A Miami Township police officer on paid administrative leave since August has been charged with misdemeanor assault in Miamisburg Municipal Court.
Thomas Seifert, 39, is awaiting a jury trial and an administrative hearing after Chief John Krug asked the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to investigate allegations the officer physically assaulted a handcuffed man in August while on duty, according to court records and investigators.
“I cannot release any more details about the ongoing investigation other than there is one,” Krug said.
Krug’s department was working to fulfill a public records request made early Tuesday afternoon of the police incident reports that led to Seifert’s suspension.
Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Mike Nolan confirmed his detectives investigated Seifert’s actions and found “criminal wrongdoing.” The matter was referred back to Krug’s department, and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office brought the criminal charges in early January, according to court records.
A jury trial has been set in the case for Feb. 25.
Krug said he asked independent agencies to investigate Seifert’s alleged actions because other officers witnessed them and could testify in court.
Seifert, who lives in Miamisburg, has received his normal paycheck for the last five months while the criminal investigation was conducted, per the police union’s contract with the township, Krug said.
“There are two investigations here, a criminal investigation and an administrative investigation,” he said. “The criminal investigation gets priority over the administrative, and now that we have charges, a pre-disciplinary hearing will likely be held within the next week.”
Township trustees will then be presented with the results of that hearing and decide Seifert’s employment status.
Seifert is not in jail on the charge and his attorney was not available for comment this afternoon,
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Officer Bryan Platz Arrested for Drunk Driving
A police officer in Coon Rapids, MN, was suspended from his job following a suspected DWI arrest when he was off-duty.
The officer, 35-year-old Bryan Platz, was arrested after rear-ending another car around 10PM Friday night. There were no serious injuries in the accident. When local police noted another officer was involved, they asked the state patrol to handle the situation.
Upon arriving at the scene, state patrol officers believed alcohol may have been a factor in the fender-bender. Officer Platz agreed to provide a blood sample. Those results may take weeks to process, but he has been suspended from duty regardless.
In most cases involving public officials, the department will conduct an internal investigation to consider multiple factors. Those factors include the officer's history of disciplinary problems, whether the officer was in a patrol vehicle or on duty, and if the officer broke department policies in the accident.
Platz has been an officer with the Coon Rapids police force for nearly 7 years. He will be paid during his leave time. No internal investigation was pursued to determine if the officer should be suspended; the action seemed to occur very quickly.
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The officer, 35-year-old Bryan Platz, was arrested after rear-ending another car around 10PM Friday night. There were no serious injuries in the accident. When local police noted another officer was involved, they asked the state patrol to handle the situation.
Upon arriving at the scene, state patrol officers believed alcohol may have been a factor in the fender-bender. Officer Platz agreed to provide a blood sample. Those results may take weeks to process, but he has been suspended from duty regardless.
In most cases involving public officials, the department will conduct an internal investigation to consider multiple factors. Those factors include the officer's history of disciplinary problems, whether the officer was in a patrol vehicle or on duty, and if the officer broke department policies in the accident.
Platz has been an officer with the Coon Rapids police force for nearly 7 years. He will be paid during his leave time. No internal investigation was pursued to determine if the officer should be suspended; the action seemed to occur very quickly.
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Monday, January 18, 2010
Hearing Set for Officer Raymond Ramos Accused of Sexually Assaulting Woman
A hearing is set today for former San Antonio policeman Raymond Ramos. The 30-year-old is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he detained more than two years ago in a park.
According to investigators, the alleged incident happened in November 2007 just after 4 a.m. Police said Ramos who was on-duty and in uniform sexually assaulted the victim at Golden Park in the 7800 block of Somerset Road. He was indicted in the case in June 2008 for civil rights violation of a person in custody and sexual assault.
Ramos worked overnight at SAPD's south patrol office. He had been with the department for two years. His indictment came on the same day as two fellow officers in an unrelated incident. However, both cases involved women who claimed sexual misconduct against on duty policemen.
Ramos' hearing is set to heard before Judge Cathy Torres Stahl in district court 144 Tuesday morning. If convicted, the former officer faces more than 20 years in prison for both charges.
He is also being sued by the alleged victim. She filed suit against the Ramos, the City of San Antonio, SAPD and police Chief William McManus last month.
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According to investigators, the alleged incident happened in November 2007 just after 4 a.m. Police said Ramos who was on-duty and in uniform sexually assaulted the victim at Golden Park in the 7800 block of Somerset Road. He was indicted in the case in June 2008 for civil rights violation of a person in custody and sexual assault.
Ramos worked overnight at SAPD's south patrol office. He had been with the department for two years. His indictment came on the same day as two fellow officers in an unrelated incident. However, both cases involved women who claimed sexual misconduct against on duty policemen.
Ramos' hearing is set to heard before Judge Cathy Torres Stahl in district court 144 Tuesday morning. If convicted, the former officer faces more than 20 years in prison for both charges.
He is also being sued by the alleged victim. She filed suit against the Ramos, the City of San Antonio, SAPD and police Chief William McManus last month.
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Inspector Marvetia Richardson Fired for Lying
The San Francisco Police Department has quietly fired a veteran inspector - the first officer to be dismissed from the force in more than four years - for a litany of misconduct that included lying about an incident in which Antioch police fired a Taser at her.
Inspector Marvetia "Lynn" Richardson, 42, was fired after a closed-door hearing of the Police Commission last month, but the panel made no announcement at the time. City officials confirmed Richardson's firing in response to inquiries from The Chronicle.
Richardson worked for the department for 15 years, most recently in the fraud unit. She had been suspended without pay since 2008, when then-Chief Heather Fong accused her of 11 disciplinary infractions.
Three of the counts stemmed from a June 2007 incident in which an Antioch police officer used a Taser to subdue her in her home on the city's Mokelumne Drive.
Officers were answering a call about someone making threats at Richardson's home. When they arrived, Richardson allegedly ordered them to leave, became belligerent and refused commands to show her hands, prompting the officers to use the Taser, according to the department's charges. She also refused to sign a citation for allegedly resisting arrest.
In November 2008, Richardson sued the Antioch police chief, the officers involved and the city, saying they had violated her civil rights by using the Taser wrongfully. The case is scheduled to go to trial in federal court in San Francisco this fall.
Before she filed her suit, however, San Francisco police officials concluded Richardson had lied about the incident in explaining it to the department's internal affairs unit.
Richardson, they said, told internal investigators that Antioch officers had never warned her they were intending to fire the Taser. They said an audio recording made by officers on the scene contradicted her story.
The department also accused her of misusing the police records system in 2007 to track down and send a letter to a woman, telling her that her husband was cheating on her. Richardson apparently was interested romantically in the woman with whom the husband was having the affair, according to the disciplinary charges.
The husband intercepted the letter and filed a complaint with the city.
Other charges alleged that Richardson had negligently cashed several stolen checks given to her by her tenant as rent, amounting to a total of nearly $26,000. The tenant stole the checks from his parents, according to the charges.
Richardson said she did not know the checks were stolen, but the department maintained that as a fraud investigator she should not have accepted checks from a third party.
Richardson was also accused of sick time abuse. She allegedly called in sick 29 times over the course of a year but failed to file paperwork that would ensure the time off was recorded as sick leave.
Quinton Cutlip, an attorney for Richardson, has argued that some of the charges were unfounded and others were lodged too late to comply with the one-year statute of limitations for disciplinary cases. He did not return calls last week seeking comment.
Richardson also did not return calls seeking comment. She is the first San Francisco police officer to be fired since Officer Anthony Nelson was dismissed in October 2005, after he was found to have lied about his use of force on an anti-war demonstrator whose arm he broke during a 2003 demonstration.
Inspector Marvetia "Lynn" Richardson, 42, was fired after a closed-door hearing of the Police Commission last month, but the panel made no announcement at the time. City officials confirmed Richardson's firing in response to inquiries from The Chronicle.
Richardson worked for the department for 15 years, most recently in the fraud unit. She had been suspended without pay since 2008, when then-Chief Heather Fong accused her of 11 disciplinary infractions.
Three of the counts stemmed from a June 2007 incident in which an Antioch police officer used a Taser to subdue her in her home on the city's Mokelumne Drive.
Officers were answering a call about someone making threats at Richardson's home. When they arrived, Richardson allegedly ordered them to leave, became belligerent and refused commands to show her hands, prompting the officers to use the Taser, according to the department's charges. She also refused to sign a citation for allegedly resisting arrest.
In November 2008, Richardson sued the Antioch police chief, the officers involved and the city, saying they had violated her civil rights by using the Taser wrongfully. The case is scheduled to go to trial in federal court in San Francisco this fall.
