A Chandler police officer was arrested Sunday morning for allegedly driving under the influence.
Seth Tyler with the Chandler Police Department confirmed that one of its officers was arrested for suspected DUI at 10:36 a.m.
He said the officer showed up for an "extra-duty" job near Arizona Avenue just south of Queen Creek Road and appeared to be impaired.
Tyler identified the officer as 53-year-old Lonnie Morris, a 19-year veteran with the Department.
Tyler said the officer was processed and has been placed on paid-administrative leave pending an internal investigation. The officer was then transferred to a local hospital for observation.
Tyler said the officer was driving a Chandler police patrol car.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Former Officer Walter Urena Incest Conviction Upheld
Walter Urena, 66, was found guilty on five of six counts of aggravated incest in a jury trial in 2013. He was sentenced to two consecutive 20-year terms and three concurrent 10-year prison terms.
Urena, who was arrested in July 2011, appealed the convictions and the sentences on the grounds of insufficient evidence and that the two 20-year sentences were excessive.
On May 7, the appellate court sent the case back to the trial court to reconsider the consecutive 20-year sentences.
According to the appellate court’s opinion, written by Judge Billy Howard Ezell, Urena “is not one of the worst of offenders when it comes to child sexual abuse.”
The opinion also states that “while the victim in the current case was a minor, five or six when the abuse began, it did not escalate from touching and ended when the victim told him to stop. Without sufficient justification, we find that the two consecutive sentences totaling forty years is nothing more than cruel and unusual punishment.”
Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Monique Metoyer prosecuted the case.
She said prosecuting a public figure, such as a former police officer, carries with it a different level of expectations.
“There’s a level of disappointment you don’t have otherwise,” she said. “It’s almost incomprehensible. You think you know someone, and you don’t. It’s a total violation, and it’s a selfish, selfish act.”
Former Officer Steven Webb & Wife Sentenced to Prison for Child Porn Charges
Steven Webb, of 1408 Nottingham Drive, Kannapolis, originally was charged with receiving child pornography, distributing child pornography, two counts of possessing material containing child pornography and one count of accessing child pornography with the intent to view.
He pleaded guilty to the accessing child pornography charge and was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison, Kannapolis police confirm. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
Tracy Webb, of the same address, was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison after pleading guilty to misprision of a felony -- failing to notify authorities about her husband’s actions.
Prosecutors agreed to not oppose a motion to dismiss her original charge -- knowingly and willfully making a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement and representation to agents from the FBI.
Steven Webb, a former Kannapolis police officer, was accused of receiving and distributing child pornography over the summer. He worked for KPD from June 18, 2008 until his termination on July 31, 2013, after his arrest by the FBI on July 22.
Prosecutors had planned to use testimony from four witnesses who claimed Steven Webb abused them as minors. They also said the minors in the recording featuring Tracy Webb “implicate sexual abuse by both defendants,” according to a document filed in the case.
Kannapolis Police Chief Woody Chavis said an anonymous tip in July led KPD to Steven Webb, and the agency immediately called in the FBI.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Former State Parole Officer James Leone Sentenced for Child Porn
James Leone, 51, must serve 5 years of supervised release after completing the sentence.
Under federal guidelines, Leone faced 63 to 78 months in prison after pleading guilty in January 2013 to accessing a computer with intent to view child porn.
At the sentencing in Central Islip federal court, U.S. District Judge Arthur Spatt called the graphic preteen videos and pictures that Leone had viewed "bad . . . awful."
Spatt doubted Leone would commit another crime, and noted that he had led an otherwise exemplary life and was receiving therapy, but said prison time was required as punishment and a deterrent to others.
"There was no justification for what I did," Leone told the judge before the sentence was imposed. He expressed remorse and said his actions have scarred him for life.
"I have spent the majority of my life protecting people . . ., protecting children," he said. "I betrayed a trust."
Eastern District prosecutor Allen Bode told Spatt that "everyone should know better," but especially Leone.
"He knew firsthand" about vulnerable children being victimized, Bode said.
Earlier in his career, Leone was a New York City parole officer and a child abuse investigator for the city's child welfare bureau, officials said.
Federal agents came across Leone while investigating people sharing child porn on the Internet, according to court papers.
Leone later admitted that he had been searching for "preteen hard-core" porn for about a year, but deleted anything he watched because he did not want his wife or child to see it, the papers said.
Leone resigned after his arrest in September 2012.
Former Officer Timothy Patterson Sentenced for Child Rape
The 58-year-old, residing at 105 W. Line St. in Minerva, entered a plea of guilty to amend charges against him consisting of two counts of first-degree felony rape, seven counts of third-degree felony gross sexual imposition and one count of third-degree bribery.
According to Stark County Assistant Prosecutor Katie Chawla, who handled the case, the two rape charges were amended to a different section of the rape statute that eliminated the possibility of Patterson serving a life sentence. That was done in order to permit resolution of the case.
Chawla reported three of the youth are currently 11 years old, and she said one child, who was the basis of the majority of the charges, was 6 when the court determined the rapes began, in 2007. The rapes continued until they were reported to police in 2012.
Patterson was also charged with seven counts of gross sexual imposition and with bribery.
Chawla indicated allegations based on one of the charges he plead to involved Patterson offering something of benefit to the mother of one of the victims if she didn't go to the police.
"Some of the charges Patterson pleaded to involved a game of dirty truth or dare," Chawla also reported.
Chawla indicated the court action was a negotiated plea agreement because the families didn't want their children to have to testify in court. In addition to incarceration, Common Pleas Court Judge Kristin Farmer also sentenced Patterson to be registered as a Tier III sex offender. Tier III offenders are subject to strict address verification, and the community and the victim(s) receive notification whenever such an offender relocates to a new address.
Patterson started working for the Minerva Police Department in 1987 and continued as a full-time and part-time employee there for many years, even being praised for his work at one time as an Officer of the Month. Patterson left the police force to take another job that was not involved in law enforcement.
A secret grand jury indictment was issued against Patterson on Feb. 24 and a warrant for his arrest was issued by Judge Kristin Farmer of Common Pleas Court on the same day. He was taken into custody on March 13 by an unidentified U.S. marshal and Stark County Deputy John VonSpiegel. The arrest was conducted by the Northern Ohio Fugitive Task Force, and VonSpiegel was working as a part of the unit at the time.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Officer Hayden Miller Charged with Rape
According to investigators, in July of 2013, Miller sexually assaulted another man at his home. The report was not made to police until Wednesday. The police report states that the man said he fell asleep at Miller's home and woke up to Miller performing oral sex on him. He also claimed that Miller grabbed his hand, and forced him to fondle Miller.
When questioned by police, the report states that Miller admitted to attending a party that night, and later going back to his home with the man. Officers said Miller claims he went to sleep in his bed, and woke up with the man in bed with him. According to the police report, Miller admitted that he then raped the man while he was sleeping. He faces a felony charge of rape and is being held in the Washington County Jail.
