A Tulsa police officer shot and killed a dog with a 10-year-old boy standing about three feet away from the animal on Tuesday night, the parent and dog owner told the Tulsa World on Wednesday.
The officer arrived to the home in the 2900 block of East 74th Street on a dog barking complaint around 10 p.m., said Julia Wilson, 32.
Wilson said the officer knocked on the door, which was answered by her son, and the boxer ran onto the porch barking.
As the dog ran through the door, the officer pulled out his weapon and shot the dog twice, with the boy standing directly behind the dog, she said.
“I went on the porch and told the officer that he killed my dog and the officer responded, 'I don’t care,’ ” she said. “My son looked at the officer and asked if his gun was real.”
Meanwhile, the dog ran back into the house and fell dead in a pool of blood in the living room, she said.
Officer Jason Willingham said he could not find the police report Wednesday afternoon and had no information on the incident, including the officer’s name. The department’s Internal Affairs division is also reportedly investigating the shooting.
“What if the dog would have moved and the bullet would have struck my son?” Wilson said.
Wilson said the boxer had on a shock collar, which wouldn’t allow the pet to walk off the property.
The officer was dispatched to the home about a second dog, an American bulldog, which had been sifting through a neighbor’s trash, but was wandering around the front yard when the officer arrived, Wilson said.
“This is going to scar my son for a long time,” she said.
------------------------------
Other information:
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Police-Respond-to-Shooting-Boys-Dog/n-th5nbARk6wY64ZnMye4Q.cspx
Friday, October 02, 2009
Corrections Officer Christopher Shreve Arrested for Shooting Cat
On a spring morning this year, Eoanna Hoefer's 8-year-old cat Tinkerbelle slipped out of the house for a few minutes while Hoefer carried a load of laundry to a back room; when the orange feline returned, she was dragging her hind legs, a bloody wound visible on her spine.
At first, Hoefer thought an insect had bitten her pet. But when the normally cheerful Tinkerbelle wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom, Hoefer took the animal to the veterinarian. An X-ray showed the cat had a pellet lodged in her spine, probably from a BB gun, a police report shows. The doctor also told Hoefer that Tinkerbelle would likely be paralyzed and never be able to urinate or defecate normally, the report states.
On Sept. 19, Daytona Beach police arrested Hoefer's neighbor, 46-year-old Christopher Shreve. Police charged him with animal cruelty -- a felony -- after he was accused of shooting the cat with a BB gun, the report shows.
A corrections officer with Tomoka Correctional Institution, Shreve has been placed on administrative leave with pay by the state's Department of Corrections, spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said.
He did not return calls for comment, instead opting to speak through his attorney, Michael Politis. Earlier this week, Politis said Shreve is "pretty adamant that he never hurt that cat."
"My client does not have a BB gun that I know of," Politis said.
But the incident report taken in March and written by Daytona Beach Officer Liz Devlin says differently.
Devlin met with Shreve at his residence on Dach Avenue.
According to the report, Shreve told Devlin he may have made a comment about shooting stray cats at one time, but he never followed through with the threat. Shreve told Devlin that he had lived in the same house for 30 years and had no idea Hoefer had any cats. But then he told Devlin that Hoefer "lets her cats out all the time and they're always roaming the streets."
In addition, Daytona Beach code enforcement officer Tom Clig told Devlin that on April 14 Shreve admitted to him that he shot Tinkerbelle "to scare it off." Devlin also wrote that according to Clig, Shreve conceded he was sick of all the stray cats around his house and that he had "taken up shooting them with his BB gun," the report states.
Politis said his client's statements to Clig and Devlin were misunderstood. He said Shreve, who is to be arraigned today, will enter a plea of not guilty.
For Hoefer, who rescued Tinkerbelle when she was just a kitten, the entire ordeal has been an emotional battle since the beloved pet was injured in early March and forced to spend two weeks at the animal hospital.
The good news is Tinkerbelle is walking again -- albeit slowly -- and she is able to relieve herself, although with pain, Hoefer said.
The friendly feline's slow recovery came through several months of patient therapy by Hoefer, who suffers with a seizure disorder after she was struck by a car in 1988 and walks with an arm brace because of degenerative arthritis.
"Love for Tinkerbelle is what gave me the energy to be able to do the therapy," Hoefer answered quickly at her home this week. "I refused to let this cat live its remaining years dragging herself around on her rear end."
Hoefer, who once worked in orthopedics, massaged and exercised Tinkerbelle's hind legs with her hands daily; she ran a wire brush down her pet's legs to stimulate the nerves. As Tinkerbelle progressed, Hoefer placed a stool near the sofa and taught the feline how to step up and get on the couch again.
Regardless, some of the cat's simplest functions are gone.
"She can no longer scratch herself with her hind legs, so I try to do it for her," Hoefer said smiling at Tinkerbelle and Bandit, another rescue cat. "Sometimes she makes it to the litter box and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she cries when she goes to the bathroom because she's in pain."
Hoefer said the worst thing about the incident is that Shreve never came to her house to apologize for hurting Tinkerbelle.
"He came over here and yelled at me," she said.
At first, Hoefer thought an insect had bitten her pet. But when the normally cheerful Tinkerbelle wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom, Hoefer took the animal to the veterinarian. An X-ray showed the cat had a pellet lodged in her spine, probably from a BB gun, a police report shows. The doctor also told Hoefer that Tinkerbelle would likely be paralyzed and never be able to urinate or defecate normally, the report states.
On Sept. 19, Daytona Beach police arrested Hoefer's neighbor, 46-year-old Christopher Shreve. Police charged him with animal cruelty -- a felony -- after he was accused of shooting the cat with a BB gun, the report shows.
A corrections officer with Tomoka Correctional Institution, Shreve has been placed on administrative leave with pay by the state's Department of Corrections, spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said.
He did not return calls for comment, instead opting to speak through his attorney, Michael Politis. Earlier this week, Politis said Shreve is "pretty adamant that he never hurt that cat."
"My client does not have a BB gun that I know of," Politis said.
But the incident report taken in March and written by Daytona Beach Officer Liz Devlin says differently.
Devlin met with Shreve at his residence on Dach Avenue.
According to the report, Shreve told Devlin he may have made a comment about shooting stray cats at one time, but he never followed through with the threat. Shreve told Devlin that he had lived in the same house for 30 years and had no idea Hoefer had any cats. But then he told Devlin that Hoefer "lets her cats out all the time and they're always roaming the streets."
In addition, Daytona Beach code enforcement officer Tom Clig told Devlin that on April 14 Shreve admitted to him that he shot Tinkerbelle "to scare it off." Devlin also wrote that according to Clig, Shreve conceded he was sick of all the stray cats around his house and that he had "taken up shooting them with his BB gun," the report states.
Politis said his client's statements to Clig and Devlin were misunderstood. He said Shreve, who is to be arraigned today, will enter a plea of not guilty.
For Hoefer, who rescued Tinkerbelle when she was just a kitten, the entire ordeal has been an emotional battle since the beloved pet was injured in early March and forced to spend two weeks at the animal hospital.
The good news is Tinkerbelle is walking again -- albeit slowly -- and she is able to relieve herself, although with pain, Hoefer said.
The friendly feline's slow recovery came through several months of patient therapy by Hoefer, who suffers with a seizure disorder after she was struck by a car in 1988 and walks with an arm brace because of degenerative arthritis.
"Love for Tinkerbelle is what gave me the energy to be able to do the therapy," Hoefer answered quickly at her home this week. "I refused to let this cat live its remaining years dragging herself around on her rear end."
Hoefer, who once worked in orthopedics, massaged and exercised Tinkerbelle's hind legs with her hands daily; she ran a wire brush down her pet's legs to stimulate the nerves. As Tinkerbelle progressed, Hoefer placed a stool near the sofa and taught the feline how to step up and get on the couch again.
Regardless, some of the cat's simplest functions are gone.
"She can no longer scratch herself with her hind legs, so I try to do it for her," Hoefer said smiling at Tinkerbelle and Bandit, another rescue cat. "Sometimes she makes it to the litter box and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she cries when she goes to the bathroom because she's in pain."
Hoefer said the worst thing about the incident is that Shreve never came to her house to apologize for hurting Tinkerbelle.
"He came over here and yelled at me," she said.
Officer Ray Roberts Suspended for Making Illegal Arrest
A Murfreesboro police officer is facing suspension after he allegedly performed an illegal arrest.
According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, Officer Ray Roberts illegally arrested Anthony Defeo last November. The charge was driving without a license, but it is believed Roberts did not actually see Defeo breaking any laws.
Initially, the department recommended Roberts be fired for allegedly lying during the internal investigation. However, after an appeal, that firing was changed to a 10-day suspension and one year of probation with the department.
-------------------------
http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1551.shtml
According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, Officer Ray Roberts illegally arrested Anthony Defeo last November. The charge was driving without a license, but it is believed Roberts did not actually see Defeo breaking any laws.
Initially, the department recommended Roberts be fired for allegedly lying during the internal investigation. However, after an appeal, that firing was changed to a 10-day suspension and one year of probation with the department.
-------------------------
http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1551.shtml
Officer Francis Brevetti Arrested on Drug Charges
On Sunday, September 20, Watertown police executed an arrest warrant for Francis Brevetti, 29, of 11 Rustic Acres Drive, Wolcott on drug possession charges. Mr. Brevetti is a member of the Waterbury Police Department.
