Probation Officer Gerald Silva Convicted of Purchasing Child Porn

A Rhode Island state probation officer assigned to the sex offender unit was convicted on Monday of being a sex offender, U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha announced on Tuesday.

Gerald Silva, 59, of Coventry, was arrested back in 2012 in connection with a massive investigation into Toronto-based production company Azov Films. The investigation, known as Operation Spade and led by members of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Toronto Police Service, revealed that Silva was one of more than 10,000 customers who had purchased online videos from Azov Films.

At least 348 of the company’s customers – including Silva – were charged with purchasing child pornography from the website, according to Toronto Police.

Silva was convicted of completing 22 orders through Azov Film’s website, spending a total of $1,589 on 75 different videos, each of which depicted child pornography. The videos, police say, were shipped to Silva’s Coventry residence while he was employed as a probation officer. “Dozens of videos” were seized from Silva’s home during an authorized police search in 2012.

During his trial, Silva claimed he had ordered and collected the videos as part of an ongoing professional project, but a jury returned a guilty verdict after less than an hour of deliberations.

Silva was charged and convicted on six counts of receiving child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Each count of receiving child pornography is punishable by a minimum of 5 years in federal prison and up to lifetime supervised release. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison.
Silva is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16.

Another Rhode Islander, 60-year-old Warwick resident Stephen Hickey, was also charged in connection with Operation Spade. Hickey, a longtime high school teacher, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography in August 2013. He was sentenced to 18 months in a halfway house.

Operation Spade was a three-year global investigation that led to the rescue of 386 children and 348 arrests, according to the Toronto Police website. Arrested suspects included six law enforcement officials, nine religious leaders, 40 school teachers, three foster parents, 32 children volunteers and nine health professionals.

Azov Films was shut down in 2011, and its owner – Brian Way – was arrested.

Officer Chris Thurman Accused of Falsifying Time Sheet

A Metro police officer is charged with official misconduct and theft by deception.

Officer Chris Thurman is accused of falsifying his time sheet and claiming overtime he may not have worked. That investigation is now jeopardizing more than 100 criminal cases he's handled the last several years.

"We have an obligation to notify defense attorneys of any pending matters that involve officer misconduct or false testifying," Leland Hulbert, the Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney said.

Court documents allege he "falsely reported overtime activity" and stole more than $10,000 from the city by "creating or reinforcing a false impression."

The question, now, is whether he falsified any other details while on the job.

"Right now, we're in the process of re-examining each case to determine how strong it is. We don't want to dismiss any cases we've indicted, but we understand we have to weigh the risk of calling an officer to the stand that has pending charges," Hulbert said.

The Jefferson County Attorney's Office said Thurman does not plan to attend any trial involving cases he investigated, but if called to do so, would simply plead the fifth. It's a statement that could hinder prosecution in a variety of cases from DUI to homicide.

"If he is the lead investigator on a case, we're going to re-evaluate his level of involvement," Hulbert said.

Defense Attorney Paul Gold has a handful of DUI cases Thurman investigated. He says these new charges will create a “big problem for prosecution.”

Regarding a DUI arrest, Gold says an officer must first have reasonable suspicion to pull a vehicle over and will then perform a field sobriety test. It’s during this time when the officer is the only officer on scene. He says Thurman was prolific for DUI stops.

“Without his testimony as to why he pulled someone over, it doesn’t matter what happened later on, because no one else can testify,” Gold said. “They’re going to lose some of those.”

Just last September, Thurman led an investigation of a fatal hit-and-run on I-64. Police say 31-year-old Chad McQuilling got out of his truck to fill up the gas tank when he was blindsided by another driver near the 9th Street ramp. The suspect in the case was never identified, but future charges could come to a halt with Thurman's indictment.

Thurman's arraignment is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 17.

Officer Chris Thurman Charged with Falsifying Time Sheet

A Louisville Metro police officer is facing charges of official misconduct and theft by deception after being accused of stealing from the city.

A Jefferson County grand jury returned the indictment against Officer Chris Thurman.

According to court records, Thurman allegedly stole $10,000 over a two year period by falsifying his time sheet and claiming overtime he may not have worked.

Thurman has been placed on paid administrative reassignment.

Officer Juan Santiago Accidentally Shoots Himself

State police have charged a Bridgeport police officer with unlawful discharge of a firearm after a Dec. 17 incident in which he accidentally shot himself.

Officer Juan Santiago, 55, was at the Bagel King restaurant at 3550 Main St. with three other Bridgeport police officers when "he mishandled a firearm ... and discharged the round through the thigh area of his left leg," state police said. The gun was not his department-issue pistol, Bridgeport police said at the time.

No one else was injured. Santiago was treated at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. Six days later, state police detectives were assigned by the Bridgeport state's attorney to investigate the incident.

Police said they determined that Santiago mishandled the gun, causing it to fire. They obtained an arrest warrant charging him with unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Santiago turned himself in at the Bethany barracks at 9:30 a.m. Monday. He was released on a promise to appear in court Feb. 18 in Superior Court in Bridgeport.

Santiago remains on the job, but is assigned to desk duty.

"First, I would like to say we are grateful that the officer is recovering from his injury," Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. said. "We have said from the outset that we requested the state police handle the investigation so the public would have confidence that it would be fair and unbiased. The state police conducted a thorough investigation, consulted with the state's attorney's office and made a determination that we will respect."

Former Officer LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd Arrested for Extortion

A former Hazlehurst police officer has been arrested following indictment on one count of extortion.