Before she filed her suit, however, San Francisco police officials concluded Richardson had lied about the incident in explaining it to the department's internal affairs unit.
Richardson, they said, told internal investigators that Antioch officers had never warned her they were intending to fire the Taser. They said an audio recording made by officers on the scene contradicted her story.
The department also accused her of misusing the police records system in 2007 to track down and send a letter to a woman, telling her that her husband was cheating on her. Richardson apparently was interested romantically in the woman with whom the husband was having the affair, according to the disciplinary charges.
The husband intercepted the letter and filed a complaint with the city.
Other charges alleged that Richardson had negligently cashed several stolen checks given to her by her tenant as rent, amounting to a total of nearly $26,000. The tenant stole the checks from his parents, according to the charges.
Richardson said she did not know the checks were stolen, but the department maintained that as a fraud investigator she should not have accepted checks from a third party.
Richardson was also accused of sick time abuse. She allegedly called in sick 29 times over the course of a year but failed to file paperwork that would ensure the time off was recorded as sick leave.
Quinton Cutlip, an attorney for Richardson, has argued that some of the charges were unfounded and others were lodged too late to comply with the one-year statute of limitations for disciplinary cases. He did not return calls last week seeking comment.
Richardson also did not return calls seeking comment. She is the first San Francisco police officer to be fired since Officer Anthony Nelson was dismissed in October 2005, after he was found to have lied about his use of force on an anti-war demonstrator whose arm he broke during a 2003 demonstration.
Officer Mary Hernandez Arrested for Assaulting Her Son
The police officer arrested Friday for assaulting her son was placed on paid administrative leave, the Santa Rosa police chief said.
Santa Rosa police officer Mary Hernandez will be placed on leave until the investigation into the case closes, Chief Xavier Martinez said.
He added it should conclude by midweek. Following its conclusion, Martinez will give his recommendation to the Santa Rosa city manager.
Once there, the city manager will decide whether Hernandez stays with the police department or not.
Action 4 News also spoke to Hernandez’ family, they said the Friday night incident did not happen the way police report it.
However, they refused to go into specifics, saying they were advised not to comment on the case.
San Benito Police responded to Hernandez’ home on the 1000 block of Chapman Street, at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday night.
Officers arrested Hernandez for allegedly punching her 15 year old son throughout his entire body.
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Santa Rosa police officer Mary Hernandez will be placed on leave until the investigation into the case closes, Chief Xavier Martinez said.
He added it should conclude by midweek. Following its conclusion, Martinez will give his recommendation to the Santa Rosa city manager.
Once there, the city manager will decide whether Hernandez stays with the police department or not.
Action 4 News also spoke to Hernandez’ family, they said the Friday night incident did not happen the way police report it.
However, they refused to go into specifics, saying they were advised not to comment on the case.
San Benito Police responded to Hernandez’ home on the 1000 block of Chapman Street, at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday night.
Officers arrested Hernandez for allegedly punching her 15 year old son throughout his entire body.
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Officer Hamlett Almendarez in Trouble for Having Sex While on Duty
Boys, keep your thingy in your pants until you get home. Or try whacking off before you cum to work. Damn! Such a dumb thing to lose your job over.
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Another officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is in trouble for allegedly committing a sex act while on the job.
Hamlett Almendarez is the second CMPD officer assigned to the Eastway Division within a matter of weeks to lose his job over an alleged sex act.
Several police sources say Almendarez was working on Saturday at 3 a.m. when he took a break at the Fuel Pizza restaurant located on Central Avenue.
According to the CMPD, witnesses reported that Almendarez followed a woman out of the restroom after they allegedly engaged in a sexual act.
A witness called 311 and told a CMPD Sergeant about the alleged incident. The police department was able to pinpoint Almendarez to the accusation by using the GPS locator on his police car. Almendarez reportedly later resigned from the police department.
Almendarez is not charged with a crime. However, his former Eastway Division co-worker, Marcus Jackson, does face several sex assault charges. Jackson was fired after several women say he pulled them over and sexually assaulted them.
CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe says Jackson should have never been hired, but the department failed to do a proper background check.
News of the latest incident has made some East Charlotte residents nervous.
"Especially being a female, if I'm driving by myself, and getting pulled over or something like that," said Makeda Johnson. "It's something to worry about, it really is."
But folks we talked to also said it's important not to judge all police by the allegations against these two officers.
"It's not a reflection on all of them, because some of them out here really do a good job," said Twana Wortham.
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Another officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is in trouble for allegedly committing a sex act while on the job.
Hamlett Almendarez is the second CMPD officer assigned to the Eastway Division within a matter of weeks to lose his job over an alleged sex act.
Several police sources say Almendarez was working on Saturday at 3 a.m. when he took a break at the Fuel Pizza restaurant located on Central Avenue.
According to the CMPD, witnesses reported that Almendarez followed a woman out of the restroom after they allegedly engaged in a sexual act.
A witness called 311 and told a CMPD Sergeant about the alleged incident. The police department was able to pinpoint Almendarez to the accusation by using the GPS locator on his police car. Almendarez reportedly later resigned from the police department.
Almendarez is not charged with a crime. However, his former Eastway Division co-worker, Marcus Jackson, does face several sex assault charges. Jackson was fired after several women say he pulled them over and sexually assaulted them.
CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe says Jackson should have never been hired, but the department failed to do a proper background check.
News of the latest incident has made some East Charlotte residents nervous.
"Especially being a female, if I'm driving by myself, and getting pulled over or something like that," said Makeda Johnson. "It's something to worry about, it really is."
But folks we talked to also said it's important not to judge all police by the allegations against these two officers.
"It's not a reflection on all of them, because some of them out here really do a good job," said Twana Wortham.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Former Deputy Alan Brooks Accused of Secretly Tapeing Couple in Sex Act
Prosecutors charged a former Natrona County reserve deputy with seven felonies in connection with allegations that he secretly videotaped couples engaged in sexual activities inside their Evansville home.
Police say Alan Brooks, 65, wired a Curtis Street home in Evansville with elaborate recording devices and spent the past four years videotaping its residents. Court documents refer to Brooks as the property’s “manager and/or landlord.”
Authorities have confiscated hundreds of incriminating recordings, as well as “multiple hidden cameras” and “recording devices,” according to an affidavit from the case.
Brooks made his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court on Friday. Prosecutors charged him with one count of intercepting electronic communications and six counts of voyeurism.
The Casper resident faces the possibility of 17 years behind bars if convicted of all charges.
Judge Michael Patchen set bond at $10,000.
Brooks told Patchen he was employed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the time the crimes are alleged to have occurred, however, Brooks was also a reserve deputy for the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office. He had served in that capacity for 20-plus years.
Reached Friday afternoon, Sheriff Mark Benton said Brooks was removed from reserve deputy status on Dec. 18 — the day of his arrest. The sheriff declined to comment on the case further.
The investigation into Brooks began on Dec. 17, when a 19-year-old female resident of the house on Curtis Street told Evansville police she had discovered several holes drilled into the ceiling in the home’s bathroom and living room. The woman told police her 26-year-old boyfriend and her had then found “closed-circuit television cameras and recording equipment” in the attic, according to the affidavit.
Police say that while the couple was trying to enter a boarded-up garage at the residence, Brooks showed up and asked what they were doing.
After telling Brooks what they had found, the couple, along with a male friend, ultimately detained him and waited on authorities to arrive. While waiting, Brooks reportedly told the couple and their friend, “Just kill me,” according to the affidavit.
Investigators say that while executing a search warrant on the Curtis Street home early the next morning, they discovered several hundred VHS recordings. At least one of the tapes showed the house’s female occupant and her boyfriend engaged in sexual activity. Another showed the woman showering.
Authorities say a DVD confiscated showed the home’s two previous occupants engaged in sexual activity.
According to the affidavit, police also found a “logging/tally system very similar to an accountant’s book,” during the search of the home. The book seemed to be a who-what-when-where tally of sexual activities that had been secretly recorded, according to the affidavit.
Police also searched Brooks’ residence on West Micro Road in Casper on Dec. 18. That search, authorities say, revealed video recordings of a female bathing in the home’s bathtub. After being contacted by police, the woman in the video said she had “house-sat” for Brooks in late 2008.
In all, authorities say they found secret video recordings of six adults. None of the people in any of the recordings said they had given anyone permission to record them.
Investigators say they discovered printed e-mails that seemed to indicate Brooks is, or has been, a member of a Web site that “reveals that it promotes the downloading, uploading and viewing of still and video images of adults without their consent and/or knowledge,” the affidavit states.
