Three Los Angeles police officers were charged today with perjury and conspiracy for allegedly lying under oath in a drug possession case that was dismissed last year when a videotape sharply contradicted their testimony.
The felony charges were brought by the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
In February, the U.S. Justice Department opened its own investigation into the officers' actions.
At issue are the actions of officers at a Hollywood apartment complex where a security camera documented the 2007 arrest of Guillermo Alarcon Jr.
At Alarcon's trial last year, Officers Richard Amio and Evan Samuel testified that they were on patrol in Los Angeles when they chased Alarcon, 29, into his Hollywood apartment building. The officers told jurors that they saw him throw away a black object.
They testified that Samuel quickly picked up the object and found about $260 worth of powder and crack cocaine inside. But footage from a security camera at the apartment building, which is managed by Alarcon's mother, showed that officers searched for more than 20 minutes before an object allegedly containing cocaine was found.
They were aided by other officers, including Manuel Ortiz, who testified about the case at a preliminary hearing in January. The quality of the tape, a copy of which was obtained by The Times, is poor and it is difficult to clearly hear what is being said. But at one point, soon after the drugs were found, an officer seems to make a reference to the arrest report that needed to be filled out.
"Be creative in your writing," the officer appears to tell another after the discovery. Alarcon's attorney argued at trial that his client was innocent and that the officers had planted evidence and then lied about it.
After viewing the videotape, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Monica Bachner dismissed the charges at the request of prosecutors. The judge also declared Alarcon factually innocent.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lapd-perjury7-2009oct07,0,17370.story
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Former Sheriff Chris Abril Now Charged with Larceny & DWI
Former Polk County Sheriff Chris Abril is now charged with larceny. He is accused of stealing booze from Elmos Pub. Tuesday night Abril was charged with driving while impaired.
Abril resigned as sheriff last year, a day before pleading guilty to two counts of soliciting indecent liberties with minors.
He was on probation when officers arrested him Tuesday.
They say he was swerving over the center line on South Trade Street near Pierces tire in Tryon.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not released the entire report to News Channel 7. According to what we do have from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies pulled over their former boss after they say they saw him go left of center. They say Abril had an open container and failed roadside breathalizers.
Under the rules of his probation he is subject to drug and alcohol tests.
Pam Johnson says her bartender told Abril not to drive when he left Elmos pub and Grill Tuesday night, “He said he had one and someone did come in to drive him home and when they were leaving as far as we know that was his driver.“
Abril was released on his on recognizance but his drivers license was revoked.
He is scheduled for a hearing in November.
By the way Thursday is Abril’s 48th birthday.
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http://tryondailybulletin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3134&Itemid=251
Abril resigned as sheriff last year, a day before pleading guilty to two counts of soliciting indecent liberties with minors.
He was on probation when officers arrested him Tuesday.
They say he was swerving over the center line on South Trade Street near Pierces tire in Tryon.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not released the entire report to News Channel 7. According to what we do have from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies pulled over their former boss after they say they saw him go left of center. They say Abril had an open container and failed roadside breathalizers.
Under the rules of his probation he is subject to drug and alcohol tests.
Pam Johnson says her bartender told Abril not to drive when he left Elmos pub and Grill Tuesday night, “He said he had one and someone did come in to drive him home and when they were leaving as far as we know that was his driver.“
Abril was released on his on recognizance but his drivers license was revoked.
He is scheduled for a hearing in November.
By the way Thursday is Abril’s 48th birthday.
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http://tryondailybulletin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3134&Itemid=251
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Rickey Massey Dies After Being Tasered
An Albany man died Friday night after being stunned by Panama City Police officers during a joint narcotics investigation with the Bay County Sheriff's Office and the Bay Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Squad (BADGES), Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokesperson Michael Morrison said Monday.
The state department is currently investigating the incident that led to the death of Rickey R. Massey, 38, of Albany.
According to Florida authorities, Panama City police and the Bay County Sheriff's Office were conducting a joint narcotics operation near Turtle Lake apartments in Panama City around 2:30 p.m. Friday when they stopped a vehicle with four occupants who they believed to be in possession of drugs.
When officers approached the vehicle, they saw Massey swallowing what appeared to be cocaine. Authorities said that when they tried to stop Massey, he resisted and a struggle between Massey and officers ensued.
One of the officers used a Taser on Massey in an effort to subdue him.
Authorities said that after the Taser was applied, Massey began to have medical problems and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Panama City medical examiners performed an autopsy of Massey's body on Saturday and are currently waiting for the toxicology report and a review of tissue samples before determining the cause of death, officials said.
It is unknown at this time whether drugs or the Taser was the cause of Massey's death.
Bernard Crapps, 30, of Panama City and Jarell Daniels, 25, of Albany were in the vehicle with Massey and have been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Eric Oneal Sims, 24, who was also in the vehicle, is facing weapons and drug charges.
Morrison said that the Florida law enforcement officials are currently investigating the incident and are interviewing witnesses.
"We are currently on a fact-finding mission," he said. "There is an active investigation that is ongoing and we will have the results of that investigation soon."
The state department is currently investigating the incident that led to the death of Rickey R. Massey, 38, of Albany.
According to Florida authorities, Panama City police and the Bay County Sheriff's Office were conducting a joint narcotics operation near Turtle Lake apartments in Panama City around 2:30 p.m. Friday when they stopped a vehicle with four occupants who they believed to be in possession of drugs.
When officers approached the vehicle, they saw Massey swallowing what appeared to be cocaine. Authorities said that when they tried to stop Massey, he resisted and a struggle between Massey and officers ensued.
One of the officers used a Taser on Massey in an effort to subdue him.
Authorities said that after the Taser was applied, Massey began to have medical problems and was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Panama City medical examiners performed an autopsy of Massey's body on Saturday and are currently waiting for the toxicology report and a review of tissue samples before determining the cause of death, officials said.
It is unknown at this time whether drugs or the Taser was the cause of Massey's death.
Bernard Crapps, 30, of Panama City and Jarell Daniels, 25, of Albany were in the vehicle with Massey and have been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Eric Oneal Sims, 24, who was also in the vehicle, is facing weapons and drug charges.
Morrison said that the Florida law enforcement officials are currently investigating the incident and are interviewing witnesses.
"We are currently on a fact-finding mission," he said. "There is an active investigation that is ongoing and we will have the results of that investigation soon."
Officer Anthony Rollins Under House Arrest for Sexual Assault
An Anchorage police officer accused of sexually assaulting women while on duty has been released on $100,000 bail.
Anthony Rollins will be under house arrest with electronic monitoring until his trial.
Rollins will be allowed to go to church on Sunday, but otherwise he's confined to his home.
The 41-year-old is a 13-year police veteran who was indicted in July and pleaded not guilty to 14 felonies and six misdemeanors.
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More Information: http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11262472
Anthony Rollins will be under house arrest with electronic monitoring until his trial.
Rollins will be allowed to go to church on Sunday, but otherwise he's confined to his home.
The 41-year-old is a 13-year police veteran who was indicted in July and pleaded not guilty to 14 felonies and six misdemeanors.
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More Information: http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11262472
Monday, October 05, 2009
Officer James Mansberger Arrested for Public Intoxication
A suspended Fort Wayne police officer has been arrested, for the second time in a week.
33-year-old James Mansberger was taken into custody in Mishawaka on charges of public intoxication and leaving the scene of an accident early Sunday.
This, after mansberger was arrested last Wednesday on drinking and driving charges in Antwerp, Ohio.
He was suspended from the Fort Wayne police force in July for failing to file a report after he crashed his squad car.
He resigned on Friday.
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjsxGFND2vg
33-year-old James Mansberger was taken into custody in Mishawaka on charges of public intoxication and leaving the scene of an accident early Sunday.
This, after mansberger was arrested last Wednesday on drinking and driving charges in Antwerp, Ohio.
He was suspended from the Fort Wayne police force in July for failing to file a report after he crashed his squad car.
He resigned on Friday.
YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjsxGFND2vg
Officer Anthony Santo Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Minor
An 18-year veteran of the Norwalk Police Department has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested Friday by Greenwich Police for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor.
Officer Anthony Santo, 42, turned himself into the Greenwich Police Department on a warrant for second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
Greenwich Police said the arrest stems from a three-month long investigation into the sexual assault of a minor and would not divulge further details about the arrest.
Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling said the arrest is related to an incident that occurred five or six years ago at a home in Greenwich. He could not give details of the arrest because the investigation is ongoing.
Rilling said the department will await the outcome of the criminal investigation before deciding whether to take further action in the matter.
"He's been a member of the department for quite some time," he said. "We've never had any complaints about him from the community or his fellow officers."
Sources close to The Hour said the sexual-assault victim may have only recently revealed the allegations to police. Under Connecticut state law, the statute of limitations to file a rape charge is 30 years after the incident occurred.
Friday's arrest marks the third time in three years that a Norwalk police officer has been charged with sex crimes.
Former Lieut. Thomas Cummings was arrested in January 2008 on multiple charges stemming from accusations of inappropriate sexual contact with two teenage boys.
Former officer Ray DeCamillo was recently released from prison after serving a nine-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 20-year-old Norwalk woman while on duty in 2006. He registered on the New Canaan sex-offender registry in September.
Officer Anthony Santo, 42, turned himself into the Greenwich Police Department on a warrant for second-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor.
Greenwich Police said the arrest stems from a three-month long investigation into the sexual assault of a minor and would not divulge further details about the arrest.
Norwalk Police Chief Harry Rilling said the arrest is related to an incident that occurred five or six years ago at a home in Greenwich. He could not give details of the arrest because the investigation is ongoing.
Rilling said the department will await the outcome of the criminal investigation before deciding whether to take further action in the matter.
"He's been a member of the department for quite some time," he said. "We've never had any complaints about him from the community or his fellow officers."
Sources close to The Hour said the sexual-assault victim may have only recently revealed the allegations to police. Under Connecticut state law, the statute of limitations to file a rape charge is 30 years after the incident occurred.
Friday's arrest marks the third time in three years that a Norwalk police officer has been charged with sex crimes.
Former Lieut. Thomas Cummings was arrested in January 2008 on multiple charges stemming from accusations of inappropriate sexual contact with two teenage boys.
Former officer Ray DeCamillo was recently released from prison after serving a nine-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 20-year-old Norwalk woman while on duty in 2006. He registered on the New Canaan sex-offender registry in September.
Trooper Daniel Martin in Trouble Again for Using Excessive Force
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who was suspended after being involved in a scuffle with an emergency medical technician in May was put on paid administrative leave Sunday in connection with another incident.
MultimediaPhotoview all photos Troopers Daniel Martin and Tommy Allen were placed on administrative leave after a Holdenville man filed a complaint after he was arrested on Saturday.
"Basically, there was a traffic stop last night and out of that an individual was jailed and the guy apparently contacted the department today wanting to file a complaint," said patrol Capt. Chris West. "Based on the nature of the complaint and what Martin went through (previously), we thought we'd just go ahead and pull him off and investigate."
The Holdenville man was not a party in the initial traffic stop, West said, and got involved during the incident.
"It was another individual that got involved," West said. "We'll know more tomorrow."
West didn't identify the man filing the complain, but Khristopher Douglas told KWTV-9 that he was on a friend's property when the troopers pulled up. Douglas said they demanded that he move away from the house and toward the street. When he did, he said he was thrown to the ground, beaten with a club and arrested.
"He (Martin) started beating me with the nightstick and the other officer jumped on my back and put a knee in my back and I was getting hit with the nightstick," Douglas said.
This is the second time this year Martin has been investigated for his actions. In July, Martin was suspended for five days after an investigation of a May 24 scuffle with emergency medical technician Maurice White Jr.
In that incident, Martin pulled over an ambulance in Paden after the driver, Paul Franks, failed to yield to Martin's patrol car while responding to a call of a stolen vehicle. Martin later pulled the ambulance over, saying Franks gave him an obscene gesture, which Franks denies.
White approached Martin from the back of the ambulance. Martin said White kept getting in his way, and finally Martin tried to arrest White for obstructing an officer. That sparked the first of two scuffles as Martin said he tried to arrest White but the paramedic threw up his arms to resist the arrest.
A cell-phone video of the incident was placed on YouTube.
Martin was previously the chief of police at Fairfax in Osage County from March 1999 to July 2000, which ended with his firing. He also served in the Stillwater Police Department from October 2000 to March 2007.
MultimediaPhotoview all photos Troopers Daniel Martin and Tommy Allen were placed on administrative leave after a Holdenville man filed a complaint after he was arrested on Saturday.
"Basically, there was a traffic stop last night and out of that an individual was jailed and the guy apparently contacted the department today wanting to file a complaint," said patrol Capt. Chris West. "Based on the nature of the complaint and what Martin went through (previously), we thought we'd just go ahead and pull him off and investigate."
The Holdenville man was not a party in the initial traffic stop, West said, and got involved during the incident.
"It was another individual that got involved," West said. "We'll know more tomorrow."
West didn't identify the man filing the complain, but Khristopher Douglas told KWTV-9 that he was on a friend's property when the troopers pulled up. Douglas said they demanded that he move away from the house and toward the street. When he did, he said he was thrown to the ground, beaten with a club and arrested.
"He (Martin) started beating me with the nightstick and the other officer jumped on my back and put a knee in my back and I was getting hit with the nightstick," Douglas said.
This is the second time this year Martin has been investigated for his actions. In July, Martin was suspended for five days after an investigation of a May 24 scuffle with emergency medical technician Maurice White Jr.
In that incident, Martin pulled over an ambulance in Paden after the driver, Paul Franks, failed to yield to Martin's patrol car while responding to a call of a stolen vehicle. Martin later pulled the ambulance over, saying Franks gave him an obscene gesture, which Franks denies.
White approached Martin from the back of the ambulance. Martin said White kept getting in his way, and finally Martin tried to arrest White for obstructing an officer. That sparked the first of two scuffles as Martin said he tried to arrest White but the paramedic threw up his arms to resist the arrest.
A cell-phone video of the incident was placed on YouTube.
