Police are saying little about an incident in which a D.C. police cruiser apparently hit a teenager during a chase -- and then left the scene.
Dominic Turner, 18, suffered broken ribs, internal bleeding and a back injury when he was hit Saturday night. He returned home Monday afternoon, with a walker, after two days in the hospital.
"It was hard and fast. It caused me to vomit (from) the impact," Turner said. "I'm just glad I'm still here."
It all began, according to Turner's family, when a group of men, including Turner, were standing outside a family gathering holding cups. Police saw them and told them to drop the cups. That somehow evolved into a police chase. Turner was struck about 8:30 p.m. Saturday in an alley near 20th and Newton streets NE.
ABC 7 Talkback:
Click Here to Comment on this Story
A witnesses told the family the police cruiser hit Turner and the officer got out of the cruiser, walked over to the teen, grabbed him and then got back in the cruiser and took off.
"They were the people who were supposed to look out for me, but I became a victim," Turner said.
Witnesses went to get Turner's parents a the family gathering. The parents and relatives ran to the scene, finding Turner doubled over in pain, they said. The police and police cruiser were gone.
"When we arrived, it was the first responders there: ambulance and fire. And then, like 10 minutes later, the police were back," said Turner's mother, Darhisha Jackson Milton.
Milton and her husband, Gregory Milton, Turner's stepfather, said they were stunned by the police's alleged behavior.
"He should have done something instead of just leaving him there," Gregory Milton said. "He didn't do anything. He just hit him and then left."
According Turner's mother, their relatives, who had gathered at the scene, asked the police officers "'Who hit him?'" She said one officer -- after about 10 minutes -- said, "'Ma'am, I'm the one who hit your son.'"
Turner's relatives photographed the damaged cruiser when it returned to the scene Saturday night.
Jackson Turner said she didn't get the officer's name. Relatives took pictures of the damaged cruiser, number 5023. There was a long impact mark on the right side, including a broken side-view mirror.
"The mirror that was broken on the side of the car, was on my ribs and my stomach was on a light post," Turner said.
D.C. police did not directly confirm or deny the allegations. Gwendolyn Crump, the acting director of the MPD's Office of Communications issued a written statement:
"Multiple statements were taken following the incident and there are discrepancies over what occurred. The matter and the allegations are being investigated by the Internal Affairs Division. We cannot comment further. "
Turner graduated in May from Washington Math, Science, and Technology High School. He says he plans to start classes at Prince George's Community College next month.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Officer Phillip Setty Under Investigation for Being at Party where Underage Drinking was Taking Place
A local police officer is under investigation after pictures caught him in a compromising situation.
Photographs of a West Alexandria police officer dressed in uniform at a Halloween party where underage drinking was allegedly taking place.
The officer is Phillip Setty, a rookie policeman who's only been with the West Alexandria Police Department for a little over a year.
In fact, it was after work that he showed up at a Halloween party at an apartment in Bellbrook and pictures were taken that show what happened.
The 23 year old officer posed for pictures with several party goers, some holding alcohol. Setty also pretended to arrest one young woman also dressed up in a police uniform. In one photo, she has a drink in her hand while sitting on officer Setty's lap. In others, the female appears to be drinking shots.
The problem with that was found on her own myspace page along with several of the photographs. According to her profile, she is only nineteen and was drinking alcohol along with another person who claimed to be underage, while Officer Setty was present at the party.
Chief Charles Webb said, "We were just notified of this, this morning."
Some West Alexandria residents said they are disappointed in the alleged actions of a man who is supposed to be held to a higher standard. "Well, I think he should be dismissed," said Gene Moore.
While officers are investigating to determine if any crime occurred, the chief said he is worried about what the pictures suggest. "He is placed on administrative leave until we investigate it," said Webb.
There are also departmental policies on when and where police officers can wear their uniforms. Chief Webb said, "If you are going home or something it's acceptable, but if go to a party as this officer allegedly did, that is definitely not within our policy."
Setty is currently on unpaid administrative leave.
Photographs of a West Alexandria police officer dressed in uniform at a Halloween party where underage drinking was allegedly taking place.
The officer is Phillip Setty, a rookie policeman who's only been with the West Alexandria Police Department for a little over a year.
In fact, it was after work that he showed up at a Halloween party at an apartment in Bellbrook and pictures were taken that show what happened.
The 23 year old officer posed for pictures with several party goers, some holding alcohol. Setty also pretended to arrest one young woman also dressed up in a police uniform. In one photo, she has a drink in her hand while sitting on officer Setty's lap. In others, the female appears to be drinking shots.
The problem with that was found on her own myspace page along with several of the photographs. According to her profile, she is only nineteen and was drinking alcohol along with another person who claimed to be underage, while Officer Setty was present at the party.
Chief Charles Webb said, "We were just notified of this, this morning."
Some West Alexandria residents said they are disappointed in the alleged actions of a man who is supposed to be held to a higher standard. "Well, I think he should be dismissed," said Gene Moore.
While officers are investigating to determine if any crime occurred, the chief said he is worried about what the pictures suggest. "He is placed on administrative leave until we investigate it," said Webb.
There are also departmental policies on when and where police officers can wear their uniforms. Chief Webb said, "If you are going home or something it's acceptable, but if go to a party as this officer allegedly did, that is definitely not within our policy."
Setty is currently on unpaid administrative leave.
Former Officer Jose Sanchez Sentenced to 8 years for Molesting Teen
A former police officer in a San Antonio school district was sentenced to eight years in prison for molesting a teenage girl.
Jose Sanchez was working for the Edgewood Independent School District in 2007 when the victim, who is now 20, told authorities that Sanchez had sexually assaulted her from the time she was 11 to age 16. The incidents were not related the 59-year-old's job, but he was suspended and later resigned.
Sanchez pleaded no contest to sexual assault last month and was sentenced on Monday.
Jose Sanchez was working for the Edgewood Independent School District in 2007 when the victim, who is now 20, told authorities that Sanchez had sexually assaulted her from the time she was 11 to age 16. The incidents were not related the 59-year-old's job, but he was suspended and later resigned.
Sanchez pleaded no contest to sexual assault last month and was sentenced on Monday.
City Settles Lawsuit in Police Misconduct Case
Police told Jason Giandomenico to stay away from a Hawthorne liquor store. He admits to ignoring the order, but said that was no reason for an officer to break his jaw.
In October, the city paid Giandomenico $275,000 to settle his legal claim.
The payout propelled Hawthorne's settlements in police misconduct cases over the past five or so years beyond the $2 million mark, according to a Daily Breeze analysis.
Tommy Kang, the officer involved in the confrontation with Giandomenico, was responsible for more than a quarter of the city's payouts. Kang, a Medal of Valor recipient, is no longer with the force.
In another incident, Kang fractured Alex Rivera's neck during a domestic disturbance arrest at his home in 2007. Rivera, who claimed he was struck and hogtied by Kang, settled his case against the city in August for $340,000.
Kang was also named in two other claims stemming from the same shooting outside a bar on Christmas Day in 2003.
The city did not settle those claims, filed by a bystander shot in the foot and the family of a gunman killed by the officers.
The bystander filed a federal lawsuit, but a judge dismissed it on its merits without awarding anything, according to court records.
Kang and his partner received the Medal of Valor for the shooting in 2004.
It does not appear from the records that any one officer, aside from Kang, stands out as overly aggressive.
In all, his actions have cost the city $615,000.
Since 2004, the city has paid $2,117,200 to settle 15 claims of excessive force and other civil rights allegations.
It is difficult to compare Hawthorne's figures to other South Bay cities because of vastly different demographics and crime trends. However, one similarly sized city with nearly the same number of sworn officers has paid out only $20,000 in a single police misconduct case over the same time period.
Some Hawthorne officials, who asked not to be named, expressed concern about the payouts. They cited the expense to taxpayers, as well as public safety concerns.
A police spokesman, though, said there is nothing disturbing about the record.
"Compared to the amount of arrests and crimes in our city, and what our police officers are faced against every day, we feel that is not an unreasonable number, compared to neighboring cities," Lt. Mike Ishii said.
"If you take this into account, I would say it shows that, by and large, our officers are doing an effective job fighting crime and keeping the streets safe under difficult conditions," he added.
Ishii and City Manager Jag Pathirana said every significant incident of excessive force or civil rights violations is met with an appropriate response, which has included additional training and, in some cases, discipline of officers.
"We do learn from our mistakes," Pathirana added. "Corrective action has been taken every time."
Ishii confirmed that, as of Sept. 30, Kang was no longer employed by the city. He said he could not elaborate on the details of Kang's employment status because it is a personnel matter.
However, experts say that personnel actions and large settlements bring validity to such claims.
"If they're settling them at these numbers, I would say these claims are probably meritorious," Karen Blum, a professor at Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, said of Hawthorne.
Cases alleging police misconduct and civil rights violations are generally difficult for plaintiffs to win, Blum said.
But Blum, city officials and lawyers on both sides of police litigation know that many decisions to settle are based on economics.
"Of course, the downside to that is you look out the front door and there's a line of lawyers looking for their settlement check. A city can get a reputation," said Bruce Praet, an attorney at Ferguson, Praet & Sherman in Santa Ana who specializes in defending cities in police misconduct litigation.
"Anybody can file a lawsuit for anything and it's not infrequent that people who engage in confrontations with law enforcement, frankly, have little to lose by filing a lawsuit - and plenty to gain," added Praet, who does not represent Hawthorne.
Before a lawsuit can be filed against a government entity in state court, a legal claim must be filed. Once a claim is denied - or sometimes ignored - a lawsuit can be filed.
However, federal civil rights lawsuits do not require the filing of a government claim first.
In Hawthorne, City Attorney Russell Miyahira said, each settlement recommendation is made with "prudent risk management decisions."
Any characterization that the city has settled "a lot" of cases for a substantial amount of money is wrong, he said.
"Anybody can make a claim of misconduct," said Miyahira, who declined to discuss individual cases. "A lot of them are unfounded."
In one unusual case, however, Hawthorne paid a $40,000 settlement to a man who never even filed a claim for injuries he received during an arrest.
Omar Hill tried two times to file a federal lawsuit without an attorney, but it appears from court records he couldn't afford the filing fees and was never successful.
Hill's 2006 arrest was captured on video by a patrol car camera. According to sources who viewed the footage, Hill is first seen on the ground in handcuffs with officers holding him down.
When the patrol car stops, another officer enters the frame, runs to Hill, and kicks him in the head, face and back.
It's not clear why Hill was being arrested. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation show he is a repeat offender who has had several prison commitments.
Records show he is serving six years for an assault with a firearm conviction.
Miyahira, the city attorney, confirmed that Hill was offered a settlement even though no claim was filed.
Praet, the defense litigator, said the city's decision to approach Hill with an offer is not uncommon in his line of work.
"We're going to take care of that person, do the right thing and pay their medical expenses and make them whole," Praet said.
However, Thomas Beck, who specializes in police civil rights cases, said he has never heard of a government agency offering that much money when a legal claim has not been submitted.
"The reason that happened is because of that piece of tape and the behavior of those cops," Beck speculated.
In August, at the request of Mayor Larry Guidi, Miyahira authored a memo to the City Council detailing the 13 cases settled at that point by the city during the previous five years.
Guidi declined comment, calling it a "personnel matter."
Pathirana, though, said he knows the facts of each case and said the settlements are "unfortunately, the cost of doing business."
Pathirana noted that the city is responsible only for the first $250,000 of any settlement under its insurance policy.
That means that, of the 15 settlements, about $1.2 million was paid by Hawthorne taxpayers.
Nearly half of the money was to settle one claim.
