innocent. Again, jurors weren't persuaded beyond a reasonable doubt, despite incriminating testimony from other officers. The state Attorney General's Office handled the case on behalf of King County.
Griffee remains on restrictive duty. Sheriff's officials have completed an internal investigation, but the case has not yet made its way through the chain of command for disciplinary action.
If he's convicted, or the sheriff fires him regardless of the criminal case, Schene's law enforcement certification would be reviewed for revocation by the state Criminal Justice Training Commission. State law says an officer's certification can be revoked for "disqualifying misconduct," such as convictions for any crimes committed under color of authority or involving dishonesty, drug possession, or any crime that would invalidate an officer's ability to carry a gun, such as domestic violence.
Felony convictions generally mean an automatic revocation. A misdemeanor charge, however, depending on the allegation, allows the officer some wiggle room in challenging any disciplinary action against him.
Prosecutors want to avoid any risk that Schene could keep his badge, especially given the outcome in recent police misconduct trials.
"This went beyond excessive use of force and into a criminal charge. As a result, we're seeking a criminal conviction at trial and all the likely consequences that would result from that, which would include the potential loss of his commission as a police officer," said Ian Goodhew, deputy chief of staff to county Prosecutor Dan Satterberg.
Prosecutors, however, didn't think they could prove felony charges in Schene's case because the girl suffered no injuries, Goodhew said. She reported breathing troubles afterward, but showed no visible injuries during an examination by paramedics.
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Video: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/407640_deputy29.html
Deputy Bryan Gabel Arrested for Drunk Driving
A Cincinnati police officer is accused of driving while drunk over the weekend.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department said a deputy found a car stopped on KY 18 just before 1 a.m. Saturday.
The deputy wrote in his report that when he approached the driver, Bryan Gabel, he could smell alcohol on his breath. Gabel told the deputy he ran out of gas.
In the report, the deputy stated that he gave Gabel six field sobriety tests and Gabel failed them all.
Gabel is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated.
Gabel was demoted and suspended in 2007 after an incident in which two officers spents weeks sitting in a substation playing video games instead of walking their beats. Gabel was one of five supervisors disciplined by Police Chief Tom Streicher for knowing about the situation and not putting a stop to it.
The Boone County Sheriff's Department said a deputy found a car stopped on KY 18 just before 1 a.m. Saturday.
The deputy wrote in his report that when he approached the driver, Bryan Gabel, he could smell alcohol on his breath. Gabel told the deputy he ran out of gas.
In the report, the deputy stated that he gave Gabel six field sobriety tests and Gabel failed them all.
Gabel is charged with one count of driving while intoxicated.
Gabel was demoted and suspended in 2007 after an incident in which two officers spents weeks sitting in a substation playing video games instead of walking their beats. Gabel was one of five supervisors disciplined by Police Chief Tom Streicher for knowing about the situation and not putting a stop to it.
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Sunday, June 28, 2009
Video of LA Police Officer Kicking Compliant Suspect in Head and High-Fiving Other Cops
Not totally unlike the five Birmingham pigs who beat an unconscious man, or the Fresno pigs that beat a homeless man, or any number of other police brutality cases caught on video, a cop in Los Angeles kicked the head of a high-speed chase suspect while the suspect was on the ground face-down with his arms and legs spread out. Another cops runs in and hits the suspect with his flashlight. Another gets to the scene and sets his cop dog at the suspect's feet for a second. Quite proud of their unnecessary brutality, the cops then high-five each other.
Of course, the police chief instinctually covers for the pigs under his command and refuses to fault them despite the video evidence. "Don't believe your lying eyes," seems to be the cop refrain these days in such cases. El Monte Police Chief Tom Armstrong said, "I do not know what was in the mind of that officer, as to why he did that. I saw the individual turn his head toward the officer [because we all know turning your head when you are face down is cause for a justifiable kicking]." As for the officer with a flashlight seen striking the suspect in the video, Armstrong said, "...it appears (the suspect) had his arm underneath his body. You cannot see what was in his hand. [Again with the blame-the-suspect game, and as if flashlight hitting is the proper response to a mystery object in someone's hand.]" That officer has not been reassigned during the investigations. "This is going to be looked into, and it should be. ...I'm not here to make a decision or tell you what that officer did was overtly wrong until I know all the facts [because we all know not to believe our lying eyes]."
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Video: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/06/27/18604291.php
Of course, the police chief instinctually covers for the pigs under his command and refuses to fault them despite the video evidence. "Don't believe your lying eyes," seems to be the cop refrain these days in such cases. El Monte Police Chief Tom Armstrong said, "I do not know what was in the mind of that officer, as to why he did that. I saw the individual turn his head toward the officer [because we all know turning your head when you are face down is cause for a justifiable kicking]." As for the officer with a flashlight seen striking the suspect in the video, Armstrong said, "...it appears (the suspect) had his arm underneath his body. You cannot see what was in his hand. [Again with the blame-the-suspect game, and as if flashlight hitting is the proper response to a mystery object in someone's hand.]" That officer has not been reassigned during the investigations. "This is going to be looked into, and it should be. ...I'm not here to make a decision or tell you what that officer did was overtly wrong until I know all the facts [because we all know not to believe our lying eyes]."
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Video: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/06/27/18604291.php
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Former Chief Oly Ivy Indicted for Tasering Wife
The police chief, who was the lone officer in this small Central Texas town and had been removed by city officials for allegedly Tasering his wife in April, now faces a felony indictment for the incident.
A Leon County Grand Jury indicted Oly Ivy, 30, on Thursday for Aggravated Assault/Family Violence which is a second degree felony.
In April, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chief Ivy for domestic violence.
Deputies said Ivy allegedly Tasered his wife multiple times using his city-issued weapon.