Martin was previously the chief of police at Fairfax in Osage County from March 1999 to July 2000, which ended with his firing. He also served in the Stillwater Police Department from October 2000 to March 2007.
Carlos Rodriguez Dies After Being Tasered by Deputies
A man died after sheriff's deputies used a Taser stun gun to subdue him during an altercation at an apartment complex in Norcross. Twenty-seven-year-old Carlos Rodriguez died yesterday at a hospital from injuries he received during a fight with two deputies.
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Stacey Bourbonnais says the deputies first went to the apartment complex to serve an unrelated eviction. But they noticed Rodriguez, who appeared heavily intoxicated.
The sheriff's department says that when deputies approached him, he became combative and got into a fight with them. Authorities say another man tried to subdue Rodriguez by using a chokehold. An autopsy is pending and the two deputies were placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
http://www.portcityunderground.com/?p=102546
Gwinnett County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Stacey Bourbonnais says the deputies first went to the apartment complex to serve an unrelated eviction. But they noticed Rodriguez, who appeared heavily intoxicated.
The sheriff's department says that when deputies approached him, he became combative and got into a fight with them. Authorities say another man tried to subdue Rodriguez by using a chokehold. An autopsy is pending and the two deputies were placed on paid administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.
http://www.portcityunderground.com/?p=102546
Highway Patrol Officer Richard Handwork Arrested for Cruelty to Child
A California Highway Patrol officer has been arrested in Northern California on suspicion of child cruelty and spousal abuse.
The California Highway Patrol says 44-year-old Richard Joseph Handwork of Yuba City was arrested Friday at the CHP office in Yuba City on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant and suspicion of willful cruelty to a child.
Authorities did not release details about the alleged crimes.
Capt. Jim Young, commander of the Yuba-Sutter CHP office, said an internal investigation is under way. Handwork has been placed on administrative duty until it is completed.
Handwork was released from the Sutter County Sheriff's Department on $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 2.
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Other Information:
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/chp-87275-handwork-office.html
Information from: Appeal-Democrat, http://www.appeal-democrat.com/
The California Highway Patrol says 44-year-old Richard Joseph Handwork of Yuba City was arrested Friday at the CHP office in Yuba City on suspicion of inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant and suspicion of willful cruelty to a child.
Authorities did not release details about the alleged crimes.
Capt. Jim Young, commander of the Yuba-Sutter CHP office, said an internal investigation is under way. Handwork has been placed on administrative duty until it is completed.
Handwork was released from the Sutter County Sheriff's Department on $50,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 2.
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Other Information:
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/chp-87275-handwork-office.html
Information from: Appeal-Democrat, http://www.appeal-democrat.com/
Officer Glenn Coyne Arrested for Sexual Assault
A Grand Junction police officer accused of burglary and sexually assaulting a woman while he was off duty, has been released from jail after posting bail.
Glenn Coyne was being held on $250,000 bond after his arrest Thursday on suspicion of first-degree assault and first-degree burglary. The 35-year-old officer has been fired after two years on the force.
Authorities say Coyne is accused of assaulting a woman who called him for follow-up help after Coyne and other officers went to her house on an unspecified family matter. Authorities say the alleged assault happened after Coyne's shift at 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Coyne's home phone is unlisted, and it wasn't clear whether he had an attorney.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com/
Glenn Coyne was being held on $250,000 bond after his arrest Thursday on suspicion of first-degree assault and first-degree burglary. The 35-year-old officer has been fired after two years on the force.
Authorities say Coyne is accused of assaulting a woman who called him for follow-up help after Coyne and other officers went to her house on an unspecified family matter. Authorities say the alleged assault happened after Coyne's shift at 1 a.m. Tuesday.
Coyne's home phone is unlisted, and it wasn't clear whether he had an attorney.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com/
Lt Manny Escoto Charged with Contempt of Court
A Uintah County police lieutenant has personally apologized to the judge who filed a contempt-of-court complaint against him.
Naples Police Lt. Manny Escoto has been accused by 8th District Judge A. Lynn Payne of disregarding instructions given to him after the judge signed a search warrant in late July. On Wednesday, Escoto told Payne he misunderstood the judge's decision to limit the scope of the search warrant in question. He offered to resign immediately from the police force as a demonstration of his remorse.
Payne, who said he'd never held an officer in contempt in his 22 years on the bench, rejected Escoto's offer, saying that wasn't what he wanted. He made Escoto promise not to resign.
In a Sept. 15 complaint, Payne said Escoto appeared in his chambers seeking a warrant to access information on a cell phone. Authorities were investigating allegations that an unnamed juvenile had engaged in sexual activity with a 12-year-old girl. They believed the phone contained text messages, images and videos related to the juvenile's alleged sexual activity with other possible victims, according to the search-warrant application.
"Although the proposed warrant only requested the search of the cell phone, it was apparent to the court that Lt. Escoto also sought authority to search the records of Alltel Inc.," Payne wrote in his complaint, noting the cell-phone company was not a party in the case.
"The court informed Lt. Escoto that the court would not authorize a search of the records of Alltel Inc.," Payne continued, "and that an investigative subpoena would have to be issued to obtain the records."
Payne said he called the prosecutor involved in the investigation, Mike Drechsel, and spoke with him while Escoto was still in the judge's chambers. Payne said he reiterated the need for a subpoena to access phone-company records, and Drechsel agreed to prepare the required paperwork.
The judge noted that the conversation with Drechsel took place on speakerphone, allowing Escoto to hear what was said by both parties.
"The court signed the warrant, and when handing the warrant to Lt. Escoto, the court asked Lt. Escoto if he understood that the warrant only authorized the search of the cell phone and did not authorize him to search the records of Alltel Inc.," Payne wrote. "Lt. Escoto indicated that he understood."
The judge said Drechsel later informed him that Escoto had served the search warrant on Alltel, which Payne said was done "without the authority of the court" and "in violation of the court's specific directive not to do so."
Naples Police Chief Mark Watkins said he has conducted an informal investigation into the judge's allegations against Escoto, his second in command.
The chief said Escoto maintains that he believed Payne had authorized him to serve the warrant on Alltel "that one time" for the purpose of securing text-message records, which are only accessible for 10 days. Watkins said the lieutenant believed that the judge's order that a subpoena be secured for phone-company records would apply to future investigations.
"He follows the rules," Watkins said. "That's what leads me to believe there was a misunderstanding."
Payne has set an Oct. 28 date for a hearing on the matter.
Naples Police Lt. Manny Escoto has been accused by 8th District Judge A. Lynn Payne of disregarding instructions given to him after the judge signed a search warrant in late July. On Wednesday, Escoto told Payne he misunderstood the judge's decision to limit the scope of the search warrant in question. He offered to resign immediately from the police force as a demonstration of his remorse.
Payne, who said he'd never held an officer in contempt in his 22 years on the bench, rejected Escoto's offer, saying that wasn't what he wanted. He made Escoto promise not to resign.
In a Sept. 15 complaint, Payne said Escoto appeared in his chambers seeking a warrant to access information on a cell phone. Authorities were investigating allegations that an unnamed juvenile had engaged in sexual activity with a 12-year-old girl. They believed the phone contained text messages, images and videos related to the juvenile's alleged sexual activity with other possible victims, according to the search-warrant application.
"Although the proposed warrant only requested the search of the cell phone, it was apparent to the court that Lt. Escoto also sought authority to search the records of Alltel Inc.," Payne wrote in his complaint, noting the cell-phone company was not a party in the case.
"The court informed Lt. Escoto that the court would not authorize a search of the records of Alltel Inc.," Payne continued, "and that an investigative subpoena would have to be issued to obtain the records."
Payne said he called the prosecutor involved in the investigation, Mike Drechsel, and spoke with him while Escoto was still in the judge's chambers. Payne said he reiterated the need for a subpoena to access phone-company records, and Drechsel agreed to prepare the required paperwork.
The judge noted that the conversation with Drechsel took place on speakerphone, allowing Escoto to hear what was said by both parties.
"The court signed the warrant, and when handing the warrant to Lt. Escoto, the court asked Lt. Escoto if he understood that the warrant only authorized the search of the cell phone and did not authorize him to search the records of Alltel Inc.," Payne wrote. "Lt. Escoto indicated that he understood."
The judge said Drechsel later informed him that Escoto had served the search warrant on Alltel, which Payne said was done "without the authority of the court" and "in violation of the court's specific directive not to do so."
Naples Police Chief Mark Watkins said he has conducted an informal investigation into the judge's allegations against Escoto, his second in command.
The chief said Escoto maintains that he believed Payne had authorized him to serve the warrant on Alltel "that one time" for the purpose of securing text-message records, which are only accessible for 10 days. Watkins said the lieutenant believed that the judge's order that a subpoena be secured for phone-company records would apply to future investigations.
"He follows the rules," Watkins said. "That's what leads me to believe there was a misunderstanding."
Payne has set an Oct. 28 date for a hearing on the matter.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Lt Michael Leary Arrested for Real Estate Fraud
A Sacramento County sheriff's lieutenant who served on the Elk Grove city council has been arrested on charges of real estate fraud.
Sacramento County District Attorney's spokeswoman Shelly Orio says 49-year-old Michael Leary was arrested Friday on grand theft and forgery charges.
Leary is charged with stealing a $610,000 home he co-owned with his girlfriend by altering a grant deed in January 2006, and two counts of passing the document as being legitimate. Investigators say he later evicted his girlfriend.
A sheriff's spokesman says the 27-year veteran has been placed on paid leave.
Leary lost an election to retain his Elk Grove council seat last year.
He's posted $15,000 bail and is due in court for an Oct. 9 court hearing. There was no phone or attorney listing for him.
Sacramento County District Attorney's spokeswoman Shelly Orio says 49-year-old Michael Leary was arrested Friday on grand theft and forgery charges.
Leary is charged with stealing a $610,000 home he co-owned with his girlfriend by altering a grant deed in January 2006, and two counts of passing the document as being legitimate. Investigators say he later evicted his girlfriend.
A sheriff's spokesman says the 27-year veteran has been placed on paid leave.
Leary lost an election to retain his Elk Grove council seat last year.
He's posted $15,000 bail and is due in court for an Oct. 9 court hearing. There was no phone or attorney listing for him.
Drew Peterson's Trial Will Not be Moved
A judge on Friday refused to move Drew Peterson's murder trial and said a law that prosecutors want to use to allow his ex-wife he's accused of killing to "testify from the grave" is constitutional.
Will County Judge Stephen White's rulings were setbacks for Peterson, a former Bolingbrook police officer who garnered national attention after the October 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. White also will decide which statements prosecutors can use at Peterson's trial.
Peterson, 55, has pleaded innocent to first-degree murder in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He also is a suspect in Stacy Peterson's disappearance. He has denied wrongdoing.
Peterson's attorneys had asked to move the trial, saying the often extensive and often inflammatory publicity surrounding Peterson made it impossible to receive a fair trial in Will County. They also said that that during Peterson's three decades as a police officer he might have arrested or ticketed potential jurors and their family members.
Prosecutors argued that Peterson and his attorneys have themselves to blame for much of the publicity, pointing to the numerous interviews they have given on local and national media.
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow also has said that his office would agree to a change of venue if it became clear during jury selection that a fair trial was impossible.
Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, said the ruling on the change of venue was not a surprise. He said there still is a chance the judge could agree to moving the trial out of the county if it becomes clear during jury selection that prospective jurors are so biased against Peterson that he could not receive a fair trial.
White ruled that the state's so-called "hearsay" law is constitutional. Peterson's attorneys argued that it denies suspects' right to confront their accusers. But prosecutors said the Illinois law is in line with well-established federal law and, in fact, several other states have similar laws that have survived more than two dozen legal challenges.
Glasgow would not discuss which statements he intends to try to admit as evidence at the trial, but it is clear his office wants to let Savio herself tell jurors why Peterson wanted her dead.
"In essence, what you're basically allowing the victim of a violent crime to do is testify from the grave," he said shortly after Peterson was arrested in May.
Possible evidence in the case might include letters written by Savio, who was seeking orders of protection, in which she said Peterson would kill her to shut her up and her sister's testimony at a coroner's jury that Savio told her family it would be no accident if she died.
Brodsky said he has not decided whether to appeal the judge's decision on the hearsay law to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Will County Judge Stephen White's rulings were setbacks for Peterson, a former Bolingbrook police officer who garnered national attention after the October 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. White also will decide which statements prosecutors can use at Peterson's trial.
Peterson, 55, has pleaded innocent to first-degree murder in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio. He also is a suspect in Stacy Peterson's disappearance. He has denied wrongdoing.
Peterson's attorneys had asked to move the trial, saying the often extensive and often inflammatory publicity surrounding Peterson made it impossible to receive a fair trial in Will County. They also said that that during Peterson's three decades as a police officer he might have arrested or ticketed potential jurors and their family members.
Prosecutors argued that Peterson and his attorneys have themselves to blame for much of the publicity, pointing to the numerous interviews they have given on local and national media.
Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow also has said that his office would agree to a change of venue if it became clear during jury selection that a fair trial was impossible.
Peterson's attorney, Joel Brodsky, said the ruling on the change of venue was not a surprise. He said there still is a chance the judge could agree to moving the trial out of the county if it becomes clear during jury selection that prospective jurors are so biased against Peterson that he could not receive a fair trial.
White ruled that the state's so-called "hearsay" law is constitutional. Peterson's attorneys argued that it denies suspects' right to confront their accusers. But prosecutors said the Illinois law is in line with well-established federal law and, in fact, several other states have similar laws that have survived more than two dozen legal challenges.
Glasgow would not discuss which statements he intends to try to admit as evidence at the trial, but it is clear his office wants to let Savio herself tell jurors why Peterson wanted her dead.
"In essence, what you're basically allowing the victim of a violent crime to do is testify from the grave," he said shortly after Peterson was arrested in May.
Possible evidence in the case might include letters written by Savio, who was seeking orders of protection, in which she said Peterson would kill her to shut her up and her sister's testimony at a coroner's jury that Savio told her family it would be no accident if she died.