A Copiah County grand jury indicted 25-year-old LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd, of Hazlehurst, on Friday and sheriff's deputies arrested Boyd, Attorney General Jim Hood confirmed Monday.

The indictment alleges that Boyd, while on duty, accepted money from a citizen on the pretense of "fixing" a ticket that Boyd had previously issued the same citizen.
If convicted, Boyd faces up to five years in jail.

Officer Christopher Hays Arrested for Sexual Battery

San Diego police Officer Christopher Hays was arrested Sunday afternoon on suspicion of false imprisonment and misdemeanor sexual battery with four women, police officials said.

The District Attorney’s Office is also investigating claims by two more women.

Most of the cases involve claims that Hays inappropriately touched women — all in their 20s or 30s — during pat-down searches of their bodies. However, at a news conference Sunday afternoon, San Diego Police Chief Bill Lansdowne said that at least one of the two new cases involves more serious claims involving sexual contact that could involve felony charges.

 

Hays, 30, surrendered at 1 p.m. Sunday at the sheriff’s substation in Rancho Bernardo and was booked into the downtown jail at 1:30 p.m. He was booked on two counts of false imprisonment and three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. He was later released on $130,000 bond.

“This officer, if the allegations prove to be true, will go to prison,” Lansdowne said.

If the district attorney charges Hays with the counts that he was arrested on, police said he could face up to 7½ years in prison.

Lansdowne said that four cases were uncovered through an internal investigation after a woman came forward in December to report that she had been inappropriately frisked by an officer. Police detectives checked every case Hays had been involved in since he was hired four years ago, and three more women were found with similar claims involving incidents with Hays that occurred between Nov. 12, 2012, and Dec. 23, 2013. After those four cases were turned over to the District Attorney’s Office, a fifth woman was found through the police investigation.

Following publicity about the Hays investigation, a sixth woman came forward through her attorney on Friday, saying she was contacted by Hays in October 2012 for an unspecified reason and pressured to perform a sex act with him.

Hays has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. No arraignment date has been announced.

Officer John Freudenberg Charged with DWI

Police say an intoxicated Parsippany police officer ran his Chevrolet Silverado off the road and wound up in a residential front yard Saturday.

John R. Freudenberg, 30, of Randolph was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving Saturday night, Randolph police said.

Randolph Sgt. Frank Mygas and Officers Jason Gould and Jason Del Turco responded to the crash, and found the car in the front yard of a Jennifern Avenue home, Randolph police said.

Del Turco spoke to Freudenberg, the driver, and was told he "ran off the road," Randolph police said.

Freudenberg also identified himself as a Parsippany officer, which Randolph police later confirmed, they say.

Randolph Detective Lt. Christopher Giuliani said that based on a draft report about the incident, he didn't have any indication Freudenberg tried to use his status as an officer to avoid a ticket or arrest.

Freudenberg was also off-duty, and was not in a police department vehicle, Giuliani said.
At the time of the crash, Del Turco detected the odor of alcohol on Freudenberg's breath, and had Freudenberg perform field sobriety tests, Randolph Police said. He was then arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated.

Giuliani said while Freudenberg did take a breath test, police are not releasing the results.
Freudenberg's passenger complained of pain, but didn't want to receive medical treatment at the scene, Randolph police said. Freudenberg didn't complain of any injuries, police said.

Parsippany and Randolph, both Morris County communities, share a small border but are mostly divided by sections of Denville and Morris Township.

Former Officer LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd Arrested for Extortion

Former Hazlehurst police officer LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd has been arrested following a Copiah County Grand Jury indictment on one count of extortion.

Carter-Boyd, 25, of Hazlehurst, was arrested Friday by officers with the Copiah County Sheriff's Office.

The indictment alleges that Boyd, while on duty, accepted money from a citizen on the pretense of "fixing" a ticket that Boyd had previously issued the same citizen.

If convicted, Boyd faces up to five years behind bars.

Officer Scott Neuhaus Charged with Disorderly Conduct

A seven year veteran of the Downingtown Police Department was arrested early Saturday morning following an incident at a Philadelphia gentleman’s club.

According to a brief statement provided by Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxell, around 2:45 a.m. Saturday the Downingtown Police Department’s shift supervisor was notified that officer Scott Neuhaus, 40, was arrested at Delilah’s Gentlemen’s Club and Steakhouse in the 100 block of Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. The statement said Neuhaus was off duty and in civilian clothes.

According to a docket filed in the Municipal Court of Philadelphia, Neuhaus was charged with one count of disorderly conduct with obscene language or gesture, a summary offense. A status hearing was tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24 in Philadelphia, according to court records.

Downingtown Police Chief James McGowan was immediately advised of the arrest, the statement said, and Neuhaus was placed on paid administrative leave. Maxwell was also notified, the statement said.

“The Downingtown Police Department will be conducting an investigation into the incident and Officer Neuhaus will remain on Administrative Leave until the conclusion of the investigation and any possible proceedings that arise from that investigation,” the statement said.

Maxwell and McGowan declined to comment further on the matter.
Neuhaus previously worked for the Coatesville Police Department.

Cpl. Oscar Araiza Charged with Sexual Assault

The Dallas Police Department announced that it has arrested and charged one of its own officers with sexual assault.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown has disciplined Sr. Cpl. Oscar Araiza during hearings on Friday.

According to police, on Oct. 6, 2013, Araiza was off-duty at a bar in Dallas when he unintentionally met a female acquaintance who was accompanied by another woman. All three decided to leave the bar and later drove to Araiza's home, police said.