When the mayor and City Council found out about it, they met in emergency session and voted unanimously to fire the chief — essentially the city's entire paid police force.
A Leon County Grand Jury indicted Oly Ivy, 30, on Thursday for Aggravated Assault/Family Violence which is a second degree felony.
In April, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chief Ivy for domestic violence.
Deputies said Ivy allegedly Tasered his wife multiple times using his city-issued weapon.
When the mayor and City Council found out about it, they met in emergency session and voted unanimously to fire the chief — essentially the city's entire paid police force.
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Officer Joe Holman Arrested for Sexual Explotion of Stepdaughter
Aspen police officer Joe Holman, 38, resigned his position and turned himself in to authorities Wednesday to face allegations that he attempted to sexually exploit his teenage stepdaughter.
Holman, a six-year veteran of the police department and a city of Aspen employee since 1994, is charged with two counts of attempted sexual exploitation of a child, a class 4 felony; tampering with evidence, a class 6 felony; child abuse, a class 2 misdemeanor; and attempted criminal invasion of privacy, a class 3 misdemeanor.
He allegedly placed a camera the size of a Ping-Pong ball in his stepdaughter’s shower. The incident was investigated by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which elected to pursue charges. The bureau also investigated Holman after a similar accusation involving his stepdaughter surfaced last year, according to court records.
Holman was put on paid administrative leave May 29 while the CBI conducted a criminal investigation. The Aspen Police Department probed the matter internally but officials said they are not releasing their findings.
“The internal investigation has been concluded but due to the fact it’s a personnel matter, we’re not able to comment further,” Aspen police spokeswoman Stephanie Desarro said Thursday.
Holman could not be reached for comment. He turned himself in to a Pitkin County sheriff’s deputy Wednesday and was taken to jail. He was released from the Pitkin County Jail the same day on $11,000 bond.
An affidavit signed by CBI agent Brooks Bennett reports that Holman’s stepdaughter went to take a shower in her bathroom the night of April 29 when she noticed “something out of place” in the front of a mesh bag used for Holman’s younger son’s toys. Inside the mesh bag, hanging just above the top of the bathtub, she found a tiny camera contained in a waterproof case pointed toward her, the affidavit states.
Holman initially denied having knowledge of the camera. When confronted by his family, “Joe asked, ‘Do you think I did it as a pervert move?’ ... [His family members] replied, ‘I don’t know.’ Joe stated ‘if this is such a big issue, give it to me’ and he placed the camera on the floor and stomped on the camera destroying it,” the affidavit says.
The next morning, Holman admitted to putting the camera in the shower, explaining he did it because he was upset with his stepdaughter.
“Holman maintains he placed the camera only to make [her] mad. [She] had recently been disciplined, but was not following the rules set in place during the discipline,” the CBI affidavit says. “Holman figured since [his stepdaughter] was ‘pissing him off’ he would do something that would do the same to her. In 2008, [she] had accused Holman of watching her inappropriately. Holman told me those allegations gave him the idea of placing the camera in the shower. Since [she] thought he was watching her last year, he decided to place the camera to make her think he was watching her now, therefore making her mad.”
Holman claimed he placed the camera in the shower the same day it was found. The affidavit said Holman now realizes he made a mistake.
The stepdaughter told police she doesn’t believe Holman used the photos for anything sexual; she believes he wanted to make her angry.
The affidavit says that Holman “was apparently using his work laptop computer to view the digital images recorded by the camera.”
In 2008, Holman’s stepdaughter claimed she “saw things” that made her feel like her stepfather was creeping around, watching her. He walked in on her, apparently mistaking her bedroom for the laundry room, and she once saw a mirror slide underneath her bedroom door, the affidavit said.
Holman has been married to the alleged victim’s biological mother for about eight years. He and the woman have a young child together.
His first court appearance is scheduled for July 20 at 10:30 a.m. An attorney has not entered an appearance on his behalf but the affidavit identified Richard Daly, who could not be reached, as his lawyer.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Officer Leon Young Resigns After DUI Arrest
A Fort Myers Police Officer who was arrested in January allegedly for driving under the influence resigned in lieu of termination this month.
Leon Young, who faces trial Aug. 4 on a misdemeanor charge of DUI, resigned from the police force rather than being terminated, according to a department internal affairs report.
Young, 40, was stopped at a DUI checkpoint set up on College Parkway on Jan. 24 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He was with the department since 2006 and had previously worked for the Lee and Hendry sheriff’s offices.
According to the documents, investigators made three sustained findings about Young — that he broke the law, that he didn’t conduct himself in a way that reflects favorably on the department and that he attempted to use his position as an officer to gain leniency with deputies.
The report states Young was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 24 in a Publix parking lot. He was “uncooperative, confrontational and became agitated” and also used racial slurs as he was being arrested.
Leon Young, who faces trial Aug. 4 on a misdemeanor charge of DUI, resigned from the police force rather than being terminated, according to a department internal affairs report.
Young, 40, was stopped at a DUI checkpoint set up on College Parkway on Jan. 24 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. He was with the department since 2006 and had previously worked for the Lee and Hendry sheriff’s offices.
According to the documents, investigators made three sustained findings about Young — that he broke the law, that he didn’t conduct himself in a way that reflects favorably on the department and that he attempted to use his position as an officer to gain leniency with deputies.
The report states Young was arrested around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 24 in a Publix parking lot. He was “uncooperative, confrontational and became agitated” and also used racial slurs as he was being arrested.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Retired Troopers Karol & Michael Siedel Arrested for Embezzlement
Two retired state troopers are facing first-degree larceny charges after allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from an electrical contracting company in which one of the men was a partner.
Karol Siedel, 63, and Michael T. Siedel, 39, both of 41 Kingswood Drive., turned themselves in to Southington police this morning and are to be arraigned this afternoon in Superior Court in Bristol. Both men face two counts of first-degree larceny and a single count of conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny.