A former Hawthorne couple received $1 million earlier this year after a rough arrest resulted in a broken jaw for Anthony Goodrow, who also claimed his medical care was delayed and officers submitted false reports to justify his arrest.
That incident led to a police misconduct investigation by the District Attorney's Office that is still ongoing.
The other 14 settlements ranged from $2,000 to the $340,000 paid to Rivera, with most being less than $100,000.
The majority claimed false arrest, with a handful stemming from injury complaints.
In 2004, a $50,000 settlement was paid to then-Gardena Councilman Steve Bradford. Bradford, recently elected to the state Assembly, claimed he was wrongly arrested in 2002 because he is black.
No Hawthorne Police Officer Association representatives returned telephone calls or e-mails.
The Daily Breeze analysis also included a review of claims, lawsuits and settlements in three other South Bay cities in the last five years.
Although no two cities are exactly alike, Torrance, Gardena and Hermosa Beach were chosen because they compare similarly to Hawthorne in terms of police force size, crime statistics and demographics of the residents.
As of September, the city of Torrance, which is the largest in this analysis with 246 sworn officers and a population of nearly 141,600, had paid more than $1.5 million to settle 11 cases during the same five-year period.
One case accounts for nearly half of the money. The city paid $700,000 to family members of two burglary suspects who were shot after hiding out in a tool shed during a search in 2008.
Three other claims stemming from officer-involved shootings account for a bit more than $600,000, according to city records.
Gardena, which has 91 sworn officers serving nearly 92,500 residents, settled one misconduct claim in the same time period by paying $20,000 to a schoolteacher who said he was wrongly arrested because he is black, according to records and the man's attorney.
Hermosa Beach, a smaller city with just 39 sworn officers serving a population of approximately 18,500, paid $426,500 to settle four claims.
Nearly half of that money, though, was paid in recent weeks to settle a claim stemming from an August 2004 incident of alleged excessive force that sparked a federal investigation.
Although Hermosa Beach's demographics are not comparable to Hawthorne's, the city was included in the review because of its reported history of excessive force accusations that arise from alcohol-fueled confrontations at Pier Plaza.
Hawthorne, with a population of about 92,455 and 96 sworn officers, recorded four homicides, 919 assaults and 378 robberies in 2008. During that same year, Torrance had two homicides, 109 assaults and 173 robberies, while Gardena reported three homicides, 141 assaults and 230 robberies.
Still, Beck, the lawyer who specializes in police civil rights cases, said he doesn't believe Hawthorne police officers behave differently than officers in other cities.
"They don't stand out as having any more problems than any other agency," he said.
In October, the city paid Giandomenico $275,000 to settle his legal claim.
The payout propelled Hawthorne's settlements in police misconduct cases over the past five or so years beyond the $2 million mark, according to a Daily Breeze analysis.
Tommy Kang, the officer involved in the confrontation with Giandomenico, was responsible for more than a quarter of the city's payouts. Kang, a Medal of Valor recipient, is no longer with the force.
In another incident, Kang fractured Alex Rivera's neck during a domestic disturbance arrest at his home in 2007. Rivera, who claimed he was struck and hogtied by Kang, settled his case against the city in August for $340,000.
Kang was also named in two other claims stemming from the same shooting outside a bar on Christmas Day in 2003.
The city did not settle those claims, filed by a bystander shot in the foot and the family of a gunman killed by the officers.
The bystander filed a federal lawsuit, but a judge dismissed it on its merits without awarding anything, according to court records.
Kang and his partner received the Medal of Valor for the shooting in 2004.
It does not appear from the records that any one officer, aside from Kang, stands out as overly aggressive.
In all, his actions have cost the city $615,000.
Since 2004, the city has paid $2,117,200 to settle 15 claims of excessive force and other civil rights allegations.
It is difficult to compare Hawthorne's figures to other South Bay cities because of vastly different demographics and crime trends. However, one similarly sized city with nearly the same number of sworn officers has paid out only $20,000 in a single police misconduct case over the same time period.
Some Hawthorne officials, who asked not to be named, expressed concern about the payouts. They cited the expense to taxpayers, as well as public safety concerns.
A police spokesman, though, said there is nothing disturbing about the record.
"Compared to the amount of arrests and crimes in our city, and what our police officers are faced against every day, we feel that is not an unreasonable number, compared to neighboring cities," Lt. Mike Ishii said.
"If you take this into account, I would say it shows that, by and large, our officers are doing an effective job fighting crime and keeping the streets safe under difficult conditions," he added.
Ishii and City Manager Jag Pathirana said every significant incident of excessive force or civil rights violations is met with an appropriate response, which has included additional training and, in some cases, discipline of officers.
"We do learn from our mistakes," Pathirana added. "Corrective action has been taken every time."
Ishii confirmed that, as of Sept. 30, Kang was no longer employed by the city. He said he could not elaborate on the details of Kang's employment status because it is a personnel matter.
However, experts say that personnel actions and large settlements bring validity to such claims.
"If they're settling them at these numbers, I would say these claims are probably meritorious," Karen Blum, a professor at Suffolk University School of Law in Boston, said of Hawthorne.
Cases alleging police misconduct and civil rights violations are generally difficult for plaintiffs to win, Blum said.
But Blum, city officials and lawyers on both sides of police litigation know that many decisions to settle are based on economics.
"Of course, the downside to that is you look out the front door and there's a line of lawyers looking for their settlement check. A city can get a reputation," said Bruce Praet, an attorney at Ferguson, Praet & Sherman in Santa Ana who specializes in defending cities in police misconduct litigation.
"Anybody can file a lawsuit for anything and it's not infrequent that people who engage in confrontations with law enforcement, frankly, have little to lose by filing a lawsuit - and plenty to gain," added Praet, who does not represent Hawthorne.
Before a lawsuit can be filed against a government entity in state court, a legal claim must be filed. Once a claim is denied - or sometimes ignored - a lawsuit can be filed.
However, federal civil rights lawsuits do not require the filing of a government claim first.
In Hawthorne, City Attorney Russell Miyahira said, each settlement recommendation is made with "prudent risk management decisions."
Any characterization that the city has settled "a lot" of cases for a substantial amount of money is wrong, he said.
"Anybody can make a claim of misconduct," said Miyahira, who declined to discuss individual cases. "A lot of them are unfounded."
In one unusual case, however, Hawthorne paid a $40,000 settlement to a man who never even filed a claim for injuries he received during an arrest.
Omar Hill tried two times to file a federal lawsuit without an attorney, but it appears from court records he couldn't afford the filing fees and was never successful.
Hill's 2006 arrest was captured on video by a patrol car camera. According to sources who viewed the footage, Hill is first seen on the ground in handcuffs with officers holding him down.
When the patrol car stops, another officer enters the frame, runs to Hill, and kicks him in the head, face and back.
It's not clear why Hill was being arrested. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation show he is a repeat offender who has had several prison commitments.
Records show he is serving six years for an assault with a firearm conviction.
Miyahira, the city attorney, confirmed that Hill was offered a settlement even though no claim was filed.
Praet, the defense litigator, said the city's decision to approach Hill with an offer is not uncommon in his line of work.
"We're going to take care of that person, do the right thing and pay their medical expenses and make them whole," Praet said.
However, Thomas Beck, who specializes in police civil rights cases, said he has never heard of a government agency offering that much money when a legal claim has not been submitted.
"The reason that happened is because of that piece of tape and the behavior of those cops," Beck speculated.
In August, at the request of Mayor Larry Guidi, Miyahira authored a memo to the City Council detailing the 13 cases settled at that point by the city during the previous five years.
Guidi declined comment, calling it a "personnel matter."
Pathirana, though, said he knows the facts of each case and said the settlements are "unfortunately, the cost of doing business."
Pathirana noted that the city is responsible only for the first $250,000 of any settlement under its insurance policy.
That means that, of the 15 settlements, about $1.2 million was paid by Hawthorne taxpayers.
Nearly half of the money was to settle one claim.
A former Hawthorne couple received $1 million earlier this year after a rough arrest resulted in a broken jaw for Anthony Goodrow, who also claimed his medical care was delayed and officers submitted false reports to justify his arrest.
That incident led to a police misconduct investigation by the District Attorney's Office that is still ongoing.
The other 14 settlements ranged from $2,000 to the $340,000 paid to Rivera, with most being less than $100,000.
The majority claimed false arrest, with a handful stemming from injury complaints.
In 2004, a $50,000 settlement was paid to then-Gardena Councilman Steve Bradford. Bradford, recently elected to the state Assembly, claimed he was wrongly arrested in 2002 because he is black.
No Hawthorne Police Officer Association representatives returned telephone calls or e-mails.
The Daily Breeze analysis also included a review of claims, lawsuits and settlements in three other South Bay cities in the last five years.
Although no two cities are exactly alike, Torrance, Gardena and Hermosa Beach were chosen because they compare similarly to Hawthorne in terms of police force size, crime statistics and demographics of the residents.
As of September, the city of Torrance, which is the largest in this analysis with 246 sworn officers and a population of nearly 141,600, had paid more than $1.5 million to settle 11 cases during the same five-year period.
One case accounts for nearly half of the money. The city paid $700,000 to family members of two burglary suspects who were shot after hiding out in a tool shed during a search in 2008.
Three other claims stemming from officer-involved shootings account for a bit more than $600,000, according to city records.
Gardena, which has 91 sworn officers serving nearly 92,500 residents, settled one misconduct claim in the same time period by paying $20,000 to a schoolteacher who said he was wrongly arrested because he is black, according to records and the man's attorney.
Hermosa Beach, a smaller city with just 39 sworn officers serving a population of approximately 18,500, paid $426,500 to settle four claims.
Nearly half of that money, though, was paid in recent weeks to settle a claim stemming from an August 2004 incident of alleged excessive force that sparked a federal investigation.
Although Hermosa Beach's demographics are not comparable to Hawthorne's, the city was included in the review because of its reported history of excessive force accusations that arise from alcohol-fueled confrontations at Pier Plaza.
Hawthorne, with a population of about 92,455 and 96 sworn officers, recorded four homicides, 919 assaults and 378 robberies in 2008. During that same year, Torrance had two homicides, 109 assaults and 173 robberies, while Gardena reported three homicides, 141 assaults and 230 robberies.
Still, Beck, the lawyer who specializes in police civil rights cases, said he doesn't believe Hawthorne police officers behave differently than officers in other cities.
"They don't stand out as having any more problems than any other agency," he said.
Former Officer Maceo Simmons Re-Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison
A former Jackson police officer has been re-sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty in 1999.
The Clarion-Ledger reported that U.S. District Judge William Barbour Jr.'s ruling came Thursday in the case against Maceo Simmons.
The sentence is the third for Simmons in the same case since his 2005 conviction. Previous sentences were thrown out on appeal, based on how much prison time Simmons should have received under federal guidelines and the judge's discretion to deviate from them.
Simmons initially was sentenced to 20 years and later re-sentenced to life in prison.
The Clarion-Ledger reported that U.S. District Judge William Barbour Jr.'s ruling came Thursday in the case against Maceo Simmons.
The sentence is the third for Simmons in the same case since his 2005 conviction. Previous sentences were thrown out on appeal, based on how much prison time Simmons should have received under federal guidelines and the judge's discretion to deviate from them.
Simmons initially was sentenced to 20 years and later re-sentenced to life in prison.
Former Officer Maurice Morris Convicted of Attempted Sexual Battery
A former Riviera Beach K-9 officer was convicted today of attempted sexual battery, bribery and official misconduct and now faces an absolute maximum of 35 years in prison when sentenced in January.