Araiza's friend decided to leave and left the other woman in the home, according to police. When she woke up, she found herself being sexually assaulted by Araiza, according to police.

The woman stated that she did not consent to any sexual contact with Araiza, police said.

An internal affairs investigation determined that Araiza engaged in sexual conduct with the woman without her consent.

Araiza has been terminated. He had been an officer with the department since 1995.

He was arrested and charged with sexual assault.

Federal Officer Randal Sutterfield Arrested for Attempted Murder

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer was arrested Friday at the Border Patrol  checkpoint in Falfurrias in connection with an early morning shooting in McAllen, said Lt. Joel Morales, a McAllen police spokesman.

Morales said the shooting involved CBP Officer Randal Wayne Sutterfield, 41, and his girlfriend's brother, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The victim is in stable condition but was taken to the McAllen Medical Center for treatment.

It took place about 2:30 a.m. in a residential area.

Sutterfield was transported to McAllen where he was charged with criminal attempted murder, a second-degree felony, and was waiting arraignment later Friday or Saturday, Morales said.

Sutterfield served as an agriculture specialist at the international bridge in Hidalgo for about four years, but is not on active duty, CBP said in a statement, adding that the agency is reviewing the matter.

“CBP stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees and officers perform their duties with honor and distinction,” according to the CBP statement. “We do not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks, and we fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigation of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel, on or off duty.”

Retired Officer Curtis Reeves Accused of Shooting Man in Movie Theater Denied Bail

The 71-year-old ex-police officer accused of shooting dead a man inside a Florida movie theater won't get the chance to go home -- at least for now -- after a judge Friday decided not to grant him bail.

Judge Pat Siracusa made his decision after two days of wrenching, evocative, at times seemingly contradictory testimony inside a Dade City, Florida, courtroom.

"The state did, in fact, meet their standard," Siracusa said of prosecutors argument that Curtis Reeves shouldn't be allowed to post bond. "And I am going to detain Mr. Reeves, pretrial. He will remain in custody."

Reeves' lawyer signaled his intention to appeal a decision that -- while not unexpected, given this is a homicide case -- he believes is unwarranted. The attorney, Richard Escobar, said that he's optimistic about not only the appeal on bail, but that a jury of six citizens will side with his client.

"Mr. Reeves is truly an innocent man," Escobar told reporters. "And we look forward to proving that at a jury trial at some point."

The widow of the man that Reeves killed, meanwhile, applauded Siracusa's decision.

"I'm just very happy and relieved," Nicole Oulson said. "... I have no doubt in my mind that it was the right decision."

Was it self-defense or an overreaction?

As Siracusa took pains to point out, his opting not to grant bail has nothing to do with his or others assessment of Reeves' guilt or innocence. That won't happen until trial.

The date for that hasn't been set, though Siracusa did schedule the next pretrial hearing for March 12.

That falls on one day under two full months since Chad Oulson was shot dead inside the Grove 16 theater in the Tampa suburb of Wesley Chapel.

Was the younger, more physically imposing Oulson killed in self-defense, as Reeves' lawyer claims? Or did Reeves overreact -- to the idea that Oulson was texting his toddler daughter as movie previews played -- by taking out his gun inside the theater and firing, as the prosecution argues?

The bail hearing, which began Wednesday and resumed Friday after a day off, served almost as a mini-trial in itself.

Both sides called witnesses, then often strongly challenged those put on the stand by the other side.

Reeves' daughter, Jennifer Shaw, testified that her father was supportive and even-keeled, having never erupted in anger at a stranger from her recollection.

The prosecution called a number of people who'd been in the Florida theater the afternoon of January 13.

Charles Cummings talked about overhearing Reeves and Oulson talking, and at one point, the latter said, "I'm just texting my 2-year-old daughter." Soon after that, a "very agitated" Reeves left the theater, then returned a few minutes later.

At that point, a fairly calm Oulson -- according to Mark Douglas Turner, a retired Air Force veteran who worked as a clandestine officer -- asked aloud whether he could check a voice mail from his daughter's babysitter.

The situation devolved after more words were exchanged. Alan Hamilton, an off-duty Sumter County sheriff's corporal, said he heard Oulson say, "I am trying to text my f**king daughter, if you don't mind" -- using graphic language that Reeves' lawyer said suggested Oulson was angry and threatening.

Popcorn flew in Reeves' direction soon thereafter.

"And almost immediately," recalled Turner, who said Oulson threw the bag, "the gun comes out and there are shots fired."

Reeves to police: Oulson 'scared the crap out of me'

Hamilton testified that, soon thereafter, Reeves' wife told her husband "that was no cause to shoot anyone."

Reeves responded by pointing his finger at her and saying, according to Hamilton, "You shut your f**king mouth and don't say another word."

On Friday, those in the Dade City courtroom got to hear from Reeves himself -- not because he took the stand, but because audio of his interview with police was played in court.

During that interview, Reeves told police he had "reason to believe (Oulson) was going to kick my ass" after Reeves confronted the 43-year-old Navy veteran over his texting during the previews to "Lone Survivor."

Reeves and his wife both told police that Oulson began using foul language, and Reeves left to talk to a theater manager. When he returned, Oulson stood up and turned to confront Reeves, he said.

"I see that he's very explosive, unnecessarily," Reeves told police. "It scared the crap out of me."

Oulson edged toward Reeves -- and "he's virtually on top of me" -- and Reeves told him either "no, no, no" or "whoa, whoa, whoa," he couldn't remember which, he told the police interrogator.