The father and son were charged after an investigation that began in August 2007, when a business partner of Michael Siedel in J&M Electric LLC told police money had been improperly transferred to K&J Construction Group, a firm owned by Karol and Michael Siedel. The money was allegedly used to build a house in Wolcott and to purchase a home in Marco Island, Fla., police said.
Karol Siedel retired from the state police in February 1994 after nearly 21 years on the job. He then worked as a sheriff and then a judicial marshal at the New Britain courthouse. He left that position in March 2005.
Michael Siedel was a trooper about 10 years and served for a time on former Gov. John G. Rowland's 12-person security detail when he retired in about 2004. Siedel remained on the job long enough to vest his state benefits, then left to work as an electrician with his father, sources said.
Bail for Karol Siedel was set at $25,000, and bail for Michael Siedel was set at $50,000.
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http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/news_wtnh_southington_father_son_embezzlement_troopers_200906251505
Karol Siedel, 63, and Michael T. Siedel, 39, both of 41 Kingswood Drive., turned themselves in to Southington police this morning and are to be arraigned this afternoon in Superior Court in Bristol. Both men face two counts of first-degree larceny and a single count of conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny.
The father and son were charged after an investigation that began in August 2007, when a business partner of Michael Siedel in J&M Electric LLC told police money had been improperly transferred to K&J Construction Group, a firm owned by Karol and Michael Siedel. The money was allegedly used to build a house in Wolcott and to purchase a home in Marco Island, Fla., police said.
Karol Siedel retired from the state police in February 1994 after nearly 21 years on the job. He then worked as a sheriff and then a judicial marshal at the New Britain courthouse. He left that position in March 2005.
Michael Siedel was a trooper about 10 years and served for a time on former Gov. John G. Rowland's 12-person security detail when he retired in about 2004. Siedel remained on the job long enough to vest his state benefits, then left to work as an electrician with his father, sources said.
Bail for Karol Siedel was set at $25,000, and bail for Michael Siedel was set at $50,000.
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http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/news_wtnh_southington_father_son_embezzlement_troopers_200906251505
Officer Trent Stanley Resigns After DUI Arrest
Trent Stanley has voluntarily resigned from the Topeka Police Department, effective June 26, 2009.
This comes after Stanley, 23, was arrested Thursday morning for a suspected DUI. He was booked in Shawnee County Jail at 6:20 AM on June 18th. He was brought in under three different charges, driving under the influence, no seat belt, and duty to keep right.
Trent Stanley was off duty when he was arrested.
He is the son of Captain Jerry Stanley at the Topeka Police Department.
This comes after Stanley, 23, was arrested Thursday morning for a suspected DUI. He was booked in Shawnee County Jail at 6:20 AM on June 18th. He was brought in under three different charges, driving under the influence, no seat belt, and duty to keep right.
Trent Stanley was off duty when he was arrested.
He is the son of Captain Jerry Stanley at the Topeka Police Department.
Officer Rory Rogers Finally Terminated After Assaulting Girlfriend
A 27-year-old police officer accused last year of assaulting a former girlfriend at a bar has essentially been terminated from the department, officials said.
Rory Rogers, who at the time of the Dec. 27 incident had been a member of the force for five years, was charged with assault after the ex-girlfriend and several witnesses told police that Rogers, while off-duty, went to a Stone Oak bar and pushed the 21-year-old woman, authorities said.
The woman cut herself on glass when she fell, authorities said at the time, and as she got up, Rogers was accused of pushing her down again before leaving the bar.
Sandy Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the San Antonio Police Department, said Rogers was placed on indefinite suspension June 19, a disciplinary action tantamount to firing. The decision was based on the criminal charge of assault bodily injury, she said.
Rogers, who did not a return a message left at a phone number listed for him, has 10 days to appeal the decision.
If he appeals, the outcome could be based on the final findings in the criminal case, said San Antonio Police Officers Association President Mike Helle.
“The opportunity will be there for an arbitrator to rule whether (the indefinite suspension) was appropriate or not,” Helle said. “He's got a criminal case that is still out there that he has to take care of first. If that case gets dismissed or if it goes to trial and he's acquitted, it helps his [internal] case.”
First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg said the criminal case against Rogers, which also includes a deadly conduct charge, remains under investigation by the district attorney's office.
Rogers surrendered to police one day after the woman filed the complaint. Although he admitted nothing, police arrested him because of a tighter domestic violence policy adopted in January 2007 requiring officers to secure arrest warrants immediately for most family violence suspects.
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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/12/officer-rory-rogers-arrested-for.html
Rory Rogers, who at the time of the Dec. 27 incident had been a member of the force for five years, was charged with assault after the ex-girlfriend and several witnesses told police that Rogers, while off-duty, went to a Stone Oak bar and pushed the 21-year-old woman, authorities said.
The woman cut herself on glass when she fell, authorities said at the time, and as she got up, Rogers was accused of pushing her down again before leaving the bar.
Sandy Gutierrez, a spokeswoman for the San Antonio Police Department, said Rogers was placed on indefinite suspension June 19, a disciplinary action tantamount to firing. The decision was based on the criminal charge of assault bodily injury, she said.
Rogers, who did not a return a message left at a phone number listed for him, has 10 days to appeal the decision.
If he appeals, the outcome could be based on the final findings in the criminal case, said San Antonio Police Officers Association President Mike Helle.
“The opportunity will be there for an arbitrator to rule whether (the indefinite suspension) was appropriate or not,” Helle said. “He's got a criminal case that is still out there that he has to take care of first. If that case gets dismissed or if it goes to trial and he's acquitted, it helps his [internal] case.”
First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg said the criminal case against Rogers, which also includes a deadly conduct charge, remains under investigation by the district attorney's office.