Jurors convicted Maurice Morris following a trial last week featuring dueling stories: A prosecutor alleging he had sex with a female driver following a traffic stop, then disposed of two traffic tickets he had written her.
The defense argued that in an attempt to help her, Morris simply visited the woman's home to check her claim that she had a letter proving she didn't know her license was suspended. And that now she is inventing a story that he raped her.
Charged with sexual battery, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, jurors appeared to compromise with a lesser charge, finding him guilty of attempted sexual battery.
Morris' defense attorney, Nicole Sauvola, who could not immediately be reached following the verdict, has said she firmly believes in her client.
"He is not just not guilty. He is innocent. No good deed goes unpunished."
Assistant State Attorney Daliah Weiss argued at trial that Morris' brazen arrogance led him to have sex with the woman, an unsophisticated, vulnerable lady already in trouble with the law.
The woman was driving with a suspended license and on felony probation when she was stopped by Morris that morning in October 2008.
"She was ripe for the picking," said Weiss.
Weiss emphasized the missing traffic tickets — shown in the police dashboard video as last being handed to Morris — and his DNA being found in the woman's underwear.
It was not semen found there, though, but rather skin cells or another source that a DNA expert concluded Morris could not be excluded as a contributor to.
"Missing tickets. Rape. There you have it," Weiss argued before jurors. "And his DNA in her underwear."
According to Morris's story, and he did testify at trial, after he let the woman drive off after the traffic stop that morning, he happened to run into her again, her frantically waving him down as he drove home.
The GPS system in the patrol car he was driving showed he was at her home one hour and 23 minutes.
Too long to just read a letter, argued Weiss before jurors.
Too long for how the victim testified the sex act happened, said defense attorney Sauvola outside court. "She made it sound like two seconds," Sauvola said.
Weiss argued it is unbelievable that Morris would just happen to run into the woman once again, and let her drive off a second time with a suspended license, never calling for any kind of back-up or assistance.
Sauvola, Morris' attorney, emphasized irregularities in the DNA evidence in the case. For one thing, the woman turned in a different pair of underwear to police — a silver G-string, not the black undies, the wide band of which was visible in the video, she wore during the traffic stop.
On the first forensic testing of the silver G-string, no DNA was detected. But six months later in re-testing, some was then found, Sauvola said.
The woman was unable to identify Morris in either a photo lineup or in court — evidence, argued Weiss, that she had no motive to just make up a story of rape to get back at him. "And what was she angry about? Not getting a ticket?" Weiss said.
Under Florida law, it is considered a sexual battery without consent when a law enforcement or corrections officers "in a position of control or authority" or convincing the victim of their control, have sexual relations with someone.
Morris took an early retirement from the Riviera Police Department following his arrest. His alleged victim was recently jailed on unrelated attempted murder charge.
Jurors convicted Maurice Morris following a trial last week featuring dueling stories: A prosecutor alleging he had sex with a female driver following a traffic stop, then disposed of two traffic tickets he had written her.
The defense argued that in an attempt to help her, Morris simply visited the woman's home to check her claim that she had a letter proving she didn't know her license was suspended. And that now she is inventing a story that he raped her.
Charged with sexual battery, punishable by up to 30 years in prison, jurors appeared to compromise with a lesser charge, finding him guilty of attempted sexual battery.
Morris' defense attorney, Nicole Sauvola, who could not immediately be reached following the verdict, has said she firmly believes in her client.
"He is not just not guilty. He is innocent. No good deed goes unpunished."
Assistant State Attorney Daliah Weiss argued at trial that Morris' brazen arrogance led him to have sex with the woman, an unsophisticated, vulnerable lady already in trouble with the law.
The woman was driving with a suspended license and on felony probation when she was stopped by Morris that morning in October 2008.
"She was ripe for the picking," said Weiss.
Weiss emphasized the missing traffic tickets — shown in the police dashboard video as last being handed to Morris — and his DNA being found in the woman's underwear.
It was not semen found there, though, but rather skin cells or another source that a DNA expert concluded Morris could not be excluded as a contributor to.
"Missing tickets. Rape. There you have it," Weiss argued before jurors. "And his DNA in her underwear."
According to Morris's story, and he did testify at trial, after he let the woman drive off after the traffic stop that morning, he happened to run into her again, her frantically waving him down as he drove home.
The GPS system in the patrol car he was driving showed he was at her home one hour and 23 minutes.
Too long to just read a letter, argued Weiss before jurors.
Too long for how the victim testified the sex act happened, said defense attorney Sauvola outside court. "She made it sound like two seconds," Sauvola said.
Weiss argued it is unbelievable that Morris would just happen to run into the woman once again, and let her drive off a second time with a suspended license, never calling for any kind of back-up or assistance.
Sauvola, Morris' attorney, emphasized irregularities in the DNA evidence in the case. For one thing, the woman turned in a different pair of underwear to police — a silver G-string, not the black undies, the wide band of which was visible in the video, she wore during the traffic stop.
On the first forensic testing of the silver G-string, no DNA was detected. But six months later in re-testing, some was then found, Sauvola said.
The woman was unable to identify Morris in either a photo lineup or in court — evidence, argued Weiss, that she had no motive to just make up a story of rape to get back at him. "And what was she angry about? Not getting a ticket?" Weiss said.
Under Florida law, it is considered a sexual battery without consent when a law enforcement or corrections officers "in a position of control or authority" or convincing the victim of their control, have sexual relations with someone.
Morris took an early retirement from the Riviera Police Department following his arrest. His alleged victim was recently jailed on unrelated attempted murder charge.
Officer Jose Villarreal Arrested for Falsifying Documents
A Homestead police officer has been arrested, accused of falsifying documents to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Miami-Dade jail spokeswoman Janell Hall said 31-year-old Jose Villarreal was still in jail Monday on $250,000 bail. He was arrested and charged last week with official misconduct, uttering forged instruments and false official statements.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Villarreal, who was born in Mexico, turned in a birth certificate with false information about his birthday, his middle name and his mother's name. He later applied for a law enforcement certification, using a copy of his citizenship certificate, which authorities say he falsely obtained.
Authorities said Villarreal, who was hired by Homestead police in 2006, has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Police officers must have U.S. citizenship to work on the force.
Miami-Dade jail spokeswoman Janell Hall said 31-year-old Jose Villarreal was still in jail Monday on $250,000 bail. He was arrested and charged last week with official misconduct, uttering forged instruments and false official statements.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Villarreal, who was born in Mexico, turned in a birth certificate with false information about his birthday, his middle name and his mother's name. He later applied for a law enforcement certification, using a copy of his citizenship certificate, which authorities say he falsely obtained.
Authorities said Villarreal, who was hired by Homestead police in 2006, has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Police officers must have U.S. citizenship to work on the force.
Douglas Boucher Dies After Being Tasered
Mason police have called a news conference for 2 p.m. to discuss an incident Sunday in which a man died after officers used a Taser on him during a confrontation outside a Speedway gas station.
The incident occurred outside the Speedway gas station on the corner of Tylersville Road and U.S. 42.
Mason police identified the man as Douglas Boucher, 39, of Mason. Boucher was pronounced dead at West Chester Medical Center shortly after the 11:15 p.m. incident.
A Mason police officer suffered a head injury in the incident and was taken to Bethesda North Hospital. The officer, whose name was not released, was treated and released.
Police said that officers were inside the Speedway getting a drink Sunday when Boucher arrived. A worker asked police to talk to him because he had caused trouble there.
Officers ordered Boucher out of the store, according to Mason police. Once he was outside the store, Boucher became combative with officers and hit one officer in the head, prompting officers to use the Taser on him, police said.
Boucher stopped breathing shortly after the Taser was used. Police gave him CPR and a Mason EMS squad rushed him to West Chester Medical Center, but he could not be revived.
Reached at their home in Marion, Ind., Boucher’s parents declined comment, saying they were still trying to learn all the details. “ I don’t even know what happened yet,” said Ernest Boucher, 68. “I know what they say, but I don’t know what happened.”
Douglas Boucher and his ex-wife, Sheryl Olszewski, divorced in 2005 but remained amicable. They have an 8-year-old daughter, Kathryn, who still lives in Mason with Sheryl Olszewski and her husband, Michael Olszewski.
The couple gently broke the news of her father’s death to the girl on Monday morning.
“Our daughter was his light and inspiration and they enjoyed their visits tremendously. Today is a sad day for her,'' according to a statement by Sheryl Olszewski.
She said her late husband as a musician who played bass for a couple of local bands. “He was a very passionate person – passionate about his daughter, his music and living life fully,” the statement reads.
Mason officers, who all carry X26 Tasers, have never had problems with the stun gun since they began using them in spring 2007, the department said.
Police increasingly are using Taser stun guns and other kinds of non-lethal weapons to subdue people. Taser stun guns use a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy two small probes that are attached to the gun. The devices transmit controlled pulses of electricity that are designed to incapacitate a person without affecting the heart and other vital organs.
Deaths after Taser use have stirred debate over police using electric-shock devices to subdue combative people.
The National Institute of Justice issued a June 2008 report saying that a study launched in 2006 showed use of shock devices is not risk-free, but "exposure is safe in the vast majority of cases."
Last year, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office ruled a shock from a Taser played a role in the death of a 24-year-old Miami University graduate in an encounter with Oxford police.
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper concluded the officer did not use excessive force or violate police procedures in subduing Kevin Piskura, 24, of Chicago.
Hamilton County Coroner O’dell Owens ruled three factors caused Piskura’s death: A heart rhythm problem, acute alcohol intoxication and recent physical exertion, and the application of the Taser.
The incident occurred outside the Speedway gas station on the corner of Tylersville Road and U.S. 42.
Mason police identified the man as Douglas Boucher, 39, of Mason. Boucher was pronounced dead at West Chester Medical Center shortly after the 11:15 p.m. incident.
A Mason police officer suffered a head injury in the incident and was taken to Bethesda North Hospital. The officer, whose name was not released, was treated and released.
Police said that officers were inside the Speedway getting a drink Sunday when Boucher arrived. A worker asked police to talk to him because he had caused trouble there.
Officers ordered Boucher out of the store, according to Mason police. Once he was outside the store, Boucher became combative with officers and hit one officer in the head, prompting officers to use the Taser on him, police said.
Boucher stopped breathing shortly after the Taser was used. Police gave him CPR and a Mason EMS squad rushed him to West Chester Medical Center, but he could not be revived.
Reached at their home in Marion, Ind., Boucher’s parents declined comment, saying they were still trying to learn all the details. “ I don’t even know what happened yet,” said Ernest Boucher, 68. “I know what they say, but I don’t know what happened.”
Douglas Boucher and his ex-wife, Sheryl Olszewski, divorced in 2005 but remained amicable. They have an 8-year-old daughter, Kathryn, who still lives in Mason with Sheryl Olszewski and her husband, Michael Olszewski.
The couple gently broke the news of her father’s death to the girl on Monday morning.
“Our daughter was his light and inspiration and they enjoyed their visits tremendously. Today is a sad day for her,'' according to a statement by Sheryl Olszewski.
She said her late husband as a musician who played bass for a couple of local bands. “He was a very passionate person – passionate about his daughter, his music and living life fully,” the statement reads.
Mason officers, who all carry X26 Tasers, have never had problems with the stun gun since they began using them in spring 2007, the department said.
Police increasingly are using Taser stun guns and other kinds of non-lethal weapons to subdue people. Taser stun guns use a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy two small probes that are attached to the gun. The devices transmit controlled pulses of electricity that are designed to incapacitate a person without affecting the heart and other vital organs.
Deaths after Taser use have stirred debate over police using electric-shock devices to subdue combative people.