Mr. Brevetti was allegedly discovered to be in possession of marijuana and less than three grams of cocaine when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Watertown in the early morning on Sunday, September 20.
Mr. Brevetti has been charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession with intent to sell cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana within 1,500 of a school and possession of paraphernalia. He was released on $100,000 bond.
Watertown Police spokesman Lt. Mark Raimo reported that Mr. Brevetti "was not arrested at the accident scene," as Mr. Brevetti was taken to a hospital.
"We completed an investigation and arrested Mr. Brevetti on warrant," said Lt. Raimo.
Lt. Raimo declined any comment regarding what the investigation had revealed, but Mr. Brevetti's lawyer has stated that he seized the drugs while on duty, but forgot to turn them over at the police station.
According to police, the drugs were found in Mr. Brevetti's Ford F-150 after he was involved in a head-on accident with a tree at about 2 a.m. Mr. Brevetti was taken from the scene by ambulance for treatment of injuries to his face and head, after he had exited the vehicle and was found stumbling in the roadway, police said.
However, as officers were having the vehicle towed, they discovered a large amount of drugs in the rear of the vehicle.
Officers seized several small plastic baggies stuffed with marijuana, a small baggie containing a small quantity of cocaine, and a digital scale used for weighing small items.
The arrest warrant stated that there were more than 51 grams of marijuana in the baggies. Police seized the drugs and launched a criminal investigation. In a press release issued by the Watertown Police Department, Police Chief John Gavallas stated, "the arrest of a police officer on charges such as these saddens the entire law enforcement community."
Mr. Brevetti was due to appear in court on September 29.
Mr. Brevetti was allegedly discovered to be in possession of marijuana and less than three grams of cocaine when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Watertown in the early morning on Sunday, September 20.
Mr. Brevetti has been charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession with intent to sell cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana within 1,500 of a school and possession of paraphernalia. He was released on $100,000 bond.
Watertown Police spokesman Lt. Mark Raimo reported that Mr. Brevetti "was not arrested at the accident scene," as Mr. Brevetti was taken to a hospital.
"We completed an investigation and arrested Mr. Brevetti on warrant," said Lt. Raimo.
Lt. Raimo declined any comment regarding what the investigation had revealed, but Mr. Brevetti's lawyer has stated that he seized the drugs while on duty, but forgot to turn them over at the police station.
According to police, the drugs were found in Mr. Brevetti's Ford F-150 after he was involved in a head-on accident with a tree at about 2 a.m. Mr. Brevetti was taken from the scene by ambulance for treatment of injuries to his face and head, after he had exited the vehicle and was found stumbling in the roadway, police said.
However, as officers were having the vehicle towed, they discovered a large amount of drugs in the rear of the vehicle.
Officers seized several small plastic baggies stuffed with marijuana, a small baggie containing a small quantity of cocaine, and a digital scale used for weighing small items.
The arrest warrant stated that there were more than 51 grams of marijuana in the baggies. Police seized the drugs and launched a criminal investigation. In a press release issued by the Watertown Police Department, Police Chief John Gavallas stated, "the arrest of a police officer on charges such as these saddens the entire law enforcement community."
Mr. Brevetti was due to appear in court on September 29.
3rd Arrest for Officer Jason Rozacky
A San Antonio police officer has resigned after his third arrest.
Jason Rozacky, 36, has been under investigation since his ex-girlfriend's apartment was broken into and she was assaulted. The 14-year officer resigned Tuesday and remained in the Bexar County Jail on Thursday.
Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, emphasized Rozacky is innocent until proven guilty.
Rozacky was charged with burglary and intent to commit assault Aug. 26 after the break-in and assault. He was arrested about a month later on a charge of tampering with a witness. His latest arrest was for allegedly making repeated phone calls to the ex-girlfriend.
-----------------------------
If he's doing this to the people he loves....How is he treating the public he has to deal with on a daily basis?
Jason Rozacky, 36, has been under investigation since his ex-girlfriend's apartment was broken into and she was assaulted. The 14-year officer resigned Tuesday and remained in the Bexar County Jail on Thursday.
Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, emphasized Rozacky is innocent until proven guilty.
Rozacky was charged with burglary and intent to commit assault Aug. 26 after the break-in and assault. He was arrested about a month later on a charge of tampering with a witness. His latest arrest was for allegedly making repeated phone calls to the ex-girlfriend.
-----------------------------
If he's doing this to the people he loves....How is he treating the public he has to deal with on a daily basis?
Deputy Victor Goad Jr Charged with Extoring Money at Traffic Stop
Richmond County sheriff's crime suppression team member Victor Goad, Jr. has been fired after being charged with extorting money from a man in a traffic stop.
Sheriff Ronnie Strength announced that Thursday afternoon as he outlined the case against the former deputy. Goad remained in the county jail without bond.
The sheriff said the incident happened last Saturday at 4:30 am during a traffic stop on Battle Row in the Harrisburg area. Strength said Goad stopped a car with four people in it and found a stolen weapon.
The sheriff said Goad handcuffed the suspect and put him in his patrol car. Then Strength says Goad told the supect "I'll make this go away for $200." The sheriff said the suspect had $130 on him, and made a call to a friend, who brought him another $70.
The complaint was filed by the father of a teenage girl who was in the car. The names of the people in the car are not being released and no charges against them are expected.
Deputy Goad had been with the sheriff's office for six years, and on the crime suppression team for three years. That unit is often sent to trouble spots in the city-county. Members work as a team, often saturating areas with several members of the unit to look for criminal activity.
Goad faces charges of extortion and violating his oath of office.
_________________
http://www.wrdw.com/crimeteam12/headlines/63173567.html
Sheriff Ronnie Strength announced that Thursday afternoon as he outlined the case against the former deputy. Goad remained in the county jail without bond.
The sheriff said the incident happened last Saturday at 4:30 am during a traffic stop on Battle Row in the Harrisburg area. Strength said Goad stopped a car with four people in it and found a stolen weapon.
The sheriff said Goad handcuffed the suspect and put him in his patrol car. Then Strength says Goad told the supect "I'll make this go away for $200." The sheriff said the suspect had $130 on him, and made a call to a friend, who brought him another $70.
The complaint was filed by the father of a teenage girl who was in the car. The names of the people in the car are not being released and no charges against them are expected.
Deputy Goad had been with the sheriff's office for six years, and on the crime suppression team for three years. That unit is often sent to trouble spots in the city-county. Members work as a team, often saturating areas with several members of the unit to look for criminal activity.
Goad faces charges of extortion and violating his oath of office.
_________________
http://www.wrdw.com/crimeteam12/headlines/63173567.html
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Officer Patrick Phillips Accused of Providing Alcohol to Minors
A Gaffney police officer has been suspended without pay after he was accused of providing alcohol to a minor.
Gaffney Police Chief Rick Turner said that the State Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate the allegations against Officer Patrick Phillips made earlier this week.
The report was filed with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office but the incident allegedly took place in Gaffney, so it was turned over the Gaffney Police Department.
Turner turned the investigation over to SLED after an internal investigation.
Gaffney Police Chief Rick Turner said that the State Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate the allegations against Officer Patrick Phillips made earlier this week.
The report was filed with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office but the incident allegedly took place in Gaffney, so it was turned over the Gaffney Police Department.
Turner turned the investigation over to SLED after an internal investigation.
Boston Officer Accuses Another Officer of Rape
A Boston police officer who has accused another officer of raping her, then stalking her, testified today that her alleged attacker squeezed her throat and threatened her life during the assault.
The officer, whose name is being withheld by the Globe because the newspaper does not identify those who say they were sexual assaulted, testified in excruciating detail about the alleged rape before a Dorchester District Court judge as she sought to extend a restraining order against him.
In a soft voice, the petite woman told Judge David Weingarten that she fears the patrolman, a sniper in the department's SWAT team, because he had threatened to shoot her husband and "he has no qualms about killing people."
The accused officer stood only 10 feet away, dressed in a gray pin-stripe suit, his arms folded in front of him. The Globe is withholding his name because he not been officially charged with a crime. He did not testify today.
In the courtroom were at least half a dozen officers from the special operations division, an elite unit that includes the department's SWAT team and motorcycle squad.
During the tense, 90-minute hearing, the female officer repeatedly was asked to speak up as she tried to describe what happened on Aug. 25, when she said she joined her alleged attacker and another officer for a trip to Farmington, Conn. for a shooting competition.
After a night of heavy drinking, the three officers went back to their hotel, where they shared a room.
It was there that the female officer said she was raped.
"He grabbed my throat and squeezed really hard," she said. "I remember thinking I couldn't breathe."
He raped her twice that night, she said, as the other officer lay passed out on the floor.
The next day, she said, he demanded sex again and out of fear for her and her husband's life, she said she acquiesced. She said she was intimidated into having sex with him three more times during the next month.
Last week, after she fainted during a training, she learned she was pregnant, she testified.
On Thursday, she said she was called in by the department's internal affairs division about the incident.
"They came to her," her lawyer, John Swomley said, after the hearing. "She did not go to them."
The officer said a sergeant-detective in the domestic violence division told her not to file a restraining order. A cruiser has been assigned to guard her apartment, Swomley said, but he said he suspects members of the department's internal affairs division have been reporting her whereabouts to the accused officer.