Brodsky said he has not decided whether to appeal the judge's decision on the hearsay law to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Police Brutality Could Cost Milwaukee $3 Million
In what could be the biggest police brutality settlement in Milwaukee history, City Attorney Grant Langley is recommending the city pay $3 million to a man who was paralyzed after his 2003 arrest.
The officer accused in the beating was later fired for covering up an incident in which he and other officers went sledding on duty.
If the Common Council agrees, the city would have to borrow the money to settle the federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Curtis Harris. Two council committees will consider the deal this week.
In December 2003, Officer Kevin Clark and his partner, Officer Joseph Schankey, arrested Harris at his sister's home after he was accused of threatening her and her children. Harris previously had been convicted of obstructing police. The officers also reported Harris was drunk, an allegation he denied.
While Harris was being booked at the 3rd District police station, Clark threw him to the floor. Clark claimed Harris was about to take a swing at him. Harris said that wasn't possible because Clark was behind him.
In his lawsuit, Harris alleged that Clark slammed Harris' head into a wall and drove his knee into Harris' back. As a result, Harris said he became a quadriplegic for life. He filed suit against Clark, Schankey and the city.
Less than two months after arresting Harris, Clark became entangled in a separate incident that eventually cost him his job.
In late January 2004, he and other officers working on the 3rd District late shift decided to go sledding at Calvary Cemetery on W. Blue Mound Road. Clark crashed his sled and broke several ribs.
A sergeant in the group then ordered the officers to devise a coverup, in which they claimed Clark was injured while pursuing a burglary suspect. The sergeant even recommended Clark for a commendation, which was never awarded.
Clark collected $11,485 in worker's compensation before the scam was exposed. He pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, was fined $500 and fired by then-Police Chief Nannette Hegerty. The sergeant was convicted of misconduct in public office and resigned, and another officer involved in the coverup was convicted of obstructing justice and fired.
Langley said Clark's disciplinary record would have led to questions about his credibility if he had to testify before a jury.
With future medical expenses for Harris projected at more than $4 million, Langley said he was concerned jurors might award Harris more than the $3 million proposed in the settlement.
Langley said this would be the largest settlement of an excessive-force suit that he can recall in the 38 years he has worked for the city attorney's office, including 25 years in his current post.
The Harris settlement would be almost twice the $1.6 million that the city paid last year in a settlement with the family of Justin Fields, who was shot and killed while fleeing police in 2003. The family of Daniel Bell, who was killed by police in a 1958 incident that was covered up for 20 years, won $1.6 million in a jury trial.
Among other cases, the Harris settlement would be nearly as much as the $3.2 million total that the city paid in two separate 2007 reverse-discrimination settlements with 28 current and former police lieutenants who accused former Police Chief Arthur Jones of refusing to promote them to captain because they are white men.
But a much higher-profile police brutality case is still working its way through the courts. Frank Jude Jr. is seeking $30 million in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and eight former officers linked to his beating at a 2004 Bay View party.
Six of those officers have been convicted of criminal civil rights violations, including five who were fired and one who resigned. A seventh officer was acquitted and reinstated, and the eighth was never charged.
The officer accused in the beating was later fired for covering up an incident in which he and other officers went sledding on duty.
If the Common Council agrees, the city would have to borrow the money to settle the federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Curtis Harris. Two council committees will consider the deal this week.
In December 2003, Officer Kevin Clark and his partner, Officer Joseph Schankey, arrested Harris at his sister's home after he was accused of threatening her and her children. Harris previously had been convicted of obstructing police. The officers also reported Harris was drunk, an allegation he denied.
While Harris was being booked at the 3rd District police station, Clark threw him to the floor. Clark claimed Harris was about to take a swing at him. Harris said that wasn't possible because Clark was behind him.
In his lawsuit, Harris alleged that Clark slammed Harris' head into a wall and drove his knee into Harris' back. As a result, Harris said he became a quadriplegic for life. He filed suit against Clark, Schankey and the city.
Less than two months after arresting Harris, Clark became entangled in a separate incident that eventually cost him his job.
In late January 2004, he and other officers working on the 3rd District late shift decided to go sledding at Calvary Cemetery on W. Blue Mound Road. Clark crashed his sled and broke several ribs.
A sergeant in the group then ordered the officers to devise a coverup, in which they claimed Clark was injured while pursuing a burglary suspect. The sergeant even recommended Clark for a commendation, which was never awarded.
Clark collected $11,485 in worker's compensation before the scam was exposed. He pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, was fined $500 and fired by then-Police Chief Nannette Hegerty. The sergeant was convicted of misconduct in public office and resigned, and another officer involved in the coverup was convicted of obstructing justice and fired.
Langley said Clark's disciplinary record would have led to questions about his credibility if he had to testify before a jury.
With future medical expenses for Harris projected at more than $4 million, Langley said he was concerned jurors might award Harris more than the $3 million proposed in the settlement.
Langley said this would be the largest settlement of an excessive-force suit that he can recall in the 38 years he has worked for the city attorney's office, including 25 years in his current post.
The Harris settlement would be almost twice the $1.6 million that the city paid last year in a settlement with the family of Justin Fields, who was shot and killed while fleeing police in 2003. The family of Daniel Bell, who was killed by police in a 1958 incident that was covered up for 20 years, won $1.6 million in a jury trial.
Among other cases, the Harris settlement would be nearly as much as the $3.2 million total that the city paid in two separate 2007 reverse-discrimination settlements with 28 current and former police lieutenants who accused former Police Chief Arthur Jones of refusing to promote them to captain because they are white men.
But a much higher-profile police brutality case is still working its way through the courts. Frank Jude Jr. is seeking $30 million in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and eight former officers linked to his beating at a 2004 Bay View party.
Six of those officers have been convicted of criminal civil rights violations, including five who were fired and one who resigned. A seventh officer was acquitted and reinstated, and the eighth was never charged.
Deputy Manuel Silva Arrested for Extortion
A Broward County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested on extortion, burglary and drug charges, marking the third time this year a Broward deputy has been charged with a crime.
Manuel Silva, 34, was arrested Friday under allegations that he possessed oxycodone and other drugs without a prescription.
Sheriff officials have not released any more information, including whether he committed crimes while on duty.
He remains in jail, according to the Broward County Jail website.
Broward County Sheriff Manuel Silva was arrested on drug, burglary and extortion charges on Friday, marking the third Broward deputy to be criminally charged this year In August, Broward Sheriff’s deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss was arrested for allegedly using his authority to coerce sex from male illegal immigrants. He faces 58 charges.
In April, Broward Sheriff’s deputy Charles Grady resigned after he was sentenced to two years probation for inappropriately touching women during traffic stops.
Deputy Jeffrey Swartz Charged with Domestic Violence
A deputy with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office is accused of assaulting his wife.
Jeffrey P. Swartz, 34, was charged Saturday with domestic battery and placed on administrative leave, according to a sheriff's office report.
Swartz has been employed with the agency since April 2001 and is currently assigned as a District 2 detective.
Swartz had a "get together" at his residence in which alcoholic beverages were consumed, the report said.
An argument between Swartz and his wife took place, which turned into a physical altercation, the report stated.
Swartz pushed his wife onto the floor of their bedroom. Swartz then placed his arms around her neck, but she was able to break free, the report stated.
The deputy continued being aggressive and grabbed his wife's arms, which prevented her from moving them, the report stated. After breaking Swartz' grasp, she was able to call the sheriff's office for help, the report stated.
The wife sustained red marks on the front of her neck and right arm, which is consistent with her allegations, the report stated.
Swartz had red marks on his right arm. Neither Swartz nor the victim required medical attention, the report stated.
A witness who was at the residence during part of the battery said Swartz threw the victim to the bedroom floor, the report stated. Swartz was transported to the Hernando County Jail without incident.
Sgt. Donna Black, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, declined to comment further about the case.
Jeffrey P. Swartz, 34, was charged Saturday with domestic battery and placed on administrative leave, according to a sheriff's office report.
Swartz has been employed with the agency since April 2001 and is currently assigned as a District 2 detective.
Swartz had a "get together" at his residence in which alcoholic beverages were consumed, the report said.
An argument between Swartz and his wife took place, which turned into a physical altercation, the report stated.
Swartz pushed his wife onto the floor of their bedroom. Swartz then placed his arms around her neck, but she was able to break free, the report stated.
The deputy continued being aggressive and grabbed his wife's arms, which prevented her from moving them, the report stated. After breaking Swartz' grasp, she was able to call the sheriff's office for help, the report stated.
The wife sustained red marks on the front of her neck and right arm, which is consistent with her allegations, the report stated.
Swartz had red marks on his right arm. Neither Swartz nor the victim required medical attention, the report stated.
A witness who was at the residence during part of the battery said Swartz threw the victim to the bedroom floor, the report stated. Swartz was transported to the Hernando County Jail without incident.
Sgt. Donna Black, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, declined to comment further about the case.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Detective Oscar Sandino Charged with Making Lewd Remarks to Prisoner
A veteran detective was arrested Friday on charges of making lewd remarks to a female prisoner, police sources said.
The suspect, Detective Oscar Sandino, 36, was sued in June by a Queens woman who accused him of sodomizing her in a police station bathroom. There were no criminal charges, the sources said.
The latest incident involved a court officer arrested for obstructing governmental administration, who accused Sandino of making a sexual remark to her while she was being moved from a holding cell on Sept. 16.
Sandino was charged with harassment and official misconduct, sources said.
In the federal lawsuit, still pending, a 29-year-old woman said Sandino - following a 2008 drug raid at her apartment - groped and sodomized her while she was in custody.
The suspect, Detective Oscar Sandino, 36, was sued in June by a Queens woman who accused him of sodomizing her in a police station bathroom. There were no criminal charges, the sources said.
The latest incident involved a court officer arrested for obstructing governmental administration, who accused Sandino of making a sexual remark to her while she was being moved from a holding cell on Sept. 16.
Sandino was charged with harassment and official misconduct, sources said.
In the federal lawsuit, still pending, a 29-year-old woman said Sandino - following a 2008 drug raid at her apartment - groped and sodomized her while she was in custody.
Officer Andrew Kelly Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter
The New York Police Department has suspended a third officer following an alleged drunken driving accident that killed a pastor's daughter on a Brooklyn street.
An off-duty officer, Andrew Kelly, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
The officer was suspended after surveillance video showed he gave Kelly gum and bottles of water at the scene. Another officer was suspended last week for fleeing the scene of the accident.
Vionique Valnord (vee-oh-NEEK' val-NORD') was killed early Sunday as she tried to hail a cab after a wedding reception.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has called the case is 'disturbing.' The department's internal probe continues.
An off-duty officer, Andrew Kelly, has pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
The officer was suspended after surveillance video showed he gave Kelly gum and bottles of water at the scene. Another officer was suspended last week for fleeing the scene of the accident.
Vionique Valnord (vee-oh-NEEK' val-NORD') was killed early Sunday as she tried to hail a cab after a wedding reception.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has called the case is 'disturbing.' The department's internal probe continues.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Sgt. Jason McGinness Indicted for Stealing at Traffic Stop
A Clay County grand jury has indicted a former Claycomo police sergeant, alleging he stole more than $500 from a Spanish-speaking worker during a vehicle stop last July.
The jury indicted Jason McGinness on Sept. 22, police said Thursday. A language barrier delayed the investigation, according to Police Chief Matt Coonce.
The victim lives in Laredo, Texas, and travels throughout the country constructing grain elevators. Police also interviewed people who were traveling with him at the time.
McGinness was fired after an initial investigation found he had violated the workers’ civil rights, Coonce said.
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http://www.kctv5.com/news/21179991/detail.html
The jury indicted Jason McGinness on Sept. 22, police said Thursday. A language barrier delayed the investigation, according to Police Chief Matt Coonce.
The victim lives in Laredo, Texas, and travels throughout the country constructing grain elevators. Police also interviewed people who were traveling with him at the time.
McGinness was fired after an initial investigation found he had violated the workers’ civil rights, Coonce said.
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http://www.kctv5.com/news/21179991/detail.html
Officer Andrew Kelly No Hero
A cop who mowed down a preacher's daughter was no hero at the scene, family members and sources familiar with the probe of the drunk driving crash told the Daily News Friday.
"That story is a bunch of bull," a source said referring to Officer Andrew Kelly's claim that he gave the victim CPR moments after the Sunday morning accident.
"He barely touched the girl. His hands were almost on her stomach, not her chest."
Investigators believe someone who was at the same Brooklyn wedding that victim Vionique Valnord had just attended was desperately pumping her chest and giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
"His mouth never even touched her mouth," the source said, adding that a second person who also attended the wedding was helping with the mouth-to-mouth.
Kelly's hero pose outraged Valnord's family.
"I think it's an insult," Valnord's father, the Rev. Varius Valnord told the News.
"He's trying to take the blame from himself. He's the one to blame. I forgive him, but the lord will do the right thing."
The 7-year-veteran cop was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI for slamming his Jeep Cherokee into Valnord as she hailed a cab in Old Mill Basin.
Three passengers, including a fellow officer, fled. It took seven hours to get Kelly's blood for an alcohol test. NYPD Internal Affairs investigators are probing for a possible cover-up by cops at the scene.
One officer has been suspended for giving Kelly two bottles of water and gum after the crash, News reported earlier Friday.
Kelly's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, handed a prosecutor a condolence card for Valnord's family in court Friday, and again insisted the officer wasn't drunk.
Aidala earlier this week said that Kelly "brought her back to life" and that she was breathing when he "handed" Valnord over to the paramedics. "She never regained consciousness," a source told The News.
Kelly had worked a regular shift at the 68th Precinct earlier in the day before going to a bar, then to a friend's house to watch the Notre Dame football game, and then to a second bar where he allegedly had six-to-eight drinks.
His blood alcohol level later found no booze in his system. Witnesses told investigators Kelly was unsteady, had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol, although he was given gum and water and was chain-smoking cigarettes at the scene.
"This would be another example of police attempting to help cover-up for a fellow officer who may have committed a serious crime," said lawyer Sanford Rubenstein, who the family has hired.