According to the Natrona County Detention Center’s automated line, Brooks remained in jail Friday evening.
Police say Alan Brooks, 65, wired a Curtis Street home in Evansville with elaborate recording devices and spent the past four years videotaping its residents. Court documents refer to Brooks as the property’s “manager and/or landlord.”
Authorities have confiscated hundreds of incriminating recordings, as well as “multiple hidden cameras” and “recording devices,” according to an affidavit from the case.
Brooks made his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court on Friday. Prosecutors charged him with one count of intercepting electronic communications and six counts of voyeurism.
The Casper resident faces the possibility of 17 years behind bars if convicted of all charges.
Judge Michael Patchen set bond at $10,000.
Brooks told Patchen he was employed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At the time the crimes are alleged to have occurred, however, Brooks was also a reserve deputy for the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office. He had served in that capacity for 20-plus years.
Reached Friday afternoon, Sheriff Mark Benton said Brooks was removed from reserve deputy status on Dec. 18 — the day of his arrest. The sheriff declined to comment on the case further.
The investigation into Brooks began on Dec. 17, when a 19-year-old female resident of the house on Curtis Street told Evansville police she had discovered several holes drilled into the ceiling in the home’s bathroom and living room. The woman told police her 26-year-old boyfriend and her had then found “closed-circuit television cameras and recording equipment” in the attic, according to the affidavit.
Police say that while the couple was trying to enter a boarded-up garage at the residence, Brooks showed up and asked what they were doing.
After telling Brooks what they had found, the couple, along with a male friend, ultimately detained him and waited on authorities to arrive. While waiting, Brooks reportedly told the couple and their friend, “Just kill me,” according to the affidavit.
Investigators say that while executing a search warrant on the Curtis Street home early the next morning, they discovered several hundred VHS recordings. At least one of the tapes showed the house’s female occupant and her boyfriend engaged in sexual activity. Another showed the woman showering.
Authorities say a DVD confiscated showed the home’s two previous occupants engaged in sexual activity.
According to the affidavit, police also found a “logging/tally system very similar to an accountant’s book,” during the search of the home. The book seemed to be a who-what-when-where tally of sexual activities that had been secretly recorded, according to the affidavit.
Police also searched Brooks’ residence on West Micro Road in Casper on Dec. 18. That search, authorities say, revealed video recordings of a female bathing in the home’s bathtub. After being contacted by police, the woman in the video said she had “house-sat” for Brooks in late 2008.
In all, authorities say they found secret video recordings of six adults. None of the people in any of the recordings said they had given anyone permission to record them.
Investigators say they discovered printed e-mails that seemed to indicate Brooks is, or has been, a member of a Web site that “reveals that it promotes the downloading, uploading and viewing of still and video images of adults without their consent and/or knowledge,” the affidavit states.
According to the Natrona County Detention Center’s automated line, Brooks remained in jail Friday evening.
Officer Elliott Porter Arrested for DWI
Arlington police arrested one of their own this weekend.
Arlington police say they received a call from a citizen at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday regarding a man driving erratically southbound on Collins Street. Officers stopped the vehicle in the 3400 block of S. Collins Street and arrested Elliott Porter, 29, an off-duty Arlington Police Officer.
Officer Porter was taken to the Arlington City Jail and charged with driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $1,000 by the court. He posted bail and was released Sunday morning. Officer Porter has been placed on routine administrative leave. Arlington police say that in addition to the criminal investigation, an internal inquiry will also be conducted.
Arlington police say they received a call from a citizen at about 1:15 a.m. Sunday regarding a man driving erratically southbound on Collins Street. Officers stopped the vehicle in the 3400 block of S. Collins Street and arrested Elliott Porter, 29, an off-duty Arlington Police Officer.
Officer Porter was taken to the Arlington City Jail and charged with driving while intoxicated. Bail was set at $1,000 by the court. He posted bail and was released Sunday morning. Officer Porter has been placed on routine administrative leave. Arlington police say that in addition to the criminal investigation, an internal inquiry will also be conducted.
Deputy Sgt. Edward Henley Accused of Beating His Wife
An Escambia County Florida Sheriff's deputy is finding himself on the other side of the law after he is accused of beating his wife.
Deputies say Sgt. Edward Henley, a deputy of 22 years, struck his wife after coming home from a party.
Deputies received the 911 call around 12:45 Saturday morning. Henley's wife claims the two were arguing on the way home and the argument eventually got physical.
Based on evidence at the scene Sgt. Henley was arrested. He is being charged with False Imprisonment, Battery and Assault. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail with no bond.
Deputies say Sgt. Edward Henley, a deputy of 22 years, struck his wife after coming home from a party.
Deputies received the 911 call around 12:45 Saturday morning. Henley's wife claims the two were arguing on the way home and the argument eventually got physical.
Based on evidence at the scene Sgt. Henley was arrested. He is being charged with False Imprisonment, Battery and Assault. He is being held in the Escambia County Jail with no bond.
Salt Lake Family Wants City to Pay Damages Caused by SWAT Team
A Salt Lake family wants the city to pay for damage from a SWAT team search of their house.
It stems from the Jan. 5 search for the man accused of fatally shooting Millard County sheriff's Deputy Josie Fox.
Police originally believed the suspect, Roberto Roman, was hiding at the Salt Lake City home of his cousin, Guillermo Miramontes. A car believed to be connected to the shooting was spotted in front of the house on the 1000 West block of 300 South. Officers got permission to search the home and ended up firing 10 canisters of tear gas into the house before entering.
Roman was not inside. He later was found with an accused accomplice and arrested north of Beaver.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports damage to the Salt Lake City home is approximately $25,000. The family says it needs to replace the carpet, two couches, six beds, most of their clothing and all of the food that was in the house.
Family members tell the Tribune they're afraid they will get stuck with the cost. The family filed a claim against the city and says it will file a lawsuit if it doesn't get paid.
Community activist Michael Clara, who also is a neighbor of the Miramontes family, says the family has been living in a hotel room.
"Eleven days (after the SWAT search) the health department shows up and says 'Oh, this house, we need to close it because there is too much tear gas in there,'" he told KSL.
He says the family basically has been left homeless.
"The house is uninhabitable. Everything is damaged, the windows are all broken. There's no process in place to help someone in that situation," he said.
Salt Lake City isn't commenting because of the pending claim.
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It stems from the Jan. 5 search for the man accused of fatally shooting Millard County sheriff's Deputy Josie Fox.
Police originally believed the suspect, Roberto Roman, was hiding at the Salt Lake City home of his cousin, Guillermo Miramontes. A car believed to be connected to the shooting was spotted in front of the house on the 1000 West block of 300 South. Officers got permission to search the home and ended up firing 10 canisters of tear gas into the house before entering.
Roman was not inside. He later was found with an accused accomplice and arrested north of Beaver.
The Salt Lake Tribune reports damage to the Salt Lake City home is approximately $25,000. The family says it needs to replace the carpet, two couches, six beds, most of their clothing and all of the food that was in the house.
Family members tell the Tribune they're afraid they will get stuck with the cost. The family filed a claim against the city and says it will file a lawsuit if it doesn't get paid.
Community activist Michael Clara, who also is a neighbor of the Miramontes family, says the family has been living in a hotel room.
"Eleven days (after the SWAT search) the health department shows up and says 'Oh, this house, we need to close it because there is too much tear gas in there,'" he told KSL.
He says the family basically has been left homeless.
"The house is uninhabitable. Everything is damaged, the windows are all broken. There's no process in place to help someone in that situation," he said.
Salt Lake City isn't commenting because of the pending claim.
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Saturday, January 16, 2010
Officer Anthony Fletcher Arrested for Lewd Act with Child
A Riverside police officer is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on charges he molested a teenage girl.
Anthony Wayne Fletcher, 38, of Eastvale, was arrested Dec. 24 by Riverside County sheriff's detectives. He faces three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and three misdemeanors of annoying/molesting a child.
The incidents in the complaint took place in August, according to a criminal complaint filed in Riverside County Superior Court.
The girl, now 17, said Fletcher fondled her breasts numerous times over two years, all when he believed she was sleeping, sheriff's investigators wrote in a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.
Fletcher's attorney, Mark Johnson, did not return requests for comment Friday. In a brief interview with detectives on Oct. 22, Fletcher denied the allegations, according to the declaration.
The Riverside police weapons expert remains employed by the department, officials said Friday. They declined to comment further.