After the hearing, Swomley recanted his statement, saying he misspoke. He said that the sergeant-detective in the domestic violence unit was giving information about his client's actions to the accused officer's lawyer, Thomas Drechsler.
Drechsler said his client has no power over superior officers.
"Sergeant detectives don't usually do what patrol officers tell them to do," he said.
After the hearing, Drechsler, standing next to his client, addressed reporters as the accused officer looked on calmly.
"He has, will and continues to deny the allegations," Drechsler said.
The restraining order was extended to next Monday, when the hearing will be continued.
The officer, whose name is being withheld by the Globe because the newspaper does not identify those who say they were sexual assaulted, testified in excruciating detail about the alleged rape before a Dorchester District Court judge as she sought to extend a restraining order against him.
In a soft voice, the petite woman told Judge David Weingarten that she fears the patrolman, a sniper in the department's SWAT team, because he had threatened to shoot her husband and "he has no qualms about killing people."
The accused officer stood only 10 feet away, dressed in a gray pin-stripe suit, his arms folded in front of him. The Globe is withholding his name because he not been officially charged with a crime. He did not testify today.
In the courtroom were at least half a dozen officers from the special operations division, an elite unit that includes the department's SWAT team and motorcycle squad.
During the tense, 90-minute hearing, the female officer repeatedly was asked to speak up as she tried to describe what happened on Aug. 25, when she said she joined her alleged attacker and another officer for a trip to Farmington, Conn. for a shooting competition.
After a night of heavy drinking, the three officers went back to their hotel, where they shared a room.
It was there that the female officer said she was raped.
"He grabbed my throat and squeezed really hard," she said. "I remember thinking I couldn't breathe."
He raped her twice that night, she said, as the other officer lay passed out on the floor.
The next day, she said, he demanded sex again and out of fear for her and her husband's life, she said she acquiesced. She said she was intimidated into having sex with him three more times during the next month.
Last week, after she fainted during a training, she learned she was pregnant, she testified.
On Thursday, she said she was called in by the department's internal affairs division about the incident.
"They came to her," her lawyer, John Swomley said, after the hearing. "She did not go to them."
The officer said a sergeant-detective in the domestic violence division told her not to file a restraining order. A cruiser has been assigned to guard her apartment, Swomley said, but he said he suspects members of the department's internal affairs division have been reporting her whereabouts to the accused officer.
After the hearing, Swomley recanted his statement, saying he misspoke. He said that the sergeant-detective in the domestic violence unit was giving information about his client's actions to the accused officer's lawyer, Thomas Drechsler.
Drechsler said his client has no power over superior officers.
"Sergeant detectives don't usually do what patrol officers tell them to do," he said.
After the hearing, Drechsler, standing next to his client, addressed reporters as the accused officer looked on calmly.
"He has, will and continues to deny the allegations," Drechsler said.
The restraining order was extended to next Monday, when the hearing will be continued.
Officer Shaun Barrett Arrested for Harassment & Trespassing
A Scappoose police officer with three years on the force was arrested Friday night in Polk County on misdemeanor physical harassment and criminal trespass charges.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Shaun Barrett, 45, at approximately 11:25 p.m. at the Spirit Mountain Casino, according to Scappoose Police Department Chief Doug Greisen.
Barrett had been booked and lodged in the Polk County Jail, and has since posted bail.
Greisen, who learned of the arrest on Saturday while attending a conference with the FBI in Sun River, said Barrett has been placed on paid administrative leave as his department examines details of the case.
Greisen said he will review today the Polk County Sheriff’s Office police report of the incident leading to the arrest, and said an internal affairs investigation would be launched if there is sufficient reason to believe Barrett violated departmental policies.
“We’re taking it very seriously,” Greisen said.
The Polk County sheriff and district attorney offices are pursuing criminal charges against Barrett, and representatives from both agencies said it is policy to not release police reports on pending cases.
Barrett is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Polk County Circuit Court on Oct. 15.
He was not immediately available for comment on this story.
Barrett came to the Scappoose Police Department after working for the Vernonia Police Department, also in Columbia County. He had additionally worked as a law enforcement officer in Columbia City, and held the position of animal control officer for Columbia County.
Greisen said this is the first time he’s ever had a problem with Barrett, and added that he was disappointed when he heard Barrett had been arrested.
“We haven’t had any other issues with him. This is the first,” he said.
Greisen said this is also the first time in his 10 years as chief he has had to place an officer on paid administrative leave.
Barrett was the subject of public criticism while working as the county’s animal control officer for his role in the shooting death of a black bear in the early 2000s that was pursued up a tree within the Scappoose city limits.
---------------
Other Information:
http://www.kptv.com/news/21177657/detail.html
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Shaun Barrett, 45, at approximately 11:25 p.m. at the Spirit Mountain Casino, according to Scappoose Police Department Chief Doug Greisen.
Barrett had been booked and lodged in the Polk County Jail, and has since posted bail.
Greisen, who learned of the arrest on Saturday while attending a conference with the FBI in Sun River, said Barrett has been placed on paid administrative leave as his department examines details of the case.
Greisen said he will review today the Polk County Sheriff’s Office police report of the incident leading to the arrest, and said an internal affairs investigation would be launched if there is sufficient reason to believe Barrett violated departmental policies.
“We’re taking it very seriously,” Greisen said.
The Polk County sheriff and district attorney offices are pursuing criminal charges against Barrett, and representatives from both agencies said it is policy to not release police reports on pending cases.
Barrett is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Polk County Circuit Court on Oct. 15.
He was not immediately available for comment on this story.
Barrett came to the Scappoose Police Department after working for the Vernonia Police Department, also in Columbia County. He had additionally worked as a law enforcement officer in Columbia City, and held the position of animal control officer for Columbia County.
Greisen said this is the first time he’s ever had a problem with Barrett, and added that he was disappointed when he heard Barrett had been arrested.
“We haven’t had any other issues with him. This is the first,” he said.
Greisen said this is also the first time in his 10 years as chief he has had to place an officer on paid administrative leave.
Barrett was the subject of public criticism while working as the county’s animal control officer for his role in the shooting death of a black bear in the early 2000s that was pursued up a tree within the Scappoose city limits.
---------------
Other Information:
http://www.kptv.com/news/21177657/detail.html
Officer Robert Colombo Charged with Stealing Drugs from Evidence Room
A former Lyndhurst police office was indicted Thursday on charges of drug possession, tampering with evidence, and theft in office.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said Robert Colombo, 40, stole drugs from an evidence room and replaced them with rock salt.
The evidence was confiscated from a vehicle involved in a crash on May, 19. Lyndhurst officers responded to the scene, found heroin and arrested two people.
They officers returned to the station to book the suspects. At the station, Colombo took the evidence to log it into the evidence room but instead replaced the evidence, investigators said.
Colombo was found the following day at his Summit County home with heroin. BCI conducted the investigation.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said Robert Colombo, 40, stole drugs from an evidence room and replaced them with rock salt.
The evidence was confiscated from a vehicle involved in a crash on May, 19. Lyndhurst officers responded to the scene, found heroin and arrested two people.
They officers returned to the station to book the suspects. At the station, Colombo took the evidence to log it into the evidence room but instead replaced the evidence, investigators said.
Colombo was found the following day at his Summit County home with heroin. BCI conducted the investigation.
Travis County Offers $40,000 to Tasered Woman
Travis County has offered a $40,000 settlement to a 72-year-old Texas woman on whom a deputy constable used a Taser after a traffic stop in an incident recorded by a patrol car camera.
Video of the incident has been shown around the world.
Kathryn Winkfein dared the constable to use the Taser and ultimately he did during the traffic stop in May during which the woman became confrontational.
She wants $135,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and humiliation, but Travis County commissioners Tuesday approved $40,000 as their "firm" counteroffer.
The incident is being reviewed by the district attorney's office, and a resisting-arrest charge is pending, said Precinct 3 Constable Richard McCain.
An internal investigation found no violations by the deputy constable, McCain said.
Winkfein's lawyer Tom Tourtellotte said he would discuss the counteroffer with his client.
Video of the incident has been shown around the world.
Kathryn Winkfein dared the constable to use the Taser and ultimately he did during the traffic stop in May during which the woman became confrontational.
She wants $135,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and humiliation, but Travis County commissioners Tuesday approved $40,000 as their "firm" counteroffer.
The incident is being reviewed by the district attorney's office, and a resisting-arrest charge is pending, said Precinct 3 Constable Richard McCain.
An internal investigation found no violations by the deputy constable, McCain said.
Winkfein's lawyer Tom Tourtellotte said he would discuss the counteroffer with his client.
Lt Stephen Ray Gardner Arrested for Illegally Obtaining Prescription Drugs,
Stephen Ray Gardner, until Monday a lieutenant in the Youngsville Police Department, faces six counts of prohibited acts and false representation after his arrest on Monday by officers with the Louisiana State Police investigative unit.
"I had become aware that someone in our department may have been involved with illegal prescription drugs," said Youngsville Chief of Police Earl Menard. "At that time, I contacted the State Police investigative unit."
Gardner resigned his post as lieutenant at the time of his arrest.