Rogers surrendered to police one day after the woman filed the complaint. Although he admitted nothing, police arrested him because of a tighter domestic violence policy adopted in January 2007 requiring officers to secure arrest warrants immediately for most family violence suspects.
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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/12/officer-rory-rogers-arrested-for.html
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Officer Isaac Rinehart Arrested for Domestic Violence
A St. Paul police officer is on desk duty after accusations he beat his wife. Officer Isaac Rinehart was arrested Monday night after turning himself in at the Maplewood Police Department.
Around 10 p.m., his wife walked into the Maplewood Police Department. Maplewood Chief Dave Thomalla saw her and noticed something was wrong.
"She had facial injuries. She had some bleeding from the nose and some swelling in her face," he said. "Obviously, she'd been assaulted."
She told him she'd been hurt by her husband at the home where he was staying. She said they'd been in a fight and she'd walked a mile to the police station. Maplewood officers took her to the hospital.
While she was being checked out, Thomalla called St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington to tell him what happened. Harrington called Rinehart's commander, who then called Rinehart. Within the hour, Rinehart had turned himself in.
Thomalla said while all domestic cases are different, his officers did not handle this one differently because Rinehart is a police officer. He said officers have to be careful when dealing with other officers because they are often armed.
"Unfortunately, domestic assaults and domestic violence happen frequently in our society. The suspects involved are in every occupation you can imagine. In this particular case it was a police officer," Thomalla said. "We're going to deal with this case the same way we would with every other one."
Thomalla said Rinehart didn't give police a statement and requested his lawyer. In his 15 years with St. Paul Police, Rinehart's personnel file shows he's been commended 16 times. He's also been reprimanded four times. One was a 4-day suspension in 1996 for conduct unbecoming of a police officer. Privacy rules prevent police from releasing any more details on that suspension.
Rinehart is also under investigation after his police canine bit a child earlier this year.
"This is a difficult situation. Certainly if these allegations prove true, this is very serious," said St. Paul Police Sgt. Paul Schnell.
Right now, Rinehart has been taken out of his canine unit and placed on administrative duty. Once the criminal case is closed, St. Paul Police will begin their own investigation.
"As a department, we want to take this stuff seriously. At the same time, if it's one of our officers or any member of the public, there is a due process route that is provided to all people that are accused," Schnell said.
Around 10 p.m., his wife walked into the Maplewood Police Department. Maplewood Chief Dave Thomalla saw her and noticed something was wrong.
"She had facial injuries. She had some bleeding from the nose and some swelling in her face," he said. "Obviously, she'd been assaulted."
She told him she'd been hurt by her husband at the home where he was staying. She said they'd been in a fight and she'd walked a mile to the police station. Maplewood officers took her to the hospital.
While she was being checked out, Thomalla called St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington to tell him what happened. Harrington called Rinehart's commander, who then called Rinehart. Within the hour, Rinehart had turned himself in.
Thomalla said while all domestic cases are different, his officers did not handle this one differently because Rinehart is a police officer. He said officers have to be careful when dealing with other officers because they are often armed.
"Unfortunately, domestic assaults and domestic violence happen frequently in our society. The suspects involved are in every occupation you can imagine. In this particular case it was a police officer," Thomalla said. "We're going to deal with this case the same way we would with every other one."
Thomalla said Rinehart didn't give police a statement and requested his lawyer. In his 15 years with St. Paul Police, Rinehart's personnel file shows he's been commended 16 times. He's also been reprimanded four times. One was a 4-day suspension in 1996 for conduct unbecoming of a police officer. Privacy rules prevent police from releasing any more details on that suspension.
Rinehart is also under investigation after his police canine bit a child earlier this year.
"This is a difficult situation. Certainly if these allegations prove true, this is very serious," said St. Paul Police Sgt. Paul Schnell.
Right now, Rinehart has been taken out of his canine unit and placed on administrative duty. Once the criminal case is closed, St. Paul Police will begin their own investigation.
"As a department, we want to take this stuff seriously. At the same time, if it's one of our officers or any member of the public, there is a due process route that is provided to all people that are accused," Schnell said.
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Deputy Robert Lane Arrested for Domestic Violence
A Pima County Sheriff's deputy has been arrested and charged with domestic violence.
Officers were called to Robert Lane's home Monday night after receiving a call from his live-in girlfriend.
Lane reportedly had visible scratches on his face and arms.
He claims he fought his girlfriend off.
She claims he was choking her and she was defending herself.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has launched an internal investigation.
For that reason, Lane has been reassigned.
Officers were called to Robert Lane's home Monday night after receiving a call from his live-in girlfriend.
Lane reportedly had visible scratches on his face and arms.
He claims he fought his girlfriend off.
She claims he was choking her and she was defending herself.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has launched an internal investigation.
For that reason, Lane has been reassigned.
Officer Jason Jones Charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery
Bond has been set at $750,000 for a Chicago police officer accused of breaking into his estranged wife’s home and hitting her with a gun.
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office says 38-year-old Jason Jones is charged with aggravated domestic battery and home invasion.
He’s accused of kicking in the door of his estranged wife’s home on June 19 after she wouldn’t let him in.
Court records say Jones found another man at the home and hit his wife in the head with a gun.
Jones and his wife, who’s also a Chicago police officer, have been married for 18 months.
It was not immediately clear whether Jones has an attorney.
Chicago police news affairs said Tuesday that no information was immediately available about Jones’ status with the department.
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http://www.wbbm780.com/Bond-set-for-Chicago-cop-in-beating-of-estranged-w/4659557
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office says 38-year-old Jason Jones is charged with aggravated domestic battery and home invasion.
He’s accused of kicking in the door of his estranged wife’s home on June 19 after she wouldn’t let him in.
Court records say Jones found another man at the home and hit his wife in the head with a gun.