The National Institute of Justice issued a June 2008 report saying that a study launched in 2006 showed use of shock devices is not risk-free, but "exposure is safe in the vast majority of cases."
Last year, the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office ruled a shock from a Taser played a role in the death of a 24-year-old Miami University graduate in an encounter with Oxford police.
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper concluded the officer did not use excessive force or violate police procedures in subduing Kevin Piskura, 24, of Chicago.
Hamilton County Coroner O’dell Owens ruled three factors caused Piskura’s death: A heart rhythm problem, acute alcohol intoxication and recent physical exertion, and the application of the Taser.
Tuscalossa Officer Accused of Sexual Assault
A Tuscaloosa police officer was put on paid leave Sunday after a victim of an alleged sexual assault identified the officer as the suspect, according to the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
The alleged sexual assault occurred Sunday at 6:45 a.m. in Vance, and the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit is investigating, the Tuscaloosa News reports. No investigator with the Tuscaloosa Police Department is part of the case, according to a news release.
The officer, whose name was not released, has not been arrested, and is on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the Police Department.
The alleged sexual assault occurred Sunday at 6:45 a.m. in Vance, and the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit is investigating, the Tuscaloosa News reports. No investigator with the Tuscaloosa Police Department is part of the case, according to a news release.
The officer, whose name was not released, has not been arrested, and is on paid leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to the Police Department.
Officer Jesus Sanchez Charged with Sexual Battery
A Salinas police officer and former Alisal High School soccer coach waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday and was ordered to proceed to trial, his defense lawyer said today.
Officer Jesus Manuel Sanchez, a 10-year veteran of the police department, was arrested in July on suspicion of three counts of sexual assault with intent to rape. Prosecutors opted to charge Sanchez with two counts of sexual battery instead.
If convicted of those two counts, he faces a maximum prison term of five years.
Andrew Liu, his private Salinas attorney, said today that Sanchez is expected to appear in court Jan. 12.
Sanchez is charged with committing the crime against the same woman twice over a three-year span between May 1, 2002 and May 31, 2005.
He is accused of committing the crime both near Sherwood Hall and at El Sausal Middle School, part of the Salinas Union High School District.
Sanchez was the coach of the Alisal High School boys varsity soccer team for five years before leaving the position in 2008. During his coaching years, Sanchez was named The Salinas Californian's All-County Boys Coach of the Year four times.
Officer Jesus Manuel Sanchez, a 10-year veteran of the police department, was arrested in July on suspicion of three counts of sexual assault with intent to rape. Prosecutors opted to charge Sanchez with two counts of sexual battery instead.
If convicted of those two counts, he faces a maximum prison term of five years.
Andrew Liu, his private Salinas attorney, said today that Sanchez is expected to appear in court Jan. 12.
Sanchez is charged with committing the crime against the same woman twice over a three-year span between May 1, 2002 and May 31, 2005.
He is accused of committing the crime both near Sherwood Hall and at El Sausal Middle School, part of the Salinas Union High School District.
Sanchez was the coach of the Alisal High School boys varsity soccer team for five years before leaving the position in 2008. During his coaching years, Sanchez was named The Salinas Californian's All-County Boys Coach of the Year four times.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sacramento Man Dies After Being Tasered
A 36-year-old Sacramento man died Friday evening following a struggle with police officers and jail staff in the Roseville City Jail.
At 5:19 p.m. on December 11, Roseville Police officers made a traffic stop on Orlando Avenue at Cirby Way and arrested the driver without incident for possession of methamphetamine. Officers transported him to the Roseville City Jail. Once inside the jail booking area, the man became combative and struggled with officers during the intake process. Several police officers responded and attempted to subdue him. During the struggle, staff found an additional quantity of methamphetamine on the arrestee's person.
During the struggle a sergeant deployed a Taser electronic control device, the darts striking the arrestee in the buttocks area. The man continued to resist for a short time, and then stopped breathing. Staff administered CPR and Roseville Fire Department paramedics responded, but were unable to revive the man. He was transported by ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The decedent's name is being withheld until his family can be notified. The Roseville Police Department has had no prior contacts with the man, but according to court records, he had a lengthy history of arrests in Sacramento County for crimes including robbery, vehicle theft, resisting arrest, and illegal drugs.
The Placer County Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave per department protocol. A death investigation and an internal investigation are underway.
All questions regarding this incident should be directed to Lt. Mike Doane, 916-871-3286.
At 5:19 p.m. on December 11, Roseville Police officers made a traffic stop on Orlando Avenue at Cirby Way and arrested the driver without incident for possession of methamphetamine. Officers transported him to the Roseville City Jail. Once inside the jail booking area, the man became combative and struggled with officers during the intake process. Several police officers responded and attempted to subdue him. During the struggle, staff found an additional quantity of methamphetamine on the arrestee's person.
During the struggle a sergeant deployed a Taser electronic control device, the darts striking the arrestee in the buttocks area. The man continued to resist for a short time, and then stopped breathing. Staff administered CPR and Roseville Fire Department paramedics responded, but were unable to revive the man. He was transported by ambulance to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The decedent's name is being withheld until his family can be notified. The Roseville Police Department has had no prior contacts with the man, but according to court records, he had a lengthy history of arrests in Sacramento County for crimes including robbery, vehicle theft, resisting arrest, and illegal drugs.
The Placer County Coroner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave per department protocol. A death investigation and an internal investigation are underway.
All questions regarding this incident should be directed to Lt. Mike Doane, 916-871-3286.
Sword-Wielding Man Dies After Being Tasered
A sword-wielding man died early Friday, hours after Hampton police twice used a TASER on him.
It was the first such reported death since officers there began carrying the devices in 2003, said Paula Scheck, a Hampton Police Department spokeswoman. No deaths have been reported in the three South Hampton Roads cities that widely outfit officers with TASERs.
According to a news release from Hampton police, officers responded to a complaint involving an emergency custody order in the first block of Overlook Court about 11 p.m. Thursday. When the 36-year-old man refused to come to the door, police called one of his relatives, who came to the scene.
When officers entered the home, the man swung a samurai-style sword at them, police said. Officers used the TASER on him once, and a second time when he continued to threaten them .
The man stopped breathing, and officers called medics and performed CPR. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m., police said.
Police identified the man as Hatchel Pate Adams III of Hampton. Officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation, according to the news release.
The Suffolk Police Department began carrying TASERs in June 2007. Norfolk added them in February 2008, followed by Virginia Beach this April.
Suffolk has said TASERs have resulted in fewer abuse complaints. But the conducted energy devices made headlines in Norfolk in October 2008 when a police officer used a TASER three times on a brain-damaged woman.
Amnesty International claims that more than 300 people have died after being struck with TASERs. The group says the devices were responsible in about 50 of those cases.
Drug intoxication accounted for most of the other deaths.
It was the first such reported death since officers there began carrying the devices in 2003, said Paula Scheck, a Hampton Police Department spokeswoman. No deaths have been reported in the three South Hampton Roads cities that widely outfit officers with TASERs.
According to a news release from Hampton police, officers responded to a complaint involving an emergency custody order in the first block of Overlook Court about 11 p.m. Thursday. When the 36-year-old man refused to come to the door, police called one of his relatives, who came to the scene.
When officers entered the home, the man swung a samurai-style sword at them, police said. Officers used the TASER on him once, and a second time when he continued to threaten them .
The man stopped breathing, and officers called medics and performed CPR. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:15 a.m., police said.
Police identified the man as Hatchel Pate Adams III of Hampton. Officers involved were placed on administrative leave while the department conducts an internal investigation, according to the news release.
The Suffolk Police Department began carrying TASERs in June 2007. Norfolk added them in February 2008, followed by Virginia Beach this April.
Suffolk has said TASERs have resulted in fewer abuse complaints. But the conducted energy devices made headlines in Norfolk in October 2008 when a police officer used a TASER three times on a brain-damaged woman.
Amnesty International claims that more than 300 people have died after being struck with TASERs. The group says the devices were responsible in about 50 of those cases.
Drug intoxication accounted for most of the other deaths.
Officer Jesus Cisneros Under Investigation for Accident that Killed Woman
Police are investigating whether an off-duty Fort Worth police officer was driving under the influence of alcohol when his unmarked police vehicle collided with another car early this morning, killing a 27-year-old woman.
Officer Jesus Cisneros was traveling west in the 3800 block of Columbus Trail when his Toyota Highlander collided with a Chrysler PT Cruiser that had been traveling south on Evening Star Drive and attempted to turn east in front of him, according to a press release issued by the Fort Worth Police Department this morning.
The Cruiser’s driver, identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office as Sonia Baker of Fort Worth, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:44 a.m.
Cisneros was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in serious condition where it was determined alcohol may have been involved on the part of the off-duty officer, the release states.
The release adds, however, blood test results have not yet been returned.
“If the results reveal any alcohol in Cisneros’ system he will be immediately placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of an administrative investigation,” the release states.
The release states if the test show Cisneros had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, he will face driving while intoxicated and possibly intoxication manslaughter charges. Cisneros, 37, has been with the department since September 2001.
“This is a tragic incident and a very, very serious matter,” Lt. Paul Henderson, the department’s chief of staff states in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
Officer Jesus Cisneros was traveling west in the 3800 block of Columbus Trail when his Toyota Highlander collided with a Chrysler PT Cruiser that had been traveling south on Evening Star Drive and attempted to turn east in front of him, according to a press release issued by the Fort Worth Police Department this morning.
The Cruiser’s driver, identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office as Sonia Baker of Fort Worth, was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:44 a.m.
Cisneros was taken to John Peter Smith Hospital in serious condition where it was determined alcohol may have been involved on the part of the off-duty officer, the release states.
The release adds, however, blood test results have not yet been returned.
“If the results reveal any alcohol in Cisneros’ system he will be immediately placed on restricted duty pending the outcome of an administrative investigation,” the release states.
The release states if the test show Cisneros had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, he will face driving while intoxicated and possibly intoxication manslaughter charges. Cisneros, 37, has been with the department since September 2001.
“This is a tragic incident and a very, very serious matter,” Lt. Paul Henderson, the department’s chief of staff states in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.”
Officer Jason Anderson Fired After Being Charged with Manslaughter
Police commissioners in Milford Monday night fired a town police officer charged with manslaughter in a crash that killed two teenagers in June.
Commissioners agreed with Police Chief Keith Mello's recommendation to fire Officer Jason Anderson, of Milford.
The accident in Orange killed two 19-year-olds, David Servin and Ashlie Krakowski, both of Orange.
Police say Anderson was driving 94 miles an hour while returning from a mutual aid call in West Haven and didn't have his emergency lights or siren on when the teens' car turned in front of him on Route 1. Anderson and his lawyer have declined to comment on the allegations.
Commissioners on Monday also suspended Officer Richard Pisani for 30 days without pay. Pisani was driving alongside Anderson that night.
------------------------------------
Video:
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-milford-officer-fired-1214,0,6695291.story
Commissioners agreed with Police Chief Keith Mello's recommendation to fire Officer Jason Anderson, of Milford.
The accident in Orange killed two 19-year-olds, David Servin and Ashlie Krakowski, both of Orange.
Police say Anderson was driving 94 miles an hour while returning from a mutual aid call in West Haven and didn't have his emergency lights or siren on when the teens' car turned in front of him on Route 1. Anderson and his lawyer have declined to comment on the allegations.
Commissioners on Monday also suspended Officer Richard Pisani for 30 days without pay. Pisani was driving alongside Anderson that night.
