Three Officers on Leave After Death of Man Pepper-Sprayed and Beaten

Three police officers have been placed on administrative leave while officials investigate the death of a man outside an Oklahoma movie theater, police said Tuesday.

Luis Rodriguez, 44, died after five law enforcement officers pepper-sprayed and handcuffed him early Saturday morning after an altercation in a theater parking lot in the central Oklahoma city of Moore, said Police Chief Jerry Stillings.

But Rodriguez's wife, Nair, and daughter, Luinahi, have said that police beat him.

A spokeswoman for the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office said the cause and manner of death are pending.

Two on-duty officers, who were already at the theater for an unrelated incident, were alerted to a possible domestic disturbance and attempted to question Rodriguez, Stillings said. They were joined by three other off-duty officers — one from the Moore police department and two game wardens — who were working security at the theater.

Stillings said Rodriguez tried to leave and "took an aggressive stance." Officers attempted to detain him, but Rodriguez continued to be uncooperative, Stillings said, and officers used pepper spray to subdue him before handcuffing him. The man's wife and daughter have said he did not resist officers.

At that point, an ambulance was called — which, Stillings said, is common in situations where force is used — and Rodriguez was taken to a nearby hospital.

It's unclear when Rodriguez died, and Stillings refused to say whether or not Rodriguez was conscious when he was handcuffed.

Stillings said there are no indications that batons or other weapons were used. Moore Police spokesman Jeremy Lewis said it's under investigation whether other force, including punching and kicking, took place.

"Mr. Rodriguez made statements that the fight was a case of domestic violence," Stillings said during a news conference. "Domestic violence is a serious situation and officers are obligated to investigate all matters of suspected domestic violence."

Nair Rodriguez said that she slapped her daughter and her husband was trying to calm her down. Nair Rodriguez said her husband bypassed the officers in order to try and stop her from driving away. She said officers then took him down and started beating him.

A message was left at one phone listing for Nair Rodriguez. Other phone numbers rang unanswered, were wrong numbers or were disconnected.

Officers confiscated a partial cellphone video that Nair Rodriguez captured of the incident and obtained a search warrant to view and make a copy of it, Stillings said. There are no plans for the police department to release the video, but Stillings said it he didn't see anything inappropriate in the video. Police have attempted to return the phone to Nair Rodriguez on Tuesday but have been unsuccessful, he said.

The three Moore officers have been placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is being investigated. The officers have been with the department between 1 1/2 years and 6 years and have had no other incidents like this one, Stillings said.

The two game wardens have not been placed on leave, a spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation said.

The names of the officers involved have not been released.

Officer Christopher Luzinski Arrested for Drunk Driving

An Oak Creek police officer is on paid administrative leave as he faces criminal charges of driving drunk and leading Elm Grove police on a high-speed chase.

Christopher Luzinski, 37, of Franklin has been an officer with the Oak Creek Police Department for about three years and was placed on leave as a result of his arrest early Saturday, Oak Creek Chief John Edwards said.

An internal investigation has been opened and will parallel the criminal investigation, Edwards said.

Luzinski faces a felony charge of fleeing police, and if convicted, he faces a potential maximum sentence of 31/2 years in prison. If convicted of a felony, Luzinski could not serve as a police officer, as federal law prohibits felons from possessing firearms.

An Elm Grove police officer first noticed Luzinski's vehicle about 3 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Elm Grove Road and Watertown Plank Road, where Luzinski slowed but did not stop at the intersection, according to a criminal complaint.

Luzinski, who was off-duty, then made several turns on different roads before finally turning onto Watertown Plank Road, where he accelerated to speeds between 75 and 85 mph, records show.

The Elm Grove officer activated his emergency lights and sirens to try to stop the vehicle, which fled. Luzinski slowed to turn westbound onto Blue Mound Road but then accelerated again reaching a speed of 101 mph, police said. Luzinski lost control on Blue Mound Road at Terrace Drive and finally came to a complete stop at a red traffic signal, having led police on a 1.7 mile-pursuit, according to documents.

Officers gave the Luzinski a field sobriety test after noticing his bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, and then gave him a breath test that showed his blood-alcohol level was 0.19, the criminal complaint states. That is more than twice the level of 0.08 considered proof of intoxication in Wisconsin.

Officers noted that Luzinski admitted to being an Oak Creek police officer, did not remember leaving the bar and was apologetic throughout the traffic stop.
Luzinski was charged Monday and posted his $1,500 bail later that day. He is due back in court March 12.

Former Officer Rey Muniz Named in Lawsuit

A former Austin police officer is named in a federal lawsuit for failing to stop state troopers from making a false arrest. The KVUE Defenders uncovered why this isn’t the first time the officer has been accused of mishandling a case.