Jones and his wife, who’s also a Chicago police officer, have been married for 18 months.
It was not immediately clear whether Jones has an attorney.
Chicago police news affairs said Tuesday that no information was immediately available about Jones’ status with the department.
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http://www.wbbm780.com/Bond-set-for-Chicago-cop-in-beating-of-estranged-w/4659557
Sgt. Mark Lykken, Deptuy Justin Krohmer & Mother Arrested at Kenny Chesney Concert
A sheriff's deputy and his mother face charges of disorderly conduct after the deputy vomited on people at a Kenny Chesney concert in Fargo and refused to leave, authorities say. Police Sgt. Mark Lykken said Stark County Deputy Justin Krohmer, 26, and his mother, Susan, 47, whose husband is the Ada, Minn., police chief, were arrested after the Saturday night incident.
Lykken said Justin Krohmer was asked to leave the Fargodome about 11 p.m. Saturday after vomiting on people in front of him, but he refused to do so.
Susan Krohmer is accused of pulling and pushing officers, screaming profanities and of trying to prevent an officer from escorting her son out of the concert.
Justin Krohmer appeared in Fargo municipal court Monday and his mother appeared Tuesday. Both face another hearing July 2.
Justin Krohmer joined the Stark County Sheriff's Department on Dec. 15 at an annual salary of $39,621, said Kay Haag, the county's deputy auditor. Earlier, he was a McLean County deputy.
No phone listing was available for Krohmer and he could not be reached for comment. The number for Susan Kromer was unlisted, and a message at her husband's office was not returned.
Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said that as of Tuesday, Justin Krohmer was still a deputy and he had no reports on the Fargo incident.
"I'm waiting for reports so I can review them, " the sheriff said.
Lykken said Justin Krohmer was asked to leave the Fargodome about 11 p.m. Saturday after vomiting on people in front of him, but he refused to do so.
Susan Krohmer is accused of pulling and pushing officers, screaming profanities and of trying to prevent an officer from escorting her son out of the concert.
Justin Krohmer appeared in Fargo municipal court Monday and his mother appeared Tuesday. Both face another hearing July 2.
Justin Krohmer joined the Stark County Sheriff's Department on Dec. 15 at an annual salary of $39,621, said Kay Haag, the county's deputy auditor. Earlier, he was a McLean County deputy.
No phone listing was available for Krohmer and he could not be reached for comment. The number for Susan Kromer was unlisted, and a message at her husband's office was not returned.
Stark County Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said that as of Tuesday, Justin Krohmer was still a deputy and he had no reports on the Fargo incident.
"I'm waiting for reports so I can review them, " the sheriff said.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Ex-Detective Thomas Sadler Preparing for Trial
A former Sheriff's deputy is preparing for his trial on charges of sexually assaulting a prostitute.
Ex-detective Thomas Sadler was expected by many to enter a plea Monday, but instead he told 10News he would take his chances with a jury.
Sadler, a 23-year veteran of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, has been on administrative leave without pay following his arrest last July.
He was charged with five felonies stemming from an incident in February 2008 in which he was accused of forcing a prostitute into his unmarked department vehicle and then forcefully fondling her.
Sadler said he is ready to go to trial and tell his side of the story.
"I feel that I'm innocent in this case. I believe a lot of this is because I do work in law enforcement and they were overzealous in their prosecution. I want my day in court, I want to get my side out there. I believe a jury will hear the case openly and honestly and make a decision based on what they believe is the truth," said Sadler.
The jury will hear Sadler's side of the story when the case goes to trial on July 23.
If convicted, he could serve 8 years in prison.
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Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/08/deputy-accused-of-sexual-assault.html
http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/08/arraignment-for-officer-accused-of.html
http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/08/detective-fondles-prostitute-while-on.html
Officer Mark Benton Ashcraft Arrested for Sexual Abuse to Child
A 36-year-old police officer was arraigned in Umatilla County today on felony sex-abuse charges involving a child.
The district attorney's office said Mark Benton Ashcraft of Athena was being held in Umatilla County Jail on $50,000 bail. He's charged with sex abuse in the second degree, sodomy in the third degree, and online sexual corruption of a child in the first degree.
The arrest came as a surprise to officials in Athena, which has a population of 1,270.
"We know as much as you do," said Dyann Swanson, Athena city recorder.
She said Ashcraft will be put on paid administrative leave and that the city will seek legal advice on what to do.
"It's an unfortunate thing," she said. "But he's only been arrested. He's not been convicted."
Ashcraft is one of two officers in the city. He was hired in December 2007 after working nine years in Pilot Rock.
Swanson said, "He's been a perfect police officer. We have not had any problem with him at all."
Ashcraft, who was arrested Monday afternoon, is due next in court at the end of the month.
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http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=94294&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48
Officer Blaine McNeese Arrested for Plotting to Fellow Officer
It's a crime that shocked the Department of Public Safety. One of their own officers plotted to kill a fellow officer.
Luckily, the officer found out about the plot before the plan was carried out. Now a criminal organization has been busted.
A hole was dug in the desert near I-10 and Highway 87. The suspects were planning on shooting the officer and burying him there. The officer was interviewing one of the members of the group when he learned about the plot against his life.
Police say Lazar Lazar, Carlos Saquilan and Khalid Henry were behind the plot. Phoenix police then got involved.
Police say Blaine McNeese was the "bad cop." He worked for DPS and at the same time, for the Younan criminal syndicate. Police say McNeese became involved after accepting a bribe.
McNeese is in jail and four other members of the group have also been arrested or are in police custody.
Lazar Lazar is the only one still missing. If you see him, call the police.
_________________________________
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/06/23/20090623syndicate0623-ON.html
Luckily, the officer found out about the plot before the plan was carried out. Now a criminal organization has been busted.