------------------------------------
Video:
http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-milford-officer-fired-1214,0,6695291.story
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Columbus Officer Accused of Giving Student Back Confiscated Drug
A Columbus police officer who was working at East High School has been accused of confiscating an illegal drug from a student and then giving it back to that student.
The officer, who was not identified, faces an internal police investigation, Sgt. Richard Weiner said yesterday. He said he was unable to share more information about the case, including the type of drug involved, while the investigation is under way.
"It was some kind of narcotic," Weiner said.
The officer, who was not identified, faces an internal police investigation, Sgt. Richard Weiner said yesterday. He said he was unable to share more information about the case, including the type of drug involved, while the investigation is under way.
"It was some kind of narcotic," Weiner said.
Hearing Set for Former Officer Rodney Frick Accused of Raping Minor
Rodney Frick, a former Pocola auxiliary police officer accused of raping a minor, will have a preliminary hearing of his case at 9 a.m. Jan. 14, according to court records.
Frick, 51, of Pocola had an initial appearance in District Court on Thursday. Frick is accused of second-degree rape and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology.
Preliminary hearings are held to allow the judge to determine if there is sufficient evidence of the alleged offense/s to bind defendants over for trial.
District Attorney Jeffrey Smith has said that Frick, who also owns Hot Rod’s BBQ in Pocola, turned himself in on a complaint he had sex on multiple occasions with a teenager over an up to two-year period.
Smith has said Frick met the teen through his restaurant and is not suspected of illegal activity with any other minors.
Frick was arrested Nov. 10 and released on a $10,000 bond.
He is represented by Poteau defense attorney Gary Buckles.
On Thursday, Pocola Police Chief Dale Fout said Frick was an unpaid auxiliary officer who worked infrequently for the Pocola Police Department.
Fout said as soon as the information came in regarding the pending charges against Frick, Frick was no longer considered an employee.
Frick, 51, of Pocola had an initial appearance in District Court on Thursday. Frick is accused of second-degree rape and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology.
Preliminary hearings are held to allow the judge to determine if there is sufficient evidence of the alleged offense/s to bind defendants over for trial.
District Attorney Jeffrey Smith has said that Frick, who also owns Hot Rod’s BBQ in Pocola, turned himself in on a complaint he had sex on multiple occasions with a teenager over an up to two-year period.
Smith has said Frick met the teen through his restaurant and is not suspected of illegal activity with any other minors.
Frick was arrested Nov. 10 and released on a $10,000 bond.
He is represented by Poteau defense attorney Gary Buckles.
On Thursday, Pocola Police Chief Dale Fout said Frick was an unpaid auxiliary officer who worked infrequently for the Pocola Police Department.
Fout said as soon as the information came in regarding the pending charges against Frick, Frick was no longer considered an employee.
Former Officer Christopher Dunbar Charged with Stabbing Man
A former Winchester (Va.) Police Department officer has been charged with stabbing a man at his home, according to Berkeley County Magistrate Court records.
Christopher Andrew Dunbar, 25, of 590 Platt Mountain Lane near Inwood, W.Va., was arraigned Friday by Magistrate Sandra L. Miller on one count of malicious wounding.
When Berkeley County Sheriff’s deputies went to Dunbar’s home at 2:23 a.m. Friday, they found Dunbar, a man with cuts to his right hand and neck, and a female applying pressure to the wounds to stop the bleeding, according to a complaint by Deputy Caleb Pearson.
Dunbar told police he understood his rights because he “used to be a cop in Winchester,” and he apologized for having to call the police to his residence for “small stuff like this,” according to Pearson’s complaint.
In a City of Winchester news bulletin in January 2009, Dunbar was listed as one of seven police officers to graduate in November 2008 from Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy’s law enforcement basic academy. Upon graduation, Dunbar was recognized for placing second in physical fitness, according to the bulletin
A City of Winchester official confirmed Friday that Dunbar no longer was employed with the police department.
Christopher Andrew Dunbar, 25, of 590 Platt Mountain Lane near Inwood, W.Va., was arraigned Friday by Magistrate Sandra L. Miller on one count of malicious wounding.
When Berkeley County Sheriff’s deputies went to Dunbar’s home at 2:23 a.m. Friday, they found Dunbar, a man with cuts to his right hand and neck, and a female applying pressure to the wounds to stop the bleeding, according to a complaint by Deputy Caleb Pearson.
Dunbar told police he understood his rights because he “used to be a cop in Winchester,” and he apologized for having to call the police to his residence for “small stuff like this,” according to Pearson’s complaint.
In a City of Winchester news bulletin in January 2009, Dunbar was listed as one of seven police officers to graduate in November 2008 from Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy’s law enforcement basic academy. Upon graduation, Dunbar was recognized for placing second in physical fitness, according to the bulletin
A City of Winchester official confirmed Friday that Dunbar no longer was employed with the police department.
Former Officer Thomas Rush Jr Charged with Resisting Arrest
A traffic stop Thursday afternoon in Bonita Springs resulted in the arrest of three family members – one of whom is a former law enforcement officer from New Jersey.
Thomas Rush Jr., 65, a former New Jersey law enforcement officer; his wife, Donna Rush, 48; and son, Raymond Rush, 18, whose addresses were not released but live in South Lee County, were each charged with resisting a law enforcement officer without violence. They posted $1,000 bond and were released early Friday from Lee County Jail.
According to arrest reports:
Michael Rush, 20, was stopped by Lee deputies for an undisclosed reason and began using his cell phone to call family members.
Raymond Rush, driving a Ford Freestar minivan, arrived and asked why his brother was stopped. The deputies told him to leave, and he did, but he returned with their mother, Donna Rush, who was Tasered twice by deputies.
Thomas Rush, the boys’ father, arrived in a Mustang, parked his vehicle in a nearby parking lot and went toward deputies, even though he was told to stay away.
Thomas Rush told deputies: “He is not (expletive) going anywhere and he did not have to leave.” He armed himself with a black walking cane and refused to leave. He was arrested after a struggle.
Raymond Rush then returned with his mother, who began yelling expletives at the deputies, including: “get off my (expletive) husband.” She was told to leave, refused and a deputy deployed his Taser, but only one prong stuck.
She ran to one of the vehicles and jumped in, wrapping her arm around the steering wheel and locked her leg against the door. She was Tasered a second time, again unsuccessfully. After a struggle she was taken from the vehicle and arrested, as was her youngest son.
It was unclear whether Michael Rush received a traffic citation, but he was not arrested.
The parents were taken to Gulf Coast Hospital after complaining of injuries. They were treated and later released to be booked into jail.
A deputy received a cut under his eye during one of the struggles.
Thomas Rush Jr., 65, a former New Jersey law enforcement officer; his wife, Donna Rush, 48; and son, Raymond Rush, 18, whose addresses were not released but live in South Lee County, were each charged with resisting a law enforcement officer without violence. They posted $1,000 bond and were released early Friday from Lee County Jail.
According to arrest reports:
Michael Rush, 20, was stopped by Lee deputies for an undisclosed reason and began using his cell phone to call family members.
Raymond Rush, driving a Ford Freestar minivan, arrived and asked why his brother was stopped. The deputies told him to leave, and he did, but he returned with their mother, Donna Rush, who was Tasered twice by deputies.
Thomas Rush, the boys’ father, arrived in a Mustang, parked his vehicle in a nearby parking lot and went toward deputies, even though he was told to stay away.
Thomas Rush told deputies: “He is not (expletive) going anywhere and he did not have to leave.” He armed himself with a black walking cane and refused to leave. He was arrested after a struggle.
Raymond Rush then returned with his mother, who began yelling expletives at the deputies, including: “get off my (expletive) husband.” She was told to leave, refused and a deputy deployed his Taser, but only one prong stuck.
She ran to one of the vehicles and jumped in, wrapping her arm around the steering wheel and locked her leg against the door. She was Tasered a second time, again unsuccessfully. After a struggle she was taken from the vehicle and arrested, as was her youngest son.
It was unclear whether Michael Rush received a traffic citation, but he was not arrested.
The parents were taken to Gulf Coast Hospital after complaining of injuries. They were treated and later released to be booked into jail.
A deputy received a cut under his eye during one of the struggles.
Former Officer Robert Forman Convicted of Forcing Woman to Perform Sex Act
A former Riverside police officer was convicted today of forcing a woman to perform a sex act on him so she could avoid being arrested.
A seven-man, five-woman jury, however, acquitted 39-year-old Robert A. Forman of sexually assaulting another woman and deadlocked on whether he had assaulted a third. The panel announced its findings after two and a half days of deliberations.
Forman, who was also convicted of a misdemeanor petty theft charge, faces up to eight years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 11 by Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Molloy.
The defendant asked Molloy to permit him to remain out of custody, on $50,000 bail, until the sentencing hearing, but the judge was not inclined.
“The last thing on the planet that I want to do is take Mr. Forman into custody,” Molloy told the defendant’s attorney, Mark Johnson. “But these are very serious charges. Mr. Forman was in a position of trust.
“If it was anyone besides a police officer, I wouldn’t be taking him into custody today. I wouldn’t.”
Forman broke down in tears and asked again if he could remain free until sentencing.
“Sir, the jury has spoken,” Molloy replied.
Forman was handcuffed and allowed a few minutes to speak privately with his family before being led away.
“Our office wants people to know that we will speak for anyone, no matter who they are,” said Deputy District Attorney Elan Zekster outside the courtroom, following the verdicts.
Johnson said he was “disappointed” by the jury’s findings, but did not believe his client would face the maximum sentence.
“There are a lot of factors in mitigation,” the attorney said, adding that because Forman has no prior criminal history, he could be eligible for probation.
The ex-cop was charged with two counts of forced oral copulation and one count each of felony sexual battery and petty theft for three alleged assaults between February and April 2008.
The 11-year law enforcement veteran, who was fired from the police force shortly after his arrest in October 2008, testified in his own defense, denying all the allegations against him.
He testified last week that he had consensual sex with a woman while he was in uniform but not on duty. However, the woman, identified as Kathryn, testified she performed oral sex on Forman because she felt that was the only way to avoid arrest.
Kathryn said the April 18, 2008, encounter occurred a few hours after Forman and other officers searched her residence in response to a domestic disturbance complaint. According to trial testimony, the officers discovered drug paraphernalia, including bags of methamphetamine and used syringes, as well as evidence of check fraud.
Kathryn testified that she feared being booked for violating her probation, but Forman assured her she would not be taken into custody “as long as you cooperate.” She alleged that the defendant returned to her apartment after his shift and demanded sex.
The jury found him guilty of the offense.
A sometime-prostitute and drug user identified as Tessa testified that in February 2008 Forman gave her a ride to a bus station near Chicago and University avenues and, at the end of the encounter, told her he liked her, then thrust his hand down her pants and kissed her. The woman said she quickly got out of the car.
Forman testified that Tessa had wanted to report a rape but repeatedly drifted “off track” during their 30-minute conversation, failing to provide details about her alleged assailant. He said he gave her a ride to the bus station as a courtesy.
The jury hung 8-4 in favor of guilt, prompting Molloy to declare a mistrial. Zekster would not say whether the D.A.’s office intended to retry Forman on the sexual battery count. He was found guilty of petty theft for taking the victim’s money.
Nadia, a prostitute and admitted cocaine addict, testified that in March 2008, Forman drove her to a secluded location and ordered her to “give me some head.” She said she complied, believing she had no alternative.
According to Forman, his interaction with Nadia was limited to gathering information on drug suppliers, which the jury believed.
-------------------------------------
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/10/officer-robert-forman-arrested-for.html
A seven-man, five-woman jury, however, acquitted 39-year-old Robert A. Forman of sexually assaulting another woman and deadlocked on whether he had assaulted a third. The panel announced its findings after two and a half days of deliberations.