Sheriff's investigators received the case on Oct. 19, after the girl made the allegations first to a friend and then to her mother, according to the arrest warrant declaration.
The teen said she kept the secret for a long time because she didn't want to hurt her relatives, Investigator Chris Barajas wrote. After learning of a dispute between Fletcher and another family member, she told her mother, the declaration states.
Anthony Wayne Fletcher, 38, of Eastvale, was arrested Dec. 24 by Riverside County sheriff's detectives. He faces three felony counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and three misdemeanors of annoying/molesting a child.
The incidents in the complaint took place in August, according to a criminal complaint filed in Riverside County Superior Court.
The girl, now 17, said Fletcher fondled her breasts numerous times over two years, all when he believed she was sleeping, sheriff's investigators wrote in a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.
Fletcher's attorney, Mark Johnson, did not return requests for comment Friday. In a brief interview with detectives on Oct. 22, Fletcher denied the allegations, according to the declaration.
The Riverside police weapons expert remains employed by the department, officials said Friday. They declined to comment further.
Sheriff's investigators received the case on Oct. 19, after the girl made the allegations first to a friend and then to her mother, according to the arrest warrant declaration.
The teen said she kept the secret for a long time because she didn't want to hurt her relatives, Investigator Chris Barajas wrote. After learning of a dispute between Fletcher and another family member, she told her mother, the declaration states.
Former Officer Todd Vecellio Convicted of Sex Crimes Against Children
A former University of Colorado-Colorado Springs police officer was sentenced Thursday to two years to life in the Department of Corrections after being convicted in an Internet Crimes Against Children case.
Todd Vecellio was convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, solicitation, criminal attempt to commit sexual assault on a child and enticement of a child by a jury in November.
He received concurrent sentences of two years to life on the conspiracy, solicitation and enticement charges and one year on the attempt to commit sexual assault charge.
District Judge David Thorson had ordered a pre-sentence investigation and psychosexual evaluation prior to sentencing. Vecellio refused to participate citing his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
Assistant District Attorney Kathy Eberling asked for the prison sentence because a sex offender should not be given the benefit of probation when they have not shown that they are amenable to treatment. An offender cannot participate in treatment if he remains in denial.
She added that this case was all the more abhorrent because Vecellio violated his position of trust as a police officer.
Vecellio’s defense attorney, Ted McClintock, said he believed the District Attorney was urging an unconstitutional policy standard.
He said his client intends to appeal his conviction and that any statements he makes prior to filing that appeal could be used against him in a subsequent retrial.
“They can’t force him to make an admission,” McClintock said. “That would decimate his constitutional right to appeal.”
Thorson said this would be a close case as to sentencing the defendant to probation or prison.
“I don’t second-guess the jury’s decision whatsoever,” he said.
He said Vecellio’s story after his arrest that he was conducting his own undercover investigation was very convenient once he got caught.
“Given the nature of the offence, I don’t see anything mitigating,” he said. “The defendant has basically said he’s not going to participate in treatment.”
Vecellio now has 45 days to file an appeal.
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Todd Vecellio was convicted of one count each of conspiracy to commit sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, solicitation, criminal attempt to commit sexual assault on a child and enticement of a child by a jury in November.
He received concurrent sentences of two years to life on the conspiracy, solicitation and enticement charges and one year on the attempt to commit sexual assault charge.
District Judge David Thorson had ordered a pre-sentence investigation and psychosexual evaluation prior to sentencing. Vecellio refused to participate citing his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent.
Assistant District Attorney Kathy Eberling asked for the prison sentence because a sex offender should not be given the benefit of probation when they have not shown that they are amenable to treatment. An offender cannot participate in treatment if he remains in denial.
She added that this case was all the more abhorrent because Vecellio violated his position of trust as a police officer.
Vecellio’s defense attorney, Ted McClintock, said he believed the District Attorney was urging an unconstitutional policy standard.
He said his client intends to appeal his conviction and that any statements he makes prior to filing that appeal could be used against him in a subsequent retrial.
“They can’t force him to make an admission,” McClintock said. “That would decimate his constitutional right to appeal.”
Thorson said this would be a close case as to sentencing the defendant to probation or prison.
“I don’t second-guess the jury’s decision whatsoever,” he said.
He said Vecellio’s story after his arrest that he was conducting his own undercover investigation was very convenient once he got caught.
“Given the nature of the offence, I don’t see anything mitigating,” he said. “The defendant has basically said he’s not going to participate in treatment.”
Vecellio now has 45 days to file an appeal.
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Former Officer Daniel Gardner Sentenced to 20 Years for Murdering His Girlfriend
A former Murfreesboro police officer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend.
Forty-3-year-old Daniel Gardner pleaded guilty Wednesday in Nashville to the Jan. 10, 2009, death of 34-year-old Marie Cogburn of Nashville.
Investigators say Gardner shot Cogburn in the back with a rifle during an argument then went to his mother's home to call police. Police say he returned to the scene of the shooting to wait for police and was arrested.
Gardner was a police officer in the 1990s for Murfreesboro.
Forty-3-year-old Daniel Gardner pleaded guilty Wednesday in Nashville to the Jan. 10, 2009, death of 34-year-old Marie Cogburn of Nashville.
Investigators say Gardner shot Cogburn in the back with a rifle during an argument then went to his mother's home to call police. Police say he returned to the scene of the shooting to wait for police and was arrested.
Gardner was a police officer in the 1990s for Murfreesboro.
Former Officer Kachina McAlexander Found Guilty Of Firing Weapon at Police
A former Denver Police officer was found guilty on all counts on Thursday after she was accused of firing her handgun at local law enforcement officers in South Dakota.
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Kachina McAlexander, who resigned from her job with DPD last April, was convicted of three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and one count of reckless use of a firearm.
The jury deliberated for 3.5 hours on Thursday before returning a verdict.
Her trial began on Tuesday.
McAlexander was holed up in a Custer, S.D. motel room on March 24, 2009 when local officers arrived in response to a report that McAlexander might be suicidal.
The 10-year DPD veteran is accused of firing her weapon at the responding officers, none of whom was injured.
Attempted murder charges were initially filed but then thrown out nine months ago.
According to The Denver Post, McAlexander faced weapons charges in 2006 after firing at a television and at the walls of her home in Adams County. Like the March 24 incident, McAlexander was reportedly suicidal at the time.
A judge acquitted McAlexander of the charges and an appeal by prosecutors was not successful.
She is being held without bond at the Pennington County Jail while she waits for sentencing.
She could be sentenced to 25 years in prison for each of the assault counts, plus a $50,000 fine for each count. The reckless use of a firearm charge comes with a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.
The clerk said a sentencing date had not been set.
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Kachina McAlexander, who resigned from her job with DPD last April, was convicted of three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and one count of reckless use of a firearm.
The jury deliberated for 3.5 hours on Thursday before returning a verdict.
Her trial began on Tuesday.
McAlexander was holed up in a Custer, S.D. motel room on March 24, 2009 when local officers arrived in response to a report that McAlexander might be suicidal.
The 10-year DPD veteran is accused of firing her weapon at the responding officers, none of whom was injured.
Attempted murder charges were initially filed but then thrown out nine months ago.
According to The Denver Post, McAlexander faced weapons charges in 2006 after firing at a television and at the walls of her home in Adams County. Like the March 24 incident, McAlexander was reportedly suicidal at the time.
A judge acquitted McAlexander of the charges and an appeal by prosecutors was not successful.
She is being held without bond at the Pennington County Jail while she waits for sentencing.
She could be sentenced to 25 years in prison for each of the assault counts, plus a $50,000 fine for each count. The reckless use of a firearm charge comes with a sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000.
The clerk said a sentencing date had not been set.
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Officer Troy Young Linked to Disappearance of Lotto Winner Abraham Shakespeare
An investigation has been launched into whether a Lakeland police officer took money from a woman linked to the disappearance of Lotto winner Abraham Shakespeare, a newspaper is reporting.
Officer Troy Young, 42, has been suspended amid allegations he took money from Dorice "DeeDee" Moore, a person of interest in the missing-millionaire case, according to the Lakeland Ledger.
The newspaper is reporting Young has said he had contact with Moore about her plans to write a book about Shakespeare.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office this week named Moore as a person of interest in the case.
Officer Troy Young, 42, has been suspended amid allegations he took money from Dorice "DeeDee" Moore, a person of interest in the missing-millionaire case, according to the Lakeland Ledger.
The newspaper is reporting Young has said he had contact with Moore about her plans to write a book about Shakespeare.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office this week named Moore as a person of interest in the case.