A hole was dug in the desert near I-10 and Highway 87. The suspects were planning on shooting the officer and burying him there. The officer was interviewing one of the members of the group when he learned about the plot against his life.
Police say Lazar Lazar, Carlos Saquilan and Khalid Henry were behind the plot. Phoenix police then got involved.
Police say Blaine McNeese was the "bad cop." He worked for DPS and at the same time, for the Younan criminal syndicate. Police say McNeese became involved after accepting a bribe.
McNeese is in jail and four other members of the group have also been arrested or are in police custody.
Lazar Lazar is the only one still missing. If you see him, call the police.
_________________________________
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/06/23/20090623syndicate0623-ON.html
Officer Gerald Bossolono Arrested for Stealing $70,000
A 10-year Cicero police veteran was charged with theft today after allegedly stealing more than $70,000 from the department's benevolent association, Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez said.
Gerald Bossolono, 46, was arrested as he showed up for work today by investigators with the Cook County State's Attorney's office, Alvarez said in a press release. He served as treasurer of the Cicero police benevolent association.
Bossolono who has worked with the Cicero police department since 1999 was charged with felony theft after an investigation by the State's Attorney's financial crimes unit.
Officials allege that Bossolono used his position as treasurer of the group to siphon more than $70,000 from the group's accounts. The association is a fraternal organization made up of Cicero police officers that raises money through memberships and social functions, Alvarez said.
If convicted of the Class 2 felony, Bossolono faces up to seven years in prison. He is scheduled to go have a bond hearing Thursday in the Maybrook court house in Maywood, Alvarez said.
Bossolono was taken into custody by State's Attorney investigators and charged after reporting for work this morning at the west suburban police station, said Elio Montenegro, a spokesperson for the town.
Montenegro said the former Joliet police officer who was hired by the town in 1999 was being investigated by the Cicero Internal Affairs Department since June 2008 after police received a phone tip that he was stealing money from the fund.
Montenegro said the town placed Bossolono on restricted duty one month later and then turned over the investigation to the State's Attorney's Financial Crimes Unit.
Bossolono is scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday morning in Maywood. The Class 2 felony is punishable by three to seven year in prison or probation, according to the state's attorney office.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-ciceroofficer-emb,0,1052225.story
Gerald Bossolono, 46, was arrested as he showed up for work today by investigators with the Cook County State's Attorney's office, Alvarez said in a press release. He served as treasurer of the Cicero police benevolent association.
Bossolono who has worked with the Cicero police department since 1999 was charged with felony theft after an investigation by the State's Attorney's financial crimes unit.
Officials allege that Bossolono used his position as treasurer of the group to siphon more than $70,000 from the group's accounts. The association is a fraternal organization made up of Cicero police officers that raises money through memberships and social functions, Alvarez said.
If convicted of the Class 2 felony, Bossolono faces up to seven years in prison. He is scheduled to go have a bond hearing Thursday in the Maybrook court house in Maywood, Alvarez said.
Bossolono was taken into custody by State's Attorney investigators and charged after reporting for work this morning at the west suburban police station, said Elio Montenegro, a spokesperson for the town.
Montenegro said the former Joliet police officer who was hired by the town in 1999 was being investigated by the Cicero Internal Affairs Department since June 2008 after police received a phone tip that he was stealing money from the fund.
Montenegro said the town placed Bossolono on restricted duty one month later and then turned over the investigation to the State's Attorney's Financial Crimes Unit.
Bossolono is scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday morning in Maywood. The Class 2 felony is punishable by three to seven year in prison or probation, according to the state's attorney office.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-ciceroofficer-emb,0,1052225.story
Officer Anthony Abbate Sentenced to Just 2 years Probation for Beating Woman
An off-duty Chicago police officer convicted of pummeling a female bartender half his size was sentenced Tuesday to two years probation and anger management classes for the videotaped attack that appeared worldwide on the Internet and cable news channels.
Cook County Circuit Judge John Fleming also gave Anthony Abbate a home curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ordered him to perform 130 hours of community service.
"No one in recent memory ... has done more to tarnish the reputation of the Chicago Police Department than Anthony Abbate," Cook County Assistant State's Attorney LuAnn Snow said Tuesday.
Prosecutors had asked for prison for Abbate — he could have been sentenced to up to five years behind bars — but the judge said he didn't see aggravating factors to justify a prison term.
"If I believed sentencing Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting people, I'd give him the maximum sentence," Fleming said.
Earlier this month, the judge rejected Abbate's claim he acted in self-defense and convicted him of aggravated battery. A tavern security video shows a drunken, 250-pound Abbate punching and kicking the 125-pound Karolina Obrycka as she tended bar in February 2007. The altercation happened after she refused to serve him more drinks.
The video captured a lot of attention as another example of misconduct by Chicago police. Then-Superintendent Phil Cline suddenly announced his retirement shortly after the video surfaced and former FBI official Jody Weis was appointed to the spot with an order to clean up the department's image.
Abbate acknowledged during the trial that he was drunk during the incident. But he said Obrycka pushed him first as she tried to remove him from behind the bar.
"He's not a bad man, he did something bad," said defense attorney Peter Hickey.
Abbate has been relieved of his duties and pay, Chicago Police Department spokesman Officer Robert Perez said.
The department is looking into "separation proceedings," Perez said. Weis has said he wants Abbate fired.
Cook County Circuit Judge John Fleming also gave Anthony Abbate a home curfew of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ordered him to perform 130 hours of community service.
"No one in recent memory ... has done more to tarnish the reputation of the Chicago Police Department than Anthony Abbate," Cook County Assistant State's Attorney LuAnn Snow said Tuesday.
Prosecutors had asked for prison for Abbate — he could have been sentenced to up to five years behind bars — but the judge said he didn't see aggravating factors to justify a prison term.
"If I believed sentencing Anthony Abbate to prison would stop people from getting drunk and hitting people, I'd give him the maximum sentence," Fleming said.