"He hit me with something. I assume it was his fist," Reeves told police. "I think he had a cell phone in his hand because I saw the blur of the screen. ... My face went sideways. My glasses came partially off."

In her own interview with police, Vivian Reeves backed much of her husband's story, spelling out the f-word for police as she described Oulson's language during the altercation.

Asked, though, whether she saw Chad Oulson strike Curtis Reeves, she replied no -- though she said it's what her husband told her after the shooting.

The same went for the various theater witnesses who testified earlier for the prosecution. None of whom said that they saw Reeves getting hit by anything beyond perhaps a bag or some kernels of popcorn before he opened fire.

Surveillance video captures theater shooting

Beyond hearing from various witnesses, the public -- thanks to the gathered media -- got their own glimpse of what happened inside that movie theater, thanks to surveillance video.

The jumpy, grainy footage shows Reeves return to his seat at 1:26:19 p.m., according to the video's time stamp. Six seconds later, Reeves appears to lean forward, but only for a second.

At 1:26:30 p.m., the video stops -- likely because the motion sensors weren't activated, according to previous testimony in Reeves' bail hearing this week -- but it starts recording again five seconds later.

That's when a hand extends in front of Reeves, from the seat where victim Chad Oulson was reportedly sitting, and appears to snatch something from Reeves -- the defense has repeatedly said Oulson threw popcorn -- and throws it into Reeves' face.

Reeves' right hand, the one Reeves told police he used to shoot Oulson, thrusts forward at 1:26:37 p.m. A strange dust falls in front of the surveillance video lens as theater patrons begin walking over to the area where Reeves remains seated.

It's the row behind where a mortally wounded Oulson -- after stumbling then collapsing on another moviegoer -- is taking his last breaths.

Couple describes encounter with Reeves

Dentention Officer Claude Goines Arrested for Idenity Fraud

A DeKalb County detention officer accused of identity fraud was arrested when he showed up for work, the spokesman for the police department said Friday.

Sgt. Claude Goines, who is assigned to the evening watch shift at the jail, was arrested Wednesday in connection with an ongoing investigation that could lead to additional arrests, DeKalb police Capt. Steven Fore told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

While Fore did not have details of the investigation, Channel 2 Action News reported that Goines is the alleged ringleader in a credit card fraud ring. Goines allegedly made more than 100 fake credit cards and three Ohio driver’s licenses, according to Channel 2.

Police have arrested another alleged member of the ring and are looking for a third, the television station reported. That third person, identified as Ashley Dunlap, was fired from Marlow’s Tavern in Tucker after she allegedly used her position to steal customers’ credit card numbers, according to Channel 2.

Goines, who has been employed with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office since April 2011, is being held in the Clayton County jail on a charge of identity fraud.

Officer Richardo Rodriguez Arrested for Public Intoxication

An Odessa Police Department officer has been placed on administrative leave after, the Odessa chief of police said, he was arrested and charged with public intoxication in a North Texas town.

Officer Richardo Rodriguez was placed on administrative leave with pay Tuesday after checking in with OPD’s internal affairs division, Odessa Police Chief Tim Burton said. Burton also said the department will be doing an internal investigation.

Rodriguez has been a patrol officer with the department since December 2012.
The arrest happened Saturday around 2:02 a.m. after Rowlett police officers were called out to a Whataburger at 8700 Lakeview Parkway in Rowlett, in reference to a driving while intoxicated call, Burton said. The driver of the vehicle, who was unknown as of press time, was charged with driving while intoxicated while Rodriguez was charged with public intoxication.

Public intoxication is defined by the Texas Penal code as “an offense if the person appears in a public place while intoxicated to the degree that the person may endanger the person or another.”

Attempts to get the police report from the arrest from the Rowlett Police Department were not successful Thursday.

Burton said placing officers on administrative leave pending a criminal charge was “standard procedure,” and that police officers should be held to a higher standard when it comes to following the law.

However, Burton said that in a department “made up of humans,” there are going to be times people make mistakes.

“Occasionally, with an organization this size, we’re going to have incidents,” Burton said.
Burton said he could not comment on what it takes for an officer to be dismissed from the police department, saying each case depends on “circumstances and the nature of the charges."

The incident is not the first time officers have showed up to a late-night call that involved Rodriguez.

On Jan. 27, Odessa Police officers were called to IHOP, 2973 JBS Parkway, in reference to a “disturbance” that involved Rodriguez, Maria Baeza and two other men.

One of those men, 38-year-old Jose Antonio Estrada, was charged with public intoxication and was treated at Medical Center Hospital, a previous Odessa American article stated.

The same article also stated 31-year-old Homer Gomez, of Decatur, was also charged and released on bond.

Rodriguez was not charged in connection to the case and was being investigated by the internal affairs investigation, a previous article stated.

Rodriguez was also investigated by the police department’s Professional Standards Unit in March after he and another officer, Cpl. Joshua Aguilar, reportedly illegally searched a home in the 100 block of West Mable Street and arrested a man they believed to be someone else.

Both officers were issued written reprimands and ordered to complete additional training.
Burton said while Rodriguez has been reported on in the news for several incidents, Odessa residents should not be quick to judge the department as a whole for the work they do because of one person’s actions.

Burton also said that it was too early to decide Rodriguez’s fate with the department, pending the outcome of both the internal and Rowlett investigation.

“We have to remember, a charge is just that,” Burton said. “Everyone is entitled to a fair and objective investigation as to what occurred.”