According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Miller was fired from his position Thursday, following his arrest. The sheriff's office says he began working there in 2009 as a dispatcher and was assigned to the patrol division in 2012. Miller is the third WCSO employee that has been terminated or resigned this month for misconduct.
Former Officer Steven Magruder Indicted for Child Porn
According to the indictment, Steven Robert Magruder was downloading sexually explicit images of children less than 12 years-old to his computer the day a search warrant was executed at this home.
Court documents allege that Magruder received and distributed those images between April 2012 and April of 2013. A desktop computer and an SD card found near the computer were seized, according to court records.
"The defendant is currently a security officer for a local college. In addition, he once served as [a] law enforcement officer. As a retired law enforcement officer and current security official, the defendant would be familiar with and investigated crimes against minors. Despite the defendant's law enforcement experience and background he has chosen to violate the law he once swore to enforce by not only possessing images of children engaged in sexual acts, but receiving and distributing these images, further victimizing these children."
Magruder, 59, who retired from the patrol division in 2005, had recently been employed as a security officer at Ozark Technical College's Richwood Valley campus in Christian County, according to OTC public information officer Mark Miller.
"He, like other OTC employees, are required to undergo and pass a background check," said Miller. Miller said he was unable to comment on when Magruder's last day as an OTC employee was "because it is a personnel issue."
"I can tell you he was a part time officer who worked here for about 8 1/2 years. He primarily worked one day a week," said Miller.
Court records say, "The defendant's criminal conduct only stopped after law enforcement interceded and executed the aforementioned search warrant."
If Magruder, who was released on his own recognisance, is convicted he could face anywhere from five to 20 years in federal prison.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Officer Justin Ranum & Officer Matthew Booth Accused of Using Excessive Force
Two former Daytona Beach police officers are out of a job after a controversial and violent arrest.
An internal affairs investigation revealed former officer Justin Ranum turned off his body camera during an incident under the Seabreeze Bridge.
In June of 2013, police say 37-year-old Christine Chippewa was approached by Ranum and former officer Matthew Booth in the parking lot of the bridge.
After the officers allege they saw Chippewa put a bag of cocaine in her mouth they took her down, but the body camera video doesn't show the take down and Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood says that's a problem.
"Clearly in the middle of the arrest the camera goes blank and then I have a woman with her teeth knocked out of her mouth and headed to the hospital," said Chitwood. "And I have this documentation of 'Oh these things happened,' well why'd your camera go off?"
And according to Chitwood, Ranum turned it off himself.
Meanwhile, after being arrested, Chippewa filed a complaint with the Daytona Beach Police Department claiming that the officers used excessive force during the arrest.
She says Booth put his fingers down her throat, shoved a flashlight in her mouth and kicked her in the head.
"Further investigation into officer Booth and the injuries that this woman suffered are conducive to excessive force and that's not how we operate," said Chitwood.
Chitwood went on to say the actions that were displayed are against station police and that's why both officers are now off the job. Ranum reportedly resigned and Booth was reportedly fired.
Chippewa settled with the city of Daytona Beach for $20,000 and all of her charges were dropped.
An internal affairs investigation revealed former officer Justin Ranum turned off his body camera during an incident under the Seabreeze Bridge.
In June of 2013, police say 37-year-old Christine Chippewa was approached by Ranum and former officer Matthew Booth in the parking lot of the bridge.
After the officers allege they saw Chippewa put a bag of cocaine in her mouth they took her down, but the body camera video doesn't show the take down and Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood says that's a problem.
"Clearly in the middle of the arrest the camera goes blank and then I have a woman with her teeth knocked out of her mouth and headed to the hospital," said Chitwood. "And I have this documentation of 'Oh these things happened,' well why'd your camera go off?"
And according to Chitwood, Ranum turned it off himself.
Meanwhile, after being arrested, Chippewa filed a complaint with the Daytona Beach Police Department claiming that the officers used excessive force during the arrest.
She says Booth put his fingers down her throat, shoved a flashlight in her mouth and kicked her in the head.
"Further investigation into officer Booth and the injuries that this woman suffered are conducive to excessive force and that's not how we operate," said Chitwood.
Chitwood went on to say the actions that were displayed are against station police and that's why both officers are now off the job. Ranum reportedly resigned and Booth was reportedly fired.
Chippewa settled with the city of Daytona Beach for $20,000 and all of her charges were dropped.
Officer Matthew McMurray Arrested for Exposing Himself
Officers charged Matthew Kyle McMurray, 27, of Sarah Sorrell Road, with public indecency, Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner said.
McMurray was taken into custody around 9:50 a.m. Wednesday after receiving a “call of white male exposing himself in a vehicle,” in the parking lot of Statesboro Crossing shopping center on Brannen Street, where T.J. Maxx and Books-a-Million are located, Turner said
When responding officers found McMurray at the scene, he was “off-duty,” Turner said. “Upon arrest, he was immediately terminated.”
Cpl. Justin Samples, the Statesboro Police Department's public information officer, said McMurray had been with the department for less than six months.
Then, officers took McMurray to the Bulloch County Jail, where he awaits further court action, Turner said.
Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to contact the Statesboro Policed Investigations Bureau at (912) 764-9911.
Officer Kevin Nguyen Arrested for Possession of Child Porn
The San Jose Police Department has arrested a Mountain View police officer for felony possession of child pornography.
San Jose police served a search warrant at the residence of 36-year-old Kevin Nguyen on May 13, finding child pornography on his computer. Detectives from the San Jose Police Department along with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members arrested Officer Nguyen at the Mountain View Police Department Tuesday afternoon without incident.
Nguyen was booked into the county jail for possession and distribution of child pornography. He was out of custody by Wednesday afternoon according to a Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesperson, who declined to say whether Nguyen posted bail.
Nguyen, a 7-year veteran of the Mountain View Police Department, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation and arrest conducted in conjunction with the ICAC Task Force Program. Nguyen also worked as a sketch artist for the Mountain View Police Department.
Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club Raided By San Francisco Police
"If true, the allegation against Officer Nguyen is deeply unsettling," the Mountain View Police Department said in an open letter to the Mountain View community about Mguyen's arrest.. "However, we trust and have faith in our judicial system to conduct a thorough investigation resulting in the appropriate outcome."
MVPD said that the department will continue to cooperate with SJPD during the criminal invetsigation while launching their own internal administrative investigation.
"This is an extremely difficult time not only for our police department family, but also for the Mountain View community and for any innocent parties involved," MVPD said. "Rest assured, we remain committed to providing the very highest-level of service to you and will work tirelessly to continue to provide a sense of safety, security and transparency to the City of Mountain View."