Forman, who was also convicted of a misdemeanor petty theft charge, faces up to eight years in prison when he is sentenced Jan. 11 by Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Molloy.
The defendant asked Molloy to permit him to remain out of custody, on $50,000 bail, until the sentencing hearing, but the judge was not inclined.
“The last thing on the planet that I want to do is take Mr. Forman into custody,” Molloy told the defendant’s attorney, Mark Johnson. “But these are very serious charges. Mr. Forman was in a position of trust.
“If it was anyone besides a police officer, I wouldn’t be taking him into custody today. I wouldn’t.”
Forman broke down in tears and asked again if he could remain free until sentencing.
“Sir, the jury has spoken,” Molloy replied.
Forman was handcuffed and allowed a few minutes to speak privately with his family before being led away.
“Our office wants people to know that we will speak for anyone, no matter who they are,” said Deputy District Attorney Elan Zekster outside the courtroom, following the verdicts.
Johnson said he was “disappointed” by the jury’s findings, but did not believe his client would face the maximum sentence.
“There are a lot of factors in mitigation,” the attorney said, adding that because Forman has no prior criminal history, he could be eligible for probation.
The ex-cop was charged with two counts of forced oral copulation and one count each of felony sexual battery and petty theft for three alleged assaults between February and April 2008.
The 11-year law enforcement veteran, who was fired from the police force shortly after his arrest in October 2008, testified in his own defense, denying all the allegations against him.
He testified last week that he had consensual sex with a woman while he was in uniform but not on duty. However, the woman, identified as Kathryn, testified she performed oral sex on Forman because she felt that was the only way to avoid arrest.
Kathryn said the April 18, 2008, encounter occurred a few hours after Forman and other officers searched her residence in response to a domestic disturbance complaint. According to trial testimony, the officers discovered drug paraphernalia, including bags of methamphetamine and used syringes, as well as evidence of check fraud.
Kathryn testified that she feared being booked for violating her probation, but Forman assured her she would not be taken into custody “as long as you cooperate.” She alleged that the defendant returned to her apartment after his shift and demanded sex.
The jury found him guilty of the offense.
A sometime-prostitute and drug user identified as Tessa testified that in February 2008 Forman gave her a ride to a bus station near Chicago and University avenues and, at the end of the encounter, told her he liked her, then thrust his hand down her pants and kissed her. The woman said she quickly got out of the car.
Forman testified that Tessa had wanted to report a rape but repeatedly drifted “off track” during their 30-minute conversation, failing to provide details about her alleged assailant. He said he gave her a ride to the bus station as a courtesy.
The jury hung 8-4 in favor of guilt, prompting Molloy to declare a mistrial. Zekster would not say whether the D.A.’s office intended to retry Forman on the sexual battery count. He was found guilty of petty theft for taking the victim’s money.
Nadia, a prostitute and admitted cocaine addict, testified that in March 2008, Forman drove her to a secluded location and ordered her to “give me some head.” She said she complied, believing she had no alternative.
According to Forman, his interaction with Nadia was limited to gathering information on drug suppliers, which the jury believed.
-------------------------------------
Previous Post: http://whathappenedtoprotectandserve.blogspot.com/2008/10/officer-robert-forman-arrested-for.html
Investigation Under Way Against Officer Jesus Cisneros
An investigation is under way after a woman was killed Friday in a collision involving an off-duty Fort Worth police officer in the 3800 block of Columbus Trail, police said.
At about 2:30 a.m. Officer Jesus Cisneros, 37, was driving westbound in an unmarked police vehicle when he collided with Sonia Baker's southbound Chrysler PT Cruiser as she attempted an eastbound turn in front of his vehicle, police said.
The 27-year-old woman died in the crash and Cisneros was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in serious condition, police said.
Baker, a wife and mother of two boys ages 4 and 5, was on her way to pick up breakfast before heading into work, her family said.
Investigators said alcohol may have been involved on the part of the off-duty officer, but test results have not been returned.
Cisneros has been an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department since September 2001.
"This is a tragic incident and a very, very serious matter. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families," Lt. Paul Henderson said in a statement released Friday.
-------------------------------
http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1825458.html
At about 2:30 a.m. Officer Jesus Cisneros, 37, was driving westbound in an unmarked police vehicle when he collided with Sonia Baker's southbound Chrysler PT Cruiser as she attempted an eastbound turn in front of his vehicle, police said.
The 27-year-old woman died in the crash and Cisneros was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital in serious condition, police said.
Baker, a wife and mother of two boys ages 4 and 5, was on her way to pick up breakfast before heading into work, her family said.
Investigators said alcohol may have been involved on the part of the off-duty officer, but test results have not been returned.
Cisneros has been an officer with the Fort Worth Police Department since September 2001.
"This is a tragic incident and a very, very serious matter. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families," Lt. Paul Henderson said in a statement released Friday.
-------------------------------
http://www.star-telegram.com/local/story/1825458.html
Friday, December 11, 2009
Former Detention Officer Denita Shaw Arraigned for Hitting Inmate with Milk Crate
A former Fulton County Sheriff’s detention officer from Smyrna, Ga., was arraigned Friday on civil rights violation charges for allegedly hitting a Fulton County Jail inmate with a milk crate.
Denita Renae Shaw, 41, also was released on non-monetary bond conditions set by the court. She faces up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
“This detention officer was fired and our office is cooperating fully in this prosecution,” Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said in a statement. “We are continuing to work with the FBI to investigate any and all violations within the jail, and anyone with information about any other abuses should contact our office or the FBI.”
On Jan. 26, Shaw, working as a detention officer at the jail, allegedly used excessive force when she struck a handcuffed inmate with a milk crate at the Fulton County Jail. The indictment alleges the assault violated the inmate’s constitutional right not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law.
Shaw was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge on Dec. 8, 2009.
Denita Renae Shaw, 41, also was released on non-monetary bond conditions set by the court. She faces up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
“This detention officer was fired and our office is cooperating fully in this prosecution,” Fulton County Sheriff Ted Jackson said in a statement. “We are continuing to work with the FBI to investigate any and all violations within the jail, and anyone with information about any other abuses should contact our office or the FBI.”
On Jan. 26, Shaw, working as a detention officer at the jail, allegedly used excessive force when she struck a handcuffed inmate with a milk crate at the Fulton County Jail. The indictment alleges the assault violated the inmate’s constitutional right not to be deprived of liberty without due process of law.
Shaw was indicted by a federal grand jury on the charge on Dec. 8, 2009.
Sgt Michael Carter Charged with Drunk Driving
An Edison police sergeant has been suspended with pay after he crashed his pick-up truck into a utility pole in Carteret and was charged with drunken-driving, authorities said.
Michael Carter, an 10-year veteran of the Edison force, was driving east on Roosevelt Avenue near Pauline Street at 1:58 a.m.Thursday when his 2002 Ford truck hit a pole, Carteret police Chief John Pieczyski said.
Carter was taken to police headquarters and charged with driving while intoxicated after refusing to take a breath test, Pieczyski said.
Edison police were notified and Carter was released to Edison police Capt. Patrick Kelly, who is Carter's uncle, authorities said.
Carter was suspended with pay Thursday, pending the outcome of the charges and the outcome of an internal investigation ordered by Edison police Chief Thomas Bryan, said Deputy Chief Mark Anderko.
Carter receives a base salary of $101,284, according to township record
Michael Carter, an 10-year veteran of the Edison force, was driving east on Roosevelt Avenue near Pauline Street at 1:58 a.m.Thursday when his 2002 Ford truck hit a pole, Carteret police Chief John Pieczyski said.
Carter was taken to police headquarters and charged with driving while intoxicated after refusing to take a breath test, Pieczyski said.
Edison police were notified and Carter was released to Edison police Capt. Patrick Kelly, who is Carter's uncle, authorities said.
Carter was suspended with pay Thursday, pending the outcome of the charges and the outcome of an internal investigation ordered by Edison police Chief Thomas Bryan, said Deputy Chief Mark Anderko.
Carter receives a base salary of $101,284, according to township record
ICE Officer Richard Cramer Pleads Guilty to Helping Mexican Drug Traffickers
A retired high-ranking U.S. immigration officer pleaded guilty Thursday in a Miami federal court to conspiracy to obstruct justice for helping members of a Mexican drug-trafficking organization evade arrest.
Prosecutors said Richard Cramer, who at one time was in charge of the Nogales office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, supplied smugglers with confidential law-enforcement background checks.
Cramer, 56, of Sahuarita, had originally faced three counts of cocaine smuggling, which were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.
Felony obstruction carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence, but under the plea deal prosecutors will recommend Cramer, who is in custody in Florida, serve two years when he is sentenced on Feb. 18.
In court Thursday, prosecutors outlined their case against Cramer: In 2006, he was stationed as an attaché in Guadalajara, Mexico.
A Mexican money launderer hiding in Miami needed assurance that he was not being sought by authorities before returning to Mexico.
Drug traffickers reached out to Cramer, who arranged for law-enforcement background checks. Those showed the money launderer was not wanted.
Federal agents later moved in on the traffickers and found they had paper copies of the background checks. Those led agents back to Cramer, who was arrested in September.
The case began with an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Florida.
In the original criminal complaint, DEA agents accused Cramer of working with drug traffickers and investing up to $25,000 of his own money in a shipment of 300 kilograms of cocaine from Panama to Spain that was seized by agents.
Cramer's friends and relatives have remained stalwart in their defense of him, insisting he would never have intentionally broken the law.
Prosecutors said Richard Cramer, who at one time was in charge of the Nogales office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, supplied smugglers with confidential law-enforcement background checks.
Cramer, 56, of Sahuarita, had originally faced three counts of cocaine smuggling, which were dropped in exchange for his guilty plea.
Felony obstruction carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence, but under the plea deal prosecutors will recommend Cramer, who is in custody in Florida, serve two years when he is sentenced on Feb. 18.
In court Thursday, prosecutors outlined their case against Cramer: In 2006, he was stationed as an attaché in Guadalajara, Mexico.
A Mexican money launderer hiding in Miami needed assurance that he was not being sought by authorities before returning to Mexico.
Drug traffickers reached out to Cramer, who arranged for law-enforcement background checks. Those showed the money launderer was not wanted.
Federal agents later moved in on the traffickers and found they had paper copies of the background checks. Those led agents back to Cramer, who was arrested in September.
The case began with an investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Florida.
In the original criminal complaint, DEA agents accused Cramer of working with drug traffickers and investing up to $25,000 of his own money in a shipment of 300 kilograms of cocaine from Panama to Spain that was seized by agents.
Cramer's friends and relatives have remained stalwart in their defense of him, insisting he would never have intentionally broken the law.
Truancy Officer Harold Cornish Arrested for Beating Up Student
A Lancaster truancy officer is under arrest after a brawl on campus between him and a student at an alternative school.
The officer has had problems in the past and was even fired from the Dallas Police Department and his current job before.
Harold Cornish, 48, was processed at the Dallas County Jail Friday night. The officer, who also worked at DPD for 18 years, is on paid leave from the Lancaster Independent School District.
Zenas Dixon, 16, walked out of the hospital with an ice pack on his face, covering a cut to his eye. He also had a bruised neck and swelling to his lips from the alleged beating he took from the truancy officer.
"He had me in a choke," Dixon said. "He was holding the back of my head and the other arm was under my neck ... I couldn't even talk."
Dixon said Cornish punched him in the face and slammed his head against the ground following a dispute in the cafeteria at J.D Hall Learning Center. Dixon claimed he was attacked because he ate someone else's food.