Officer Kevin Burgs Arrested for Stealing Watch from Jared's Galleria

A Pembroke Pines Police officer was arrested after authorities said he was caught on video stealing a watch when he responded to a burglary at a jewelry store, police said Thursday.

 

A Pembroke Pines Police officer was arrested after authorities said he was caught on video stealing a watch when he responded to a burglary at a jewelry store, police said Thursday.

Officer Kevin Burgs was arrested and charged with grand theft after he took a watch worth $795 from the Jared's Galleria of Jewelry at 11077 Pines Boulevard Wednesday morning. He bonded out around 4:30 a.m. and it was unknown whether he has an attorney.

Police said two suspects cut a hole in the roof of the building and got away with $75,000 worth of merchandise and caused about $10,000 in damages early Wednesday.

Burgs, a 9-year veteran of the department, was one of the responding officers to the business, police said. He was caught on surveillance video cameras removing the watch, police said.

"Public trust is vital to our partnership with the community. It is important to note that we held this officer accountable for his actions and charged him appropriately," the police department said in a statement. "We will remain transparent and provide updates as this matter progresses.  This one act is not representative of the rest of our police department.  We are extremely proud of our employees and thankful for their constant dedication and hard work."

Burgs was suspended with pay pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Residents in Pembroke Pines said they were shocked to hear of the arrest.

"That’s really bad, if you can’t trust the police who can you trust?" Flor Morales said.

"We don’t like to see any of our police officers do anything like that but what can you do?" Dudley Smart said. "There are good people and bad people."

 

Officer Candice LeForest Charged with DUI

Oakland County prosecutors charged 12-year veteran Troy Police Officer Candice LeForest with driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level greater than .17.A $1,000 bond was set during her arraignment Tuesday. The case has been transferred from Troy to Novi's 52nd District Court to avoid any possible conflict of interest in the officer's jurisdiction.

Troy police pulled LeForest over after observing her strike the median curb twice on eastbound Big Beaver Road about 12:30 a.m. Jan. 18.

LeForest, a 34-year-old Macomb resident, declined a breathalyzer and officers obtained a search warrant authorizing a blood test be conducted. State police forensic analysts determined LeForest had a blood-alcohol content of .27, three times the maximum allowed while driving in Michigan.

A blood-alcohol level above .17 percent qualifies as "super drunk." Under Michigan's Super Drunk law, penalties increase from up to 93 to 180 days of possible jail time and nearly doubles the cost of court fines. Anyone convicted under the Super Drunk law loses their driver's license for 45 days, is under restricted driving limitations for 320 days and required to install an ignition device that forces the driver to take a breathalyzer each time they start their vehicle. 

MLive Detroit could not reach Troy Police Department spokesman Sgt. Andy Breidenich for comment Friday.

Troy police issued a statement regarding LeForest's arrest on Jan. 28. As of Tuesday, LeForest was on paid administrative leave.

Oakland County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Paul Walton said his office can charge based on field sobriety tests but usually waits for blood-test results in cases when a breathalyzer is declined.

He said getting the authority for blood sample in suspected DUI cases is "routine" but rather complex. 

The agency completes paperwork requesting a search warrant, sends it to a judge or magistrate and awaits a signature. The officers then transport the suspect to a hospital where a certified nurse or doctor must extract several blood samples using a special kit that stops blood coagulation. Samples throughout the state are then sent to the state police crime lab for analysis. Results can take weeks.

Former Officer Steven Holliday Arrested for Breaking into Ace Hardware

Mt. Juliet police said a former Mt. Juliet and Lebanon police officer was arrested for breaking into the Mt. Juliet Ace Hardware predawn Thursday.

MJPD spokesperson Sgt. Tyler Chandler confirmed late Thursday evening Steven Holliday was arrested around 3:15 a.m. Thursday when police officers responded to a burglar alarm and found Holliday “leaving the scene in the Courtney’s Family Restaurant parking lot.”

Chandler said this was the third time Ace Hardware has been broken into and “investigators are looking at a possible connection.”

Chandler said Holliday worked as a police officer in Mt. Juliet in the early 1990s and then again in the early 2000s.  He said the last part of Holliday’s employment with the city of Mt. Juliet was in some capacity at City Hall. Chandler said Holliday has also been a Lebanon Police Department employee at one time and his latest law enforcement job was with Metro police.

The investigation is ongoing.

Officer Kevin Kelly Accused of Flashing Gun at Server from IHOP

The Oakland Police Department has launched an internal investigation into the arrest of an off-duty police officer who is accused of flashing a gun at a server at a San Francisco restaurant over the weekend, officials said Thursday.

Officer Kevin Kelly was cited by San Francisco police and released for allegedly showing a gun to a server in an attempt to impress her about 2:40 a.m. Sunday at the 24-hour IHOP Restaurant at 2299 Lombard St. in the city's Marina District.

"Apparently, a young lady he was talking to, it appeared that he was trying to impress her by letting her know he was a police officer," said San Francisco police Sgt. Eric O'Neal
 a department spokesman. "He brandished a gun. He briefly pointed it in her direction and he pointed the weapon in an upward position, pointing it at the ceiling of the restaurant. That caused the young lady some concern, enough to call SFPD officers."

Kelly told officers that he had been drinking Saturday night. "It was unknown what level of consumption the off-duty officer had," O'Neal said.

San Francisco police seized Kelly's gun, which was not issued by the Oakland police, as evidence, O'Neal said.