The San Jose Police Department is the lead agency for the Silicon Valley ICAC Task Force and routinely conducts investigations into child pornography and child exploitation.
Anyone with information regarding the above case are urged to contact Detective Pierce of the San Jose Police Department’s Child Exploit Detail at (408) 537-1381.
San Jose police served a search warrant at the residence of 36-year-old Kevin Nguyen on May 13, finding child pornography on his computer. Detectives from the San Jose Police Department along with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members arrested Officer Nguyen at the Mountain View Police Department Tuesday afternoon without incident.
Nguyen was booked into the county jail for possession and distribution of child pornography. He was out of custody by Wednesday afternoon according to a Santa Clara County Sheriff's spokesperson, who declined to say whether Nguyen posted bail.
Nguyen, a 7-year veteran of the Mountain View Police Department, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation and arrest conducted in conjunction with the ICAC Task Force Program. Nguyen also worked as a sketch artist for the Mountain View Police Department.
Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club Raided By San Francisco Police
"If true, the allegation against Officer Nguyen is deeply unsettling," the Mountain View Police Department said in an open letter to the Mountain View community about Mguyen's arrest.. "However, we trust and have faith in our judicial system to conduct a thorough investigation resulting in the appropriate outcome."
MVPD said that the department will continue to cooperate with SJPD during the criminal invetsigation while launching their own internal administrative investigation.
"This is an extremely difficult time not only for our police department family, but also for the Mountain View community and for any innocent parties involved," MVPD said. "Rest assured, we remain committed to providing the very highest-level of service to you and will work tirelessly to continue to provide a sense of safety, security and transparency to the City of Mountain View."
The San Jose Police Department is the lead agency for the Silicon Valley ICAC Task Force and routinely conducts investigations into child pornography and child exploitation.
Anyone with information regarding the above case are urged to contact Detective Pierce of the San Jose Police Department’s Child Exploit Detail at (408) 537-1381.
Officer Geoffrey Graves Now Charged with Domestic Violence
Prosecutors say a San Jose police officer charged with raping a woman while on duty is facing new domestic-violence allegations involving a former girlfriend.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday that 38-year-old Geoffrey Graves is charged with two felony counts of domestic violence for separate incidents involving the ex-girlfriend.
Graves entered not-guilty pleas to those charges.
In one of the incidents, prosecutors say, Graves kicked a door the woman had tried to close during an argument, and the door hit her in the face, cutting her lips.
Last month Graves pleaded not guilty to a charge of forcible rape in a separate case.
He is accused of raping the woman last September after responding to a family disturbance call at her home.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday that 38-year-old Geoffrey Graves is charged with two felony counts of domestic violence for separate incidents involving the ex-girlfriend.
Graves entered not-guilty pleas to those charges.
In one of the incidents, prosecutors say, Graves kicked a door the woman had tried to close during an argument, and the door hit her in the face, cutting her lips.
Last month Graves pleaded not guilty to a charge of forcible rape in a separate case.
He is accused of raping the woman last September after responding to a family disturbance call at her home.
Officer Carlos Antonio Wilson Charged with Kidnapping
The Bibb County sheriff’s office said in a news release Wednesday night that 39-year-old Carlos Antonio Wilson is accused of following his ex, 41-year-old Reeshema Wilson, and Hiram Simmons, also 41, while they were driving on Mercer University Drive about 1 a.m. Wednesday.
The sheriff’s news release detailed the encounter:
After Reeshema Wilson and Simmons noticed a vehicle following them, they pulled over at the Food Mart at 4381 Mercer University Drive. Carlos Wilson got out of his 2006 Chevrolet Equinox and started firing a gun at the pair. They drove away, but Carlos Wilson followed them down Log Cabin Drive where he rammed their car at Napier Avenue, causing the cars to wreck.
Carlos Wilson flashed his handgun and pulled Reeshema Wilson from the vehicle about the time sheriff’s deputies arrived. Carlos Wilson fled on foot.
About 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Carlos Wilson turned himself over to the Southeastern Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to the news release. He was jailed in Bibb County on multiple warrants, including two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated assault family violence, kidnapping, aggravated stalking, violation of oath of office and possession of a handgun during commission of a felony.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Bibb Sheriff’s Office at 478-751-7500 and ask to leave a message for the on-call investigator.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Former Officer Adam Schwabrow Pleads Guilty to Rape
Adam Schwabrow, 32, resigned from the force after pleading guilty to charges that he had sex with a girl who was under the age of 17. Prior to his resignation, he was suspended during an internal investigation into the incident.
The crime occurred in May 2011 in the City of Johnstown. He was not on duty at the time of the commission of the crime, and officials say at no time was force alleged in this case.
Schwabrow will serve one year in the Fulton County Jail.
Friday, May 09, 2014
Community Service Officer Tyler Jochman Arrested for Child Sexual Assault
The Appleton Police Department said that they became aware of the allegations on May 8th, and immediately contacted the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department to conduct the investigation. Following the investigation, Jochman was arrested and jailed at the Outagamie County Jail. Jochman appeared in Outagamie County Court on May 12, 2014. He has since been released after posting a $5,000 cash bond.
Nineteen year-old Jochman, of Appleton, had worked with the Appleton Police Department since June of 2013.
Jochman submitted his resignation from the Appleton Police Department on May 12, 2014.
Community Service Officers are not sworn police officers and are responsible for assisting the department with a variety of civilian duties.
Thursday, May 08, 2014
Former Officer Robert Lodwick Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Sex from Teen
41-year-old Robert Lodwick pleaded guilty in Mahoning County Common Pleas court to charges of importuning, pandering obscenity, and illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material.
The prosecutor is recommending a sentence of 18 months in jail when he is sentenced at 10:00 a.m. on June 4.
Lodwick was a Detective Sergeant with the Youngstown police department until he was fired in June after the allegations surfaced.
Officer Juan Ceecchinelli Sends Explicit Texts to Young Girl Who Had Been Sexually Abused
Miami-Dade Schools Police Department Officer Juan Cecchinelli was supposed to be helping this young girl who had been sexually abused. Instead he took advantage of his authority to play out some sick fantasy in his head.
A local news outlet obtained the texts allegedly sent by Cecchinelli to a teenage girl; they were completely out of line:
“Don’t you like having a secret admirer? Don’t let them know you are chatting with me,” a text believed to be from Cecchinelli said.
“Who my parents?” the teen replied in her text.
“I don’t need any drama,” Cecchinelli allegedly replied.
The student had apparently run away and was sexually assaulted. Cecchinelli was investigating that incident, but instead of helping her, he sent the following texts, the report alleges:
“You say it hurt like a mother!! LOL!!”
“You did it in the front or back?”
“If he knew his (expletive) it shouldn’t hurt either way.”
“I wanna be doing you, but you to damn young.”
“I mean I offered you some (expletive) and you didn’t want it so your doing good.”