"He was strangling me like he wanted to kill me," he said. "... He was like, 'You're going to sleep.' He was like, 'Call your daddy he, can get it too."
"He's lucky I didn't come when my son called me," said Spencer Dixon, Zenas' father. "We would both be in big trouble. I can't believe he did that to my son."
According to Dallas Morning News archives, Cornish has been fired four times from police jobs starting in 1988. Dallas police fired him for alleged sexual comments to a female jail employee. He won his appeal and got his job back and was then fired again in 1989 for insubordination. He won another appeal and was let go again by the DPD in 1998 for a physical altercation.
In 2003, Lancaster ISD hired and fired him. Finally, in 2005, the school district had to hire him again after Cornish won a legal settlement against the the district.
"They should have checked his background more thoroughly to find out why was this person fired three times from the same department," said Sonia Dixon, Zenas' mother. "There's something wrong there."
According to the newspaper archives, Cornish was cleared of all criminal charges stemming from his multiple allegations when he was with the DPD.
The student was at the school on a 30-day suspension.
The officer has had problems in the past and was even fired from the Dallas Police Department and his current job before.
Harold Cornish, 48, was processed at the Dallas County Jail Friday night. The officer, who also worked at DPD for 18 years, is on paid leave from the Lancaster Independent School District.
Zenas Dixon, 16, walked out of the hospital with an ice pack on his face, covering a cut to his eye. He also had a bruised neck and swelling to his lips from the alleged beating he took from the truancy officer.
"He had me in a choke," Dixon said. "He was holding the back of my head and the other arm was under my neck ... I couldn't even talk."
Dixon said Cornish punched him in the face and slammed his head against the ground following a dispute in the cafeteria at J.D Hall Learning Center. Dixon claimed he was attacked because he ate someone else's food.
"He was strangling me like he wanted to kill me," he said. "... He was like, 'You're going to sleep.' He was like, 'Call your daddy he, can get it too."
"He's lucky I didn't come when my son called me," said Spencer Dixon, Zenas' father. "We would both be in big trouble. I can't believe he did that to my son."
According to Dallas Morning News archives, Cornish has been fired four times from police jobs starting in 1988. Dallas police fired him for alleged sexual comments to a female jail employee. He won his appeal and got his job back and was then fired again in 1989 for insubordination. He won another appeal and was let go again by the DPD in 1998 for a physical altercation.
In 2003, Lancaster ISD hired and fired him. Finally, in 2005, the school district had to hire him again after Cornish won a legal settlement against the the district.
"They should have checked his background more thoroughly to find out why was this person fired three times from the same department," said Sonia Dixon, Zenas' mother. "There's something wrong there."
According to the newspaper archives, Cornish was cleared of all criminal charges stemming from his multiple allegations when he was with the DPD.
The student was at the school on a 30-day suspension.
Deputy Timothy Shaw Arrested for DUI Crash
A Collier County deputy was arrested Wednesday morning after Florida Highway Patrol officials say he crashed his SUV while driving drunk.
According to FHP reports, a trooper responded to a single-vehicle accident near Davis and Falling Waters boulevards shortly after midnight Wednesday.
In the report, the trooper said he was met by Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Timothy Shaw. Shaw identified the driver of the red Nissan SUV as Jose A. Lopez, 41, a deputy with the Sheriff's Office. Shaw told the trooper that Lopez was possibly under the influence.
After finishing at the scene of the accident, the trooper continued the investigation at NCH Downtown Naples Hospital, where Lopez was transported for treatment, reports said.
During an interview, the trooper noticed that Lopez's breath had a strong alcohol smell, his face was flush and his eyes were bloodshot, glassy and watery, according to the report.
He later refused to take a blood test and asked for a lawyer.
Lopez was arrested, charged with DUI and DUI property damage.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Karie Partington said Lopez has been assigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of his case.
When reached by phone, Lopez declined to comment.
According to FHP reports, a trooper responded to a single-vehicle accident near Davis and Falling Waters boulevards shortly after midnight Wednesday.
In the report, the trooper said he was met by Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Timothy Shaw. Shaw identified the driver of the red Nissan SUV as Jose A. Lopez, 41, a deputy with the Sheriff's Office. Shaw told the trooper that Lopez was possibly under the influence.
After finishing at the scene of the accident, the trooper continued the investigation at NCH Downtown Naples Hospital, where Lopez was transported for treatment, reports said.
During an interview, the trooper noticed that Lopez's breath had a strong alcohol smell, his face was flush and his eyes were bloodshot, glassy and watery, according to the report.
He later refused to take a blood test and asked for a lawyer.
Lopez was arrested, charged with DUI and DUI property damage.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Karie Partington said Lopez has been assigned to administrative duty pending the outcome of his case.
When reached by phone, Lopez declined to comment.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Detective Janet Hawkins Charged with Resisting Arrest
Veteran Daytona Beach police detective Janet Laverne Hawkins was formally charged with resisting arrest with violence — a felony — after allegedly scuffling with Holly Hill officers during a traffic stop.
A law-enforcement official from Daytona Beach was formally charged with a felony after being arrested in September, a newspaper is reporting.
Daytona Beach Police detective Janet Laverne Hawkins was formally charged with resisting arrest with violence — a felony — after allegedly scuffling with Holly Hill officers during a traffic stop, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.She will likely lose her job, the newspaper said.
Officer Ronald Cuen Charged with Drunk Driving
A veteran Calexico police officer faces a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol after pulling into the police station in the company of his wife and 11-year-son with a blood-alcohol level of .23, Calexico Police Chief Jim Neujahr said Wednesday.
Officer Ronald Cuen, a 17-year member of the Calexico Police Department who already had been placed on paid administrative leave four weeks ago, was cited and released Dec. 1 for the DUI offense as his wife was available to drive him home safely, Neujahr said.
Cuen’s blood-alcohol level was nearly three times over the legal limit, which is .08, California Highway Patrol Officer Pablo Torrez said.
Imperial County Assistant District Attorney Joe Beard said that as a courtesy he’ll inform Neujahr that charges will be filed against Cuen.
Cuen had a prior DUI-related arrest 14 years ago in Imperial County but that he did not know what measures, if any, were taken to deal with Cuen, Neujahr said. Calexico Police Department is the only law enforcement agency for which Cuen has worked.
Questions about the arrest were referred to Neujahr who said Cuen pulled into the parking lot of the Calexico police station to use the restroom. Neujahr said he did not know why Cuen’s wife did not drive the vehicle they traveled in.
It was not known where Cuen was coming from when he arrived at the police station, but he was not involved in any DUI-related traffic accidents at the time of the latest arrest, Neujahr said.
Citing personnel issues, Neujahr declined to say why Cuen had been placed on administrative leave but said he’ll remain on it pending the outcome of his current case.
Asked why Cuen was not booked into county jail, Neujahr said all police departments generally release people suspected of misdemeanor DUI driving if there is someone available to drive them home safely. Torrez confirmed the policy is standard practice.
A report of the Dec. 1 incident has been sent to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office for review and Cuen is expected to appear in court for this matter, Neujahr said.
Cuen’s arrest is the latest in a series of situations, or incidents, involving members of the Calexico Police Department.
In October, a five-year Calexico police officer and his wife were arrested on suspicion of allegedly beating up the officer’s former girlfriend. The officer, Juan Garcia, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his case.
Also in October, an officer and a sergeant angrily claimed during a City Council meeting that Neujahr and other high-ranking Calexico police officers were “out of control” and failed to do their part in reducing crime.
Calexico police Sgt. Shaun Sundahl, who was on temporary disability for a knee injury he received while on duty, was one of the two officers who spoke out. He was fired last month, a dismissal for which Neujahr and city officials declined to discuss the specifics.
While he said it was not up to him to comment on another police department, Imperial Police Chief Miguel Colon, who chairs the Imperial Valley Police Chiefs Association, said law enforcement’s reputation suffers anytime an officer runs afoul of the law.
“Any time a peace officer gets arrested it reflects negatively on the profession to some extent,” Colon said.
Cuen will not receive any preferential treatment and matters involving anyone suspected of breaking the law will be handled fairly, Neujahr said.
“We have the highest ethical standards,” Neujahr said. “There’s no officer who is above the law, and we’re going to enforce the law equally.”
Officer Ronald Cuen, a 17-year member of the Calexico Police Department who already had been placed on paid administrative leave four weeks ago, was cited and released Dec. 1 for the DUI offense as his wife was available to drive him home safely, Neujahr said.
Cuen’s blood-alcohol level was nearly three times over the legal limit, which is .08, California Highway Patrol Officer Pablo Torrez said.
Imperial County Assistant District Attorney Joe Beard said that as a courtesy he’ll inform Neujahr that charges will be filed against Cuen.
Cuen had a prior DUI-related arrest 14 years ago in Imperial County but that he did not know what measures, if any, were taken to deal with Cuen, Neujahr said. Calexico Police Department is the only law enforcement agency for which Cuen has worked.
Questions about the arrest were referred to Neujahr who said Cuen pulled into the parking lot of the Calexico police station to use the restroom. Neujahr said he did not know why Cuen’s wife did not drive the vehicle they traveled in.
It was not known where Cuen was coming from when he arrived at the police station, but he was not involved in any DUI-related traffic accidents at the time of the latest arrest, Neujahr said.
Citing personnel issues, Neujahr declined to say why Cuen had been placed on administrative leave but said he’ll remain on it pending the outcome of his current case.
Asked why Cuen was not booked into county jail, Neujahr said all police departments generally release people suspected of misdemeanor DUI driving if there is someone available to drive them home safely. Torrez confirmed the policy is standard practice.
A report of the Dec. 1 incident has been sent to the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office for review and Cuen is expected to appear in court for this matter, Neujahr said.
Cuen’s arrest is the latest in a series of situations, or incidents, involving members of the Calexico Police Department.
In October, a five-year Calexico police officer and his wife were arrested on suspicion of allegedly beating up the officer’s former girlfriend. The officer, Juan Garcia, has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of his case.
Also in October, an officer and a sergeant angrily claimed during a City Council meeting that Neujahr and other high-ranking Calexico police officers were “out of control” and failed to do their part in reducing crime.
Calexico police Sgt. Shaun Sundahl, who was on temporary disability for a knee injury he received while on duty, was one of the two officers who spoke out. He was fired last month, a dismissal for which Neujahr and city officials declined to discuss the specifics.
While he said it was not up to him to comment on another police department, Imperial Police Chief Miguel Colon, who chairs the Imperial Valley Police Chiefs Association, said law enforcement’s reputation suffers anytime an officer runs afoul of the law.
“Any time a peace officer gets arrested it reflects negatively on the profession to some extent,” Colon said.
Cuen will not receive any preferential treatment and matters involving anyone suspected of breaking the law will be handled fairly, Neujahr said.
“We have the highest ethical standards,” Neujahr said. “There’s no officer who is above the law, and we’re going to enforce the law equally.”
Three Connecticut Officers Arrested
Three police officers in three Connecticut towns were arrested Wednesday and Thursday.
Police said officers from Naugatuck, Middletown and Hartford were all arrested and were not connected.
Hartford police Officer Rhashim Campbell was arrested on Thursday after an internal investigation into an assault in the city lockup.
Police said Campbell was arrested on Thursday.
Campbell was charged with assault and fabricating physical evidence.
Police said Campbell was released on a promise to appear.
In addition to the criminal charges, Campbell also faces administrative charges, according to police.
Campbell is suspended without pay from the Hartford Police Department.
Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts said, "We take the care of persons in our custody very seriously. The inappropriate acts of these officers are not representative of the dedicated and professional officers of the Hartford Police Department. The Hartford Police Department will continue to serve our community with the highest professional standards, always focusing on service, relationships and safety."