In a statement released to The Chronicle on Thursday, Oakland police said the department "takes all allegations of misconduct involving our employees seriously. Ensuring internal investigations are swift, fair and objective is our priority. We are conducting a thorough investigation into this incident, focused on discovering all pertinent facts and circumstances."

Kelly is on paid administrative leave, said Officer Johnna Watson, an Oakland police spokeswoman, pending investigations by San Francisco police and Oakland police internal affairs investigators.

Kelly is one of 38 officers who graduated in March 2013 from the department's first academy in four years. Kelly's father, Jim Kelly, is a San Francisco police inspector who pinned his son's badge at a ceremony at the Scottish Rite Temple near Oakland's Lake Merritt.

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Officer Clint Reed Arrested for Malfeasance in Office

On February 3, 2014, investigators with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations arrested a Lake Providence police officer for one count of malfeasance in office. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, the East Carroll Sheriff's Office and the Lake Providence Police Department.

An Arkansas resident advised investigators that he was traveling through Lake Providence and was stopped by a Lake Providence police officer for speeding. The Arkansas resident advised investigators that the Lake Providence police officer requested $50 from the driver in lieu of issuing a citation.

Investigators arrested Clint Reed, 51-years-old of Lake Providence, for one count of malfeasance in office. Reed confessed to investigators during questioning that he requested and took $50 dollars instead of issuing the citation.

Reed faces up to a $5,000 fine and 5 years in prison if convicted.

The Louisiana State Police on-line reporting system is available to the public through a secure reporting form that is submitted to investigators. Citizens can access the form by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the suspicious activity link.

Officer Benjamin Whitmore Arrested for Assault

A Frederick police officer faces a second-degree assault charge in Garrett County, according to Richard Hetherington, deputy city police chief.

Benjamin Whitmore, a 2009 graduate of the Frederick Police Academy, has been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of a criminal investigation conducted by the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office.


Frederick police will also investigate, according to a news release issued Tuesday night.
“We will do an internal investigation, and we will see how that goes,” Hetherington said in a telephone interview.

Hetherington did not disclose details Tuesday night about why Whitmore was arrested by the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office. In a news release, Frederick police said questions about the arrest should be directed to the Garrett County Sheriff’s Office.

Whitmore was arrested by Garrett County sheriff’s deputy Eric Parks, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

According to online court records, Whitmore, 28, of the 1600 block of Coopers Way in Frederick, was released from jail on bail Sunday.

Whitmore holds the rank of officer and has worked for the agency for about five years, Hetherington said. He was assigned to the agency’s patrol division, according to the news release.

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Officer Joseph Freda Charged with Excessive Force Waives First Court Appearance

Joseph Freda was fired by the town after being arrested for using excessive force against a suspect.

 A former Salem police officer charged with assaulting a Maine man following a motor vehicle pursuit has waived his first court appearance.

Joseph Freda, 33, entered a not guilty plea in 10th Circuit Court to two counts of simple assault by an on-duty law enforcement officer.

He also passed on having his Feb. 24 arraignment in district court, according to a notice filed by defense lawyer Donald Blaszka.

Freda faces up to two to five years in state prison for allegedly striking Thomas Templeton, 39, of York, Maine, while he was being arrested on Oct. 6.

The charges against Freda are misdemeanors, but carry enhanced penalties because the alleged assaults happened while he was working as a Salem police officer, according to court complaints filed by state prosecutors.

Salem Town Manager Keith Hickey terminated Freda from his job on Jan. 21.

An affidavit filed by N.H. Attorney General Investigator Richard Tracy said that at least 12 people were interviewed – including other police officers and Templeton himself – before an arrest warrant was sought for Freda.

The pursuit began about 1:50 a.m. on Oct. 6 when Windham police Sgt. Bryan Bliss began pursuing a black Jeep Cherokee driven by Templeton heading southbound on Interstate 93.

State Trooper Andrew Monaco became the lead vehicle in the pursuit as it neared Exit 2 in Salem. The Jeep was traveling  90 to 100 m.p.h. when it took Exit 1 in Salem and kept driving in the opposite lane of traffic along Veterans Memorial Parkway, according to court records.

Monaco was ordered to back down by his supervisor, but the pursuit was then picked up by Salem police officers as Templeton headed east onto Main Street, according to Tracy’s affidavit.

Templeton eventually stopped in the Nissan Car Dealership at 343 Main St. near the Massachusetts state line and hid in nearby brush. Monaco and Salem police Sgt. Marc Prescott arrested Templeton without incident, the affidavit said.

Monaco had escorted Templeton from the wooded area, but “at some point along the way” two Salem police officers assumed control of him. Monaco went on to speak with Prescott and Bliss about charges and the booking process, when he heard a commotion near his cruiser, Tracy said in the affidavit.

“Templeton reported that after he was taken into custody in the rear of the dealership, while handcuffed and being brought back to the area of the cruisers, he was struck twice on the top of his head with what he believes to be a flashlight by one of the officers at the scene,” Tracy said in the affidavit.

After being assaulted, Templeton said one of the officers continued to taunt him. While seated on the ground, that officer also stepped on Templeton’s hand, according to investigators.

Templeton, who was charged with reckless driving and disobeying a police officer, received five staples to his head to close his wounds. He remains held at the Rockingham County jail.

Freda apparently was worried about his interactions with Templeton the day after the pursuit, according to court records. Freda approached Monaco, the state trooper, “asking if he had anything to worry about,” while the two worked a construction detail along Interstate 93.