He was arrested in the 300 block of West Main Street in Lafayette on a warrant for obtaining controlled dangerous substances by fraudulant means and was booked at 9 p.m. on Monday at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
"The investigation is still pending, so we are not releasing more information at this time," said Sgt. David Anderson of the State Police. "But we did make an arrest on Monday."
The investigation is ongoing.
"I had become aware that someone in our department may have been involved with illegal prescription drugs," said Youngsville Chief of Police Earl Menard. "At that time, I contacted the State Police investigative unit."
Gardner resigned his post as lieutenant at the time of his arrest.
He was arrested in the 300 block of West Main Street in Lafayette on a warrant for obtaining controlled dangerous substances by fraudulant means and was booked at 9 p.m. on Monday at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
"The investigation is still pending, so we are not releasing more information at this time," said Sgt. David Anderson of the State Police. "But we did make an arrest on Monday."
The investigation is ongoing.
Capital Police Officer Thomas McMahon Arrested for Passing out Drunk in Woman's Bed
Police arrest a U.S. Capitol Police Officer after a woman came home to find him passed out drunk in her bed.
The woman lives in northern Virginia in the City of Arlington.
Police say 34-year-old Thomas McMahon was still sleeping when officers arrived at the home early Sunday morning. They arrested him and charged him with unlawful entry.
Police don't know why McMahon picked the woman's apartment to sleep in because he lives in Reston which is about 15 miles away.
He's on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The woman lives in northern Virginia in the City of Arlington.
Police say 34-year-old Thomas McMahon was still sleeping when officers arrived at the home early Sunday morning. They arrested him and charged him with unlawful entry.
Police don't know why McMahon picked the woman's apartment to sleep in because he lives in Reston which is about 15 miles away.
He's on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
------------------------
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Marion Officer Arrested for Misconduct
A Marion police officer has been arrested relating to the officer's officials conduct as a police officer.
The name of the officer has not been released, but that officer has been place on administrative leave.
The issue was initially referred by the city of Marion to the Illinois State Police.
The Marion Police Department is not commenting on the matter.
----------------------------
http://www.mariondaily.com/newsnow/x1699607981/MPD-officer-arrested-Wednesday
The name of the officer has not been released, but that officer has been place on administrative leave.
The issue was initially referred by the city of Marion to the Illinois State Police.
The Marion Police Department is not commenting on the matter.
----------------------------
http://www.mariondaily.com/newsnow/x1699607981/MPD-officer-arrested-Wednesday
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Officer Jennifer Penney Arrested for Drunk Driving
The city's police chief said he is "shocked and saddened" by news that an Alton officer is facing a driving under the influence charge after her arrest last week in Foster Township.
"I've confined her to desk duty until she has her first court appearance," Chief David Hayes of the Alton Police Department said about Officer Jennifer Penney, 36, of Alton. "She is accountable for the choices she has made, and I don't expect treatment any different" from any other person.
"Otherwise, she is a good police officer who has a spotless service record," Hayes said.
Hayes also noted that Penney is "presumed innocent until proven guilty. She will be afforded all of the rights and privileges under a court of law."
Madison County Circuit Court records show Penney's court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Hayes said he ordered the detective division to conduct an independent, internal affairs investigation of the case.
Capt. Brad Wells of the Madison County Sheriff's Department said someone called authorities at 8:30 a.m. Friday to report a "suspicious vehicle occupied by a woman who appeared to be unconscious" in the 1200 block of West Woodfield Drive in the Woodfield subdivision.
The area is just west of Seminary Road and south of Seiler Road.
Wells said a dispatcher sent paramedics from the Fosterburg Fire Protection District to the location, where they found Penney inside a parked, 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck.
"When they arrived, it did not appear to be a medical problem," he said. "She appeared to be under the influence, and the police investigation started. Witnesses who had contact with her said the parked vehicle was running prior to us arriving. It was not running when we arrived."
Wells said the deputy "established enough probable cause" to charge Penney with driving under the influence. He declined to elaborate or say whether the deputy conducted field sobriety tests or whether Penney underwent a test to determine her blood-alcohol content.
The truck Penney was occupying is not owned by the city of Alton, Hayes said.
Penney worked as a jailer for the Police Department from January 2002 until the Alton Civil Service Commission hired her Nov. 18, 2006, as a probationary police officer.
Penney and her then-husband, David, were only the second married couple to both work as police officers at the Alton department. They since have divorced.
Jennifer Penney previously served in the U.S. Army Reserves' 318th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) in Jefferson Barracks in South St. Louis County, Mo.
"I've confined her to desk duty until she has her first court appearance," Chief David Hayes of the Alton Police Department said about Officer Jennifer Penney, 36, of Alton. "She is accountable for the choices she has made, and I don't expect treatment any different" from any other person.
"Otherwise, she is a good police officer who has a spotless service record," Hayes said.
Hayes also noted that Penney is "presumed innocent until proven guilty. She will be afforded all of the rights and privileges under a court of law."
Madison County Circuit Court records show Penney's court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Hayes said he ordered the detective division to conduct an independent, internal affairs investigation of the case.
Capt. Brad Wells of the Madison County Sheriff's Department said someone called authorities at 8:30 a.m. Friday to report a "suspicious vehicle occupied by a woman who appeared to be unconscious" in the 1200 block of West Woodfield Drive in the Woodfield subdivision.
The area is just west of Seminary Road and south of Seiler Road.
Wells said a dispatcher sent paramedics from the Fosterburg Fire Protection District to the location, where they found Penney inside a parked, 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck.
"When they arrived, it did not appear to be a medical problem," he said. "She appeared to be under the influence, and the police investigation started. Witnesses who had contact with her said the parked vehicle was running prior to us arriving. It was not running when we arrived."
Wells said the deputy "established enough probable cause" to charge Penney with driving under the influence. He declined to elaborate or say whether the deputy conducted field sobriety tests or whether Penney underwent a test to determine her blood-alcohol content.
The truck Penney was occupying is not owned by the city of Alton, Hayes said.
Penney worked as a jailer for the Police Department from January 2002 until the Alton Civil Service Commission hired her Nov. 18, 2006, as a probationary police officer.
Penney and her then-husband, David, were only the second married couple to both work as police officers at the Alton department. They since have divorced.
Jennifer Penney previously served in the U.S. Army Reserves' 318th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) in Jefferson Barracks in South St. Louis County, Mo.
Officer Edwing Morales Charged with Firearms Trafficking
A Metro police officer and four others have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of international firearms trafficking.
Federal investigators said Metro Officer Edwing Ronal Morales and the others were charged in a conspiracy to purchase guns to send to two separate drug cartels in Guatemala.
The indictment charges that Julio Cesar Rojas-Lopez recruited Donald Efren Franco, Denis Franco, Luis Armando Monterroso Pineda and Morales to purchase guns from gun dealers in Davidson County.
The men allegedly falsified documents claiming they were purchasing the guns for themselves when the guns were in fact being delivered to the cartels in Guatemala.
Investigators said the defendants purchased 23 firearms and attempted to purchase five more guns, ammunition and falsely stated who the purchasers and recipients would be.
Some of the weapons purchased did end up in Guatemala, said investigators.
"They put them in towed cars, secreted them inside towed vehicles and towed the vehicles across the border. They also put them in secret compartments in the cars," said agent James Cavanaugh of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Authorities said all five men indicted have citizenship in another country but are in the United States legally.
Morales had been assigned to routine patrol in the North precinct. While Morales was an officer, according to Serpas it doesn't appear he used his position in any way to purchase the guns.
"I think (Morales) was stupid to be involved in this criminal enterprise and think he could get away with it," Serpas said.
Morales was fired Sept. 15 from the Metro Nashville Police Department. He had been a police officer trainee since April 1, 2007.
"This community and this police department has no tolerance for anyone involved in this type of behavior," said Serpas.
Authorities would not say how they were tipped off but said they started piecing things together after two of the men were pulled over after leaving a gun shop in Franklin.
As for the former police officer involved, Serpas said sometimes you cannot keep those who uphold the law from breaking it.
"I think in every walk of life, people get through the cracks, people slip through, and somehow secret what their true motivations and true behavior is," said Serpas.
All five of the people involved have turned themselves in to authorities. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. district attorney.
Morales passed a background check and had a clean record before becoming a Metro officer.
Federal investigators said Metro Officer Edwing Ronal Morales and the others were charged in a conspiracy to purchase guns to send to two separate drug cartels in Guatemala.
The indictment charges that Julio Cesar Rojas-Lopez recruited Donald Efren Franco, Denis Franco, Luis Armando Monterroso Pineda and Morales to purchase guns from gun dealers in Davidson County.
The men allegedly falsified documents claiming they were purchasing the guns for themselves when the guns were in fact being delivered to the cartels in Guatemala.
Investigators said the defendants purchased 23 firearms and attempted to purchase five more guns, ammunition and falsely stated who the purchasers and recipients would be.
Some of the weapons purchased did end up in Guatemala, said investigators.
"They put them in towed cars, secreted them inside towed vehicles and towed the vehicles across the border. They also put them in secret compartments in the cars," said agent James Cavanaugh of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Authorities said all five men indicted have citizenship in another country but are in the United States legally.
Morales had been assigned to routine patrol in the North precinct. While Morales was an officer, according to Serpas it doesn't appear he used his position in any way to purchase the guns.