According to the report, the teen thought the texts from the officer were “weird.”
If you read the Internal Affairs report, you can see that Cecchinelli went full on disgusting psychopath, well past “weird.” He kept asking her if she bled when she was sexually abused and was obsessed with finding out if the sex was anal or vaginal.
According to the report, Cecchinelli also had sex toys in his police car, but he refused to say why. He resigned during the internal affairs investigation.
Many parents said they were shocked and disgusted by the allegations.
“We do not condone this type of behavior for our employees and hold our certified police officers to the highest ethical standards,” Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Ian Moffett said in a statement Wednesday.
Apparently the city has no plans to charge him with any crime either, he may only be stripped of his law enforcement certification.
“Upon the employee resigning, we immediately flagged him from our system for future employment and sent all appropriate documents to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for action on the employee’s police certification,” the statement continued. “In fact, just today, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission found sufficient information from our investigative report to have a probable cause hearing which may eventually lead to sanctions toward the former officer’s certification.”
How could they not find any criminal behavior to justify prison? What about child endangerment? Stalking? Contacting a minor for lewd acts? All of these are criminal acts.
The special treatment that cops receive for criminal acts is disgusting.
Just last year, an Illinois cop was found to have been texting his girlfriend’s 12 year old daughter and asking her for “sexy pictures.” He still has his job!
If you are just a run of the mill sicko, not on the other side of the thin blue line, watch out. Anthony Christopher Sota, was caught sending lewd texts to a 14 year old, he was arrested and charged.
The justice system is a joke in this country.
A local news outlet obtained the texts allegedly sent by Cecchinelli to a teenage girl; they were completely out of line:
“Don’t you like having a secret admirer? Don’t let them know you are chatting with me,” a text believed to be from Cecchinelli said.
“Who my parents?” the teen replied in her text.
“I don’t need any drama,” Cecchinelli allegedly replied.
The student had apparently run away and was sexually assaulted. Cecchinelli was investigating that incident, but instead of helping her, he sent the following texts, the report alleges:
“You say it hurt like a mother!! LOL!!”
“You did it in the front or back?”
“If he knew his (expletive) it shouldn’t hurt either way.”
“I wanna be doing you, but you to damn young.”
“I mean I offered you some (expletive) and you didn’t want it so your doing good.”
According to the report, the teen thought the texts from the officer were “weird.”
If you read the Internal Affairs report, you can see that Cecchinelli went full on disgusting psychopath, well past “weird.” He kept asking her if she bled when she was sexually abused and was obsessed with finding out if the sex was anal or vaginal.
According to the report, Cecchinelli also had sex toys in his police car, but he refused to say why. He resigned during the internal affairs investigation.
Many parents said they were shocked and disgusted by the allegations.
“We do not condone this type of behavior for our employees and hold our certified police officers to the highest ethical standards,” Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Ian Moffett said in a statement Wednesday.
Apparently the city has no plans to charge him with any crime either, he may only be stripped of his law enforcement certification.
“Upon the employee resigning, we immediately flagged him from our system for future employment and sent all appropriate documents to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for action on the employee’s police certification,” the statement continued. “In fact, just today, the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission found sufficient information from our investigative report to have a probable cause hearing which may eventually lead to sanctions toward the former officer’s certification.”
How could they not find any criminal behavior to justify prison? What about child endangerment? Stalking? Contacting a minor for lewd acts? All of these are criminal acts.
The special treatment that cops receive for criminal acts is disgusting.
Just last year, an Illinois cop was found to have been texting his girlfriend’s 12 year old daughter and asking her for “sexy pictures.” He still has his job!
If you are just a run of the mill sicko, not on the other side of the thin blue line, watch out. Anthony Christopher Sota, was caught sending lewd texts to a 14 year old, he was arrested and charged.
The justice system is a joke in this country.
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Former Officer Scott Arms Charged with Rape of Child
According to court documents, the alleged victim told her middle school counselor about the incident she says took place at a Wenatchee home in January. The alleged victim then relayed the same story to investigators with the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. She says she was watching a Seahawks game with Arms when he sexually assaulted her.
According to court documents, the young woman told investigators that she didn't come forward because she was "very fearful and did not know what to do, especially since Arms was a police officer." At the time of the alleged incident, Arms was a Colville Police Officer. Court records show the girl told police she came forward in April because she found out Arms was quitting his job in Colville and was going to be in Wenatchee more often.
When confronted about the incident, Arms told investigators he wasn't sure about the allegations, but knew they had something to do with unwanted touching. Court documents show he told police, "I don't know if I pinched her butt or what."
Arms told police he has a good relationship with the girl, believes she's an honest young woman and doesn't lie. When asked why he thought she would make these allegations, Arms responded, "Because she has a crush on me." The victim said she liked Arms "and didn't want to see him get in any trouble... but she does not want to be alone with him anymore."
The alleged victim's mother, who has a personal relationship with Arms, told police she believes her daughter is making up the allegations. But, according to the investigator on the case "school personnel, friends, her brother and her neighbor say [she] is a very well adjusted and honest young woman." Court documents cite several people as saying, "If she said it happened, then it happened."
Arms was arrested Monday and booked into the Chelan County Jail on child rape charges. He's been ordered to stay at least 300 feet away from the alleged victim at all times. He'll be in court to enter a plea on May 19.
Colville Police Chief Robert Meshishnek said Arms resigned from the police department on April 30.
Cpl. David Harrison Arrested for Domestic Assault and Battery
According to an arrest report, Cpl. David Harrison, 51, was arrested at his home late Tuesday after a woman told officers Harrison hit her with a liquor bottle and sexually assaulted her during a struggle. The report also says the woman claims Harrison defecated in the bed, pushed her in it and then ordered her to clean it up.
Police spokesperson Officer Jill Roberson said Harrison has been suspended with pay pending an internal investigation.
A police report states a "sexual assault investigation" has been submitted to the Tulsa County DA's office for review.
Roberson says David Harrison has been an officer with their department since 1988.
Jail records show he has a May 14 court appearance set.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Officer Elliot Rodriguez Arrested for Assaulting Family Member
Rodriguez, 42, is a Helotes Police officer, according to a Bexar County District Clerk. Rodriguez went to his female companion's house after work around 3 a.m. Sunday when he got in an argument with her about a conversation she had with a male friend over text messages, according to the affidavit.
Rodriguez allegedly became angry and grabbed her and began choking her, leaving two red marks, according to the affidavit.
According to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, Rodriguez has been with the Helotes Police Department for close to 15 years and was with the Live Oak Police Department for more than a year.
Former Officer Ricky Vitte Jr Appears in Court on Charges of Masturbating With Boy
Ricky Vitte Jr., 34, of Helena, attended his arraignment hearing in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court on a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating matter harmful to juveniles. He was flanked at the hearing by his attorney, Dean Henry, as well as a few family members.