"Not wishing to engage Freda in conversation, Monaco told Freda 'no,'" Tracy wrote. State police forwarded the matter to the Attorney General's Office on Oct. 22.

Sgt. Thomas Winkis Charged with Killing Driver Will Stand Trial

A former Philadelphia police officer will stand trial on charges stemming from an off-duty car crash that killed the other driver.

The Philadelphia Inquirer said a judge Wednesday ruled that there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against 46-year-old former police Sgt. Thomas Winkis on charges including vehicular homicide, involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving.

Investigators say Winkis was drunk and driving 100 mph in a 35 mph zone when he broadsided a van around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 14 in northeast Philadelphia.

The driver of the van, 55-year-old David Farries, died in a hospital several days later.
Winkis had been fired from the police force.

Officer Candace LaForest Charged with Drunk Driving

A 12-year veteran officer of the Troy Police Department has been charged in a drunken driving case following a nearly three-week investigation.

An internal investigation remains underway and the officer is on administrative leave.

Candace LaForest, 34, pleaded not guilty Tuesday morning in Troy District Court with operating with a high blood-alcohol content, a misdemeanor that carries up to a 180-day jail stay upon conviction, according to Michigan’s super drunk laws.

The 34-year-old, who has been a sworn officer since 2005, had personal bond set at $1,000.

Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper said Troy’s district judges had been considering whether to recuse themselves from the case, slowing the process. They did so after LaForest’s arraignment, and the case is now being reassigned to another court that hasn’t been named yet. A future court date will be scheduled.

The investigation stems from a traffic stop around midnight Jan. 18 when LaForest was in a pickup truck headed eastbound on Big Beaver, near Rochester Road. Patrol officers said they saw the driver hit a median curb twice.

Police approached the driver, identified her as LaForest — who was off duty — then detected a “very strong odor of alcohol coming from the driver and compartment area,” according to police reports.

She refused to take a Breathalyzer test and was arrested for operating while intoxicated, but a blood sample was taken and submitted to Michigan State Police for analysis, police said.

The results, which returned from the lab about a week later, indicated that the driver had a 0.27 percent blood alcohol content — more than three times the legal limit of 0.08 to drive a car, prompting the charges.

The blood draw in lieu of the Breathalyzer test slowed the process, said Troy Sgt. Andy Breidenich.

“Most drunk driving cases where there is a blood draw take a month or more while we’re waiting for blood results … then you have to review, submit to prosecutors and await the signing of a warrant … then come charges,” he said.

Troy Capt. Robert Redmond added that officers personally handled the criminal investigation — and he is heading the internal investigation — in an “expeditious manner,” to avoid accusations of “stone-walling” the investigation.

“We drove (the case) there (to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office) in person, got blood-alcohol results from the Michigan State Police in five days,” he said. “Also, it takes time to set a date with an attorney, so we let it go through the proper course ... but she will be held accountable for her actions.”

LaForest has been with the Troy Police Department since 2001. She started her career as a civilian employee in various units, then was sworn in as a uniformed officer in 2005. 

Officer Rajat Sharda Arrested for Rape

A city police officer has been placed on paid administrative leave after being charged with rape and witness intimidation.

Police said the incident occurred at Bancroft Tower in August 2013 while Officer Rajat Sharda was "working as a police officer."

According to court records, Officer Sharda allegedly asked a woman what she would be willing to do to avoid arrest and "made her do something against her will in exchange for not being arrested."

The woman told department investigators the officer exposed himself to her and raped her digitally, according to court records. Reports also accuse the officer of taking the woman's bed comforter, which she had her in possession at the time, and threatening her to keep quiet.

The woman told police that Officer Sharda said she "better not talk about this and if she did, he would find her, her children and her family."

Worcester police received the complaint sometime after the alleged incident, which allegedly occurred at Bancroft Tower, on Bancroft Tower Road.

Officer Sharda, 32, of Worcester, was arrested Monday night in Hudson and arraigned Tuesday in Central District Court. He is charged with aggravated rape, extortion by a police officer, open and gross lewdness, armed robbery and witness intimidation. Police list the officer as living in Hudson, but court records list a Worcester address.

Officer Sharda was placed on restricted duty while the case was being investigated by the department's sexual assault unit. Worcester police did not specify when the complaint was filed.

"Worcester police launched an extensive investigation into the allegations made against Mr. Sharda," police said in a news release. "Based on the findings in the investigation, Worcester police obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Sharda."

Not-guilty pleas were entered during Tuesday's arraignment. Officer Sharda posted $7,500 bail. He is due to return to court on March 25.

The officer, who is the only Indian officer on the department, was also ordered to turn in his passport.

Bruce Hopper, the officer's lawyer, said his client denies the allegations.

"For this officer, there is more to this than just defending himself in court against false allegations," Mr. Hopper said. "Now he must defend his honor as well."

Mr. Hopper said his client was recalled to the Worcester Department in December 2011 after being part of the 2009 graduating class, which was later laid off by the city.

Officer Michael Lafferty Arrested for DUI

A Pittsburgh police officer was arrested around 3:20 a.m. Monday and charged with driving under the influence and careless driving, court records show.

Michael Lafferty, 29, was assigned today to support services, pending an investigation by the Office of Municipal Investigations, acting police Chief Regina McDonald said in a statement. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 7.

When 3-day-old Bryce Coleman disappeared in August 2012 from Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Officer Lafferty, who has been a city officer since Sept. 2009, helped identify and locate suspect Breona Moore.