Officer Wilfredo Rosario Convicted of Sexually Assaulting Several Women
A New York City police officer who is accused of sexually assaulting several women was convicted Friday of telling an 18-year-old that he would destroy a summons he was issuing her in exchange for oral sex.
After the jury found the officer, Wilfredo Rosario, guilty of official misconduct and attempted coercion, Justice Daniel P. FitzGerald of State Supreme Court in Manhattan ordered that he be held without bail. Mr. Rosario will face up to a year in jail behind bars when he is sentenced on Jan. 29.
Mr. Rosario faces unrelated charges — including sexual abuse and rape — involving three other women. Those will be decided in a separate trial.
Because of the conviction on Friday, Mr. Rosario was fired, a Police Department spokesman said.
Steven R. Fusfeld, Mr. Rosario’s lawyer, said he planned to appeal the conviction.
“We really are surprised and disappointed with the verdict,” Mr. Fusfeld said in an interview. “I just don’t think there was enough credible evidence to support the verdict.”
The case stemmed from an encounter in 2002 in which Mr. Rosario and his partner saw a woman, now 26, and her male friend sitting in Riverside Park after hours. Mr. Rosario took the woman to one side of the van, while his partner took the man to the other. The woman testified at trial that Mr. Rosario began asking her normal police questions for the summons, like her address and phone number, before the tenor changed.
He asked her if she was “going to make out” with her friend or have sex with him, she testified. She responded no. After that, the woman said, Mr. Rosario asked her if she would perform oral sex on him, agreeing to throw out the summons if she did.
The woman testified that she told Mr. Rosario that she would give him oral sex later, hoping it would buy her time to get out of the situation. They agreed to meet the following day at 4 p.m., she said. But she never again saw Mr. Rosario, she said, and she reported the incident to the authorities a few days later.
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After the jury found the officer, Wilfredo Rosario, guilty of official misconduct and attempted coercion, Justice Daniel P. FitzGerald of State Supreme Court in Manhattan ordered that he be held without bail. Mr. Rosario will face up to a year in jail behind bars when he is sentenced on Jan. 29.
Mr. Rosario faces unrelated charges — including sexual abuse and rape — involving three other women. Those will be decided in a separate trial.
Because of the conviction on Friday, Mr. Rosario was fired, a Police Department spokesman said.
Steven R. Fusfeld, Mr. Rosario’s lawyer, said he planned to appeal the conviction.
“We really are surprised and disappointed with the verdict,” Mr. Fusfeld said in an interview. “I just don’t think there was enough credible evidence to support the verdict.”
The case stemmed from an encounter in 2002 in which Mr. Rosario and his partner saw a woman, now 26, and her male friend sitting in Riverside Park after hours. Mr. Rosario took the woman to one side of the van, while his partner took the man to the other. The woman testified at trial that Mr. Rosario began asking her normal police questions for the summons, like her address and phone number, before the tenor changed.
He asked her if she was “going to make out” with her friend or have sex with him, she testified. She responded no. After that, the woman said, Mr. Rosario asked her if she would perform oral sex on him, agreeing to throw out the summons if she did.
The woman testified that she told Mr. Rosario that she would give him oral sex later, hoping it would buy her time to get out of the situation. They agreed to meet the following day at 4 p.m., she said. But she never again saw Mr. Rosario, she said, and she reported the incident to the authorities a few days later.
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Officer Kelly Lawrence Suspended for Firing Weapon at Neighbors
Gregg County sheriff ’s investigators are conducting a follow - up investigation after a report was made the evening of Jan. 3 of a Longview police officer pointing and firing a gun at his neighbor’s game room behind their residence.
Officer Kelly Lawrence has been suspended with pay pending investigation. He has been with the Longview Police Department since September 2004.
The call for service was received at 10 p.m. and was dispatched for initial investigation the same night, said GCSO public information officer Capt. Mike Claxton.
A report was made by a field deputy and a supervisorwhich has been submitted through normal procedures to the criminal investigation division, according to a press release from the GCSO.
The initial investigation at the scene identified the complaining home owners and the offender, Claxton said.
Deputies recovered a Daisy Power line BB gun during the investigation, which was retained for investigative purposes.
Officer Kelly Lawrence has been suspended with pay pending investigation. He has been with the Longview Police Department since September 2004.
The call for service was received at 10 p.m. and was dispatched for initial investigation the same night, said GCSO public information officer Capt. Mike Claxton.
A report was made by a field deputy and a supervisorwhich has been submitted through normal procedures to the criminal investigation division, according to a press release from the GCSO.
The initial investigation at the scene identified the complaining home owners and the offender, Claxton said.
Deputies recovered a Daisy Power line BB gun during the investigation, which was retained for investigative purposes.
Friday, January 15, 2010
William Bumbrey III Dies After Being Tasered for Shoplifting
Police Tasered a shoplifting suspect and now he is dead, raising new concerns about the use of what is supposed to be a "non-lethal" weapon. It happened in Pentagon City, Virginia after an officer spotted the suspect inside the metro station.
William Randolph Bumbrey III was accused of stealing some store items from a nearby pharmacy. How that routine shoplifting case led to the use of a Taser and a Bumbrey's death is now under investigation. Arlington County police were on the lookout around 8:00 p.m. Sunday for a shoplifting suspect.
An officer went into Metro knowing it could be a quick and easy getaway. That's where police say the officer found Bumbrey, the stolen goods on him.
"When the officer approached the suspect he became combative and fought with the officer," said Detective Crystal Nosal, with Arlington County Police.
Police say the officer then used his Taser. It should have immobilized the 36-year old suspect but it didn't. A second officer arrived for backup. After Bumbrey was handcuffed, the officers noticed he was having problems breathing and called for medics. Bumbrey died shortly after.
"The officer deployed their Taser. It didn't appear to have an effect on the suspect and the suspect continued to struggle with the officer," said Det. Nosal.
State records show Bumbrey has a conviction on racketeering charges and is a registered sex offender in South Carolina who moved to the District in October. Bumbrey's father lives in Northwest DC.
A friend says the elder Bumbrey called him this morning with the news. "I said your son's dead? What do you mean your son is dead?" Leonard Dixon recalled asking his friend. Dixon says the details were scared.
"All he told me is that they used a Taser gun on him and they couldn't subdue him. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand what goes on," said Dixon.
Metro does have cameras inside the Pentagon City Metro, but Metro officials are unaware if the confrontation between the officers and suspect was caught on tape. It's unclear if the Taser even hit Bumbrey. The results of an autopsy and toxicology tests are pending.
Arlington County police say they have more than a hundred Tasers in the department but use them less than 20 times a year. The department says until now it's never had a possible Taser related death.
Police say officers only use the Taser when a suspect fails to comply with orders and the officer fears bodily harm. Unlike the use of a gun, which requires an officer fear for his life, the standards for Tasers are lower because Tasers are not considered deadly force.
William Randolph Bumbrey III was accused of stealing some store items from a nearby pharmacy. How that routine shoplifting case led to the use of a Taser and a Bumbrey's death is now under investigation. Arlington County police were on the lookout around 8:00 p.m. Sunday for a shoplifting suspect.
An officer went into Metro knowing it could be a quick and easy getaway. That's where police say the officer found Bumbrey, the stolen goods on him.
"When the officer approached the suspect he became combative and fought with the officer," said Detective Crystal Nosal, with Arlington County Police.
Police say the officer then used his Taser. It should have immobilized the 36-year old suspect but it didn't. A second officer arrived for backup. After Bumbrey was handcuffed, the officers noticed he was having problems breathing and called for medics. Bumbrey died shortly after.
"The officer deployed their Taser. It didn't appear to have an effect on the suspect and the suspect continued to struggle with the officer," said Det. Nosal.
State records show Bumbrey has a conviction on racketeering charges and is a registered sex offender in South Carolina who moved to the District in October. Bumbrey's father lives in Northwest DC.
A friend says the elder Bumbrey called him this morning with the news. "I said your son's dead? What do you mean your son is dead?" Leonard Dixon recalled asking his friend. Dixon says the details were scared.
"All he told me is that they used a Taser gun on him and they couldn't subdue him. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand what goes on," said Dixon.
Metro does have cameras inside the Pentagon City Metro, but Metro officials are unaware if the confrontation between the officers and suspect was caught on tape. It's unclear if the Taser even hit Bumbrey. The results of an autopsy and toxicology tests are pending.
Arlington County police say they have more than a hundred Tasers in the department but use them less than 20 times a year. The department says until now it's never had a possible Taser related death.