"No matter what spin is being attempted, the facts speak for themselves. He was not sober at the time of this tragedy."
---------------
"That story is a bunch of bull," a source said referring to Officer Andrew Kelly's claim that he gave the victim CPR moments after the Sunday morning accident.
"He barely touched the girl. His hands were almost on her stomach, not her chest."
Investigators believe someone who was at the same Brooklyn wedding that victim Vionique Valnord had just attended was desperately pumping her chest and giving her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
"His mouth never even touched her mouth," the source said, adding that a second person who also attended the wedding was helping with the mouth-to-mouth.
Kelly's hero pose outraged Valnord's family.
"I think it's an insult," Valnord's father, the Rev. Varius Valnord told the News.
"He's trying to take the blame from himself. He's the one to blame. I forgive him, but the lord will do the right thing."
The 7-year-veteran cop was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI for slamming his Jeep Cherokee into Valnord as she hailed a cab in Old Mill Basin.
Three passengers, including a fellow officer, fled. It took seven hours to get Kelly's blood for an alcohol test. NYPD Internal Affairs investigators are probing for a possible cover-up by cops at the scene.
One officer has been suspended for giving Kelly two bottles of water and gum after the crash, News reported earlier Friday.
Kelly's lawyer, Arthur Aidala, handed a prosecutor a condolence card for Valnord's family in court Friday, and again insisted the officer wasn't drunk.
Aidala earlier this week said that Kelly "brought her back to life" and that she was breathing when he "handed" Valnord over to the paramedics. "She never regained consciousness," a source told The News.
Kelly had worked a regular shift at the 68th Precinct earlier in the day before going to a bar, then to a friend's house to watch the Notre Dame football game, and then to a second bar where he allegedly had six-to-eight drinks.
His blood alcohol level later found no booze in his system. Witnesses told investigators Kelly was unsteady, had glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol, although he was given gum and water and was chain-smoking cigarettes at the scene.
"This would be another example of police attempting to help cover-up for a fellow officer who may have committed a serious crime," said lawyer Sanford Rubenstein, who the family has hired.
"No matter what spin is being attempted, the facts speak for themselves. He was not sober at the time of this tragedy."
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Other Information: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/nyregion/03dwi.html
Officer Dustin Whitehead Arrested for Misconduct
Illinois State Police arrested a city officer for "actions relating to the officer's official conduct as a police officer," according to a news release sent out by the Marion Police Department.
According to Marion Mayor Bob Butler, the officer is a patrolman who has been on the force five or six years. The officer has been placed on administrative leave by the Marion Police Department pending the results of the investigation.
The officer has been identified as Dustin Whitehead by media reports. Whitehead, a native of Marion, was formerly employed at the Williamson County Jail.
According to Illinois State Police, investigators handed the case over the Williamson County State's Attorney's Office for charges to be filed. Our attempts to reach Williamson County State's Attorney Chuck Garnati were unsuccessful.
Heartland News also contacted the Williamson County Jail to see if the officer in question is not in their custody. Jailers say the officer is not and has not been in their jail.
Illinois State Police continue the investigation into the incident.
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http://www.mariondaily.com/newsnow/x1699610242/Arrested-Marion-officer-identified
According to Marion Mayor Bob Butler, the officer is a patrolman who has been on the force five or six years. The officer has been placed on administrative leave by the Marion Police Department pending the results of the investigation.
The officer has been identified as Dustin Whitehead by media reports. Whitehead, a native of Marion, was formerly employed at the Williamson County Jail.
According to Illinois State Police, investigators handed the case over the Williamson County State's Attorney's Office for charges to be filed. Our attempts to reach Williamson County State's Attorney Chuck Garnati were unsuccessful.
Heartland News also contacted the Williamson County Jail to see if the officer in question is not in their custody. Jailers say the officer is not and has not been in their jail.
Illinois State Police continue the investigation into the incident.
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http://www.mariondaily.com/newsnow/x1699610242/Arrested-Marion-officer-identified
Tulsa Officer Shoots Dog with 10-Year-old Boy Standing Near Him
A Tulsa police officer shot and killed a dog with a 10-year-old boy standing about three feet away from the animal on Tuesday night, the parent and dog owner told the Tulsa World on Wednesday.
The officer arrived to the home in the 2900 block of East 74th Street on a dog barking complaint around 10 p.m., said Julia Wilson, 32.
Wilson said the officer knocked on the door, which was answered by her son, and the boxer ran onto the porch barking.
As the dog ran through the door, the officer pulled out his weapon and shot the dog twice, with the boy standing directly behind the dog, she said.
“I went on the porch and told the officer that he killed my dog and the officer responded, 'I don’t care,’ ” she said. “My son looked at the officer and asked if his gun was real.”
Meanwhile, the dog ran back into the house and fell dead in a pool of blood in the living room, she said.
Officer Jason Willingham said he could not find the police report Wednesday afternoon and had no information on the incident, including the officer’s name. The department’s Internal Affairs division is also reportedly investigating the shooting.
“What if the dog would have moved and the bullet would have struck my son?” Wilson said.
Wilson said the boxer had on a shock collar, which wouldn’t allow the pet to walk off the property.
The officer was dispatched to the home about a second dog, an American bulldog, which had been sifting through a neighbor’s trash, but was wandering around the front yard when the officer arrived, Wilson said.
“This is going to scar my son for a long time,” she said.
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Other information:
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Police-Respond-to-Shooting-Boys-Dog/n-th5nbARk6wY64ZnMye4Q.cspx
The officer arrived to the home in the 2900 block of East 74th Street on a dog barking complaint around 10 p.m., said Julia Wilson, 32.
Wilson said the officer knocked on the door, which was answered by her son, and the boxer ran onto the porch barking.
As the dog ran through the door, the officer pulled out his weapon and shot the dog twice, with the boy standing directly behind the dog, she said.
“I went on the porch and told the officer that he killed my dog and the officer responded, 'I don’t care,’ ” she said. “My son looked at the officer and asked if his gun was real.”
Meanwhile, the dog ran back into the house and fell dead in a pool of blood in the living room, she said.
Officer Jason Willingham said he could not find the police report Wednesday afternoon and had no information on the incident, including the officer’s name. The department’s Internal Affairs division is also reportedly investigating the shooting.
“What if the dog would have moved and the bullet would have struck my son?” Wilson said.
Wilson said the boxer had on a shock collar, which wouldn’t allow the pet to walk off the property.
The officer was dispatched to the home about a second dog, an American bulldog, which had been sifting through a neighbor’s trash, but was wandering around the front yard when the officer arrived, Wilson said.
“This is going to scar my son for a long time,” she said.
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Other information:
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Police-Respond-to-Shooting-Boys-Dog/n-th5nbARk6wY64ZnMye4Q.cspx
Corrections Officer Christopher Shreve Arrested for Shooting Cat
On a spring morning this year, Eoanna Hoefer's 8-year-old cat Tinkerbelle slipped out of the house for a few minutes while Hoefer carried a load of laundry to a back room; when the orange feline returned, she was dragging her hind legs, a bloody wound visible on her spine.
At first, Hoefer thought an insect had bitten her pet. But when the normally cheerful Tinkerbelle wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom, Hoefer took the animal to the veterinarian. An X-ray showed the cat had a pellet lodged in her spine, probably from a BB gun, a police report shows. The doctor also told Hoefer that Tinkerbelle would likely be paralyzed and never be able to urinate or defecate normally, the report states.
On Sept. 19, Daytona Beach police arrested Hoefer's neighbor, 46-year-old Christopher Shreve. Police charged him with animal cruelty -- a felony -- after he was accused of shooting the cat with a BB gun, the report shows.
A corrections officer with Tomoka Correctional Institution, Shreve has been placed on administrative leave with pay by the state's Department of Corrections, spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said.
He did not return calls for comment, instead opting to speak through his attorney, Michael Politis. Earlier this week, Politis said Shreve is "pretty adamant that he never hurt that cat."
"My client does not have a BB gun that I know of," Politis said.
But the incident report taken in March and written by Daytona Beach Officer Liz Devlin says differently.
Devlin met with Shreve at his residence on Dach Avenue.
According to the report, Shreve told Devlin he may have made a comment about shooting stray cats at one time, but he never followed through with the threat. Shreve told Devlin that he had lived in the same house for 30 years and had no idea Hoefer had any cats. But then he told Devlin that Hoefer "lets her cats out all the time and they're always roaming the streets."
In addition, Daytona Beach code enforcement officer Tom Clig told Devlin that on April 14 Shreve admitted to him that he shot Tinkerbelle "to scare it off." Devlin also wrote that according to Clig, Shreve conceded he was sick of all the stray cats around his house and that he had "taken up shooting them with his BB gun," the report states.
Politis said his client's statements to Clig and Devlin were misunderstood. He said Shreve, who is to be arraigned today, will enter a plea of not guilty.
For Hoefer, who rescued Tinkerbelle when she was just a kitten, the entire ordeal has been an emotional battle since the beloved pet was injured in early March and forced to spend two weeks at the animal hospital.
The good news is Tinkerbelle is walking again -- albeit slowly -- and she is able to relieve herself, although with pain, Hoefer said.
The friendly feline's slow recovery came through several months of patient therapy by Hoefer, who suffers with a seizure disorder after she was struck by a car in 1988 and walks with an arm brace because of degenerative arthritis.
"Love for Tinkerbelle is what gave me the energy to be able to do the therapy," Hoefer answered quickly at her home this week. "I refused to let this cat live its remaining years dragging herself around on her rear end."
Hoefer, who once worked in orthopedics, massaged and exercised Tinkerbelle's hind legs with her hands daily; she ran a wire brush down her pet's legs to stimulate the nerves. As Tinkerbelle progressed, Hoefer placed a stool near the sofa and taught the feline how to step up and get on the couch again.
Regardless, some of the cat's simplest functions are gone.
"She can no longer scratch herself with her hind legs, so I try to do it for her," Hoefer said smiling at Tinkerbelle and Bandit, another rescue cat. "Sometimes she makes it to the litter box and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she cries when she goes to the bathroom because she's in pain."
Hoefer said the worst thing about the incident is that Shreve never came to her house to apologize for hurting Tinkerbelle.
"He came over here and yelled at me," she said.
At first, Hoefer thought an insect had bitten her pet. But when the normally cheerful Tinkerbelle wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom, Hoefer took the animal to the veterinarian. An X-ray showed the cat had a pellet lodged in her spine, probably from a BB gun, a police report shows. The doctor also told Hoefer that Tinkerbelle would likely be paralyzed and never be able to urinate or defecate normally, the report states.
On Sept. 19, Daytona Beach police arrested Hoefer's neighbor, 46-year-old Christopher Shreve. Police charged him with animal cruelty -- a felony -- after he was accused of shooting the cat with a BB gun, the report shows.
A corrections officer with Tomoka Correctional Institution, Shreve has been placed on administrative leave with pay by the state's Department of Corrections, spokeswoman Gretl Plessinger said.
He did not return calls for comment, instead opting to speak through his attorney, Michael Politis. Earlier this week, Politis said Shreve is "pretty adamant that he never hurt that cat."
"My client does not have a BB gun that I know of," Politis said.
But the incident report taken in March and written by Daytona Beach Officer Liz Devlin says differently.
Devlin met with Shreve at his residence on Dach Avenue.
According to the report, Shreve told Devlin he may have made a comment about shooting stray cats at one time, but he never followed through with the threat. Shreve told Devlin that he had lived in the same house for 30 years and had no idea Hoefer had any cats. But then he told Devlin that Hoefer "lets her cats out all the time and they're always roaming the streets."
In addition, Daytona Beach code enforcement officer Tom Clig told Devlin that on April 14 Shreve admitted to him that he shot Tinkerbelle "to scare it off." Devlin also wrote that according to Clig, Shreve conceded he was sick of all the stray cats around his house and that he had "taken up shooting them with his BB gun," the report states.
Politis said his client's statements to Clig and Devlin were misunderstood. He said Shreve, who is to be arraigned today, will enter a plea of not guilty.
For Hoefer, who rescued Tinkerbelle when she was just a kitten, the entire ordeal has been an emotional battle since the beloved pet was injured in early March and forced to spend two weeks at the animal hospital.
The good news is Tinkerbelle is walking again -- albeit slowly -- and she is able to relieve herself, although with pain, Hoefer said.
The friendly feline's slow recovery came through several months of patient therapy by Hoefer, who suffers with a seizure disorder after she was struck by a car in 1988 and walks with an arm brace because of degenerative arthritis.
"Love for Tinkerbelle is what gave me the energy to be able to do the therapy," Hoefer answered quickly at her home this week. "I refused to let this cat live its remaining years dragging herself around on her rear end."
Hoefer, who once worked in orthopedics, massaged and exercised Tinkerbelle's hind legs with her hands daily; she ran a wire brush down her pet's legs to stimulate the nerves. As Tinkerbelle progressed, Hoefer placed a stool near the sofa and taught the feline how to step up and get on the couch again.
Regardless, some of the cat's simplest functions are gone.
"She can no longer scratch herself with her hind legs, so I try to do it for her," Hoefer said smiling at Tinkerbelle and Bandit, another rescue cat. "Sometimes she makes it to the litter box and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she cries when she goes to the bathroom because she's in pain."
Hoefer said the worst thing about the incident is that Shreve never came to her house to apologize for hurting Tinkerbelle.
"He came over here and yelled at me," she said.
Officer Ray Roberts Suspended for Making Illegal Arrest
A Murfreesboro police officer is facing suspension after he allegedly performed an illegal arrest.
According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, Officer Ray Roberts illegally arrested Anthony Defeo last November. The charge was driving without a license, but it is believed Roberts did not actually see Defeo breaking any laws.
Initially, the department recommended Roberts be fired for allegedly lying during the internal investigation. However, after an appeal, that firing was changed to a 10-day suspension and one year of probation with the department.
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http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1551.shtml
According to the Murfreesboro Police Department, Officer Ray Roberts illegally arrested Anthony Defeo last November. The charge was driving without a license, but it is believed Roberts did not actually see Defeo breaking any laws.