Rey Muniz has a difficult time trusting law enforcement. In a recently filed federal lawsuit, the Austin man claims May 2012 dashboard camera video shows a state trooper assaulting and falsely arresting him in a parking for not providing his ID.

“When an officer asks for your ID, you give it to him,” says DPS Trooper Chancy Davis in the video.

“Am I under arrest?" Muniz later asks in the video. 
"You’re being detained,” says Davis.

You can't see it in the video, but you can hear Muniz asking Davis to stop touching him.

Claiming that he felt he threatened, Muniz calls 911 and reports the incident.

A few minutes later, Austin Police Officer Timothy Little responds. When Muniz gets off the phone, he walks towards him, but Little signals him to stop and speaks with DPS troopers first.

"He should have came to me and talk to me. I’m the one who called 911," said Muniz.

"He arguably conspired with the other officers that were on site to get that story straight," said Jeff Kelly, Muniz’s attorney. "If he had gone directly to speak with Mr. Muniz, he would realize that he was being assaulted by the officers."

Troopers eventually arrested Muniz for failing to provide his ID and resisting arrest. Up to that point, Muniz had a clean record. The district attorney's office later dropped all charges.

So, what about Muniz’s claims DPS troopers assaulted him? While Little responded, the KVUE Defenders found he did not file a report on Muniz’s claims as a department policy clearly states should happen when reporting on citizen complaints.

Austin police say Little resigned more than a year after the Muniz's 911 call. APD says it's against the law to comment on the circumstances of his resignation.

This isn’t the first time Little has been accused of mishandling a 911 call. In March 2004, he responded to a 911 call from an Austin apartment.

According to an internal affairs investigation, when the door opened he recognized the man as “a police academy classmate.” The fellow officer told him he got into a fight with his girlfriend.

Instead of reporting it, Little told dispatch, “All quiet inside. No answer.”
The department suspended him for covering up for another officer’s conduct.

While Little is no longer with APD, the department remains liable for his action.

The KVUE Defenders wanted to know whether Austin Police Chief Art Acevado believes Little acted appropriately and if this is a broader problem that needs to be addressed in the department.

APD says the chief cannot discuss pending litigation or former employees.

In addition to the federal lawsuit, Muniz filed a complaint with the Travis County District Attorney's Office. It confirms it's investigating Muniz's complaint.

Go here for part one of the investigation.

Officer Michael Terrell Arrested for Domestic Violence

Milwaukee police arrested a 15-year officer of the department on allegations of battery-domestic violence and resisting an officer, a police spokesman said.

Officer Michael Terrell, 46, was arrested Feb. 8, and the Milwaukee County district attorney's office is reviewing the case, Lt. Mark Stanmeyer said.

The incident also is being investigated by the department's internal affairs division. Terrell is assigned to the Office of Community Outreach and Education and is currently on full suspension.

Attempts to reach Terrell were not successful. He has not been charged.

A Journal Sentinel investigation published in 2011 found that at least 16 officers on the force at that time had been disciplined after internal investigators concluded they had committed acts of domestic violence. Several other officers with domestic violence restraining orders were not disciplined, the investigation found.

Domestic violence is far more common among the families of police officers than among the rest of the population, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Center for Women and Policing. At least 40% of police families are affected by domestic violence, as opposed to an estimated 10% in other households.

Former Officer Edward Holliday Accused of Breaking Into Another Hardware Store

A former police officer accused of breaking into a hardware store is in jail again for allegedly trying to break into another one.

An officer who was on routine patrol says he noticed Edward Holliday pulling on a door handle at the Ace Hardware store on Old Lebanon Road Sunday night.

The officer stopped him and noticed Holliday was wearing rubber gloves and had a hammer in his pocket.

Holliday allegedly told the officer that he was just walking around.

The officer let him go but called for backup, and they followed Holliday in his car. Holliday was later pulled over for a traffic violation and taken into custody.

Holliday was out on bond for breaking into an Ace Hardware store in Mt. Juliet last week.
He is being held at the Nashville Criminal Justice Center on a $50,000 bond.

Holliday has worked as an officer in Lebanon, Mt. Juliet and Nashville.

Officer Keith German Charged with Misconduct

Patrolman Keith German, 45, of Tinton Falls, a 16-year veteran officer of the Asbury Park Police Department, was arrested and charged with Official Misconduct and Unauthorized Access of a Computer Database at part of "Operation Dead End," authorities said.

Keith German, was arrested as part of a sweep that included dozens of other arrests, said one source who requested anonymity. The source said the sweep was tied to gangs but did not elaborate on what German’s role was or if he was involved with gangs.