After Vitte pleaded not guilty to both counts, Sandusky County prosecutor Tom Stierwalt asked that the former trooper be released on his own recognizance, citing his appearance at the arraignment as an indication he would appear at the next hearing.
A condition of that bond, however, requires Vitte to completely avoid contact with the victim, who is now 18 years old.
As part of the proceedings, Judge Barbara Ansted ran through a laundry list of activities Vitte cannot engage in, given his pending charges.
One of those — a rule barring him from possessing a firearm — prompted Ansted to mention Vitte’s former Highway Patrol job.
“You don’t need (one) for your job anymore?” Ansted asked.
Vitte replied with a succinct “no.”
After the hearing, Henry and Stierwalt hashed out the next hearing date and Vitte was briefly booked into the Sandusky County jail on his indictment.
His arraignment came after nearly four months of conflicting information from Sandusky County officials, Highway Patrol administrators and Ohio Director of Public Safety Jon Born’s office.
In November, Sandusky County deputies learned Vitte allegedly showed porn to a boy and masturbated with him on two occasions when the boy was still a preteen.
Stierwalt at first declined to charge Vitte because the former trooper could argue he was teaching the child about sex. Stierwalt presented the case in April to a grand jury, which handed down an indictment.
The Patrol then fired Vitte for conduct unbecoming of an officer.
During the Patrol’s investigation of the allegations, Stierwalt said he consulted with a Lucas County prosecutor, who agreed with Stierwalt’s initial decision not to press charges. In a recent public records request by the Register, however, Lucas County officials said they had no record of Stierwalt contacting their office.
Officer Gilbert Anthony Lorenzo Arrested for Domestic Violence
A San Diego police officer who was arrested last month on accusations he beat his wife has been arrested a second time on similar charges.
A San Diego police officer who was arrested last month on accusations he beat his wife has been arrested a second time on similar charges.
Thirty-one-year-old Gilbert Anthony Lorenzo was taken into custody late Monday night and booked into the San Diego Jail just before 11:30 p.m. on charges of inflicting corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant. His bail was set at $50,000. The circumstances of the arrest were not confirmed.
Lorenzo was initially arrested April 23 at his Le Mesa home on suspicion of felony domestic battery. He was immediately suspended without pay by San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman.
At the time, his wife, Tanya Lorenzo, told 10News that the incident was blown out of proportion. She said the police department "mutilated my husband in public."
"It was a situation that got out of control," she said last month. "It was just an argument that got a little bit more out of control than it should have."
Now, she is no longer defending her husband. She told 10News she was dropping their children off at the Spring Valley home where Lorenzo is staying when he attacked her.
She said her husband was drunk when he "went off." She claims the suspended San Diego police officer bit her and tried to strangle her.
"I could feel my neck cracking," she recounted, saying it was the first time she had ever felt that he was putting her life in danger. "I think if someone didn't come forward to pull him off me I would have been dead."
It is a totally different story than the one her twin sister, Jody Klemme, told 10News. Klemme said she spoke to Officer Lorenzo after he bailed out of jail. She said he claimed his wife was the aggressor who forced her way into his house attacking his groin area.
"I've been around their arguments when they've fought," said Klemme. "My sister, she is the type of person that you get in an argument with her, she will keep pushing and pushing the limit. So I don't personally think that he would lay his hands on her. He is not that type of person. He's a good guy."
Tanya Lorenzo said her sister is a liar, who does not know what really happened.
She also admitted that she did not tell the truth when she claimed her husband did not beat her in April, when he was arrested for domestic violence. She now says the bruise mark on her cheek was the result of that incident.
"I lied to save my family and help him keep his job," Mrs. Lorenzo said. "That's over now."
Lorenzo posted bail and was released just before 6 a.m. When asked for comment on the charges, he only responded, "The system sucks."
Lorenzo is a seven-year veteran of the police department. His first court hearing on the new charges is scheduled for May 13 in San Diego County Superior Court in El Cajon.
A San Diego police officer who was arrested last month on accusations he beat his wife has been arrested a second time on similar charges.
Thirty-one-year-old Gilbert Anthony Lorenzo was taken into custody late Monday night and booked into the San Diego Jail just before 11:30 p.m. on charges of inflicting corporal injury on spouse/cohabitant. His bail was set at $50,000. The circumstances of the arrest were not confirmed.
Lorenzo was initially arrested April 23 at his Le Mesa home on suspicion of felony domestic battery. He was immediately suspended without pay by San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman.
At the time, his wife, Tanya Lorenzo, told 10News that the incident was blown out of proportion. She said the police department "mutilated my husband in public."
"It was a situation that got out of control," she said last month. "It was just an argument that got a little bit more out of control than it should have."
Now, she is no longer defending her husband. She told 10News she was dropping their children off at the Spring Valley home where Lorenzo is staying when he attacked her.
She said her husband was drunk when he "went off." She claims the suspended San Diego police officer bit her and tried to strangle her.
"I could feel my neck cracking," she recounted, saying it was the first time she had ever felt that he was putting her life in danger. "I think if someone didn't come forward to pull him off me I would have been dead."
It is a totally different story than the one her twin sister, Jody Klemme, told 10News. Klemme said she spoke to Officer Lorenzo after he bailed out of jail. She said he claimed his wife was the aggressor who forced her way into his house attacking his groin area.
"I've been around their arguments when they've fought," said Klemme. "My sister, she is the type of person that you get in an argument with her, she will keep pushing and pushing the limit. So I don't personally think that he would lay his hands on her. He is not that type of person. He's a good guy."
Tanya Lorenzo said her sister is a liar, who does not know what really happened.
She also admitted that she did not tell the truth when she claimed her husband did not beat her in April, when he was arrested for domestic violence. She now says the bruise mark on her cheek was the result of that incident.
"I lied to save my family and help him keep his job," Mrs. Lorenzo said. "That's over now."
Lorenzo posted bail and was released just before 6 a.m. When asked for comment on the charges, he only responded, "The system sucks."
Lorenzo is a seven-year veteran of the police department. His first court hearing on the new charges is scheduled for May 13 in San Diego County Superior Court in El Cajon.
Monday, May 05, 2014
Officer Jamarie Flowers Arrested for Firing Weapon in Air
An off-duty NYPD officer is the second officer in less than a week to get in trouble for allegedly firing his weapon in Westchester.
New Rochelle police say Officer Jamarie Flowers, 25, was involved in an argument in front of the Carrington Arms apartment complex at 33 Lincoln Ave. just after 1 a.m. Investigators say Flowers fired several rounds from his handgun into the air during the argument.
New Rochelle Police Capt. Joseph Schaller says Flowers used a semi-automatic personal handgun that was not his service weapon.
"As the dispute concluded, he pulled out a gun and let several rounds go into the air," says Schaller.