Initially, the department recommended Roberts be fired for allegedly lying during the internal investigation. However, after an appeal, that firing was changed to a 10-day suspension and one year of probation with the department.
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http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_1551.shtml
Officer Francis Brevetti Arrested on Drug Charges
On Sunday, September 20, Watertown police executed an arrest warrant for Francis Brevetti, 29, of 11 Rustic Acres Drive, Wolcott on drug possession charges. Mr. Brevetti is a member of the Waterbury Police Department.
Mr. Brevetti was allegedly discovered to be in possession of marijuana and less than three grams of cocaine when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Watertown in the early morning on Sunday, September 20.
Mr. Brevetti has been charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession with intent to sell cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana within 1,500 of a school and possession of paraphernalia. He was released on $100,000 bond.
Watertown Police spokesman Lt. Mark Raimo reported that Mr. Brevetti "was not arrested at the accident scene," as Mr. Brevetti was taken to a hospital.
"We completed an investigation and arrested Mr. Brevetti on warrant," said Lt. Raimo.
Lt. Raimo declined any comment regarding what the investigation had revealed, but Mr. Brevetti's lawyer has stated that he seized the drugs while on duty, but forgot to turn them over at the police station.
According to police, the drugs were found in Mr. Brevetti's Ford F-150 after he was involved in a head-on accident with a tree at about 2 a.m. Mr. Brevetti was taken from the scene by ambulance for treatment of injuries to his face and head, after he had exited the vehicle and was found stumbling in the roadway, police said.
However, as officers were having the vehicle towed, they discovered a large amount of drugs in the rear of the vehicle.
Officers seized several small plastic baggies stuffed with marijuana, a small baggie containing a small quantity of cocaine, and a digital scale used for weighing small items.
The arrest warrant stated that there were more than 51 grams of marijuana in the baggies. Police seized the drugs and launched a criminal investigation. In a press release issued by the Watertown Police Department, Police Chief John Gavallas stated, "the arrest of a police officer on charges such as these saddens the entire law enforcement community."
Mr. Brevetti was due to appear in court on September 29.
Mr. Brevetti was allegedly discovered to be in possession of marijuana and less than three grams of cocaine when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Watertown in the early morning on Sunday, September 20.
Mr. Brevetti has been charged with possession of narcotics, possession with intent to sell cocaine, possession with intent to sell cocaine within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana, possession with intent to sell marijuana within 1,500 of a school and possession of paraphernalia. He was released on $100,000 bond.
Watertown Police spokesman Lt. Mark Raimo reported that Mr. Brevetti "was not arrested at the accident scene," as Mr. Brevetti was taken to a hospital.
"We completed an investigation and arrested Mr. Brevetti on warrant," said Lt. Raimo.
Lt. Raimo declined any comment regarding what the investigation had revealed, but Mr. Brevetti's lawyer has stated that he seized the drugs while on duty, but forgot to turn them over at the police station.
According to police, the drugs were found in Mr. Brevetti's Ford F-150 after he was involved in a head-on accident with a tree at about 2 a.m. Mr. Brevetti was taken from the scene by ambulance for treatment of injuries to his face and head, after he had exited the vehicle and was found stumbling in the roadway, police said.
However, as officers were having the vehicle towed, they discovered a large amount of drugs in the rear of the vehicle.
Officers seized several small plastic baggies stuffed with marijuana, a small baggie containing a small quantity of cocaine, and a digital scale used for weighing small items.
The arrest warrant stated that there were more than 51 grams of marijuana in the baggies. Police seized the drugs and launched a criminal investigation. In a press release issued by the Watertown Police Department, Police Chief John Gavallas stated, "the arrest of a police officer on charges such as these saddens the entire law enforcement community."
Mr. Brevetti was due to appear in court on September 29.
3rd Arrest for Officer Jason Rozacky
A San Antonio police officer has resigned after his third arrest.
Jason Rozacky, 36, has been under investigation since his ex-girlfriend's apartment was broken into and she was assaulted. The 14-year officer resigned Tuesday and remained in the Bexar County Jail on Thursday.
Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, emphasized Rozacky is innocent until proven guilty.
Rozacky was charged with burglary and intent to commit assault Aug. 26 after the break-in and assault. He was arrested about a month later on a charge of tampering with a witness. His latest arrest was for allegedly making repeated phone calls to the ex-girlfriend.
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If he's doing this to the people he loves....How is he treating the public he has to deal with on a daily basis?
Jason Rozacky, 36, has been under investigation since his ex-girlfriend's apartment was broken into and she was assaulted. The 14-year officer resigned Tuesday and remained in the Bexar County Jail on Thursday.
Mike Helle, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, emphasized Rozacky is innocent until proven guilty.
Rozacky was charged with burglary and intent to commit assault Aug. 26 after the break-in and assault. He was arrested about a month later on a charge of tampering with a witness. His latest arrest was for allegedly making repeated phone calls to the ex-girlfriend.
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If he's doing this to the people he loves....How is he treating the public he has to deal with on a daily basis?
Deputy Victor Goad Jr Charged with Extoring Money at Traffic Stop
Richmond County sheriff's crime suppression team member Victor Goad, Jr. has been fired after being charged with extorting money from a man in a traffic stop.
Sheriff Ronnie Strength announced that Thursday afternoon as he outlined the case against the former deputy. Goad remained in the county jail without bond.
The sheriff said the incident happened last Saturday at 4:30 am during a traffic stop on Battle Row in the Harrisburg area. Strength said Goad stopped a car with four people in it and found a stolen weapon.
The sheriff said Goad handcuffed the suspect and put him in his patrol car. Then Strength says Goad told the supect "I'll make this go away for $200." The sheriff said the suspect had $130 on him, and made a call to a friend, who brought him another $70.
The complaint was filed by the father of a teenage girl who was in the car. The names of the people in the car are not being released and no charges against them are expected.
Deputy Goad had been with the sheriff's office for six years, and on the crime suppression team for three years. That unit is often sent to trouble spots in the city-county. Members work as a team, often saturating areas with several members of the unit to look for criminal activity.
Goad faces charges of extortion and violating his oath of office.
_________________
http://www.wrdw.com/crimeteam12/headlines/63173567.html
Sheriff Ronnie Strength announced that Thursday afternoon as he outlined the case against the former deputy. Goad remained in the county jail without bond.
The sheriff said the incident happened last Saturday at 4:30 am during a traffic stop on Battle Row in the Harrisburg area. Strength said Goad stopped a car with four people in it and found a stolen weapon.
The sheriff said Goad handcuffed the suspect and put him in his patrol car. Then Strength says Goad told the supect "I'll make this go away for $200." The sheriff said the suspect had $130 on him, and made a call to a friend, who brought him another $70.
The complaint was filed by the father of a teenage girl who was in the car. The names of the people in the car are not being released and no charges against them are expected.
Deputy Goad had been with the sheriff's office for six years, and on the crime suppression team for three years. That unit is often sent to trouble spots in the city-county. Members work as a team, often saturating areas with several members of the unit to look for criminal activity.
Goad faces charges of extortion and violating his oath of office.
_________________
http://www.wrdw.com/crimeteam12/headlines/63173567.html
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Officer Patrick Phillips Accused of Providing Alcohol to Minors
A Gaffney police officer has been suspended without pay after he was accused of providing alcohol to a minor.
Gaffney Police Chief Rick Turner said that the State Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate the allegations against Officer Patrick Phillips made earlier this week.
The report was filed with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office but the incident allegedly took place in Gaffney, so it was turned over the Gaffney Police Department.
Turner turned the investigation over to SLED after an internal investigation.
Gaffney Police Chief Rick Turner said that the State Law Enforcement Division has been asked to investigate the allegations against Officer Patrick Phillips made earlier this week.
The report was filed with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office but the incident allegedly took place in Gaffney, so it was turned over the Gaffney Police Department.
Turner turned the investigation over to SLED after an internal investigation.
Boston Officer Accuses Another Officer of Rape
A Boston police officer who has accused another officer of raping her, then stalking her, testified today that her alleged attacker squeezed her throat and threatened her life during the assault.
The officer, whose name is being withheld by the Globe because the newspaper does not identify those who say they were sexual assaulted, testified in excruciating detail about the alleged rape before a Dorchester District Court judge as she sought to extend a restraining order against him.
In a soft voice, the petite woman told Judge David Weingarten that she fears the patrolman, a sniper in the department's SWAT team, because he had threatened to shoot her husband and "he has no qualms about killing people."
The accused officer stood only 10 feet away, dressed in a gray pin-stripe suit, his arms folded in front of him. The Globe is withholding his name because he not been officially charged with a crime. He did not testify today.
In the courtroom were at least half a dozen officers from the special operations division, an elite unit that includes the department's SWAT team and motorcycle squad.
During the tense, 90-minute hearing, the female officer repeatedly was asked to speak up as she tried to describe what happened on Aug. 25, when she said she joined her alleged attacker and another officer for a trip to Farmington, Conn. for a shooting competition.
After a night of heavy drinking, the three officers went back to their hotel, where they shared a room.
It was there that the female officer said she was raped.
"He grabbed my throat and squeezed really hard," she said. "I remember thinking I couldn't breathe."
He raped her twice that night, she said, as the other officer lay passed out on the floor.
The next day, she said, he demanded sex again and out of fear for her and her husband's life, she said she acquiesced. She said she was intimidated into having sex with him three more times during the next month.
Last week, after she fainted during a training, she learned she was pregnant, she testified.
On Thursday, she said she was called in by the department's internal affairs division about the incident.
"They came to her," her lawyer, John Swomley said, after the hearing. "She did not go to them."
The officer said a sergeant-detective in the domestic violence division told her not to file a restraining order. A cruiser has been assigned to guard her apartment, Swomley said, but he said he suspects members of the department's internal affairs division have been reporting her whereabouts to the accused officer.
After the hearing, Swomley recanted his statement, saying he misspoke. He said that the sergeant-detective in the domestic violence unit was giving information about his client's actions to the accused officer's lawyer, Thomas Drechsler.
Drechsler said his client has no power over superior officers.
"Sergeant detectives don't usually do what patrol officers tell them to do," he said.
After the hearing, Drechsler, standing next to his client, addressed reporters as the accused officer looked on calmly.
"He has, will and continues to deny the allegations," Drechsler said.
The restraining order was extended to next Monday, when the hearing will be continued.
The officer, whose name is being withheld by the Globe because the newspaper does not identify those who say they were sexual assaulted, testified in excruciating detail about the alleged rape before a Dorchester District Court judge as she sought to extend a restraining order against him.
In a soft voice, the petite woman told Judge David Weingarten that she fears the patrolman, a sniper in the department's SWAT team, because he had threatened to shoot her husband and "he has no qualms about killing people."
The accused officer stood only 10 feet away, dressed in a gray pin-stripe suit, his arms folded in front of him. The Globe is withholding his name because he not been officially charged with a crime. He did not testify today.
In the courtroom were at least half a dozen officers from the special operations division, an elite unit that includes the department's SWAT team and motorcycle squad.
During the tense, 90-minute hearing, the female officer repeatedly was asked to speak up as she tried to describe what happened on Aug. 25, when she said she joined her alleged attacker and another officer for a trip to Farmington, Conn. for a shooting competition.
After a night of heavy drinking, the three officers went back to their hotel, where they shared a room.
It was there that the female officer said she was raped.
"He grabbed my throat and squeezed really hard," she said. "I remember thinking I couldn't breathe."
He raped her twice that night, she said, as the other officer lay passed out on the floor.
The next day, she said, he demanded sex again and out of fear for her and her husband's life, she said she acquiesced. She said she was intimidated into having sex with him three more times during the next month.
Last week, after she fainted during a training, she learned she was pregnant, she testified.
On Thursday, she said she was called in by the department's internal affairs division about the incident.
"They came to her," her lawyer, John Swomley said, after the hearing. "She did not go to them."
The officer said a sergeant-detective in the domestic violence division told her not to file a restraining order. A cruiser has been assigned to guard her apartment, Swomley said, but he said he suspects members of the department's internal affairs division have been reporting her whereabouts to the accused officer.
After the hearing, Swomley recanted his statement, saying he misspoke. He said that the sergeant-detective in the domestic violence unit was giving information about his client's actions to the accused officer's lawyer, Thomas Drechsler.
Drechsler said his client has no power over superior officers.
"Sergeant detectives don't usually do what patrol officers tell them to do," he said.
After the hearing, Drechsler, standing next to his client, addressed reporters as the accused officer looked on calmly.
"He has, will and continues to deny the allegations," Drechsler said.
The restraining order was extended to next Monday, when the hearing will be continued.
Officer Shaun Barrett Arrested for Harassment & Trespassing
A Scappoose police officer with three years on the force was arrested Friday night in Polk County on misdemeanor physical harassment and criminal trespass charges.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Shaun Barrett, 45, at approximately 11:25 p.m. at the Spirit Mountain Casino, according to Scappoose Police Department Chief Doug Greisen.
Barrett had been booked and lodged in the Polk County Jail, and has since posted bail.
Greisen, who learned of the arrest on Saturday while attending a conference with the FBI in Sun River, said Barrett has been placed on paid administrative leave as his department examines details of the case.
Greisen said he will review today the Polk County Sheriff’s Office police report of the incident leading to the arrest, and said an internal affairs investigation would be launched if there is sufficient reason to believe Barrett violated departmental policies.
“We’re taking it very seriously,” Greisen said.
The Polk County sheriff and district attorney offices are pursuing criminal charges against Barrett, and representatives from both agencies said it is policy to not release police reports on pending cases.
Barrett is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Polk County Circuit Court on Oct. 15.
He was not immediately available for comment on this story.
Barrett came to the Scappoose Police Department after working for the Vernonia Police Department, also in Columbia County. He had additionally worked as a law enforcement officer in Columbia City, and held the position of animal control officer for Columbia County.
Greisen said this is the first time he’s ever had a problem with Barrett, and added that he was disappointed when he heard Barrett had been arrested.
“We haven’t had any other issues with him. This is the first,” he said.