Mayor Myra Campbell did not confirm or deny if a police officer was arrested, but added that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty and all the facts need to come out.
“There is no place for corrupt cops in the city of Asbury Park,” Campbell said. “Its not good for the citizens, it’s not good for the community.”

The Asbury Park Press reported German, who is a 16-year veteran of the police force, was released on $50,000 bail with a 10 percent option and had to surrender his badge, gun, police identification and radio.

Officer Edwin Powell Charged with Assault

A Cleveland police officer has been charged with assault.

Patrol Officer Edwin Powell faces assault, menacing and interfering with civil rights charges stemming from allegations of misconduct against a prisoner while Powell was working secondary employment, Police Chief Calvin Williams said in a department release.

Powell received a summons and is scheduled to appear in Cleveland Municipal Court at 8:30 a.m. March 11. The department's Internal Affairs Unit investigated the allegations, and sent their findings to the city prosecutors, who filed the charges Friday.

Police would not release any more information about the incident tied to the charges.
Powell will be placed on administrative duties pending a disciplinary hearing in front of Director of Public Safety Michael McGrath.

Officer Michael Thomassie Charged with Aggravated Rape

A veteran New Orleans police officer has surrendered to police following an indictment for aggravated rape.

He is in custody in Orleans Parish prison and is being held without bond.

According to the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office, the warrant was issued for 12-year-veteran officer Michael Thomassie after he was indicted by a grand jury Thursday on a single count of aggravated rape.

The allegation dates back to 2004 and 2005 when the alleged victim in the case was between 7 and 9 years of age, according to a spokesman for the office.

Thomassie is a 12-year veteran of the department. He was most recently assigned to desk duty in the 4th District.

Sgt. Michael Taulane Charged with Aggravated Assault

A borough police officer is accused of ongoing domestic violence against a female victim.

Sgt. Michael Taulane, 41, of Collingswood was charged Friday with aggravated assault in the case. Authorities said they learned of the alleged abuse the previous Monday.

Taulane, a 22-year police veteran, was released on bail and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim. He surrendered all weapons he had, authorities said, and is suspended without pay from his job pending the outcome of the case.

Officer Richard Jouppi Found Not Guilty of Beating Man in Wheelchair

Back in 2012 Richard Jouppi was booking 50-year old, wheelchair bound, Anthony Jon Jackson in the detoxification center. Jouppi was clearly causing pain and hurting Jackson, at which point Jackson reached up with his arm to defend himself, and told Jouppi, “you can’t do that.”

Jouppi then stooped to particularly low level and began to pummel Jackson to the point of knocking him backwards out of the wheelchair and then getting on top of his paralyzed body.

Jackson was booked for felony assault. The charges were later dropped.

Jouppi, 36, faced fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges after the aggressive incident. This past November, Jouppi was found not guilty on all charges.

Even Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay, was upset with the outcome and posted the following statement to his Facebook page,

“While I respect the judicial process I am very disappointed by the verdict in the Richard Jouppi case. His actions on September 21, 2012 were not consistent with department training or policy, bringing discredit to our department and detracting from the excellent work our women and men do on a daily basis. As I said previously, we will do everything we can legally to ensure he never works for our department again.”

YouTubeVideoBeating

It should come as no surprise that Jouppi was found not guilty. Cops can murder, beat, humiliate, rape and sodomize and keep their positions.

As he defended himself on the stand he even proclaimed the “unofficial” police oath, “It’s a tough position to be in as a police officer because I have to go home. I have my wife and kids at home.”

The bright side to this story, if there is one, is that Police Chief Ramsay has said his department has done everything in its power to ensure that Jouppi never works on the force again.

Back in 2012 Richard Jouppi was booking 50-year old, wheelchair bound, Anthony Jon Jackson in the detoxification center. Jouppi was clearly causing pain and hurting Jackson, at which point Jackson reached up with his arm to defend himself, and told Jouppi, “you can’t do that.”
Jouppi then stooped to particularly low level and began to pummel Jackson to the point of knocking him backwards out of the wheelchair and then getting on top of his paralyzed body.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-beat-wheelchair-bound-man-guilty-charges/#WVuDCUCCtK7pakQb.99

Lt Jake Adams Arrested for DUI After Rolling Vehicle with his Children Inside

A sheriff’s lieutenant was arrested for investigation of DUI Sunday after allegedly rolling his patrol vehicle with his four children inside.Washington County Sheriff’s Lt. Jake Adams, 39, was booked into the Iron County Jail under the name Jason Lynn Adams for investigation of DUI, making an unsafe lane change and carrying a weapon while intoxicated.Adams rolled his sheriff’s patrol vehicle, an unmarked F-150 pickup truck, with his four children inside. The children, who reportedly range in age from 8 to 14, were not injured. Adams was not on duty at the time of the accident.