A New York man who said Hartford police assaulted him while he was in the city lockup stood before a judge on Thursday.
Michael Stewart appeared in court on his breach of peace arrest that occurred the morning after Halloween.
Peter Oldum, Stewart's attorney did all the talking.
The Long Island man was charged in connection with an arrest in the early morning the day after Halloween. Hartford police reports said Stewart had to be pepper sprayed twice.
It's what happened after Stewart's arrest, in the city lockup, that has generated the most attention.
Officers Kent Lee and Rhashim Campbell were suspended with pay after a confrontation between them and Stewart was caught on the city lockup's surveillance cameras.
In court on Thursday, Oldum asked the judge to make sure that the recording is preserved.
Judge Glen Woods granted the request.
Lee has since retired since the incident took place.
In Middletown, police Officer Angelo Passanisi surrendered to Capt. William McKenna at the Middletown Police Department.
Police said Passanisi was charged with insurance fraud, fabricating evidence and falsely reporting an incident.
Officials said the arrest followed a lengthy investigation conducted by McKenna.
In September, Passanisi filed a police report with the Middletown Police Department in which he reported that his parked car had been struck by another vehicle that then fled the scene.
In October, after receiving information that Passanisi crashed the vehicle himself and staged an accident scene to make it appear that the accident was a hit-and-run, he was placed on administrative leave.
After his arrest, Passanisi was processed and released on a $2,500 non-surety bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 23.
In Naugatuck, Officer David Reilly was arrested by Wallingford police and is facing felony charges involving larceny and computer crimes.
Police said they received a complaint from a resident in April.
Police would not elaborate on the actual crime but Wallingford police said Reilly was charged with larceny, computer crimes and coercion.
Police said officers from Naugatuck, Middletown and Hartford were all arrested and were not connected.
Hartford police Officer Rhashim Campbell was arrested on Thursday after an internal investigation into an assault in the city lockup.
Police said Campbell was arrested on Thursday.
Campbell was charged with assault and fabricating physical evidence.
Police said Campbell was released on a promise to appear.
In addition to the criminal charges, Campbell also faces administrative charges, according to police.
Campbell is suspended without pay from the Hartford Police Department.
Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts said, "We take the care of persons in our custody very seriously. The inappropriate acts of these officers are not representative of the dedicated and professional officers of the Hartford Police Department. The Hartford Police Department will continue to serve our community with the highest professional standards, always focusing on service, relationships and safety."
A New York man who said Hartford police assaulted him while he was in the city lockup stood before a judge on Thursday.
Michael Stewart appeared in court on his breach of peace arrest that occurred the morning after Halloween.
Peter Oldum, Stewart's attorney did all the talking.
The Long Island man was charged in connection with an arrest in the early morning the day after Halloween. Hartford police reports said Stewart had to be pepper sprayed twice.
It's what happened after Stewart's arrest, in the city lockup, that has generated the most attention.
Officers Kent Lee and Rhashim Campbell were suspended with pay after a confrontation between them and Stewart was caught on the city lockup's surveillance cameras.
In court on Thursday, Oldum asked the judge to make sure that the recording is preserved.
Judge Glen Woods granted the request.
Lee has since retired since the incident took place.
In Middletown, police Officer Angelo Passanisi surrendered to Capt. William McKenna at the Middletown Police Department.
Police said Passanisi was charged with insurance fraud, fabricating evidence and falsely reporting an incident.
Officials said the arrest followed a lengthy investigation conducted by McKenna.
In September, Passanisi filed a police report with the Middletown Police Department in which he reported that his parked car had been struck by another vehicle that then fled the scene.
In October, after receiving information that Passanisi crashed the vehicle himself and staged an accident scene to make it appear that the accident was a hit-and-run, he was placed on administrative leave.
After his arrest, Passanisi was processed and released on a $2,500 non-surety bond and was scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 23.
In Naugatuck, Officer David Reilly was arrested by Wallingford police and is facing felony charges involving larceny and computer crimes.
Police said they received a complaint from a resident in April.
Police would not elaborate on the actual crime but Wallingford police said Reilly was charged with larceny, computer crimes and coercion.
Officer John Douglas Accused of Brutally Beating Teen
A Rhode Island police officer was arrested Thursday, accused of brutally beating a teenage boy and then encouraging fellow officers to lie about it to the FBI.
Woonsocket police Officer John H. Douglas pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of violating a person’s civil rights and obstruction of justice. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
He did not speak during his brief arraignment. But his lawyer defended him afterward, saying he was “a model policeman.“
In September, the FBI launched an investigation after the 16-year-old boy appeared in state juvenile court severely injured and said several police officers beat him up.
Chief Family Court Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah said at the time that the boy had a boot mark on his back and that one of his eyes was swollen shut. The boy’s lawyer, Robert Laren, said the boy suffered a broken eye socket, was shot by a stun gun and had been badly beaten in the police station.
“It shouldn’t have happened. I’m upset that it happened,“ Jeremiah told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The indictment, handed down Wednesday, said Douglas punched and struck a 16-year-old juvenile Sept. 15. It did not go into other detail, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office would not say if other officers would be indicted. The two counts together carry a maximum 30-year sentence.
The boy has not been identified because he is a juvenile.
Cliff Montiero, the Providence NAACP president who had called for the FBI investigation, said he was pleased with the charges and hoped other officers who may have been involved would be held accountable.
“If one person was charged, it’s better than what we’ve gotten historically” in other cases of alleged police abuse, Montiero said. “I’m happy that we have one, this is unusual - that a police officer is being charged by doing something that’s disrespectful to the uniform that he wears.“
Douglas, 34, of Blackstone, Mass., has been with the Woonsocket police department for five years and spent four years in the Marine Corps before being honorably discharged, his lawyer Peter DiBiase said.
“Excellent family man, excellent husband. I think that speaks for his version of facts,“ DiBiase told NBC 10.
Douglas remains on unpaid administrative leave, where he was placed after the allegations were made, said Woonsocket police spokesman Detective Lt. Eugene Jalette.
Jalette previously said the boy was acting suspiciously when the police stopped him. An officer recognized the boy as having escaped from a probation program. When officers tried to arrest him, the teenager threw one of them to the ground, splitting the officer’s lip, Jalette said in September.
He said there was a foot chase and a struggle, then the boy was taken to a hospital for injuries that officers described as minor. Afterward, the boy was taken to the police station and then turned over to the custody of the state agency that runs the probation program.
Montiero and Laren said the boy told them he was beaten by several officers during the arrest and then twice more at the police station.
The boy is black and Douglas is white. Montiero, a former Providence police officer, said he did not know if race played a role in the alleged beating, but said blacks historically have not been treated well by police in the state.
Woonsocket police Officer John H. Douglas pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of violating a person’s civil rights and obstruction of justice. He was released on $10,000 unsecured bond.
He did not speak during his brief arraignment. But his lawyer defended him afterward, saying he was “a model policeman.“
In September, the FBI launched an investigation after the 16-year-old boy appeared in state juvenile court severely injured and said several police officers beat him up.
Chief Family Court Judge Jeremiah S. Jeremiah said at the time that the boy had a boot mark on his back and that one of his eyes was swollen shut. The boy’s lawyer, Robert Laren, said the boy suffered a broken eye socket, was shot by a stun gun and had been badly beaten in the police station.
“It shouldn’t have happened. I’m upset that it happened,“ Jeremiah told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The indictment, handed down Wednesday, said Douglas punched and struck a 16-year-old juvenile Sept. 15. It did not go into other detail, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office would not say if other officers would be indicted. The two counts together carry a maximum 30-year sentence.
The boy has not been identified because he is a juvenile.
Cliff Montiero, the Providence NAACP president who had called for the FBI investigation, said he was pleased with the charges and hoped other officers who may have been involved would be held accountable.
“If one person was charged, it’s better than what we’ve gotten historically” in other cases of alleged police abuse, Montiero said. “I’m happy that we have one, this is unusual - that a police officer is being charged by doing something that’s disrespectful to the uniform that he wears.“
Douglas, 34, of Blackstone, Mass., has been with the Woonsocket police department for five years and spent four years in the Marine Corps before being honorably discharged, his lawyer Peter DiBiase said.
“Excellent family man, excellent husband. I think that speaks for his version of facts,“ DiBiase told NBC 10.
Douglas remains on unpaid administrative leave, where he was placed after the allegations were made, said Woonsocket police spokesman Detective Lt. Eugene Jalette.
Jalette previously said the boy was acting suspiciously when the police stopped him. An officer recognized the boy as having escaped from a probation program. When officers tried to arrest him, the teenager threw one of them to the ground, splitting the officer’s lip, Jalette said in September.
He said there was a foot chase and a struggle, then the boy was taken to a hospital for injuries that officers described as minor. Afterward, the boy was taken to the police station and then turned over to the custody of the state agency that runs the probation program.
Montiero and Laren said the boy told them he was beaten by several officers during the arrest and then twice more at the police station.
The boy is black and Douglas is white. Montiero, a former Providence police officer, said he did not know if race played a role in the alleged beating, but said blacks historically have not been treated well by police in the state.
Deputy Eric Mayo Charged with Patronizing a Prostitute
A Monroe County reserve deputy who also worked for the Indiana University Police Department is now suspended after Bloomington Police say he patronized a prostitute.
A court document states that 30-year-old Eric Mayo must appear in court January 6 for the charge of patronizing a prostitute. The case was filed in court last week even though the document states Mayo was served the summons last month.
Bloomington Police would only say that they were investigating a report of a 19-year-old woman who claimed that a man, who said he was a photographer, offered her five dollars and a pack of cigarettes in exchange for sexual favors.
Police worked with the woman to set up a meeting with the photographer at a Big Lots store parking lot in Bloomington. Bloomington Police said that's when Eric Mayo showed up. Police said Mayo again asked for "the same deal" -- money and cigarettes for a sexual favor. That's when police served Mayo the summons to appear in court for the preliminary charge of patronizing a prostitute.
Mayo lives less than a block away from the Big Lots. He did not answer his door Tuesday but he did tell Lieutenant Craig Munroe at the IU Police Department about his court summons.
Mayo has worked for IU Police as a dispatcher and police officer for five years.
Lt. Munroe said, "(Mayo) called me up Friday and advised me of the charges had been filed against him. And so I was notified by Mr. Mayo."
Mayo is suspended with pay. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department also suspended Mayo. Both agencies said his employment status depends on the outcome of the case.
A court document states that 30-year-old Eric Mayo must appear in court January 6 for the charge of patronizing a prostitute. The case was filed in court last week even though the document states Mayo was served the summons last month.
Bloomington Police would only say that they were investigating a report of a 19-year-old woman who claimed that a man, who said he was a photographer, offered her five dollars and a pack of cigarettes in exchange for sexual favors.
Police worked with the woman to set up a meeting with the photographer at a Big Lots store parking lot in Bloomington. Bloomington Police said that's when Eric Mayo showed up. Police said Mayo again asked for "the same deal" -- money and cigarettes for a sexual favor. That's when police served Mayo the summons to appear in court for the preliminary charge of patronizing a prostitute.
Mayo lives less than a block away from the Big Lots. He did not answer his door Tuesday but he did tell Lieutenant Craig Munroe at the IU Police Department about his court summons.
Mayo has worked for IU Police as a dispatcher and police officer for five years.
Lt. Munroe said, "(Mayo) called me up Friday and advised me of the charges had been filed against him. And so I was notified by Mr. Mayo."
Mayo is suspended with pay. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department also suspended Mayo. Both agencies said his employment status depends on the outcome of the case.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)