Earlier this month, the judge rejected Abbate's claim he acted in self-defense and convicted him of aggravated battery. A tavern security video shows a drunken, 250-pound Abbate punching and kicking the 125-pound Karolina Obrycka as she tended bar in February 2007. The altercation happened after she refused to serve him more drinks.
The video captured a lot of attention as another example of misconduct by Chicago police. Then-Superintendent Phil Cline suddenly announced his retirement shortly after the video surfaced and former FBI official Jody Weis was appointed to the spot with an order to clean up the department's image.
Abbate acknowledged during the trial that he was drunk during the incident. But he said Obrycka pushed him first as she tried to remove him from behind the bar.
"He's not a bad man, he did something bad," said defense attorney Peter Hickey.
Abbate has been relieved of his duties and pay, Chicago Police Department spokesman Officer Robert Perez said.
The department is looking into "separation proceedings," Perez said. Weis has said he wants Abbate fired.
Officer Carl Sain Charged with Attacking Chief Yancey
North Chicago's "Officer of the Year" has been charged with seriously injuring a police chief he allegedly found in his estranged wife's home, police said.
Carl Sain, 45, was charged with felony aggravated battery for allegedly attacking Police Chief Artis Yancey, who was hospitalized with several broken bones in his face, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.
Sain allegedly beat Yancey Wednesday night after breaking a window in his estranged wife's home in Waukegan and finding Yancey alone in an upstairs bedroom, Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller said, noting Sain's wife called 911.
Sain, named North Chicago Police Officer of the Year in April, and his wife are divorcing. Yancey is a friend of Sain's wife, Waller said.
Sain, who was not available for comment, was released Sunday on $75,000 bail and put on administrative leave, the Sun-Times reported.
Yancey, who was expected to recover, was taking time off from his job and was not available for comment, a Waukegan police spokesman said.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-waukegan-chief-23-jun23,0,2009938.story
Carl Sain, 45, was charged with felony aggravated battery for allegedly attacking Police Chief Artis Yancey, who was hospitalized with several broken bones in his face, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.
Sain allegedly beat Yancey Wednesday night after breaking a window in his estranged wife's home in Waukegan and finding Yancey alone in an upstairs bedroom, Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller said, noting Sain's wife called 911.
Sain, named North Chicago Police Officer of the Year in April, and his wife are divorcing. Yancey is a friend of Sain's wife, Waller said.
Sain, who was not available for comment, was released Sunday on $75,000 bail and put on administrative leave, the Sun-Times reported.
Yancey, who was expected to recover, was taking time off from his job and was not available for comment, a Waukegan police spokesman said.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-waukegan-chief-23-jun23,0,2009938.story
Border Patrol Officer Luis Hermosillo Charged with Sexually Assaulting Woman
A Border Patrol officer accused of sexually assaulting a Mexican woman traveling on a tourist visa to Cathedral City with her two children followed her from a Salton Sea-area checkpoint, then pulled her over and demanded she drive to a secluded area, court records show.
Luis Edward Hermosillo, 41, faces three sexual assault charges stemming from the alleged assault June 13.
Hermosillo, who works out of the Border Patrol Office in Indio, appeared in court Monday for his arraignment, which was delayed until July 7.
His attorney, Robert W. Krause, asked Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez for the delay because he needed more time to review the case.
``It's a very important case and we just want to make sure everyone is prepared,'' Krause said outside of court.
Hernandez granted the delay and kept the defendant's bail at $1 million.
Hermosillo is accused of following the 24-year-old victim from a checkpoint in the Salton Sea area before pulling her over on the Highway 86 Expressway near Mecca, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.
Hermosillo asked the woman to pull off the highway onto a secluded area on Avenue 72 so he could inspect a briefcase inside her vehicle that he claimed he forgot to examine at the checkpoint.
The woman, who was driving with her two 5-year-old and 2-year-old children, recognized the officer from the Salton Sea checkpoint and complied with his request.
Once off the highway, Hermosillo, who had a dog with him in a white F-150 pickup truck, pulled up next to her vehicle and asked her to drive to the end of the road, according to sheriff's Investigator Bradley Farwell, who prepared the declaration.
The victim complied and got out of her vehicle to open her trunk, the investigator wrote. The officer asked her if he could search her person, but she declined.
``The Border Patrol Officer had the victim turn around and place her hands on the edge of the trunk of her vehicle,'' Farwell wrote. ``(Hermosillo) then used his hands to squeeze the victim's breasts and feel around her upper torso.''
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More of the story: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090623/NEWS0801/90623006/0/opinion03/Border-Patrol-officer-faces-3-charges-of-sexual-assault
Luis Edward Hermosillo, 41, faces three sexual assault charges stemming from the alleged assault June 13.
Hermosillo, who works out of the Border Patrol Office in Indio, appeared in court Monday for his arraignment, which was delayed until July 7.
His attorney, Robert W. Krause, asked Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jorge Hernandez for the delay because he needed more time to review the case.
``It's a very important case and we just want to make sure everyone is prepared,'' Krause said outside of court.
Hernandez granted the delay and kept the defendant's bail at $1 million.
Hermosillo is accused of following the 24-year-old victim from a checkpoint in the Salton Sea area before pulling her over on the Highway 86 Expressway near Mecca, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.
Hermosillo asked the woman to pull off the highway onto a secluded area on Avenue 72 so he could inspect a briefcase inside her vehicle that he claimed he forgot to examine at the checkpoint.
The woman, who was driving with her two 5-year-old and 2-year-old children, recognized the officer from the Salton Sea checkpoint and complied with his request.
Once off the highway, Hermosillo, who had a dog with him in a white F-150 pickup truck, pulled up next to her vehicle and asked her to drive to the end of the road, according to sheriff's Investigator Bradley Farwell, who prepared the declaration.