Flowers was arrested in his apartment at the complex and was charged with reckless endangerment.
No one was injured and there was no property damage.
Flowers was released on $10,000 bail. He has also been suspended from the NYPD without pay.
He is due back in court June 2.
Last Tuesday, Officer Brendan Cronin, 27, allegedly fired shots from his parked car and hit a man at a stoplight with six bullets.
The victim is recovering and Cronin was charged with felony assault.
New Rochelle police say Officer Jamarie Flowers, 25, was involved in an argument in front of the Carrington Arms apartment complex at 33 Lincoln Ave. just after 1 a.m. Investigators say Flowers fired several rounds from his handgun into the air during the argument.
New Rochelle Police Capt. Joseph Schaller says Flowers used a semi-automatic personal handgun that was not his service weapon.
"As the dispute concluded, he pulled out a gun and let several rounds go into the air," says Schaller.
Flowers was arrested in his apartment at the complex and was charged with reckless endangerment.
No one was injured and there was no property damage.
Flowers was released on $10,000 bail. He has also been suspended from the NYPD without pay.
He is due back in court June 2.
Last Tuesday, Officer Brendan Cronin, 27, allegedly fired shots from his parked car and hit a man at a stoplight with six bullets.
The victim is recovering and Cronin was charged with felony assault.
Officer Bryan Horowitz Charged with DUI
A Broadway police officer arrested a Harrisonburg police officer on Saturday and charged him with driving under the influence.
Officer Bryan Horowitz, 36, is charged with misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor refusing a Breathalyzer test. Horowitz is the leader of the CHARGE Gang Task Force.
According to the criminal complaint, the deputy was traveling west on Lee Street in Broadway when an eastbound vehicle drove by going 52 mph in a 35 mph zone.
The officer, according to the complaint, turned around and saw the car turn right on Main Street and pull into the Backstage Video parking lot.
"I could see the male driver was getting out of the driver side and a female getting out of the passenger set and attempting to switch places," the officer wrote.
After approaching the pair, the officer alleged, he smelled alcohol on Horowitz. He also alleged that Horowitz slurred his speech.
"I asked him if he had anything to drink and he did not answer me," the complaint states.
The officer noted in the complaint that an open Corona beer bottle was in the front cup holder.
Horowitz refused to take field sobriety tests, the criminal complaint alleges.
The complaint did not say what time the officer arrested Horowitz.
Former Officer Michael Setiawan Arrested for Vandalism
A former New York City police officer was arrested over the weekend for allegedly spray-painting anti-Semitic messages on buildings and cars in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn.
A school building and 20 private homes and vehicles were splattered with red paint and messages of hate Saturday in what the Jewish Forward dubbed a “vandalism spree.”
Michael Setiawan, 36, a former police officer for New York City’s 69th precinct, was reportedly arrested Sunday and accused of posting the graffiti.
An individual alleged to be Setiawan was caught on a surveillance camera painting the door of the Bnos Zion Bobov School. See footage below:
http://youtu.be/Pk4KbugH410
The messages left on the buildings reportedly included swastikas and terms including “F*** you Jew” and “Jew cheap s***.”
The community was rattled over the incident, with locals and officials decrying the acts.
“Hate is not a Brooklyn value, and I repudiate any lowlife individual who would spread their prejudiced invective,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said.
Setiawan, who was reportedly sent for a mental evaluation following his arrest, is being charged with hate crimes, including 19 counts of criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, according to the New York Daily News.
A young boy reported the suspect after he said he saw him spray-painting a car and took down his license plate as he drove away.
Setiawan’s father, Thomas, told media that his son suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts after leaving the NYPD in 2007, though he said the family is unsure why he left the force
A school building and 20 private homes and vehicles were splattered with red paint and messages of hate Saturday in what the Jewish Forward dubbed a “vandalism spree.”
Michael Setiawan, 36, a former police officer for New York City’s 69th precinct, was reportedly arrested Sunday and accused of posting the graffiti.
An individual alleged to be Setiawan was caught on a surveillance camera painting the door of the Bnos Zion Bobov School. See footage below:
http://youtu.be/Pk4KbugH410
The messages left on the buildings reportedly included swastikas and terms including “F*** you Jew” and “Jew cheap s***.”
The community was rattled over the incident, with locals and officials decrying the acts.
“Hate is not a Brooklyn value, and I repudiate any lowlife individual who would spread their prejudiced invective,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams said.
Setiawan, who was reportedly sent for a mental evaluation following his arrest, is being charged with hate crimes, including 19 counts of criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, according to the New York Daily News.
A young boy reported the suspect after he said he saw him spray-painting a car and took down his license plate as he drove away.
Setiawan’s father, Thomas, told media that his son suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts after leaving the NYPD in 2007, though he said the family is unsure why he left the force
Officer Sean Ulitin Arrested for DUI
An off-duty Napa police officer was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and hit and run Saturday night, after he allegedly lost control of his Ford F250 truck on Monticello Road, struck a large tree, rolled his vehicle over and hit a parked car that was pushed into a home.
According to the California Highway Patrol, driver Sean Ulitin, 37, of Napa, registered more than three times the legal blood alcohol limit on two breathalyzer tests that were administered by the CHP at the scene.
CHP Sgt. William Bradshaw said Ulitin blew a 0.26 and a 0.28 blood alcohol level shortly after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08.
Ulitin reportedly sustained minor injuries at the scene and was arrested on charges of hit and run and DUI. No one else was injured in the crash.
According to the CHP collision report, Ulitin was traveling southbound at an unknown rate of speed at about 9:40 p.m. Saturday, when he made what CHP officers described as an “unsafe turning movement.” Because of the movement, Ulitin's truck reportedly traveled off the west edge of Monticello Road, struck a large tree and then rolled over.
Ulitin’s upside down white Ford truck continued to slide after rolling over, crashing into a Volkswagen that was parked in the driveway of a residence on Monticello Road, before coming to rest. According to officers, the force of Ulitin’s truck pushed the Volkswagen into the southeast corner of the owner’s Monticello Road home.
Ulitin was then reportedly helped out of his truck by residents who witnessed the crash. While they attempted to check on Ulitin’s welfare, he allegedly refused to stay until authorities arrived, fleeing northbound on Monticello Road on foot. One of the residents followed Ulitin and alerted officers to his location, just north of the scene, said the CHP. Upon finding Ulitin, officers took him into custody and arrested him for DUI and hit and run.
According to a Monticello Road resident who witnessed others trying to detain Ulitin, he was visibly intoxicated and obviously trying to flee the scene.
“A couple of guys were trying to stop him from leaving after they helped him out of the car,” said the neighbor, who asked not to be named. “They told him he needed to sit down because he could be hurt, but he refused to listen. The neighbors eventually let him go and he ran northbound on Monticello.”