Police say officers only use the Taser when a suspect fails to comply with orders and the officer fears bodily harm. Unlike the use of a gun, which requires an officer fear for his life, the standards for Tasers are lower because Tasers are not considered deadly force.
Deputy Leo Thao Arrested on Gun Charges
A veteran deputy who recently resigned from the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office was arrested on a gun charge in New York near the Canadian border Sunday.
An officer in New York told the Herald-Journal Thursday that Leo Thao, 39, remained in the custody of Jefferson County authorities. Thao is accused of carrying a loaded 9-mm handgun in New York without the gun being registered. New York state law classifies carrying a gun without it being registered as a misdemeanor if it is empty and as a felony if it is loaded. The Jefferson County officer said it is a common charge filed against truck drivers.
Thao submitted a resignation letter last week, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Tony Ivey said.
"He tendered a letter of resignation, and the next thing we know, we're getting a call from authorities in New York," Ivey said.
Thao worked at the sheriff's office 14 years, was a master deputy and member of the court security team at the time of his resignation. Ivey said Thao "turned in all equipment," including his service weapon, when he resigned.
The Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times reported Tuesday that Thao was arrested at U.S. Customs on Wellesly Island and charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The paper reported that Thao was denied entry to Canada by its Customs officials and sent back to U.S. Customs for further investigation.
An officer in New York told the Herald-Journal Thursday that Leo Thao, 39, remained in the custody of Jefferson County authorities. Thao is accused of carrying a loaded 9-mm handgun in New York without the gun being registered. New York state law classifies carrying a gun without it being registered as a misdemeanor if it is empty and as a felony if it is loaded. The Jefferson County officer said it is a common charge filed against truck drivers.
Thao submitted a resignation letter last week, Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Tony Ivey said.
"He tendered a letter of resignation, and the next thing we know, we're getting a call from authorities in New York," Ivey said.
Thao worked at the sheriff's office 14 years, was a master deputy and member of the court security team at the time of his resignation. Ivey said Thao "turned in all equipment," including his service weapon, when he resigned.
The Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times reported Tuesday that Thao was arrested at U.S. Customs on Wellesly Island and charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The paper reported that Thao was denied entry to Canada by its Customs officials and sent back to U.S. Customs for further investigation.
Sgt. Greg Huerta Charged with Domestic Battery
A veteran Pocatello police officer has been suspended until he can resolve the domestic violence allegations prosecutors have filed against him.
Police Chief J.R. Miller says Sgt. Greg Huerta, a veteran of more than 20 years with the department, has been suspended with pay. Huerta, 50, was scheduled to be arraigned in one count of misdemeanor domestic battery Thursday.
Huerta did not appear, but has 14 days to do so.
Miller says the department takes domestic violence allegations seriously and has authorized a separate internal investigation.
Citing police reports, the Idaho State Journal says the allegations span several years and include verbal and physical abuse of the victim, with some of the physical confrontations leading to injuries.
Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com
Police Chief J.R. Miller says Sgt. Greg Huerta, a veteran of more than 20 years with the department, has been suspended with pay. Huerta, 50, was scheduled to be arraigned in one count of misdemeanor domestic battery Thursday.
Huerta did not appear, but has 14 days to do so.
Miller says the department takes domestic violence allegations seriously and has authorized a separate internal investigation.
Citing police reports, the Idaho State Journal says the allegations span several years and include verbal and physical abuse of the victim, with some of the physical confrontations leading to injuries.
Information from: Idaho State Journal, http://www.journalnet.com
Murder Trial for Former Officer Brian Brush Faces Delays
There are more delays in the murder trial of Roseburg-based North River Boats Owner Brian Brush.
47-year-old Brush is accused of shooting his former girlfriend to death in Long Beach, Washington last September. He was set to be arraigned Friday on first-degree murder charges, but his attorney has requested a week long delay. This comes after a mental competency hearing was called off by Brush's lawyer earlier this week.
Brush's formal arraignment has been postponed three times.
Long Beach Police say Brush shot 45-year-old Lisa Bonney in broad daylight on Sept. 11, during an annual classic car rally that draws thousands of people to the Long Beach Peninsula. Bonney was Brush's on-again, off-again girlfriend. According to documents filed with South Pacific District Court in Long Beach, Bonney said she thought Brush was going to kill her during a violent outburst in July of last year.
Brush was hired as a patrol officer with the Medford Police Department in 1988. He left on a medical disability in July of 1994. North River Boats is currently under investigation by the FBI for fraud.
47-year-old Brush is accused of shooting his former girlfriend to death in Long Beach, Washington last September. He was set to be arraigned Friday on first-degree murder charges, but his attorney has requested a week long delay. This comes after a mental competency hearing was called off by Brush's lawyer earlier this week.
Brush's formal arraignment has been postponed three times.
Long Beach Police say Brush shot 45-year-old Lisa Bonney in broad daylight on Sept. 11, during an annual classic car rally that draws thousands of people to the Long Beach Peninsula. Bonney was Brush's on-again, off-again girlfriend. According to documents filed with South Pacific District Court in Long Beach, Bonney said she thought Brush was going to kill her during a violent outburst in July of last year.
Brush was hired as a patrol officer with the Medford Police Department in 1988. He left on a medical disability in July of 1994. North River Boats is currently under investigation by the FBI for fraud.
Officer Jerry Nava Resigns After Improperly Pursing Vehicle
A Fort Myers police officer resigned in lieu of being fired today for improperly pursuing a vehicle, according to a department report.
On Dec. 1, Officer Jerry Nava attempted to pull over a Nissan Altima for speeding near the Sam’s Club Plaza on Cleveland Avenue. The vehicle did not stop, so a sergeant gave orders to stop pursuit of the vehicle.
According to internal reports, Nava kept sight of the vehicle and then arrested the driver when he parked in a parking lot.
Nava’s actions break department rules for what constitutes a proper pursuit, the internal report said. Plus, he did not obey orders given by a senior officer.
Top police officials, including Chief Baker, recommended Nava be terminated, but instead he resigned.
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On Dec. 1, Officer Jerry Nava attempted to pull over a Nissan Altima for speeding near the Sam’s Club Plaza on Cleveland Avenue. The vehicle did not stop, so a sergeant gave orders to stop pursuit of the vehicle.
According to internal reports, Nava kept sight of the vehicle and then arrested the driver when he parked in a parking lot.
Nava’s actions break department rules for what constitutes a proper pursuit, the internal report said. Plus, he did not obey orders given by a senior officer.
Top police officials, including Chief Baker, recommended Nava be terminated, but instead he resigned.
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Former Officer Robert Helphenstine Accused of Having Sex with Teen Boy
A former Fallowfield Township police officer accused of having sex with a 17-year-old boy will stand trial.
Officer Robert Helphenstine appeared in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.
He’s accused of picking up a 17-year-old runaway at a Greyhound station in downtown Pittsburgh and having sex with him at his home.
“I believe the hearing went very well. We found that the main witness for the prosecution was incredulous, admitted on the stand that he lied on more than one occasion,” said defense attorney Stephen Misko.
Channel 4 Action News' Sheldon Ingram previously reported that police said Helphenstine, the former officer-in-charge of the department, met the Virginia boy on Liberty Avenue while his trip to California was on a layover.
A new court date has not been set for Misko.
Officer Robert Helphenstine appeared in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.
He’s accused of picking up a 17-year-old runaway at a Greyhound station in downtown Pittsburgh and having sex with him at his home.
“I believe the hearing went very well. We found that the main witness for the prosecution was incredulous, admitted on the stand that he lied on more than one occasion,” said defense attorney Stephen Misko.
Channel 4 Action News' Sheldon Ingram previously reported that police said Helphenstine, the former officer-in-charge of the department, met the Virginia boy on Liberty Avenue while his trip to California was on a layover.
A new court date has not been set for Misko.
Former Officer Ryan Moore Pleads Guilty to Possession of Marijuana
A former Huntsville Police Officer was sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing marijuana.
Court records showed a small amount of marijuana was found in an equipment bag inside the trunk of Ryan Moore's patrol car.
Moore resigned from the police department and pleaded guilty to charges on September 14th.
Moore, his attorney, prosecution and Moore's friends and family were given a chance to speak before sentencing.
Moore spoke on his own behalf telling the court, "I made a mistake. I didn't turn in the marijuana. I'm sorry to the Huntsville Police Department, my friends and family for dragging them into this. This was truly a misunderstanding."
Moore also explained it's been difficult to find a job with a pending felony charge.
Moore said he has applied to many places but was turned down when the employer found out about his criminal record.