"I think (Morales) was stupid to be involved in this criminal enterprise and think he could get away with it," Serpas said.
Morales was fired Sept. 15 from the Metro Nashville Police Department. He had been a police officer trainee since April 1, 2007.
"This community and this police department has no tolerance for anyone involved in this type of behavior," said Serpas.
Authorities would not say how they were tipped off but said they started piecing things together after two of the men were pulled over after leaving a gun shop in Franklin.
As for the former police officer involved, Serpas said sometimes you cannot keep those who uphold the law from breaking it.
"I think in every walk of life, people get through the cracks, people slip through, and somehow secret what their true motivations and true behavior is," said Serpas.
All five of the people involved have turned themselves in to authorities. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. district attorney.
Morales passed a background check and had a clean record before becoming a Metro officer.
Trial Begins for Chief Deputy Barry Taylor
A chief deputy accused of interfering with a police investigation is on trial.
The trial of Chief Deputy Barry Taylor of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was moved from Lincoln to Cleveland County. A jury picked Monday got special instructions since an officer is the one accused of a crime.
The case is also complicated by the fact that officers are being called to testify against Taylor.
The sergeant at the center of the case was called to testify Monday about the night that he says Taylor stepped in during a driving while impaired investigation. The prosecution says that officer pulled over someone who happened to the boss of the chief deputy’s fiancee or girlfriend.
Prosecutors say the chief deputy interfered in the case and kept the sergeant from executing a breathalyzer test.
The defense argues that Taylor executed his own test with a sensor that is not admissible in court. The prosecution said no one ever saw the reading from that test, while Taylor said it was .07 -- just one-tenth of a point under the legal limit.
If Taylor is convicted, he will lose his position at the sheriff’s office.
The jury is comprised of six men and six women, and it includes a former Gaston County Police Department officer. Although the venue was changed, four of the jurors said they had heard, read or seen TV reports on the charges of felonious obstruction of justice against Taylor.
The trial of Chief Deputy Barry Taylor of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was moved from Lincoln to Cleveland County. A jury picked Monday got special instructions since an officer is the one accused of a crime.
The case is also complicated by the fact that officers are being called to testify against Taylor.
The sergeant at the center of the case was called to testify Monday about the night that he says Taylor stepped in during a driving while impaired investigation. The prosecution says that officer pulled over someone who happened to the boss of the chief deputy’s fiancee or girlfriend.
Prosecutors say the chief deputy interfered in the case and kept the sergeant from executing a breathalyzer test.
The defense argues that Taylor executed his own test with a sensor that is not admissible in court. The prosecution said no one ever saw the reading from that test, while Taylor said it was .07 -- just one-tenth of a point under the legal limit.
If Taylor is convicted, he will lose his position at the sheriff’s office.
The jury is comprised of six men and six women, and it includes a former Gaston County Police Department officer. Although the venue was changed, four of the jurors said they had heard, read or seen TV reports on the charges of felonious obstruction of justice against Taylor.
Officer Stevie Perry Accused Stealing Reward Money
A Detroit Police Officer accused of stealing more than $26,000 in reward money from a police tip line stood silently in 16th District Court in Livonia this morning as a judge ordered his case to circuit court.
Officer Stevie Perry, 39, of Detroit, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, said before the 9:30 a.m. hearing he did not want to talk about the case. He faces five felony charges, the most serious of which -- uttering and publishing -- includes a possible 14-year prison sentence for a conviction.
"Any and all issues will be tried in court," his lawyer, Paul Bernier of Royal Oak, a retired Wayne County assistant prosecutor, said after the three-minute hearing in front of Judge Sean P. Kavanagh. Bernier waived the preliminary examination and Perry was again released on a personal bond pending a hearing in two weeks in Third Circuit Court in Detroit.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Perry deposited reward checks from an auto-theft tip line into his personal bank account between June 2007 and November 2008.
Perry is charged with uttering and publishing; using a computer to commit a crime; identity theft; committing a crime under false pretenses, and misconduct in office. Assigned to investigate auto thefts for the past five years, Perry has been suspended without pay since March.
After the charges were announced against Perry in July, the Detroit Police Officers Association went to court in an attempt to fight the release of Perry’s booking photo to the Free Press. The union claimed the photo was part of Perry’s personnel file and that a collective-bargaining agreement prevented the city from releasing it.
The Michigan Court of Appeals, however, disagreed and ordered the city to release the image.
--------------------------
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090929/METRO01/909290391/1409/METRO
Officer Stevie Perry, 39, of Detroit, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, said before the 9:30 a.m. hearing he did not want to talk about the case. He faces five felony charges, the most serious of which -- uttering and publishing -- includes a possible 14-year prison sentence for a conviction.
"Any and all issues will be tried in court," his lawyer, Paul Bernier of Royal Oak, a retired Wayne County assistant prosecutor, said after the three-minute hearing in front of Judge Sean P. Kavanagh. Bernier waived the preliminary examination and Perry was again released on a personal bond pending a hearing in two weeks in Third Circuit Court in Detroit.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Perry deposited reward checks from an auto-theft tip line into his personal bank account between June 2007 and November 2008.
Perry is charged with uttering and publishing; using a computer to commit a crime; identity theft; committing a crime under false pretenses, and misconduct in office. Assigned to investigate auto thefts for the past five years, Perry has been suspended without pay since March.
After the charges were announced against Perry in July, the Detroit Police Officers Association went to court in an attempt to fight the release of Perry’s booking photo to the Free Press. The union claimed the photo was part of Perry’s personnel file and that a collective-bargaining agreement prevented the city from releasing it.
The Michigan Court of Appeals, however, disagreed and ordered the city to release the image.
--------------------------
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090929/METRO01/909290391/1409/METRO
Monday, September 28, 2009
Officer Ray Roberts Suspended for Making Illegal Arrest
A Murfreesboro Police officer faces 10 days suspension and one year of disciplinary probation after a lengthy investigation by MPD internal affairs into an arrest made by him in November 2008.
Officer Ray Roberts made an illegal arrest of a local Murfreesboro man, Anthony Defeo, on Nov. 30, 2008, for driving without a license, according to investigative reports filed by MPD Sgt. Harry Haigh and Capt. Anita Flagg.
The arrest was for a misdemeanor that happened out of Robert’s presence and was therefor determined to be illegal by several police department investigators over the course of the 6-month-long investigation into the incident.
Capt. Michael Bowen initially proposed Ray be suspended for one month for the infraction, but a document signed by Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman and Maj. David Hudgens in May 2009 contained a recommendation that Roberts be terminated from the department for lying during the internal investigation into the matter.
But after an appeals process concluded this week, the proposed firing was reduced to suspension and probation by City Manager Rob Lyons. It was found that Roberts did not lie during the investigation into the matter.
“I find that you exceeded your authority when you made a custodial arrest of Mr. Defeo for a misdemeanor not committed in your presence,” Lyons said, adding that Tennessee law is clear on when arrests are appropriate.
Lyons wrote in a report filed Thursday that Roberts was also investigated for suspicion of violating a general order stating that officers should deal truthfully and honorably with others. It was found he did not violate that order.
“The proposed increase in discipline recommended by Captain Bowen and Major Hudgens centered upon their belief that you were not truthful,” Lyons wrote in Robert’s letter of disciplinary action. “It is apparent that due to your strong headed nature, your failure to accept criticism and advice and the manner in which you sequenced your investigation, you created doubt ... about your truthfulness.”
Lyons goes on to tell Roberts that, even though he did not lie, he will have to regain the confidence of his superiors at the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Officer Ray Roberts made an illegal arrest of a local Murfreesboro man, Anthony Defeo, on Nov. 30, 2008, for driving without a license, according to investigative reports filed by MPD Sgt. Harry Haigh and Capt. Anita Flagg.
The arrest was for a misdemeanor that happened out of Robert’s presence and was therefor determined to be illegal by several police department investigators over the course of the 6-month-long investigation into the incident.
Capt. Michael Bowen initially proposed Ray be suspended for one month for the infraction, but a document signed by Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman and Maj. David Hudgens in May 2009 contained a recommendation that Roberts be terminated from the department for lying during the internal investigation into the matter.
But after an appeals process concluded this week, the proposed firing was reduced to suspension and probation by City Manager Rob Lyons. It was found that Roberts did not lie during the investigation into the matter.
“I find that you exceeded your authority when you made a custodial arrest of Mr. Defeo for a misdemeanor not committed in your presence,” Lyons said, adding that Tennessee law is clear on when arrests are appropriate.
Lyons wrote in a report filed Thursday that Roberts was also investigated for suspicion of violating a general order stating that officers should deal truthfully and honorably with others. It was found he did not violate that order.
“The proposed increase in discipline recommended by Captain Bowen and Major Hudgens centered upon their belief that you were not truthful,” Lyons wrote in Robert’s letter of disciplinary action. “It is apparent that due to your strong headed nature, your failure to accept criticism and advice and the manner in which you sequenced your investigation, you created doubt ... about your truthfulness.”
Lyons goes on to tell Roberts that, even though he did not lie, he will have to regain the confidence of his superiors at the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Officer Joseph Rios Charged with Aggravated Assault
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office has charged police officer Joseph Rios with third-degree aggravated assault and second-degree official misconduct.
Last May, Rios was allegedly captured on surveillance video beating a mental patient with his baton, sparking allegations of police brutality.