“We’re just really grateful that neither he nor any of his kids were seriously injured or killed. I mean, it’s very lucky,” said Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher.

Adams was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

The accident happened on state Route 17 near La Verkin just before 4:30 p.m. in what Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce called a “slow speed rollover accident.”

“Adams drifted off the right shoulder then over-corrected back to the left. The truck left the roadway and went down a dirt embankment in a sideways slide,” according to a statement from the UHP. This caused the truck to roll onto its hood. All four of the children were wearing their seat belts, Royce said.

Adams reportedly suffered minor injuries. In his mug shot photo, a red mark can be seen on his forehead. Adams was booked into the Iron County Jail to avoid a conflict of interest in Washington County. He posted bail and was released Monday.

Adams was hired by the sheriff’s office in 1998 and has worked for the office his entire career. He is currently the lieutenant in charge of investigations.

Adams was placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
The accident happened on state Route 17 near La Verkin just before 4:30 p.m. in what Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd Royce called a “slow speed rollover accident.”

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-arrested-dui-rolling-patrol-vehicle-4-children/#lHxHEfW8S6GW0bGG.99

A sheriff’s lieutenant was arrested for investigation of DUI Sunday after allegedly rolling his patrol vehicle with his four children inside.Washington County Sheriff’s Lt. Jake Adams, 39, was booked into the Iron County Jail under the name Jason Lynn Adams for investigation of DUI, making an unsafe lane change and carrying a weapon while intoxicated.Adams rolled his sheriff’s patrol vehicle, an unmarked F-150 pickup truck, with his four children inside. The children, who reportedly range in age from 8 to 14, were not injured. Adams was not on duty at the time of the accident. “We’re just really grateful that neither he nor any of his kids were seriously injured or killed. I mean, it’s very lucky,” said Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-arrested-dui-rolling-patrol-vehicle-4-children/#lHxHEfW8S6GW0bGG.99

A sheriff’s lieutenant was arrested for investigation of DUI Sunday after allegedly rolling his patrol vehicle with his four children inside.Washington County Sheriff’s Lt. Jake Adams, 39, was booked into the Iron County Jail under the name Jason Lynn Adams for investigation of DUI, making an unsafe lane change and carrying a weapon while intoxicated.Adams rolled his sheriff’s patrol vehicle, an unmarked F-150 pickup truck, with his four children inside. The children, who reportedly range in age from 8 to 14, were not injured. Adams was not on duty at the time of the accident. “We’re just really grateful that neither he nor any of his kids were seriously injured or killed. I mean, it’s very lucky,” said Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-arrested-dui-rolling-patrol-vehicle-4-children/#lHxHEfW8S6GW0bGG.99

A sheriff’s lieutenant was arrested for investigation of DUI Sunday after allegedly rolling his patrol vehicle with his four children inside.Washington County Sheriff’s Lt. Jake Adams, 39, was booked into the Iron County Jail under the name Jason Lynn Adams for investigation of DUI, making an unsafe lane change and carrying a weapon while intoxicated.Adams rolled his sheriff’s patrol vehicle, an unmarked F-150 pickup truck, with his four children inside. The children, who reportedly range in age from 8 to 14, were not injured. Adams was not on duty at the time of the accident. “We’re just really grateful that neither he nor any of his kids were seriously injured or killed. I mean, it’s very lucky,” said Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher.

Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/cop-arrested-dui-rolling-patrol-vehicle-4-children/#lHxHEfW8S6GW0bGG.99

Lt. Randy L Emery Arrested for Theft

A Frankfort police lieutenant faces one count of theft following an investigation by the Indiana State Police Organized Crime and Corruption Unit.

Randy L. Emery, 48, of Frankfort, was arrested Tuesday afternoon at his residence and booked into the Clinton County jail, according to a state police news release. A jail employee said Emery had bonded out by Tuesday evening.

State police investigators said Emery was working part-time for Good Oil Co. and was responsible for transporting money from the company’s gas station at Indiana 28 and Interstate 65 to a bank. According to ISP, Emery used a Frankfort patrol car to transport the money while he was off duty from his police job.

State police allege that more than $147,000 in cash was taken from the Winamac-based oil company since late summer of 2013.

According to state police, the arrest warrant stems from an investigation that began Friday and was conducted by Master Trooper Detective Amy Johnson. The investigation is ongoing.

Following Emery’s arrest, Frankfort Police Chief Troy Bacon posted a statement on the department’s website.

“The judicial system will run its course and proceed accordingly, based on the facts of the investigation. Not having any role in the investigation, our department has no further comment on the situation,” Bacon said.

“Given Emery is a city employee, an executive session of the Frankfort Board of Public Works and Safety will be scheduled in the near future,” the statement said.

Emery was not on duty at the time of his arrest, according to Bacon.

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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