Moore said he is now employed at Publix and found out Friday he passed his managers test.
Moore's friends and family testified Moore knew by 7th grade he wanted to become a police officer.
He graduated from Grissom High School, went on to graduate from Auburn, and then from the police academy.
His father, Douglas Moore told the judge, "I ask for mercy. Ryan has been punished enough. It's been 21 months since he was charged. He was forced to quit the police department."
Prosecutor Don Rizzardi said this has been a hard case.
"I feel Ryan fell under bad influence. He confessed, pled guilty. It takes a man to admit he was wrong. It doesn't make sense to me that he doesn't remember turning in 4 bags of marijuana in his car," he said.
Huntsville Police Internal Affairs Officer also stood before the court.
"It gave us cause for concern but I don't think Ryan Moore belongs in prison," he said.
During sentencing, Judge Karen Hall told Little, "This is not an easy case. I know from what I've read that you must be an upstanding person that made poor decisions. And it seems you were under the influence of a fellow officer whose record wasn't as clear."
Moore was sentenced to a five year split sentence.
He will serve six months at the Madison County jail in active work release.
He has until January 19th to turn himself in.
The balance of his sentence will be suspended. Then he will be placed on a 2 year probation.
The defense has 42 days to appeal.
Court records showed a small amount of marijuana was found in an equipment bag inside the trunk of Ryan Moore's patrol car.
Moore resigned from the police department and pleaded guilty to charges on September 14th.
Moore, his attorney, prosecution and Moore's friends and family were given a chance to speak before sentencing.
Moore spoke on his own behalf telling the court, "I made a mistake. I didn't turn in the marijuana. I'm sorry to the Huntsville Police Department, my friends and family for dragging them into this. This was truly a misunderstanding."
Moore also explained it's been difficult to find a job with a pending felony charge.
Moore said he has applied to many places but was turned down when the employer found out about his criminal record.
Moore said he is now employed at Publix and found out Friday he passed his managers test.
Moore's friends and family testified Moore knew by 7th grade he wanted to become a police officer.
He graduated from Grissom High School, went on to graduate from Auburn, and then from the police academy.
His father, Douglas Moore told the judge, "I ask for mercy. Ryan has been punished enough. It's been 21 months since he was charged. He was forced to quit the police department."
Prosecutor Don Rizzardi said this has been a hard case.
"I feel Ryan fell under bad influence. He confessed, pled guilty. It takes a man to admit he was wrong. It doesn't make sense to me that he doesn't remember turning in 4 bags of marijuana in his car," he said.
Huntsville Police Internal Affairs Officer also stood before the court.
"It gave us cause for concern but I don't think Ryan Moore belongs in prison," he said.
During sentencing, Judge Karen Hall told Little, "This is not an easy case. I know from what I've read that you must be an upstanding person that made poor decisions. And it seems you were under the influence of a fellow officer whose record wasn't as clear."
Moore was sentenced to a five year split sentence.
He will serve six months at the Madison County jail in active work release.
He has until January 19th to turn himself in.
The balance of his sentence will be suspended. Then he will be placed on a 2 year probation.
The defense has 42 days to appeal.
Former Officer Maurice Morris Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison
A former Riviera Beach police officer who attempted to rape a woman after writing her a traffic ticket was sentenced to more than seven years in prison, according to the State Attorney's Office Friday.
Maurice Morris was convicted of attempted sexual battery by a law enforcement officer, bribery by a public servant and official misconduct.
Morris made a traffic stop October 2008 on a woman in Riviera Beach and wrote her up two traffic citations before following her home to West Palm Beach, the State Attorney's Office said.
The GPS on his police car showed that he was at her home for almost an hour and a half. The victim said that Morris tried to rape her on her couch.
Morris never turned in the victim's tickets and a jury last month convicted Morris.
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Maurice Morris was convicted of attempted sexual battery by a law enforcement officer, bribery by a public servant and official misconduct.
Morris made a traffic stop October 2008 on a woman in Riviera Beach and wrote her up two traffic citations before following her home to West Palm Beach, the State Attorney's Office said.
The GPS on his police car showed that he was at her home for almost an hour and a half. The victim said that Morris tried to rape her on her couch.
Morris never turned in the victim's tickets and a jury last month convicted Morris.
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Sgt. Scott Krause Convicted of Beating Handcuffed Suspect
A Milwaukee County sheriff's sergeant was convicted Tuesday of beating a suspect handcuffed inside a squad car, where a video camera recorded the entire incident.
Scott Krause, 38, was arrested Oct. 16, within hours of when Ray Calderon had complained to sheriff's officials about being slugged in the face after he asked to use the restroom.
Four days later, Krause was charged with misdemeanor battery and misconduct in public office, a felony. He pleaded no contest to both charges Tuesday, was found guilty, and faces up to nine months in jail on the battery and up to 3½ years in prison on the felony at his sentencing March 5.
Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said his office would recommend prison but not a specific term. Lovern said the video is clear and explicit.
"Obviously, such conduct is completely unacceptable . . . and intolerable for a law enforcement officer," he said after the plea hearing.
He said he planned to play the dash cam video at the sentencing but declined news media requests for the video.
His office has reviewed the actions of three other deputies on duty at the jail at the time of the incident and decided no further criminal charges were warranted.
Sheriff's Capt. Aisha Barkow said the three remain on administrative duty pending an internal investigation.
Krause, who has been free on bail and suspended with pay since his arrest, appeared in court with his attorney, Michael Steinle; neither wished to comment after the hearing, held before Circuit Judge Dennis Cimpl.
Calderon's attorney, Jonathan Safran, also attended. He said his client was pleased Krause was found guilty of a felony and is considering a civil lawsuit in the matter. He said Calderon is still receiving treatment for injuries to his eye and his back.
According to the criminal complaint, deputies had arrested Calderon, 34, early Oct. 16 and had taken him to the County Jail, where Krause arrived to assist in the processing. As Calderon sat in the back of the car, he told investigators, he had a strong urge to urinate. Because his hands were cuffed behind him, he tapped on the window with his foot.
Krause opened the door and told Calderon to stop, that he'd get his turn and closed the door. When Calderon again tapped on the window, Krause opened the door, leaned in, slapped Calderon and said, "I told you to stop (expletive) kicking the window, you hear me?" Krause then grabbed Calderon and struck him several times in the face with a closed fist.
An initial news release from the sheriff's office said Calderon was stopped for suspected drunken driving. At a news conference after Krause was charged, Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. said the Wisconsin State Patrol had stopped Calderon - who hasn't had a valid driver's license since 2007 - because he was wanted on two warrants from Winnebago County. Sheriff's deputies were called as backup and transported Calderon to the jail.
Calderon was released from the Winnebago County Jail in November after serving time for driving after revocation.
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Scott Krause, 38, was arrested Oct. 16, within hours of when Ray Calderon had complained to sheriff's officials about being slugged in the face after he asked to use the restroom.
Four days later, Krause was charged with misdemeanor battery and misconduct in public office, a felony. He pleaded no contest to both charges Tuesday, was found guilty, and faces up to nine months in jail on the battery and up to 3½ years in prison on the felony at his sentencing March 5.
Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said his office would recommend prison but not a specific term. Lovern said the video is clear and explicit.
"Obviously, such conduct is completely unacceptable . . . and intolerable for a law enforcement officer," he said after the plea hearing.
He said he planned to play the dash cam video at the sentencing but declined news media requests for the video.
His office has reviewed the actions of three other deputies on duty at the jail at the time of the incident and decided no further criminal charges were warranted.
Sheriff's Capt. Aisha Barkow said the three remain on administrative duty pending an internal investigation.
Krause, who has been free on bail and suspended with pay since his arrest, appeared in court with his attorney, Michael Steinle; neither wished to comment after the hearing, held before Circuit Judge Dennis Cimpl.
Calderon's attorney, Jonathan Safran, also attended. He said his client was pleased Krause was found guilty of a felony and is considering a civil lawsuit in the matter. He said Calderon is still receiving treatment for injuries to his eye and his back.
According to the criminal complaint, deputies had arrested Calderon, 34, early Oct. 16 and had taken him to the County Jail, where Krause arrived to assist in the processing. As Calderon sat in the back of the car, he told investigators, he had a strong urge to urinate. Because his hands were cuffed behind him, he tapped on the window with his foot.
Krause opened the door and told Calderon to stop, that he'd get his turn and closed the door. When Calderon again tapped on the window, Krause opened the door, leaned in, slapped Calderon and said, "I told you to stop (expletive) kicking the window, you hear me?" Krause then grabbed Calderon and struck him several times in the face with a closed fist.