Ronnie Holloway was arrested after the incident. He insists he did not provoke the beating. Four months after the 50-year-old schizophrenia patient was allegedly beaten, an incident that community activists called unprovoked police brutality, the Passaic County prosecutor filed the charges.
Surveillence video shows the beating, which took place outside of Lawrence's Restaurant on Main street in Passaic on May 29th. In the video, Rios' patrol car pulls up, a female officer gets out and orders Holloway to zip his jacket. Moments later, Rios gets out, approaches Holloway and appears to strike him several times with his fists and baton.
Holloway appears not to resist or fight back. He's knocked to the grorund, picked up and slammed onto the police cruiser. He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and approaching a location to buy drugs. Holloway, who takes medication and had never been arrested, suffered a black eye and bruised ribs.
Rios has been suspended without pay from Passaic's police force. His attorney says evidence will eventually prove that Rios did nothing wrong.
Last May, Rios was allegedly captured on surveillance video beating a mental patient with his baton, sparking allegations of police brutality.
Ronnie Holloway was arrested after the incident. He insists he did not provoke the beating. Four months after the 50-year-old schizophrenia patient was allegedly beaten, an incident that community activists called unprovoked police brutality, the Passaic County prosecutor filed the charges.
Surveillence video shows the beating, which took place outside of Lawrence's Restaurant on Main street in Passaic on May 29th. In the video, Rios' patrol car pulls up, a female officer gets out and orders Holloway to zip his jacket. Moments later, Rios gets out, approaches Holloway and appears to strike him several times with his fists and baton.
Holloway appears not to resist or fight back. He's knocked to the grorund, picked up and slammed onto the police cruiser. He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and approaching a location to buy drugs. Holloway, who takes medication and had never been arrested, suffered a black eye and bruised ribs.
Rios has been suspended without pay from Passaic's police force. His attorney says evidence will eventually prove that Rios did nothing wrong.
Officer Jevon Adkins Sprays House with Bullets
An off-duty police officer with a rural Mississippi town opens fire on a home in Hardeman County early Sunday morning.
Investigators say Officer Jevon Adkins was drunk when he sprayed a house on Mecklinburg Drive with bullets, thinking his girlfriend was inside.
But it wasn't even his girlfriend's house. It belongs to an older couple, who was home at the time, asleep in a back bedroom.
The homeowner didn't want to be identified. She tells us one bullet hit the ceiling of their carport, another lodged next to the garage door. A third flew through a living room window and landed inside their TV.
Hardeman County Deputies say the man standing in her yard firing his .40 calibur weapon was an off-duty Byhalia Police Officer.
"I think it's awful," said Bolivar resident Sandra Brown.
She was stunned to find out Adkins' intended target was his girlfriend's home next door and that he'd aimed his gun at the wrong house.
"He could've killed somebody," she said.
The report states Adkins fired his weapon at least 7 times. The victim told deputies while shooting, he was calling out for someone named "Lela."
No one answered when we knocked at that house.
But according to the report, the address was somewhat familiar to dispatchers. Shortly after arriving on the scene deputies were on the phone with the Byhalia Police Department, asking about Officer Adkins whereabouts.
When they discovered it was his day off, they immediately put out an alert on him and his silver Toyota. But it turns out they didn't need to.
A couple of hours after the incident, Adkins he returned to the scene of the crime. We're told he was intoxicated. Deputies cuffed him, ending what could've been a deadly situation.
He's locked up at the Hardeman County jail, charged with Aggravated Assault.
Investigators say Officer Jevon Adkins was drunk when he sprayed a house on Mecklinburg Drive with bullets, thinking his girlfriend was inside.
But it wasn't even his girlfriend's house. It belongs to an older couple, who was home at the time, asleep in a back bedroom.
The homeowner didn't want to be identified. She tells us one bullet hit the ceiling of their carport, another lodged next to the garage door. A third flew through a living room window and landed inside their TV.
Hardeman County Deputies say the man standing in her yard firing his .40 calibur weapon was an off-duty Byhalia Police Officer.
"I think it's awful," said Bolivar resident Sandra Brown.
She was stunned to find out Adkins' intended target was his girlfriend's home next door and that he'd aimed his gun at the wrong house.
"He could've killed somebody," she said.
The report states Adkins fired his weapon at least 7 times. The victim told deputies while shooting, he was calling out for someone named "Lela."
No one answered when we knocked at that house.
But according to the report, the address was somewhat familiar to dispatchers. Shortly after arriving on the scene deputies were on the phone with the Byhalia Police Department, asking about Officer Adkins whereabouts.
When they discovered it was his day off, they immediately put out an alert on him and his silver Toyota. But it turns out they didn't need to.
A couple of hours after the incident, Adkins he returned to the scene of the crime. We're told he was intoxicated. Deputies cuffed him, ending what could've been a deadly situation.
He's locked up at the Hardeman County jail, charged with Aggravated Assault.
Officer James Wade Charged with Falsifying Timesheets
A Bayonne police officer and second man surrendered to the Hudson County Sheriff's Office this morning on charges they falsified their timesheets while working as security guards at Global Terminal containerport on the Jersey City/Bayonne border, officials said.
Police Officer James Wade, 33, of Columbus Drive in Bayonne, and Steven Hogan, 53, of Maywood, then made their first appearance on the charge of theft by deception in Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City this afternoon.
Bayonne Police Chief Robert Kubert was shocked at the charge against Wade.
"I'd be surprised if it turns out to be a fact because he's one of my best officers, but we will see what happened down the road," Kubert told The Jersey Journal. "I'd be quite surprised if anything came out of it."
Waterfront Commission Executive Director Walter Arenault said both men were employed as port watchmen by the commission through a private security firm.
Both are charged with falsifying their timesheets to show they worked more hours than they actually did, and thereby being paid more money than they should have, officials said.
Eleven people have already been charged in the same investigation, which began more than a year ago and led to a warrant being signed this morning for the arrest of Hogan and Wade, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karyn Pizzelanti.
Wade is the only police officer charged, she said.
The others charged have all entered into pre-trial intervention and if they comply with the terms of PTI, the charges against them will be removed from their record.
Arenault said the continuing investigation led to the charges against Hogan and Wade and he also said charges against additional people are possible.
Wade was not representing the Bayonne Police Department in any way at the time of the alleged crime, officials said.
Wade has been placed on desk duty following his surrender this morning and he will remain in the status pending a review of the charges by Bayonne police, Kubert said.
At today's hearing, CJP Judge Richard Nieto set bail for Wade and Hogan at $20,000 cash or bond for each and he then ordered them remanded to the Hudson County jail in Kearny.
Cpl Donald Bailey Arrested for Taking Money for Favors
A veteran Baton Rouge police officer arrested Monday evening by Louisiana State Police for allegedly accepting cash from an inmate to get the jailed man's charges dismissed and his parole hold lifted bonded out of jail early Tuesday morning.
East Baton Rouge Parish jail officials said Cpl. Donald Bailey, 49, was released on a $10,000 bond around 2 a.m.
Bailey was charged with malfeasance in office and corrupt influencing. Investigators said they found out Bailey extorted money from the inmate and set up an operation to catch him in the act.
Troopers recorded a telephone call between Bailey and the inmate. During the call, the inmate told Bailey he needed help getting out of the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a cocaine possession charge and a parole hold. According to state police, Bailey told the inmate he would help him in exchange for $12,000.
The officer allegedly then contacted the district attorney's office and the parole office to make the requests. The agencies allowed the requests to happen and once the inmate was out of jail, a meeting was arranged between the inmate and Bailey. Investigators reported Bailey accepted $1,400 in cash. He was then arrested and booked into the parish prison.
Bailey is a 14-year veteran of the department and was the coordinator of the Targeted Violent Offender Program. Bailey was placed on administrative leave "pending a legally mandated pre-termination hearing," the department said in a statement late Monday evening.
"To say I'm disappointed would be a major understatement," Police Chief Jeff LeDuff said. "It hurts me personally and it hurts all of us professionally, anytime an officer violates the public trust."
LeDuff said he asked Louisiana State Police to conduct an independent investigation after first hearing of allegations against the corporal earlier this month.
"Allegations of corruption are taken very seriously and need to be investigated immediately," LeDuff said. "Many times we conduct those inquiries in-house. But in this case, Bailey was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and we wanted to be certain we could maintain the integrity of the investigation, so we requested the assistance of Louisiana State Police."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Deputy Colin Teem Arrested for Theft
A deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave after being charged with theft, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Polk County investigators said Deputy Colin Teem refused to admit he found and pocketed $60 off a floor at the Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday night.
A short time later, the man who lost the money notified security, authorities said. Surveillance cameras at the casino clearly showed the victim losing his money and Teem picking it up, said Polk County authorities.
After security officers found Teem and his wife inside the casino, Teem denied finding the money and refused to tell them his name, according to officials.
Teem was arrested Saturday and placed on leave Sunday, said Sheriff Dennis Dotson in a news release. He has been charged with second-degree theft -- theft of lost, mislaid property, which is a misdemeanor, Dotson said. Teem's wife was also arrested on charges of receiving stolen property.
Polk County residents said they find it troubling that a deputy allegedly risked his law enforcement career over $60.