Officer Homero Reynaga Arrested for Vandalizing Neighbor's Vehicle

An off-duty Portland police officer was arrested in Tualatin on New Year's Eve.

Homero Reynaga, a 15-year veteran of the Portland Police Bureau, is accused of vandalizing a neighbor's vehicle on the 6400 block of Southwest Nyberg Lane.

Tualatin police were called to the scene on Dec. 31. Officers arrested Reynaga on the charge of second-degree criminal mischief and booked him in the Clackamas County Jail.

He has since been released from jail and is set to be arraigned in court on Jan. 30.

Reynaga was off-duty at the time of his arrest, according to investigators.

Police did not immediately release any details about what led up to the incident.

According to records, Reynaga was cited in July 2011 for DUI in Salem. Deputies said he drove into another car with a blood alcohol level of .24 percent, three times the legal limit.

The other driver was not badly injured. Reynaga, who was off-duty at the time of the crash, later pleaded guilty to DUII and was ordered to go through an alcohol treatment program.

His license was also suspended for one year.

Reynaga was most recently assigned to Central Precinct. He is now on paid administrative leave and his police powers have been rescinded pending an internal investigation, according to the Portland Police Bureau.

"The Portland Police Bureau does not comment on personnel matters because it could interfere with the process of conducting a neutral, objective investigation and we must protect public employees' privacy interests consistent with the Oregon Public Records Law and relevant collective bargaining agreements," according to a statement from Portland police.

University Sgt. John McGrath Arrested for "Super Extreme DUI"

A University of Arizona police officer was arrested and released Saturday evening for a Super Extreme DUI after he crashed a marked patrol vehicle while on-duty into a wall near Speedway Blvd. and Interstate-10.

According to law enforcement, UAPD Sgt. John McGrath, 27, showed symptoms of impairment following the crash. McGrath was charged with a "Super Extreme DUI", which occurs when a suspect has a .20 Blood Alcohol Content or higher.

According to Tucson Police Sgt. Pete Dugan, no one was injured in the single-vehicle accident.

McGrath was charged and released. In addition to four DUI charges, McGrath was also cited for failure to control speed to avoid a collision, and a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage.

The patrol vehicle was towed and will remain impounded for at least 30 days, in accordance with state law.

According to UAPD Sgt. Filbert Barrera, McGrath has been with the department since 2009 and was promoted to sergeant more than a year ago.

McGrath also served concurrently with the Arizona Army National Guard and recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan.

McGrath has since been placed on investigative suspension. UAPD is cooperating with the investigation.

Officer Justin Francis Laclere Accused of Having Sex with Underaged Girl

A former Phoenix police officer accused of having sex with an underage girl who wanted to get pregnant has pleaded not guilty.

Justin Francis Laclere of Gilbert faces of one count of luring a minor for sexual exploitation and one count of sexual conduct with a minor.

He's accused of having sex with the 17-year-old girl at her family's home while they were away.

Police say Laclere replied to a post the girl made on cellphone app that allows users to anonymously share photos with text.

The seven-year Phoenix police veteran resigned from the department after his arrest.

Veteran Officer Rodney Williams Charged with Stealing from Evidence Room

A D.C. police officer with 24 years on the force was charged Thursday with stealing property from an evidence room, according to the department.

Officer Rodney Williams was charged with one count of second-degree theft and has an appearance scheduled in D.C. Superior Court on Feb. 20. He was issued a criminal citation and set free.

Officer Araz Alali, a D.C. police spokesman, said members of the Internal Affairs Division arrested Williams on Thursday after a tip from another police employee. He said the theft occurred from the Evidence Control Branch, located in Southwest Washington, where the officer had been assigned.

Police would not disclose which items were stolen. The evidence branch handles about 100,000 items that are either seized or recovered by police throughout any given year. Items include evidence from crime scenes, found property and possessions from a person found deceased.

The arrest comes just days after D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier testified before the D.C. Council’s public safety committee about a spate of recent arrests of officers that includes one charged with running a prostitution ring involving minors out of his apartment. Another officer was recently charged with taking semi-nude pictures of a teenaged girl; his body was found in the Washington Channel last month in what police have said was an apparent suicide.

Lanier has complained that several officers she has fired were ordered back during an appeals process, and she asked lawmakers to help change the law to strengthen her ability to terminate officers convicted of crimes. She also has said many officers recently arrested graduated from the academy in 1989 and 1990, a time when hiring standards were lowered to quickly boost the size of the force. Williams was in the 1990 class.

The chief has said many of the officers hired then would not be hired under tougher standards in place today. At the Council hearing Jan. 24, Lanier said 47 District officers have been convicted of crimes since 2009. There were four in 2013, eight in 2012, 20 in 2011, 10 in 2010 and five in 2009.

Officer Emmanuel Augustine Arrested for Prostitution

Emmanuel Augustine was off duty when he propositioned what he thought was a hooker.

It turns out the woman was an undercover deputy from the same Houston, Texas precinct he works in.

Or used to work in.

Augustine’s co-workers arrested him for soliciting the woman for sex.

The department then released a statement saying,"

"Following his identification, the administration was notified and responded to the arrest location. Emmanuel Augustine was placed on immediate administrative suspension without pay pending an investigation into the incident."

ABC13 in Houston reports Augustine was wearing his department issued pants at the time of his arrest.

Augustine has worked at Precinct 4 since 2009; he faces a fine of up to $2,000 and/or jail time of not more than 180 days.

The deputy was kept away from other inmates while in custody but has since been released on his own recognizance.