Napa Police Capt. Jeff Troendly confirmed that a Napa police officer was involved in an alleged DUI collision on Saturday, but refused to discuss the incident further, citing personnel and privacy constraints. He referred further questions to the CHP.
Bradshaw said the investigation is ongoing and that the final incident report has yet to be completed. He declined to comment further on the case until the final report is completed.
Napa Mayor Jill Techel said Monday afternoon that while she couldn't comment on the specifics of the incident -- also citing personnel matters -- she wondered if the city could do more to educate people on how to keep themselves safe.
"Knowing the signs of when you need to stay home and not go out is something we need to educate people on," she said.
The Register attempted to determine Ulitin's status as a city employee. Police Chief Rich Melton could not be reached for comment.
According to the California Highway Patrol, driver Sean Ulitin, 37, of Napa, registered more than three times the legal blood alcohol limit on two breathalyzer tests that were administered by the CHP at the scene.
CHP Sgt. William Bradshaw said Ulitin blew a 0.26 and a 0.28 blood alcohol level shortly after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08.
Ulitin reportedly sustained minor injuries at the scene and was arrested on charges of hit and run and DUI. No one else was injured in the crash.
According to the CHP collision report, Ulitin was traveling southbound at an unknown rate of speed at about 9:40 p.m. Saturday, when he made what CHP officers described as an “unsafe turning movement.” Because of the movement, Ulitin's truck reportedly traveled off the west edge of Monticello Road, struck a large tree and then rolled over.
Ulitin’s upside down white Ford truck continued to slide after rolling over, crashing into a Volkswagen that was parked in the driveway of a residence on Monticello Road, before coming to rest. According to officers, the force of Ulitin’s truck pushed the Volkswagen into the southeast corner of the owner’s Monticello Road home.
Ulitin was then reportedly helped out of his truck by residents who witnessed the crash. While they attempted to check on Ulitin’s welfare, he allegedly refused to stay until authorities arrived, fleeing northbound on Monticello Road on foot. One of the residents followed Ulitin and alerted officers to his location, just north of the scene, said the CHP. Upon finding Ulitin, officers took him into custody and arrested him for DUI and hit and run.
According to a Monticello Road resident who witnessed others trying to detain Ulitin, he was visibly intoxicated and obviously trying to flee the scene.
“A couple of guys were trying to stop him from leaving after they helped him out of the car,” said the neighbor, who asked not to be named. “They told him he needed to sit down because he could be hurt, but he refused to listen. The neighbors eventually let him go and he ran northbound on Monticello.”
Napa Police Capt. Jeff Troendly confirmed that a Napa police officer was involved in an alleged DUI collision on Saturday, but refused to discuss the incident further, citing personnel and privacy constraints. He referred further questions to the CHP.
Bradshaw said the investigation is ongoing and that the final incident report has yet to be completed. He declined to comment further on the case until the final report is completed.
Napa Mayor Jill Techel said Monday afternoon that while she couldn't comment on the specifics of the incident -- also citing personnel matters -- she wondered if the city could do more to educate people on how to keep themselves safe.
"Knowing the signs of when you need to stay home and not go out is something we need to educate people on," she said.
The Register attempted to determine Ulitin's status as a city employee. Police Chief Rich Melton could not be reached for comment.
Sunday, May 04, 2014
Officer Jamarie Flowers Arrested for Firing Gun into the Air
An off-duty NYPD cop was arrested early Saturday after he allegedly fired several shots into the air in New Rochelle.
Police said Jamarie Flowers, 25, fired his gun after getting into a verbal dispute outside the Carrington Arms apartment building on Lincoln Avenue.
No one was injured, but Flowers was charged with first degree reckless endangerment.
This is just the latest NYPD officer to be arrested for acting recklessly.
Earlier in the week officer Brendan Cronin was arrested, accused of shooting a man six times in Pelham.
He allegedly fired more than a dozen bullets.
Cronin reportedly was at an NYPD shooting range earlier that day before going to a bar.
He refused to take a breathalyzer test.
In late April, an NYPD detective accidentally shot his partner in the wrist.
He was charged with driving while intoxicated.
Police said Jamarie Flowers, 25, fired his gun after getting into a verbal dispute outside the Carrington Arms apartment building on Lincoln Avenue.
No one was injured, but Flowers was charged with first degree reckless endangerment.
This is just the latest NYPD officer to be arrested for acting recklessly.
Earlier in the week officer Brendan Cronin was arrested, accused of shooting a man six times in Pelham.
He allegedly fired more than a dozen bullets.
Cronin reportedly was at an NYPD shooting range earlier that day before going to a bar.
He refused to take a breathalyzer test.
In late April, an NYPD detective accidentally shot his partner in the wrist.
He was charged with driving while intoxicated.
Officer John McCavitt Arrested for Child Porn
A Peoria police officer faces child pornography charges less than two months after a jury acquitted him of sexually assaulting an adult woman.
John McCavitt, 32, 1710 W. Westaire Ave., already has been released from the Peoria County Jail after posting $5,000 bond on seven counts of aggravated child pornography and three counts of possession of child porn. Illicit images allegedly were found while Peoria police were investigating an alleged sexual assault last July.
The charges were handed down April 23 but sealed until Monday, when McCavitt turned himself in to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Kevin Sullivan, who represents McCavitt, said his client denies the charges.
“My client denies he’s ever downloaded, received or viewed child pornography,” he said.
State’s Attorney Jerry Brady declined to comment, saying the matter was a pending case and a pending investigation.
According to the charges, McCavitt had possession of some or all of the images from April 2011 until January 2013. An affidavit for a search warrant, which was filed in the Peoria County Circuit Clerk’s Office on Monday, indicated two images involved girls ages 6 and 10. In all, the search warrant stated, 53 images allegedly were found to be in McCavitt’s possession.
Investigators also allegedly found evidence of McCavitt using search engines to find child porn as well as him visiting child porn Web sites.
It’s the third time McCavitt, a veteran of the Peoria Police Department since 2007, has faced charges. He initially was charged with sexual assault but was acquitted in March.
In that case, he was accused of assaulting a woman he had been out drinking with last July. The victim told jurors she went to sleep and woke up in restraints. She then told jurors she was assaulted by McCavitt, who said the sex was consensual.
Then, last month, he was accused of unauthorized videotaping for allegedly recording a different woman in March 2013.
Those charges as well as the child pornography counts came about through an internal department investigation which began after McCavitt was acquitted. That’s standard procedure for the Police Department, which waits until a criminal case has concluded before conducting its own internal investigation.
The affidavit also alleged that investigators found images of partially naked women as well as men and women using a bathroom; facts that appear to go with the unauthorized videotaping counts.
A grand jury has not met to hear the allegations against McCavitt on the videotaping charges, which carry a possible three-year prison term.