Greisen said this is also the first time in his 10 years as chief he has had to place an officer on paid administrative leave.
Barrett was the subject of public criticism while working as the county’s animal control officer for his role in the shooting death of a black bear in the early 2000s that was pursued up a tree within the Scappoose city limits.
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Other Information:
http://www.kptv.com/news/21177657/detail.html
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Shaun Barrett, 45, at approximately 11:25 p.m. at the Spirit Mountain Casino, according to Scappoose Police Department Chief Doug Greisen.
Barrett had been booked and lodged in the Polk County Jail, and has since posted bail.
Greisen, who learned of the arrest on Saturday while attending a conference with the FBI in Sun River, said Barrett has been placed on paid administrative leave as his department examines details of the case.
Greisen said he will review today the Polk County Sheriff’s Office police report of the incident leading to the arrest, and said an internal affairs investigation would be launched if there is sufficient reason to believe Barrett violated departmental policies.
“We’re taking it very seriously,” Greisen said.
The Polk County sheriff and district attorney offices are pursuing criminal charges against Barrett, and representatives from both agencies said it is policy to not release police reports on pending cases.
Barrett is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges in Polk County Circuit Court on Oct. 15.
He was not immediately available for comment on this story.
Barrett came to the Scappoose Police Department after working for the Vernonia Police Department, also in Columbia County. He had additionally worked as a law enforcement officer in Columbia City, and held the position of animal control officer for Columbia County.
Greisen said this is the first time he’s ever had a problem with Barrett, and added that he was disappointed when he heard Barrett had been arrested.
“We haven’t had any other issues with him. This is the first,” he said.
Greisen said this is also the first time in his 10 years as chief he has had to place an officer on paid administrative leave.
Barrett was the subject of public criticism while working as the county’s animal control officer for his role in the shooting death of a black bear in the early 2000s that was pursued up a tree within the Scappoose city limits.
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Other Information:
http://www.kptv.com/news/21177657/detail.html
Officer Robert Colombo Charged with Stealing Drugs from Evidence Room
A former Lyndhurst police office was indicted Thursday on charges of drug possession, tampering with evidence, and theft in office.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said Robert Colombo, 40, stole drugs from an evidence room and replaced them with rock salt.
The evidence was confiscated from a vehicle involved in a crash on May, 19. Lyndhurst officers responded to the scene, found heroin and arrested two people.
They officers returned to the station to book the suspects. At the station, Colombo took the evidence to log it into the evidence room but instead replaced the evidence, investigators said.
Colombo was found the following day at his Summit County home with heroin. BCI conducted the investigation.
The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said Robert Colombo, 40, stole drugs from an evidence room and replaced them with rock salt.
The evidence was confiscated from a vehicle involved in a crash on May, 19. Lyndhurst officers responded to the scene, found heroin and arrested two people.
They officers returned to the station to book the suspects. At the station, Colombo took the evidence to log it into the evidence room but instead replaced the evidence, investigators said.
Colombo was found the following day at his Summit County home with heroin. BCI conducted the investigation.
Travis County Offers $40,000 to Tasered Woman
Travis County has offered a $40,000 settlement to a 72-year-old Texas woman on whom a deputy constable used a Taser after a traffic stop in an incident recorded by a patrol car camera.
Video of the incident has been shown around the world.
Kathryn Winkfein dared the constable to use the Taser and ultimately he did during the traffic stop in May during which the woman became confrontational.
She wants $135,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and humiliation, but Travis County commissioners Tuesday approved $40,000 as their "firm" counteroffer.
The incident is being reviewed by the district attorney's office, and a resisting-arrest charge is pending, said Precinct 3 Constable Richard McCain.
An internal investigation found no violations by the deputy constable, McCain said.
Winkfein's lawyer Tom Tourtellotte said he would discuss the counteroffer with his client.
Video of the incident has been shown around the world.
Kathryn Winkfein dared the constable to use the Taser and ultimately he did during the traffic stop in May during which the woman became confrontational.
She wants $135,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses and humiliation, but Travis County commissioners Tuesday approved $40,000 as their "firm" counteroffer.
The incident is being reviewed by the district attorney's office, and a resisting-arrest charge is pending, said Precinct 3 Constable Richard McCain.
An internal investigation found no violations by the deputy constable, McCain said.
Winkfein's lawyer Tom Tourtellotte said he would discuss the counteroffer with his client.
Lt Stephen Ray Gardner Arrested for Illegally Obtaining Prescription Drugs,
Stephen Ray Gardner, until Monday a lieutenant in the Youngsville Police Department, faces six counts of prohibited acts and false representation after his arrest on Monday by officers with the Louisiana State Police investigative unit.
"I had become aware that someone in our department may have been involved with illegal prescription drugs," said Youngsville Chief of Police Earl Menard. "At that time, I contacted the State Police investigative unit."
Gardner resigned his post as lieutenant at the time of his arrest.
He was arrested in the 300 block of West Main Street in Lafayette on a warrant for obtaining controlled dangerous substances by fraudulant means and was booked at 9 p.m. on Monday at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
"The investigation is still pending, so we are not releasing more information at this time," said Sgt. David Anderson of the State Police. "But we did make an arrest on Monday."
The investigation is ongoing.
"I had become aware that someone in our department may have been involved with illegal prescription drugs," said Youngsville Chief of Police Earl Menard. "At that time, I contacted the State Police investigative unit."
Gardner resigned his post as lieutenant at the time of his arrest.
He was arrested in the 300 block of West Main Street in Lafayette on a warrant for obtaining controlled dangerous substances by fraudulant means and was booked at 9 p.m. on Monday at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.
"The investigation is still pending, so we are not releasing more information at this time," said Sgt. David Anderson of the State Police. "But we did make an arrest on Monday."
The investigation is ongoing.
Capital Police Officer Thomas McMahon Arrested for Passing out Drunk in Woman's Bed
Police arrest a U.S. Capitol Police Officer after a woman came home to find him passed out drunk in her bed.
The woman lives in northern Virginia in the City of Arlington.
Police say 34-year-old Thomas McMahon was still sleeping when officers arrived at the home early Sunday morning. They arrested him and charged him with unlawful entry.
Police don't know why McMahon picked the woman's apartment to sleep in because he lives in Reston which is about 15 miles away.
He's on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The woman lives in northern Virginia in the City of Arlington.
Police say 34-year-old Thomas McMahon was still sleeping when officers arrived at the home early Sunday morning. They arrested him and charged him with unlawful entry.
Police don't know why McMahon picked the woman's apartment to sleep in because he lives in Reston which is about 15 miles away.
He's on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Marion Officer Arrested for Misconduct
A Marion police officer has been arrested relating to the officer's officials conduct as a police officer.
The name of the officer has not been released, but that officer has been place on administrative leave.
The issue was initially referred by the city of Marion to the Illinois State Police.
The Marion Police Department is not commenting on the matter.
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http://www.mariondaily.com/newsnow/x1699607981/MPD-officer-arrested-Wednesday
The name of the officer has not been released, but that officer has been place on administrative leave.
The issue was initially referred by the city of Marion to the Illinois State Police.
The Marion Police Department is not commenting on the matter.
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http://www.mariondaily.com/newsnow/x1699607981/MPD-officer-arrested-Wednesday
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Officer Jennifer Penney Arrested for Drunk Driving
The city's police chief said he is "shocked and saddened" by news that an Alton officer is facing a driving under the influence charge after her arrest last week in Foster Township.
"I've confined her to desk duty until she has her first court appearance," Chief David Hayes of the Alton Police Department said about Officer Jennifer Penney, 36, of Alton. "She is accountable for the choices she has made, and I don't expect treatment any different" from any other person.
"Otherwise, she is a good police officer who has a spotless service record," Hayes said.
Hayes also noted that Penney is "presumed innocent until proven guilty. She will be afforded all of the rights and privileges under a court of law."
Madison County Circuit Court records show Penney's court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Hayes said he ordered the detective division to conduct an independent, internal affairs investigation of the case.
Capt. Brad Wells of the Madison County Sheriff's Department said someone called authorities at 8:30 a.m. Friday to report a "suspicious vehicle occupied by a woman who appeared to be unconscious" in the 1200 block of West Woodfield Drive in the Woodfield subdivision.
The area is just west of Seminary Road and south of Seiler Road.
Wells said a dispatcher sent paramedics from the Fosterburg Fire Protection District to the location, where they found Penney inside a parked, 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck.
"When they arrived, it did not appear to be a medical problem," he said. "She appeared to be under the influence, and the police investigation started. Witnesses who had contact with her said the parked vehicle was running prior to us arriving. It was not running when we arrived."
Wells said the deputy "established enough probable cause" to charge Penney with driving under the influence. He declined to elaborate or say whether the deputy conducted field sobriety tests or whether Penney underwent a test to determine her blood-alcohol content.
The truck Penney was occupying is not owned by the city of Alton, Hayes said.
Penney worked as a jailer for the Police Department from January 2002 until the Alton Civil Service Commission hired her Nov. 18, 2006, as a probationary police officer.
Penney and her then-husband, David, were only the second married couple to both work as police officers at the Alton department. They since have divorced.
Jennifer Penney previously served in the U.S. Army Reserves' 318th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) in Jefferson Barracks in South St. Louis County, Mo.
"I've confined her to desk duty until she has her first court appearance," Chief David Hayes of the Alton Police Department said about Officer Jennifer Penney, 36, of Alton. "She is accountable for the choices she has made, and I don't expect treatment any different" from any other person.
"Otherwise, she is a good police officer who has a spotless service record," Hayes said.
Hayes also noted that Penney is "presumed innocent until proven guilty. She will be afforded all of the rights and privileges under a court of law."
Madison County Circuit Court records show Penney's court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Hayes said he ordered the detective division to conduct an independent, internal affairs investigation of the case.
Capt. Brad Wells of the Madison County Sheriff's Department said someone called authorities at 8:30 a.m. Friday to report a "suspicious vehicle occupied by a woman who appeared to be unconscious" in the 1200 block of West Woodfield Drive in the Woodfield subdivision.
The area is just west of Seminary Road and south of Seiler Road.
Wells said a dispatcher sent paramedics from the Fosterburg Fire Protection District to the location, where they found Penney inside a parked, 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck.
"When they arrived, it did not appear to be a medical problem," he said. "She appeared to be under the influence, and the police investigation started. Witnesses who had contact with her said the parked vehicle was running prior to us arriving. It was not running when we arrived."
Wells said the deputy "established enough probable cause" to charge Penney with driving under the influence. He declined to elaborate or say whether the deputy conducted field sobriety tests or whether Penney underwent a test to determine her blood-alcohol content.
The truck Penney was occupying is not owned by the city of Alton, Hayes said.
Penney worked as a jailer for the Police Department from January 2002 until the Alton Civil Service Commission hired her Nov. 18, 2006, as a probationary police officer.
Penney and her then-husband, David, were only the second married couple to both work as police officers at the Alton department. They since have divorced.
Jennifer Penney previously served in the U.S. Army Reserves' 318th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) in Jefferson Barracks in South St. Louis County, Mo.
Officer Edwing Morales Charged with Firearms Trafficking
A Metro police officer and four others have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of international firearms trafficking.
Federal investigators said Metro Officer Edwing Ronal Morales and the others were charged in a conspiracy to purchase guns to send to two separate drug cartels in Guatemala.
The indictment charges that Julio Cesar Rojas-Lopez recruited Donald Efren Franco, Denis Franco, Luis Armando Monterroso Pineda and Morales to purchase guns from gun dealers in Davidson County.
The men allegedly falsified documents claiming they were purchasing the guns for themselves when the guns were in fact being delivered to the cartels in Guatemala.
Investigators said the defendants purchased 23 firearms and attempted to purchase five more guns, ammunition and falsely stated who the purchasers and recipients would be.
Some of the weapons purchased did end up in Guatemala, said investigators.
"They put them in towed cars, secreted them inside towed vehicles and towed the vehicles across the border. They also put them in secret compartments in the cars," said agent James Cavanaugh of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Authorities said all five men indicted have citizenship in another country but are in the United States legally.
Morales had been assigned to routine patrol in the North precinct. While Morales was an officer, according to Serpas it doesn't appear he used his position in any way to purchase the guns.
"I think (Morales) was stupid to be involved in this criminal enterprise and think he could get away with it," Serpas said.
Morales was fired Sept. 15 from the Metro Nashville Police Department. He had been a police officer trainee since April 1, 2007.
"This community and this police department has no tolerance for anyone involved in this type of behavior," said Serpas.
Authorities would not say how they were tipped off but said they started piecing things together after two of the men were pulled over after leaving a gun shop in Franklin.
As for the former police officer involved, Serpas said sometimes you cannot keep those who uphold the law from breaking it.
"I think in every walk of life, people get through the cracks, people slip through, and somehow secret what their true motivations and true behavior is," said Serpas.
All five of the people involved have turned themselves in to authorities. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. district attorney.
Morales passed a background check and had a clean record before becoming a Metro officer.
Federal investigators said Metro Officer Edwing Ronal Morales and the others were charged in a conspiracy to purchase guns to send to two separate drug cartels in Guatemala.
The indictment charges that Julio Cesar Rojas-Lopez recruited Donald Efren Franco, Denis Franco, Luis Armando Monterroso Pineda and Morales to purchase guns from gun dealers in Davidson County.
The men allegedly falsified documents claiming they were purchasing the guns for themselves when the guns were in fact being delivered to the cartels in Guatemala.
Investigators said the defendants purchased 23 firearms and attempted to purchase five more guns, ammunition and falsely stated who the purchasers and recipients would be.
Some of the weapons purchased did end up in Guatemala, said investigators.
"They put them in towed cars, secreted them inside towed vehicles and towed the vehicles across the border. They also put them in secret compartments in the cars," said agent James Cavanaugh of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Authorities said all five men indicted have citizenship in another country but are in the United States legally.
Morales had been assigned to routine patrol in the North precinct. While Morales was an officer, according to Serpas it doesn't appear he used his position in any way to purchase the guns.
"I think (Morales) was stupid to be involved in this criminal enterprise and think he could get away with it," Serpas said.