An initial news release from the sheriff's office said Calderon was stopped for suspected drunken driving. At a news conference after Krause was charged, Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. said the Wisconsin State Patrol had stopped Calderon - who hasn't had a valid driver's license since 2007 - because he was wanted on two warrants from Winnebago County. Sheriff's deputies were called as backup and transported Calderon to the jail.
Calderon was released from the Winnebago County Jail in November after serving time for driving after revocation.
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Chief Mike Akins Arrested for Child Sex Crimes
A top central Kansas law enforcement officer is accused of rape and child molesting after being arrested Tuesday night at his Inman home.
Inman Police Chief Mike Akins is charged with 17 felonies, including rape, indecent liberties and battery, involving four children 14 years old and younger, and two misdemeanor battery counts.
McPherson County deputies and Kansas Highway Patrol members forcibly entered Akins' home to arrest him after he failed to answer the door.
The 38-year-old joined the Inman Police Department in 2005 and became chief in January 2007.
The Kansas attorney general's office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation are handling the case after being asked a week ago to investigate the chief.
Akins was being held in McPherson County Jail on $250,000 bond.
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More Information & Photo
Inman Police Chief Mike Akins is charged with 17 felonies, including rape, indecent liberties and battery, involving four children 14 years old and younger, and two misdemeanor battery counts.
McPherson County deputies and Kansas Highway Patrol members forcibly entered Akins' home to arrest him after he failed to answer the door.
The 38-year-old joined the Inman Police Department in 2005 and became chief in January 2007.
The Kansas attorney general's office and Kansas Bureau of Investigation are handling the case after being asked a week ago to investigate the chief.
Akins was being held in McPherson County Jail on $250,000 bond.
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Thursday, January 14, 2010
Officer Jeffrey Leavey Arrested for Violating Court Order
A Spokane County Jail deputy accused of attacking his wife last month was arrested again today after police say he violated a court order.
Jeffrey S. Leavey, 40, was booked into jail just after noon. He was arrested at his lawyer’s office after his wife told police he’d been sending her text messages, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Leavey reportedly sent the woman more than a dozen text messages Wednesday, despite a court order prohibiting him from contacting her.
Leavey was first arrested Dec. 19 at his home in Colbert and placed on paid administrative leave with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, where he’s worked for two years.
Leavey reportedly told investigators he’d held his wife down on their bed, told her she couldn’t leave, threw a box at her and hit her in the arms “five to 25 times,” according to court documents. His wife had red marks on her arms and chest, deputies said. He was released from jail on his own recognizance Dec. 21.
Leavey is charged with unlawful imprisonment, two counts of fourth-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief.
He’s in jail without bail for violating a court order, according to jail records.
Jeffrey S. Leavey, 40, was booked into jail just after noon. He was arrested at his lawyer’s office after his wife told police he’d been sending her text messages, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Leavey reportedly sent the woman more than a dozen text messages Wednesday, despite a court order prohibiting him from contacting her.
Leavey was first arrested Dec. 19 at his home in Colbert and placed on paid administrative leave with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, where he’s worked for two years.
Leavey reportedly told investigators he’d held his wife down on their bed, told her she couldn’t leave, threw a box at her and hit her in the arms “five to 25 times,” according to court documents. His wife had red marks on her arms and chest, deputies said. He was released from jail on his own recognizance Dec. 21.
Leavey is charged with unlawful imprisonment, two counts of fourth-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief.
He’s in jail without bail for violating a court order, according to jail records.
Former Sheriff Wesley Wells Pleads Guilty to Lying to Federal Investigators
Acting United States Attorney Kevin F. McDonald stated today that guilty pleas were entered by former Union County Sheriff Wesley Howard Wells, Former County Tax Assessor Willie E. Randall, Jr., and Union County residents Willard Dee Farr and Lapriest Darnell Beacham to charges stemming from four separate indictments issued by a federal grand jury in September 2009 as a result of a long term investigation into public corruption in Union County.
1. Former Union County Sheriff Wesley Howard Wells pled guilty today in federal court in Spartanburg to lying to federal investigators. Evidence presented at today’s hearing established that Wells made sizeable loans to an individual, resulting in significant interest income to Wells. In March 2009, Wells made false statements to federal law enforcement agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning his involvement in concealing his receipt of taxable interest income and the existence of documents acknowledging the same. Wells faces a maximum possible sentence of five years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
2. Former Union County Tax Assessor Willie E. Randall, Jr., pled guilty to conspiracy, extortion, soliciting and accepting bribes, money laundering, structuring financial transactions to evade federal reporting requirements, and knowingly allowing the Union County Tax Assessor’s Office to be used as a “stash house” for the storage and distribution of cocaine and hydrocodone. Randall faces a maximum possible sentence of 190 years' imprisonment and a fine of $5.25 million dollars.
In addition, Randall also pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and a mixture containing methamphetamine. Randall faces an additional maximum possible sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million dollars.
3. Union County Resident Lapriest Darnell Beacham was also named as a co-defendant in a separate indictment along with Willie E. Randall, Jr. Beacham pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Beacham faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million dollars.
4. Union County Resident Willard Dee Farr pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion. Farr faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
United States District Judge Henry F. Floyd accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence the defendants at a later date.
Mr. McDonald stated that the case was investigated by agents of the FBI, the IRS-Criminal Investigation, and SLED, and that Assistant United States Attorneys Mark C. Moore, Nancy C. Wicker, and J.D. Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the cases.
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Information - SC FBI
1. Former Union County Sheriff Wesley Howard Wells pled guilty today in federal court in Spartanburg to lying to federal investigators. Evidence presented at today’s hearing established that Wells made sizeable loans to an individual, resulting in significant interest income to Wells. In March 2009, Wells made false statements to federal law enforcement agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning his involvement in concealing his receipt of taxable interest income and the existence of documents acknowledging the same. Wells faces a maximum possible sentence of five years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
2. Former Union County Tax Assessor Willie E. Randall, Jr., pled guilty to conspiracy, extortion, soliciting and accepting bribes, money laundering, structuring financial transactions to evade federal reporting requirements, and knowingly allowing the Union County Tax Assessor’s Office to be used as a “stash house” for the storage and distribution of cocaine and hydrocodone. Randall faces a maximum possible sentence of 190 years' imprisonment and a fine of $5.25 million dollars.
In addition, Randall also pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and a mixture containing methamphetamine. Randall faces an additional maximum possible sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million dollars.
3. Union County Resident Lapriest Darnell Beacham was also named as a co-defendant in a separate indictment along with Willie E. Randall, Jr. Beacham pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Beacham faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million dollars.
4. Union County Resident Willard Dee Farr pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion. Farr faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
United States District Judge Henry F. Floyd accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence the defendants at a later date.
Mr. McDonald stated that the case was investigated by agents of the FBI, the IRS-Criminal Investigation, and SLED, and that Assistant United States Attorneys Mark C. Moore, Nancy C. Wicker, and J.D. Rowell of the Columbia office prosecuted the cases.
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Information - SC FBI
Officer David Childers Plead Guilty to Possession of Child Porn
Acting United States Attorney Kevin F. McDonald stated that David Courtney Childers, age 45, of Myrtle Beach, plead guilty in federal court to possession of child pornography, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2252A(a)(5)(B). United States District Judge R. Bryan Harwell accepted the plea and will sentence Childers at a later date.
In June 2008, FBI agents in Illinois conducted an undercover online investigation using the identification of a known child pornographer. Using “peer to peer” sharing software, the agents made contact with Childers, who was offering to share child pornography. Agents downloaded the child pornography, and traced the communication back to Childers’ computer at his Myrtle Beach residence. A search of Childers’ computer confirmed the presence of child pornography. At the time of the incident, Childers was employed as a police officer with Horry County.
Mr. McDonald stated the maximum penalty Childers can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for 10 years.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.
Source: FBI
In June 2008, FBI agents in Illinois conducted an undercover online investigation using the identification of a known child pornographer. Using “peer to peer” sharing software, the agents made contact with Childers, who was offering to share child pornography. Agents downloaded the child pornography, and traced the communication back to Childers’ computer at his Myrtle Beach residence. A search of Childers’ computer confirmed the presence of child pornography. At the time of the incident, Childers was employed as a police officer with Horry County.
Mr. McDonald stated the maximum penalty Childers can receive is a fine of $250,000.00 and imprisonment for 10 years.
The case was investigated by agents of the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney William E. Day, II, of the Florence office handled the case.
Source: FBI
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