The child porn charges are more serious and could send McCavitt to prison for up to seven years. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the counts on May 22.
McCavitt was moved from paid to unpaid leave on Monday, pending the outcome of the criminal cases and any subsequent internal investigation, said Sullivan.
Previous Arrest
John McCavitt, 32, 1710 W. Westaire Ave., already has been released from the Peoria County Jail after posting $5,000 bond on seven counts of aggravated child pornography and three counts of possession of child porn. Illicit images allegedly were found while Peoria police were investigating an alleged sexual assault last July.
The charges were handed down April 23 but sealed until Monday, when McCavitt turned himself in to the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Kevin Sullivan, who represents McCavitt, said his client denies the charges.
“My client denies he’s ever downloaded, received or viewed child pornography,” he said.
State’s Attorney Jerry Brady declined to comment, saying the matter was a pending case and a pending investigation.
According to the charges, McCavitt had possession of some or all of the images from April 2011 until January 2013. An affidavit for a search warrant, which was filed in the Peoria County Circuit Clerk’s Office on Monday, indicated two images involved girls ages 6 and 10. In all, the search warrant stated, 53 images allegedly were found to be in McCavitt’s possession.
Investigators also allegedly found evidence of McCavitt using search engines to find child porn as well as him visiting child porn Web sites.
It’s the third time McCavitt, a veteran of the Peoria Police Department since 2007, has faced charges. He initially was charged with sexual assault but was acquitted in March.
In that case, he was accused of assaulting a woman he had been out drinking with last July. The victim told jurors she went to sleep and woke up in restraints. She then told jurors she was assaulted by McCavitt, who said the sex was consensual.
Then, last month, he was accused of unauthorized videotaping for allegedly recording a different woman in March 2013.
Those charges as well as the child pornography counts came about through an internal department investigation which began after McCavitt was acquitted. That’s standard procedure for the Police Department, which waits until a criminal case has concluded before conducting its own internal investigation.
The affidavit also alleged that investigators found images of partially naked women as well as men and women using a bathroom; facts that appear to go with the unauthorized videotaping counts.
A grand jury has not met to hear the allegations against McCavitt on the videotaping charges, which carry a possible three-year prison term.
The child porn charges are more serious and could send McCavitt to prison for up to seven years. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the counts on May 22.
McCavitt was moved from paid to unpaid leave on Monday, pending the outcome of the criminal cases and any subsequent internal investigation, said Sullivan.
Previous Arrest
Saturday, May 03, 2014
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Quiles' Arrest SOBER Woman After He Crashes Into Her Car
Tanya Weyker’s Camry was allegedly struck by Milwaukee County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Quiles’ patrol car last February and she suffered a broken neck in the collision.
Since she was unable to blow into a breathalyzer due to her injuries, Quiles charged Weyker with OWI despite causing the crash himself.
“She was in traction and just sitting there. She was crying and said they accused her, they arrested her and accused her of something she didn’t do,” Weyker’s mother told WITI-TV.
Blood tests later revealed that Weyker had no alcohol or drugs in her system at the time of the crash and the district attorney declined to file charges.
Weyker has filed a complaint against Quiles and is trying to get her medical bills paid. A civil suit against the county is also a possibility.
Quiles has since admitted he was at fault and was suspended for nine days.
Hammond Cop Abuses k9
A Hammond, Indiana police officer was placed on administrative leave this week after video surfaced on YouTube allegedly showing the cop abusing his K-9 partner.
The man shooting the video of the alleged abuse could not believe what he was seeing.
“Look at him…” said the man shooting the video.
His reaction, so filled with profanity, FOX 32 News had to mute the sound.
The director of the local humane society was also troubled, especially with the abuser being a cop.
“It was pretty hard to watch. I was trying to think of some reason why this would happen and there wasn't one that has come to mind still, so it was pretty hard to watch,” said Rachel Delaney, the Executive Director of the Humane Society Calumet area.
The man with the cell phone, who was watching a traffic stop outside his friend's window, did not want to comment. He was afraid of police retaliation.
The video has blown up on social media, from 850 views early this afternoon to more than 35,000 five hours later.
Hammond Police did not respond to FOX 32 News requests for a response, but the mayor acted quickly after seeing the video himself.
Tom McDermott said in a statement that the officer in question was put on administrative leave immediately and his K-9 partner had been taken away from him pending further police investigation.
“Anybody who loves dogs as much as I do is always saddened and shocked anytime you hear of a dog's abuse. When you find out it happened with an employee of yours, it makes it that much more shocking and disturbing,” McDermott added.
Many people in the neighborhood were also alarmed by the video, including a young man who saw it for the first time when FOX 32 showed it to him right near where it happened.
“It's not something someone should be doing to a dog because sometimes people look at dogs like their humans, and that's almost like seeing one of your family members get beat up or something like that,” said neighbor Montarey Harris.
The man shooting the video of the alleged abuse could not believe what he was seeing.
“Look at him…” said the man shooting the video.
His reaction, so filled with profanity, FOX 32 News had to mute the sound.
The director of the local humane society was also troubled, especially with the abuser being a cop.
“It was pretty hard to watch. I was trying to think of some reason why this would happen and there wasn't one that has come to mind still, so it was pretty hard to watch,” said Rachel Delaney, the Executive Director of the Humane Society Calumet area.
The man with the cell phone, who was watching a traffic stop outside his friend's window, did not want to comment. He was afraid of police retaliation.
The video has blown up on social media, from 850 views early this afternoon to more than 35,000 five hours later.
Hammond Police did not respond to FOX 32 News requests for a response, but the mayor acted quickly after seeing the video himself.
Tom McDermott said in a statement that the officer in question was put on administrative leave immediately and his K-9 partner had been taken away from him pending further police investigation.
“Anybody who loves dogs as much as I do is always saddened and shocked anytime you hear of a dog's abuse. When you find out it happened with an employee of yours, it makes it that much more shocking and disturbing,” McDermott added.
Many people in the neighborhood were also alarmed by the video, including a young man who saw it for the first time when FOX 32 showed it to him right near where it happened.
“It's not something someone should be doing to a dog because sometimes people look at dogs like their humans, and that's almost like seeing one of your family members get beat up or something like that,” said neighbor Montarey Harris.
Friday, May 02, 2014
Former Officer Daniel Barber Charged with Sexually Assaulting Child
Authorities say 46-year-old Daniel Barber preyed on children in his care, sometimes using Craigslist and Facebook to connect with parents in need of baby sitters. St. Croix County Sheriff John Shilts says Barber appeared to be "a knight in shining armor," sometimes stepping in to care for children of single parents experiencing financial difficulties.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press says the North Hudson man was charged in February with sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy and possessing child pornography. The new charges filed this week date back to 2004 and allege the abuse of seven more boys, including two toddlers.
Barber's attorney, Mark Gherty, declined to comment on the additional charges.
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