Morales was fired Sept. 15 from the Metro Nashville Police Department. He had been a police officer trainee since April 1, 2007.
"This community and this police department has no tolerance for anyone involved in this type of behavior," said Serpas.
Authorities would not say how they were tipped off but said they started piecing things together after two of the men were pulled over after leaving a gun shop in Franklin.
As for the former police officer involved, Serpas said sometimes you cannot keep those who uphold the law from breaking it.
"I think in every walk of life, people get through the cracks, people slip through, and somehow secret what their true motivations and true behavior is," said Serpas.
All five of the people involved have turned themselves in to authorities. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. district attorney.
Morales passed a background check and had a clean record before becoming a Metro officer.
Trial Begins for Chief Deputy Barry Taylor
A chief deputy accused of interfering with a police investigation is on trial.
The trial of Chief Deputy Barry Taylor of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was moved from Lincoln to Cleveland County. A jury picked Monday got special instructions since an officer is the one accused of a crime.
The case is also complicated by the fact that officers are being called to testify against Taylor.
The sergeant at the center of the case was called to testify Monday about the night that he says Taylor stepped in during a driving while impaired investigation. The prosecution says that officer pulled over someone who happened to the boss of the chief deputy’s fiancee or girlfriend.
Prosecutors say the chief deputy interfered in the case and kept the sergeant from executing a breathalyzer test.
The defense argues that Taylor executed his own test with a sensor that is not admissible in court. The prosecution said no one ever saw the reading from that test, while Taylor said it was .07 -- just one-tenth of a point under the legal limit.
If Taylor is convicted, he will lose his position at the sheriff’s office.
The jury is comprised of six men and six women, and it includes a former Gaston County Police Department officer. Although the venue was changed, four of the jurors said they had heard, read or seen TV reports on the charges of felonious obstruction of justice against Taylor.
The trial of Chief Deputy Barry Taylor of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was moved from Lincoln to Cleveland County. A jury picked Monday got special instructions since an officer is the one accused of a crime.
The case is also complicated by the fact that officers are being called to testify against Taylor.
The sergeant at the center of the case was called to testify Monday about the night that he says Taylor stepped in during a driving while impaired investigation. The prosecution says that officer pulled over someone who happened to the boss of the chief deputy’s fiancee or girlfriend.
Prosecutors say the chief deputy interfered in the case and kept the sergeant from executing a breathalyzer test.
The defense argues that Taylor executed his own test with a sensor that is not admissible in court. The prosecution said no one ever saw the reading from that test, while Taylor said it was .07 -- just one-tenth of a point under the legal limit.
If Taylor is convicted, he will lose his position at the sheriff’s office.
The jury is comprised of six men and six women, and it includes a former Gaston County Police Department officer. Although the venue was changed, four of the jurors said they had heard, read or seen TV reports on the charges of felonious obstruction of justice against Taylor.
Officer Stevie Perry Accused Stealing Reward Money
A Detroit Police Officer accused of stealing more than $26,000 in reward money from a police tip line stood silently in 16th District Court in Livonia this morning as a judge ordered his case to circuit court.
Officer Stevie Perry, 39, of Detroit, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, said before the 9:30 a.m. hearing he did not want to talk about the case. He faces five felony charges, the most serious of which -- uttering and publishing -- includes a possible 14-year prison sentence for a conviction.
"Any and all issues will be tried in court," his lawyer, Paul Bernier of Royal Oak, a retired Wayne County assistant prosecutor, said after the three-minute hearing in front of Judge Sean P. Kavanagh. Bernier waived the preliminary examination and Perry was again released on a personal bond pending a hearing in two weeks in Third Circuit Court in Detroit.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Perry deposited reward checks from an auto-theft tip line into his personal bank account between June 2007 and November 2008.
Perry is charged with uttering and publishing; using a computer to commit a crime; identity theft; committing a crime under false pretenses, and misconduct in office. Assigned to investigate auto thefts for the past five years, Perry has been suspended without pay since March.
After the charges were announced against Perry in July, the Detroit Police Officers Association went to court in an attempt to fight the release of Perry’s booking photo to the Free Press. The union claimed the photo was part of Perry’s personnel file and that a collective-bargaining agreement prevented the city from releasing it.
The Michigan Court of Appeals, however, disagreed and ordered the city to release the image.
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http://www.detnews.com/article/20090929/METRO01/909290391/1409/METRO
Officer Stevie Perry, 39, of Detroit, a 14-year law enforcement veteran, said before the 9:30 a.m. hearing he did not want to talk about the case. He faces five felony charges, the most serious of which -- uttering and publishing -- includes a possible 14-year prison sentence for a conviction.
"Any and all issues will be tried in court," his lawyer, Paul Bernier of Royal Oak, a retired Wayne County assistant prosecutor, said after the three-minute hearing in front of Judge Sean P. Kavanagh. Bernier waived the preliminary examination and Perry was again released on a personal bond pending a hearing in two weeks in Third Circuit Court in Detroit.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Perry deposited reward checks from an auto-theft tip line into his personal bank account between June 2007 and November 2008.
Perry is charged with uttering and publishing; using a computer to commit a crime; identity theft; committing a crime under false pretenses, and misconduct in office. Assigned to investigate auto thefts for the past five years, Perry has been suspended without pay since March.
After the charges were announced against Perry in July, the Detroit Police Officers Association went to court in an attempt to fight the release of Perry’s booking photo to the Free Press. The union claimed the photo was part of Perry’s personnel file and that a collective-bargaining agreement prevented the city from releasing it.
The Michigan Court of Appeals, however, disagreed and ordered the city to release the image.
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http://www.detnews.com/article/20090929/METRO01/909290391/1409/METRO
Monday, September 28, 2009
Officer Ray Roberts Suspended for Making Illegal Arrest
A Murfreesboro Police officer faces 10 days suspension and one year of disciplinary probation after a lengthy investigation by MPD internal affairs into an arrest made by him in November 2008.
Officer Ray Roberts made an illegal arrest of a local Murfreesboro man, Anthony Defeo, on Nov. 30, 2008, for driving without a license, according to investigative reports filed by MPD Sgt. Harry Haigh and Capt. Anita Flagg.
The arrest was for a misdemeanor that happened out of Robert’s presence and was therefor determined to be illegal by several police department investigators over the course of the 6-month-long investigation into the incident.
Capt. Michael Bowen initially proposed Ray be suspended for one month for the infraction, but a document signed by Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman and Maj. David Hudgens in May 2009 contained a recommendation that Roberts be terminated from the department for lying during the internal investigation into the matter.
But after an appeals process concluded this week, the proposed firing was reduced to suspension and probation by City Manager Rob Lyons. It was found that Roberts did not lie during the investigation into the matter.
“I find that you exceeded your authority when you made a custodial arrest of Mr. Defeo for a misdemeanor not committed in your presence,” Lyons said, adding that Tennessee law is clear on when arrests are appropriate.
Lyons wrote in a report filed Thursday that Roberts was also investigated for suspicion of violating a general order stating that officers should deal truthfully and honorably with others. It was found he did not violate that order.
“The proposed increase in discipline recommended by Captain Bowen and Major Hudgens centered upon their belief that you were not truthful,” Lyons wrote in Robert’s letter of disciplinary action. “It is apparent that due to your strong headed nature, your failure to accept criticism and advice and the manner in which you sequenced your investigation, you created doubt ... about your truthfulness.”
Lyons goes on to tell Roberts that, even though he did not lie, he will have to regain the confidence of his superiors at the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Officer Ray Roberts made an illegal arrest of a local Murfreesboro man, Anthony Defeo, on Nov. 30, 2008, for driving without a license, according to investigative reports filed by MPD Sgt. Harry Haigh and Capt. Anita Flagg.
The arrest was for a misdemeanor that happened out of Robert’s presence and was therefor determined to be illegal by several police department investigators over the course of the 6-month-long investigation into the incident.
Capt. Michael Bowen initially proposed Ray be suspended for one month for the infraction, but a document signed by Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman and Maj. David Hudgens in May 2009 contained a recommendation that Roberts be terminated from the department for lying during the internal investigation into the matter.
But after an appeals process concluded this week, the proposed firing was reduced to suspension and probation by City Manager Rob Lyons. It was found that Roberts did not lie during the investigation into the matter.
“I find that you exceeded your authority when you made a custodial arrest of Mr. Defeo for a misdemeanor not committed in your presence,” Lyons said, adding that Tennessee law is clear on when arrests are appropriate.
Lyons wrote in a report filed Thursday that Roberts was also investigated for suspicion of violating a general order stating that officers should deal truthfully and honorably with others. It was found he did not violate that order.
“The proposed increase in discipline recommended by Captain Bowen and Major Hudgens centered upon their belief that you were not truthful,” Lyons wrote in Robert’s letter of disciplinary action. “It is apparent that due to your strong headed nature, your failure to accept criticism and advice and the manner in which you sequenced your investigation, you created doubt ... about your truthfulness.”
Lyons goes on to tell Roberts that, even though he did not lie, he will have to regain the confidence of his superiors at the Murfreesboro Police Department.
Officer Joseph Rios Charged with Aggravated Assault
The Passaic County Prosecutor's Office has charged police officer Joseph Rios with third-degree aggravated assault and second-degree official misconduct.
Last May, Rios was allegedly captured on surveillance video beating a mental patient with his baton, sparking allegations of police brutality.
Ronnie Holloway was arrested after the incident. He insists he did not provoke the beating. Four months after the 50-year-old schizophrenia patient was allegedly beaten, an incident that community activists called unprovoked police brutality, the Passaic County prosecutor filed the charges.
Surveillence video shows the beating, which took place outside of Lawrence's Restaurant on Main street in Passaic on May 29th. In the video, Rios' patrol car pulls up, a female officer gets out and orders Holloway to zip his jacket. Moments later, Rios gets out, approaches Holloway and appears to strike him several times with his fists and baton.
Holloway appears not to resist or fight back. He's knocked to the grorund, picked up and slammed onto the police cruiser. He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and approaching a location to buy drugs. Holloway, who takes medication and had never been arrested, suffered a black eye and bruised ribs.
Rios has been suspended without pay from Passaic's police force. His attorney says evidence will eventually prove that Rios did nothing wrong.
Last May, Rios was allegedly captured on surveillance video beating a mental patient with his baton, sparking allegations of police brutality.
Ronnie Holloway was arrested after the incident. He insists he did not provoke the beating. Four months after the 50-year-old schizophrenia patient was allegedly beaten, an incident that community activists called unprovoked police brutality, the Passaic County prosecutor filed the charges.
Surveillence video shows the beating, which took place outside of Lawrence's Restaurant on Main street in Passaic on May 29th. In the video, Rios' patrol car pulls up, a female officer gets out and orders Holloway to zip his jacket. Moments later, Rios gets out, approaches Holloway and appears to strike him several times with his fists and baton.
Holloway appears not to resist or fight back. He's knocked to the grorund, picked up and slammed onto the police cruiser. He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and approaching a location to buy drugs. Holloway, who takes medication and had never been arrested, suffered a black eye and bruised ribs.
Rios has been suspended without pay from Passaic's police force. His attorney says evidence will eventually prove that Rios did nothing wrong.
Officer Jevon Adkins Sprays House with Bullets
An off-duty police officer with a rural Mississippi town opens fire on a home in Hardeman County early Sunday morning.
Investigators say Officer Jevon Adkins was drunk when he sprayed a house on Mecklinburg Drive with bullets, thinking his girlfriend was inside.
But it wasn't even his girlfriend's house. It belongs to an older couple, who was home at the time, asleep in a back bedroom.
The homeowner didn't want to be identified. She tells us one bullet hit the ceiling of their carport, another lodged next to the garage door. A third flew through a living room window and landed inside their TV.
Hardeman County Deputies say the man standing in her yard firing his .40 calibur weapon was an off-duty Byhalia Police Officer.
"I think it's awful," said Bolivar resident Sandra Brown.
She was stunned to find out Adkins' intended target was his girlfriend's home next door and that he'd aimed his gun at the wrong house.
"He could've killed somebody," she said.
The report states Adkins fired his weapon at least 7 times. The victim told deputies while shooting, he was calling out for someone named "Lela."
No one answered when we knocked at that house.
But according to the report, the address was somewhat familiar to dispatchers. Shortly after arriving on the scene deputies were on the phone with the Byhalia Police Department, asking about Officer Adkins whereabouts.
When they discovered it was his day off, they immediately put out an alert on him and his silver Toyota. But it turns out they didn't need to.
A couple of hours after the incident, Adkins he returned to the scene of the crime. We're told he was intoxicated. Deputies cuffed him, ending what could've been a deadly situation.
He's locked up at the Hardeman County jail, charged with Aggravated Assault.
Investigators say Officer Jevon Adkins was drunk when he sprayed a house on Mecklinburg Drive with bullets, thinking his girlfriend was inside.
But it wasn't even his girlfriend's house. It belongs to an older couple, who was home at the time, asleep in a back bedroom.
The homeowner didn't want to be identified. She tells us one bullet hit the ceiling of their carport, another lodged next to the garage door. A third flew through a living room window and landed inside their TV.
Hardeman County Deputies say the man standing in her yard firing his .40 calibur weapon was an off-duty Byhalia Police Officer.
"I think it's awful," said Bolivar resident Sandra Brown.
She was stunned to find out Adkins' intended target was his girlfriend's home next door and that he'd aimed his gun at the wrong house.
"He could've killed somebody," she said.
The report states Adkins fired his weapon at least 7 times. The victim told deputies while shooting, he was calling out for someone named "Lela."
No one answered when we knocked at that house.
But according to the report, the address was somewhat familiar to dispatchers. Shortly after arriving on the scene deputies were on the phone with the Byhalia Police Department, asking about Officer Adkins whereabouts.
When they discovered it was his day off, they immediately put out an alert on him and his silver Toyota. But it turns out they didn't need to.
A couple of hours after the incident, Adkins he returned to the scene of the crime. We're told he was intoxicated. Deputies cuffed him, ending what could've been a deadly situation.