The victim complied and got out of her vehicle to open her trunk, the investigator wrote. The officer asked her if he could search her person, but she declined.
``The Border Patrol Officer had the victim turn around and place her hands on the edge of the trunk of her vehicle,'' Farwell wrote. ``(Hermosillo) then used his hands to squeeze the victim's breasts and feel around her upper torso.''
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More of the story: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090623/NEWS0801/90623006/0/opinion03/Border-Patrol-officer-faces-3-charges-of-sexual-assault
Retired Opelousas Officer Accused of Rape
An investigation into an accusation of rape leveled against a retired Opelousas Police Department officer has been handed over to the Louisiana State Police, said Capt. Martin McClendon of the Opelousas Police Department.
The complaint was filed Friday afternoon with the Opelousas Police Department.
"The victim said she was raped by this individual," McClendon said. "I do not know the specifics of this particular case, but I do know that an interview was conducted with the victim and the person accused of it. What Chief (Perry) Gallow did Friday evening was, he asked the St.Landry Parish Sheriff's Office to assist in this investigation."
Capt. Buford Knight of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office said that while his department assisted, the case still belonged to OPD.
"The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office cannot provide information on an Opelousas Police Department case," Knight said.
Gallow subsequently asked the Louisiana State Police to take over the investigation.
"They're going to come in and conduct this investigation because obviously, it's a very sensitive issue we're dealing with - because it's a retired police officer, to make sure the investigation is independently done without any bias," McClendon said.
The name of the accused former officer has not been released.
"Right now, it's only an accusation," McClendon said. "We don't want to release the name of the person being accused unless the investigation has enough evidence to support an arrest."
The names of persons accused of crimes are not routinely released unless police know an arrest is immanent, McClendon said.
At this point, McClendon said, some evidence has been gathered, but he is not certain as to the nature of the evidence or whether DNA was found.
The complaint was filed Friday afternoon with the Opelousas Police Department.
"The victim said she was raped by this individual," McClendon said. "I do not know the specifics of this particular case, but I do know that an interview was conducted with the victim and the person accused of it. What Chief (Perry) Gallow did Friday evening was, he asked the St.Landry Parish Sheriff's Office to assist in this investigation."
Capt. Buford Knight of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office said that while his department assisted, the case still belonged to OPD.
"The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office cannot provide information on an Opelousas Police Department case," Knight said.
Gallow subsequently asked the Louisiana State Police to take over the investigation.
"They're going to come in and conduct this investigation because obviously, it's a very sensitive issue we're dealing with - because it's a retired police officer, to make sure the investigation is independently done without any bias," McClendon said.
The name of the accused former officer has not been released.
"Right now, it's only an accusation," McClendon said. "We don't want to release the name of the person being accused unless the investigation has enough evidence to support an arrest."
The names of persons accused of crimes are not routinely released unless police know an arrest is immanent, McClendon said.
At this point, McClendon said, some evidence has been gathered, but he is not certain as to the nature of the evidence or whether DNA was found.
Officer Kevin Barrington Arrested on Sexual Abuse Charges
A 22-year veteran of the Springfield police department has been arrested and charged for alleged sex crimes.
Kevin Barrington was arrested Sunday night at his Springfield home on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sexual relations with family.
Springfield Police Chief Ralph Caldwell on Monday refused to reveal additional information about the allegations against the 51-year-old Barrington, the ages or relationships of the victims and how long the alleged abuse took place.
Bond has been set at $250,000 for Barrington, who is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Sangamon County Circuit Court.
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http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=92381
Barrington was put on paid leave, pending the outcome of the criminal case, and an internal Springfield Police Department investigation.
Kevin Barrington was arrested Sunday night at his Springfield home on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and sexual relations with family.
Springfield Police Chief Ralph Caldwell on Monday refused to reveal additional information about the allegations against the 51-year-old Barrington, the ages or relationships of the victims and how long the alleged abuse took place.
Bond has been set at $250,000 for Barrington, who is scheduled to appear Tuesday in Sangamon County Circuit Court.
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http://illinoishomepage.net/content/fulltext/?cid=92381
Barrington was put on paid leave, pending the outcome of the criminal case, and an internal Springfield Police Department investigation.
Former Trooper John Sawyer Sentenced to Three Years Probation
Former S.C. Highway Patrol Trooper John B. Sawyer, 34, was sentenced today for repeatedly kicking an arrested driver following a lengthy chase, said U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Sawyer to a probation term of three years, the first of which he will serve in a halfway house.
On May 28, 2006, Sawyer and other law enforcement officers were involved in a 30-mile high speed chase of a dump truck driven by Sergio Caridi on Interstate 95, Wilkins said.
After the truck ran out of gas in Sumter County, Caridi exited the truck and surrendered, lying on the ground.
Sawyer rushed over to Caridi at that point, kicking him in the head numerous times, and injuring him, Wilkins said. Dash cam video of the incident captured the assault on tape.
Sawyer pled guilty in the case last January, admitting that his actions willfully deprived Caridi of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer, Wilkins said.
Chief U.S. District Judge David C. Norton sentenced Sawyer to a probation term of three years, the first of which he will serve in a halfway house.
On May 28, 2006, Sawyer and other law enforcement officers were involved in a 30-mile high speed chase of a dump truck driven by Sergio Caridi on Interstate 95, Wilkins said.
After the truck ran out of gas in Sumter County, Caridi exited the truck and surrendered, lying on the ground.
Sawyer rushed over to Caridi at that point, kicking him in the head numerous times, and injuring him, Wilkins said. Dash cam video of the incident captured the assault on tape.
Sawyer pled guilty in the case last January, admitting that his actions willfully deprived Caridi of his constitutional right to be free from the use of unreasonable force by a police officer, Wilkins said.
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