"For $60, what an idiot, especially when you're in a casino," said Cathleen Hogan, who lives in the area. "Didn't he watch 'Ocean's 11?' He should know there's cameras everywhere."
The alleged theft could cost Teem his position with the sheriff's office. Dotson said no further action will be taken until his office has reviewed a report from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Teem has worked for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office since May 2006.
Deputy Accused Of Theft At Casino
Polk County investigators said Deputy Colin Teem refused to admit he found and pocketed $60 off a floor at the Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday night.
A short time later, the man who lost the money notified security, authorities said. Surveillance cameras at the casino clearly showed the victim losing his money and Teem picking it up, said Polk County authorities.
After security officers found Teem and his wife inside the casino, Teem denied finding the money and refused to tell them his name, according to officials.
Teem was arrested Saturday and placed on leave Sunday, said Sheriff Dennis Dotson in a news release. He has been charged with second-degree theft -- theft of lost, mislaid property, which is a misdemeanor, Dotson said. Teem's wife was also arrested on charges of receiving stolen property.
Polk County residents said they find it troubling that a deputy allegedly risked his law enforcement career over $60.
"For $60, what an idiot, especially when you're in a casino," said Cathleen Hogan, who lives in the area. "Didn't he watch 'Ocean's 11?' He should know there's cameras everywhere."
The alleged theft could cost Teem his position with the sheriff's office. Dotson said no further action will be taken until his office has reviewed a report from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Teem has worked for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office since May 2006.
Deputy Accused Of Theft At Casino
Former Officer Ryan Jackson Accused of Inappropriate Contact with Juvenile
A former Shreveport police corporal is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a female juvenile while working an off-duty security job.
Ryan Jackson, 30, of the 4100 block of Pines Road in Shreveport, was booked into Caddo Correctional Center at 5:10 p.m. Friday after being indicted on one count of molestation of a juvenile. He was there Friday evening on a $75,184 bond, according to online booking records, which later did not list him as being at Caddo Correctional.
Jackson was employed by the Shreveport Police Department at the time of the incident, which was reported April 21, according to news releases from the Police Department and City of Shreveport.
He was placed on paid administrative leave April 28 then fired June 24, as a result of internal and criminal investigations, for violating departmental policies, the releases state.
“When an officer conducts himself in such a manner as to bring disrepute to the badge we are entrusted to wear, it is disappointing and disconcerting,” Police Chief Henry Whitehorn says in one of the statements released after 5 p.m. Friday. “I hold each of my officers to a high standard, and I will simply not tolerate misconduct.”
The case was handed over to the Caddo district attorney’s office, which brought it before a grand jury. That panel returned a secret indictment against Johnson, a seven-year member of the department, the city’s release states.
The date the indictment was handed up was not immediately known Friday by representatives of the Police Department and city. An after-hours phone call to the district attorney’s office was not answered.
Mayor Cedric Glover was “repulsed, disgusted and appalled by the charge” and commended Whitehorn for his swift action in the matter, according to the city’s release.
If convicted as charged, Jackson could face one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
The law also includes a provision for more jail time if a juvenile is molested by someone who has control or supervision over the juvenile. The provision increases the possible penalty to up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
And if the juvenile is younger than age 13, Jackson could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.
Ryan Jackson, 30, of the 4100 block of Pines Road in Shreveport, was booked into Caddo Correctional Center at 5:10 p.m. Friday after being indicted on one count of molestation of a juvenile. He was there Friday evening on a $75,184 bond, according to online booking records, which later did not list him as being at Caddo Correctional.
Jackson was employed by the Shreveport Police Department at the time of the incident, which was reported April 21, according to news releases from the Police Department and City of Shreveport.
He was placed on paid administrative leave April 28 then fired June 24, as a result of internal and criminal investigations, for violating departmental policies, the releases state.
“When an officer conducts himself in such a manner as to bring disrepute to the badge we are entrusted to wear, it is disappointing and disconcerting,” Police Chief Henry Whitehorn says in one of the statements released after 5 p.m. Friday. “I hold each of my officers to a high standard, and I will simply not tolerate misconduct.”
The case was handed over to the Caddo district attorney’s office, which brought it before a grand jury. That panel returned a secret indictment against Johnson, a seven-year member of the department, the city’s release states.
The date the indictment was handed up was not immediately known Friday by representatives of the Police Department and city. An after-hours phone call to the district attorney’s office was not answered.
Mayor Cedric Glover was “repulsed, disgusted and appalled by the charge” and commended Whitehorn for his swift action in the matter, according to the city’s release.
If convicted as charged, Jackson could face one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
The law also includes a provision for more jail time if a juvenile is molested by someone who has control or supervision over the juvenile. The provision increases the possible penalty to up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
And if the juvenile is younger than age 13, Jackson could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.
Officer Antonio White Charged with Rape, Incest & Other Sex Charges
Macon police say an officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested on multiple sex charges in Houston County.
Police said in a statement released Friday that 33-year-old Antonio J. White of Warner Robins is charged with rape, incest, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, statutory rape, cruelty to children and child molestation.
Sheriff's deputies arrested White around 6:40 p.m. Thursday. He was being held Friday at the Houston County jail without bond.
Houston County arrest warrants allege that the crimes occurred between April 19, 2006 and Sept. 2, 2009.
White's lawyer, Clarence Williams, says the allegations are untrue.
White was hired as a Macon police officer in September 2007.
--------------------------
Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Police said in a statement released Friday that 33-year-old Antonio J. White of Warner Robins is charged with rape, incest, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, statutory rape, cruelty to children and child molestation.
Sheriff's deputies arrested White around 6:40 p.m. Thursday. He was being held Friday at the Houston County jail without bond.
Houston County arrest warrants allege that the crimes occurred between April 19, 2006 and Sept. 2, 2009.
White's lawyer, Clarence Williams, says the allegations are untrue.
White was hired as a Macon police officer in September 2007.
--------------------------
Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Other Information: http://www.13wmaz.com/news/breaking/story.aspx?storyid=69561&catid=4
Chief Ellis Casper Arrested for Drunk Driving
The chief of police in Bayfield was arrested and charged last week for first-offense drunk driving near Merrill, Wisconsin.
The State Patrol noticed Ellis Casper's vehicle going north in the southbound lane of Highway 51 in Lincoln County.
Casper, 60, was arrested about 9 p.m. on Sept. 18. A preliminary breath test indicated his blood-alcohol content was 0.14 percent.
Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald says Casper called him the next day. The city council is considering a possible reprimand.
"We are examining the situation very closely. The city attorney is looking at the issue, and we'll be addressing it at an upcoming Bayfield City Council meeting," Mayor MacDonald said over the phone on Friday.
The mayor also said Casper was not on city business nor was he in a city vehicle at the time of the arrest. Casper has been the chief for about 10 years.
A first offense DWI in Wisconsin is essentially a traffic ticket, and Casper, if convicted, will be subject to a fine.
----------------------
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-policechiefarrest,0,505031.story
The State Patrol noticed Ellis Casper's vehicle going north in the southbound lane of Highway 51 in Lincoln County.
Casper, 60, was arrested about 9 p.m. on Sept. 18. A preliminary breath test indicated his blood-alcohol content was 0.14 percent.
Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald says Casper called him the next day. The city council is considering a possible reprimand.
"We are examining the situation very closely. The city attorney is looking at the issue, and we'll be addressing it at an upcoming Bayfield City Council meeting," Mayor MacDonald said over the phone on Friday.
The mayor also said Casper was not on city business nor was he in a city vehicle at the time of the arrest. Casper has been the chief for about 10 years.
A first offense DWI in Wisconsin is essentially a traffic ticket, and Casper, if convicted, will be subject to a fine.
----------------------
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-policechiefarrest,0,505031.story
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Officer Lourdes Smith Arrested on 2 Misdemeanor Charges
A Metro police officer has been arrested by Henderson police.
Lourdes Smith, 36, was arrested Tuesday on two misdemeanor charges. She has been employed by Metro police for over eight years.
Metro police said they became aware of the HPD investigation on Sept. 17 and are conducting an independent internal investigation into the incident.
Smith was assigned to the patrol division, South Central Area Command. She has been reassigned to administrative duties within that area command, with no public contact, pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.
Metro said as with all internal affairs investigations, no information will be released until the investigation is concluded.
Lourdes Smith, 36, was arrested Tuesday on two misdemeanor charges. She has been employed by Metro police for over eight years.
Metro police said they became aware of the HPD investigation on Sept. 17 and are conducting an independent internal investigation into the incident.
Smith was assigned to the patrol division, South Central Area Command. She has been reassigned to administrative duties within that area command, with no public contact, pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.
Metro said as with all internal affairs investigations, no information will be released until the investigation is concluded.
Portland Officers Being Sued for Excessive Force
A police officer, whose shooting of a Portland man two years ago cost the city a half million dollars, was in court again Friday on claims he and several other officers used excessive force.
Officer Leo Besner was among the officers who responded to a report of a fight downtown two years ago during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Three men, Alex Clay, Richard Booth, and Harold Hammick, said the officers’ actions toward them were excessive and too aggressive. They are suing the city for $300,000.
Hammick said Besner punched him in the groin and used a knife to cut the seat belts he was wearing while he sat in a vehicle.
All three said they were detained too long and for no reason. None of the three was arrested.
A witness to the incident that took place in a parking garage, Adam Ganer, agreed with the plaintiffs.
“All of a sudden we see the police with all their guns drawn, you know, shouting. The three plaintiff’s were just shouting, ‘please just tell us what we did wrong,’” he said. There was “no resisting, no anger, no questioning. They were terrified.”
Greg Kafoury, the attorney for Hammick, said when his client told Besner he had a concealed weapon permit and was carrying a gun, the officers overreacted because of race.
“The officers’ story is built on the ugliest of stereotypes,” he said. “Young, black men, confrontational, belligerent, loud, pushy, aggressive, got a chip on their shoulder, looking for trouble.”
City attorney Bill Manlove argued the police were just doing their job.
“Officer Besner had to do that investigation to find out if in fact the gun was lawfully possessed by Mr. Hammick,” he said.
Besner’s history includes shooting 30-year-old Raymond Gwerder two years ago.
Gwerder was suicidal and had threatened to shoot police if they came inside his house.
He was shot outside the house while on the phone with a police negotiator, ending a 90-minute standoff.
In that case, Besner said he saw Gwerder appear to aim his gun as if he was “hunting” for something to shoot.
Ultimately, the city of Portland agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to Gwerder’s family.
The jury is currently deliberating the current suit against Besner.
Officer Leo Besner was among the officers who responded to a report of a fight downtown two years ago during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Three men, Alex Clay, Richard Booth, and Harold Hammick, said the officers’ actions toward them were excessive and too aggressive. They are suing the city for $300,000.
Hammick said Besner punched him in the groin and used a knife to cut the seat belts he was wearing while he sat in a vehicle.
All three said they were detained too long and for no reason. None of the three was arrested.
A witness to the incident that took place in a parking garage, Adam Ganer, agreed with the plaintiffs.
“All of a sudden we see the police with all their guns drawn, you know, shouting. The three plaintiff’s were just shouting, ‘please just tell us what we did wrong,’” he said. There was “no resisting, no anger, no questioning. They were terrified.”
Greg Kafoury, the attorney for Hammick, said when his client told Besner he had a concealed weapon permit and was carrying a gun, the officers overreacted because of race.
“The officers’ story is built on the ugliest of stereotypes,” he said. “Young, black men, confrontational, belligerent, loud, pushy, aggressive, got a chip on their shoulder, looking for trouble.”
City attorney Bill Manlove argued the police were just doing their job.
“Officer Besner had to do that investigation to find out if in fact the gun was lawfully possessed by Mr. Hammick,” he said.
Besner’s history includes shooting 30-year-old Raymond Gwerder two years ago.
Gwerder was suicidal and had threatened to shoot police if they came inside his house.
He was shot outside the house while on the phone with a police negotiator, ending a 90-minute standoff.
In that case, Besner said he saw Gwerder appear to aim his gun as if he was “hunting” for something to shoot.
Ultimately, the city of Portland agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to Gwerder’s family.
The jury is currently deliberating the current suit against Besner.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Officer Mark Lunsford Charged with Stealing Money & Jewelry
A Baltimore police officer assigned to a federal drug task force was arrested by the FBI and charged Thursday with stealing money and jewelry from houses hit on drug raids and with embezzling from funds used to pay confidential informants, according to the Maryland U.S. attorney's office.
Officer Mark J. Lunsford, 40, who has been on the force for six years, was placed by a federal judge on home detention with electronic monitoring during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. He had been assigned to Baltimore's Drug Enforcement Administration, which conducts high-end narcotics investigations.
"These allegations represent an egregious abuse of trust," Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said in an interview. FBI agents arrested the officer Wednesday night after he left work. He was charged with making a false claim, making a false statement and embezzlement.
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department, said Lunsford is being suspended without pay. "The department doesn't tolerate any behavior that undermines the integrity of the agency or the hard work of our police officers," he said.
Neither Lunsford, who earned $97,196 with overtime in fiscal 2008, nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
Authorities said a confidential informant used by the DEA and city police tipped them off to the allegations. One of the items stolen from a drug raid at a hotel room, according to court documents filed Thursday, was a stainless steel Aqua Master diamond watch that retails for $18,000. The source told the FBI that Lunsford ordered him to "repair the watch and sell it and share the proceeds with him," according to the affidavit. The watch was sold for about $4,200 in New York.
The court documents describe the informant as unreliable because of his "inability to follow instructions and candor issues." The FBI dropped him as an informant, but court papers said the DEA and Baltimore police continued to use him for information.
After the informant came forward to FBI agents, prosecutors said in court documents, they secretly recorded conversations between Lunsford and the informant.
The affidavit alleges that Lunsford listed the informant on drug cases that the informant hadn't worked and would then tell his superiors that the informant deserved bonuses. In one case, he falsely linked the informant to a secret wiretap on a drug case "in the county" and then got the informant a $10,000 bonus from the DEA, according to prosecutors.
The prosecutors said Lunsford then split the money with the informant.
On July 1, the FBI said, agents caught Lunsford meeting with the informant outside a federal office in Elkridge and discussing a drug case: "I put in there that you gave me the information about ah ... what's the guy's name? That's that [expletive] house we're gonna hit. Who knows? We might get lucky," Lunsford told the informant, according to the court documents.
During that same conversation, prosecutors said, Lunsford told the informant "that he stole three [PlayStation] video games from the residence of a person [federal agents] had interviewed," according to court documents.
Lunsford then told the informant, "Me and you are the only ones that know we split that ten grand, right?" the documents say. The informant answered, "Oh yea, nobody knows."
Later, authorities said, Lunsford arrested a man during a raid and seized $17,490. Prosecutors said Lunsford put the informant, who had nothing to do with the case, in for a 20 percent bonus.
According to prosecutors, Lunsford wrote that "without the valuable intelligence provided by the [informant], the [suspect] would not have been arrested." Prosecutors said, "As Lunsford well knew at the time he submitted the claim for an award to DEA, the [informant] had provided no intelligence to him."
Prosecutors said the DEA allowed the informant to receive a $3,498 bonus and cut a U.S. Treasury check to the informant. The informant cashed the check and handed the money back to a DEA supervisor, who gave the informant marked $100 bills. Prosecutors said the informant then met with Lunsford to give him his share of the bonus in a parking lot in Sykesville. The FBI said agents had that meeting under surveillance.
Officer Mark J. Lunsford, 40, who has been on the force for six years, was placed by a federal judge on home detention with electronic monitoring during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. He had been assigned to Baltimore's Drug Enforcement Administration, which conducts high-end narcotics investigations.
"These allegations represent an egregious abuse of trust," Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said in an interview. FBI agents arrested the officer Wednesday night after he left work. He was charged with making a false claim, making a false statement and embezzlement.
Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department, said Lunsford is being suspended without pay. "The department doesn't tolerate any behavior that undermines the integrity of the agency or the hard work of our police officers," he said.
Neither Lunsford, who earned $97,196 with overtime in fiscal 2008, nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
Authorities said a confidential informant used by the DEA and city police tipped them off to the allegations. One of the items stolen from a drug raid at a hotel room, according to court documents filed Thursday, was a stainless steel Aqua Master diamond watch that retails for $18,000. The source told the FBI that Lunsford ordered him to "repair the watch and sell it and share the proceeds with him," according to the affidavit. The watch was sold for about $4,200 in New York.
The court documents describe the informant as unreliable because of his "inability to follow instructions and candor issues." The FBI dropped him as an informant, but court papers said the DEA and Baltimore police continued to use him for information.
After the informant came forward to FBI agents, prosecutors said in court documents, they secretly recorded conversations between Lunsford and the informant.
The affidavit alleges that Lunsford listed the informant on drug cases that the informant hadn't worked and would then tell his superiors that the informant deserved bonuses. In one case, he falsely linked the informant to a secret wiretap on a drug case "in the county" and then got the informant a $10,000 bonus from the DEA, according to prosecutors.
The prosecutors said Lunsford then split the money with the informant.
On July 1, the FBI said, agents caught Lunsford meeting with the informant outside a federal office in Elkridge and discussing a drug case: "I put in there that you gave me the information about ah ... what's the guy's name? That's that [expletive] house we're gonna hit. Who knows? We might get lucky," Lunsford told the informant, according to the court documents.
During that same conversation, prosecutors said, Lunsford told the informant "that he stole three [PlayStation] video games from the residence of a person [federal agents] had interviewed," according to court documents.
Lunsford then told the informant, "Me and you are the only ones that know we split that ten grand, right?" the documents say. The informant answered, "Oh yea, nobody knows."
Later, authorities said, Lunsford arrested a man during a raid and seized $17,490. Prosecutors said Lunsford put the informant, who had nothing to do with the case, in for a 20 percent bonus.
According to prosecutors, Lunsford wrote that "without the valuable intelligence provided by the [informant], the [suspect] would not have been arrested." Prosecutors said, "As Lunsford well knew at the time he submitted the claim for an award to DEA, the [informant] had provided no intelligence to him."
Prosecutors said the DEA allowed the informant to receive a $3,498 bonus and cut a U.S. Treasury check to the informant. The informant cashed the check and handed the money back to a DEA supervisor, who gave the informant marked $100 bills. Prosecutors said the informant then met with Lunsford to give him his share of the bonus in a parking lot in Sykesville. The FBI said agents had that meeting under surveillance.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)