He's locked up at the Hardeman County jail, charged with Aggravated Assault.
Officer James Wade Charged with Falsifying Timesheets
A Bayonne police officer and second man surrendered to the Hudson County Sheriff's Office this morning on charges they falsified their timesheets while working as security guards at Global Terminal containerport on the Jersey City/Bayonne border, officials said.
Police Officer James Wade, 33, of Columbus Drive in Bayonne, and Steven Hogan, 53, of Maywood, then made their first appearance on the charge of theft by deception in Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City this afternoon.
Bayonne Police Chief Robert Kubert was shocked at the charge against Wade.
"I'd be surprised if it turns out to be a fact because he's one of my best officers, but we will see what happened down the road," Kubert told The Jersey Journal. "I'd be quite surprised if anything came out of it."
Waterfront Commission Executive Director Walter Arenault said both men were employed as port watchmen by the commission through a private security firm.
Both are charged with falsifying their timesheets to show they worked more hours than they actually did, and thereby being paid more money than they should have, officials said.
Eleven people have already been charged in the same investigation, which began more than a year ago and led to a warrant being signed this morning for the arrest of Hogan and Wade, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Karyn Pizzelanti.
Wade is the only police officer charged, she said.
The others charged have all entered into pre-trial intervention and if they comply with the terms of PTI, the charges against them will be removed from their record.
Arenault said the continuing investigation led to the charges against Hogan and Wade and he also said charges against additional people are possible.
Wade was not representing the Bayonne Police Department in any way at the time of the alleged crime, officials said.
Wade has been placed on desk duty following his surrender this morning and he will remain in the status pending a review of the charges by Bayonne police, Kubert said.
At today's hearing, CJP Judge Richard Nieto set bail for Wade and Hogan at $20,000 cash or bond for each and he then ordered them remanded to the Hudson County jail in Kearny.
Cpl Donald Bailey Arrested for Taking Money for Favors
A veteran Baton Rouge police officer arrested Monday evening by Louisiana State Police for allegedly accepting cash from an inmate to get the jailed man's charges dismissed and his parole hold lifted bonded out of jail early Tuesday morning.
East Baton Rouge Parish jail officials said Cpl. Donald Bailey, 49, was released on a $10,000 bond around 2 a.m.
Bailey was charged with malfeasance in office and corrupt influencing. Investigators said they found out Bailey extorted money from the inmate and set up an operation to catch him in the act.
Troopers recorded a telephone call between Bailey and the inmate. During the call, the inmate told Bailey he needed help getting out of the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a cocaine possession charge and a parole hold. According to state police, Bailey told the inmate he would help him in exchange for $12,000.
The officer allegedly then contacted the district attorney's office and the parole office to make the requests. The agencies allowed the requests to happen and once the inmate was out of jail, a meeting was arranged between the inmate and Bailey. Investigators reported Bailey accepted $1,400 in cash. He was then arrested and booked into the parish prison.
Bailey is a 14-year veteran of the department and was the coordinator of the Targeted Violent Offender Program. Bailey was placed on administrative leave "pending a legally mandated pre-termination hearing," the department said in a statement late Monday evening.
"To say I'm disappointed would be a major understatement," Police Chief Jeff LeDuff said. "It hurts me personally and it hurts all of us professionally, anytime an officer violates the public trust."
LeDuff said he asked Louisiana State Police to conduct an independent investigation after first hearing of allegations against the corporal earlier this month.
"Allegations of corruption are taken very seriously and need to be investigated immediately," LeDuff said. "Many times we conduct those inquiries in-house. But in this case, Bailey was assigned to the Criminal Investigations Bureau, and we wanted to be certain we could maintain the integrity of the investigation, so we requested the assistance of Louisiana State Police."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Deputy Colin Teem Arrested for Theft
A deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave after being charged with theft, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.
Polk County investigators said Deputy Colin Teem refused to admit he found and pocketed $60 off a floor at the Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday night.
A short time later, the man who lost the money notified security, authorities said. Surveillance cameras at the casino clearly showed the victim losing his money and Teem picking it up, said Polk County authorities.
After security officers found Teem and his wife inside the casino, Teem denied finding the money and refused to tell them his name, according to officials.
Teem was arrested Saturday and placed on leave Sunday, said Sheriff Dennis Dotson in a news release. He has been charged with second-degree theft -- theft of lost, mislaid property, which is a misdemeanor, Dotson said. Teem's wife was also arrested on charges of receiving stolen property.
Polk County residents said they find it troubling that a deputy allegedly risked his law enforcement career over $60.
"For $60, what an idiot, especially when you're in a casino," said Cathleen Hogan, who lives in the area. "Didn't he watch 'Ocean's 11?' He should know there's cameras everywhere."
The alleged theft could cost Teem his position with the sheriff's office. Dotson said no further action will be taken until his office has reviewed a report from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Teem has worked for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office since May 2006.
Deputy Accused Of Theft At Casino
Polk County investigators said Deputy Colin Teem refused to admit he found and pocketed $60 off a floor at the Spirit Mountain Casino on Saturday night.
A short time later, the man who lost the money notified security, authorities said. Surveillance cameras at the casino clearly showed the victim losing his money and Teem picking it up, said Polk County authorities.
After security officers found Teem and his wife inside the casino, Teem denied finding the money and refused to tell them his name, according to officials.
Teem was arrested Saturday and placed on leave Sunday, said Sheriff Dennis Dotson in a news release. He has been charged with second-degree theft -- theft of lost, mislaid property, which is a misdemeanor, Dotson said. Teem's wife was also arrested on charges of receiving stolen property.
Polk County residents said they find it troubling that a deputy allegedly risked his law enforcement career over $60.
"For $60, what an idiot, especially when you're in a casino," said Cathleen Hogan, who lives in the area. "Didn't he watch 'Ocean's 11?' He should know there's cameras everywhere."
The alleged theft could cost Teem his position with the sheriff's office. Dotson said no further action will be taken until his office has reviewed a report from the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
Teem has worked for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office since May 2006.
Deputy Accused Of Theft At Casino
Former Officer Ryan Jackson Accused of Inappropriate Contact with Juvenile
A former Shreveport police corporal is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a female juvenile while working an off-duty security job.
Ryan Jackson, 30, of the 4100 block of Pines Road in Shreveport, was booked into Caddo Correctional Center at 5:10 p.m. Friday after being indicted on one count of molestation of a juvenile. He was there Friday evening on a $75,184 bond, according to online booking records, which later did not list him as being at Caddo Correctional.
Jackson was employed by the Shreveport Police Department at the time of the incident, which was reported April 21, according to news releases from the Police Department and City of Shreveport.
He was placed on paid administrative leave April 28 then fired June 24, as a result of internal and criminal investigations, for violating departmental policies, the releases state.
“When an officer conducts himself in such a manner as to bring disrepute to the badge we are entrusted to wear, it is disappointing and disconcerting,” Police Chief Henry Whitehorn says in one of the statements released after 5 p.m. Friday. “I hold each of my officers to a high standard, and I will simply not tolerate misconduct.”
The case was handed over to the Caddo district attorney’s office, which brought it before a grand jury. That panel returned a secret indictment against Johnson, a seven-year member of the department, the city’s release states.
The date the indictment was handed up was not immediately known Friday by representatives of the Police Department and city. An after-hours phone call to the district attorney’s office was not answered.
Mayor Cedric Glover was “repulsed, disgusted and appalled by the charge” and commended Whitehorn for his swift action in the matter, according to the city’s release.
If convicted as charged, Jackson could face one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
The law also includes a provision for more jail time if a juvenile is molested by someone who has control or supervision over the juvenile. The provision increases the possible penalty to up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
And if the juvenile is younger than age 13, Jackson could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.
Ryan Jackson, 30, of the 4100 block of Pines Road in Shreveport, was booked into Caddo Correctional Center at 5:10 p.m. Friday after being indicted on one count of molestation of a juvenile. He was there Friday evening on a $75,184 bond, according to online booking records, which later did not list him as being at Caddo Correctional.
Jackson was employed by the Shreveport Police Department at the time of the incident, which was reported April 21, according to news releases from the Police Department and City of Shreveport.
He was placed on paid administrative leave April 28 then fired June 24, as a result of internal and criminal investigations, for violating departmental policies, the releases state.
“When an officer conducts himself in such a manner as to bring disrepute to the badge we are entrusted to wear, it is disappointing and disconcerting,” Police Chief Henry Whitehorn says in one of the statements released after 5 p.m. Friday. “I hold each of my officers to a high standard, and I will simply not tolerate misconduct.”
The case was handed over to the Caddo district attorney’s office, which brought it before a grand jury. That panel returned a secret indictment against Johnson, a seven-year member of the department, the city’s release states.
The date the indictment was handed up was not immediately known Friday by representatives of the Police Department and city. An after-hours phone call to the district attorney’s office was not answered.
Mayor Cedric Glover was “repulsed, disgusted and appalled by the charge” and commended Whitehorn for his swift action in the matter, according to the city’s release.
If convicted as charged, Jackson could face one to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
The law also includes a provision for more jail time if a juvenile is molested by someone who has control or supervision over the juvenile. The provision increases the possible penalty to up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
And if the juvenile is younger than age 13, Jackson could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.
Officer Antonio White Charged with Rape, Incest & Other Sex Charges
Macon police say an officer has been placed on administrative leave after he was arrested on multiple sex charges in Houston County.
Police said in a statement released Friday that 33-year-old Antonio J. White of Warner Robins is charged with rape, incest, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, statutory rape, cruelty to children and child molestation.
Sheriff's deputies arrested White around 6:40 p.m. Thursday. He was being held Friday at the Houston County jail without bond.
Houston County arrest warrants allege that the crimes occurred between April 19, 2006 and Sept. 2, 2009.
White's lawyer, Clarence Williams, says the allegations are untrue.
White was hired as a Macon police officer in September 2007.
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Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Police said in a statement released Friday that 33-year-old Antonio J. White of Warner Robins is charged with rape, incest, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, statutory rape, cruelty to children and child molestation.
Sheriff's deputies arrested White around 6:40 p.m. Thursday. He was being held Friday at the Houston County jail without bond.
Houston County arrest warrants allege that the crimes occurred between April 19, 2006 and Sept. 2, 2009.
White's lawyer, Clarence Williams, says the allegations are untrue.
White was hired as a Macon police officer in September 2007.
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Information from: The Macon Telegraph, http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Other Information: http://www.13wmaz.com/news/breaking/story.aspx?storyid=69561&catid=4
Chief Ellis Casper Arrested for Drunk Driving
The chief of police in Bayfield was arrested and charged last week for first-offense drunk driving near Merrill, Wisconsin.
The State Patrol noticed Ellis Casper's vehicle going north in the southbound lane of Highway 51 in Lincoln County.
Casper, 60, was arrested about 9 p.m. on Sept. 18. A preliminary breath test indicated his blood-alcohol content was 0.14 percent.
Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald says Casper called him the next day. The city council is considering a possible reprimand.
"We are examining the situation very closely. The city attorney is looking at the issue, and we'll be addressing it at an upcoming Bayfield City Council meeting," Mayor MacDonald said over the phone on Friday.
The mayor also said Casper was not on city business nor was he in a city vehicle at the time of the arrest. Casper has been the chief for about 10 years.
A first offense DWI in Wisconsin is essentially a traffic ticket, and Casper, if convicted, will be subject to a fine.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-policechiefarrest,0,505031.story
The State Patrol noticed Ellis Casper's vehicle going north in the southbound lane of Highway 51 in Lincoln County.
Casper, 60, was arrested about 9 p.m. on Sept. 18. A preliminary breath test indicated his blood-alcohol content was 0.14 percent.
Bayfield Mayor Larry MacDonald says Casper called him the next day. The city council is considering a possible reprimand.
"We are examining the situation very closely. The city attorney is looking at the issue, and we'll be addressing it at an upcoming Bayfield City Council meeting," Mayor MacDonald said over the phone on Friday.
The mayor also said Casper was not on city business nor was he in a city vehicle at the time of the arrest. Casper has been the chief for about 10 years.
A first offense DWI in Wisconsin is essentially a traffic ticket, and Casper, if convicted, will be subject to a fine.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-policechiefarrest,0,505031.story
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Officer Lourdes Smith Arrested on 2 Misdemeanor Charges
A Metro police officer has been arrested by Henderson police.
Lourdes Smith, 36, was arrested Tuesday on two misdemeanor charges. She has been employed by Metro police for over eight years.
Metro police said they became aware of the HPD investigation on Sept. 17 and are conducting an independent internal investigation into the incident.
Smith was assigned to the patrol division, South Central Area Command. She has been reassigned to administrative duties within that area command, with no public contact, pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.
Metro said as with all internal affairs investigations, no information will be released until the investigation is concluded.
Lourdes Smith, 36, was arrested Tuesday on two misdemeanor charges. She has been employed by Metro police for over eight years.
Metro police said they became aware of the HPD investigation on Sept. 17 and are conducting an independent internal investigation into the incident.
Smith was assigned to the patrol division, South Central Area Command. She has been reassigned to administrative duties within that area command, with no public contact, pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.
Metro said as with all internal affairs investigations, no information will be released until the investigation is concluded.
Portland Officers Being Sued for Excessive Force
A police officer, whose shooting of a Portland man two years ago cost the city a half million dollars, was in court again Friday on claims he and several other officers used excessive force.
Officer Leo Besner was among the officers who responded to a report of a fight downtown two years ago during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Three men, Alex Clay, Richard Booth, and Harold Hammick, said the officers’ actions toward them were excessive and too aggressive. They are suing the city for $300,000.
Hammick said Besner punched him in the groin and used a knife to cut the seat belts he was wearing while he sat in a vehicle.
All three said they were detained too long and for no reason. None of the three was arrested.
A witness to the incident that took place in a parking garage, Adam Ganer, agreed with the plaintiffs.
“All of a sudden we see the police with all their guns drawn, you know, shouting. The three plaintiff’s were just shouting, ‘please just tell us what we did wrong,’” he said. There was “no resisting, no anger, no questioning. They were terrified.”
Greg Kafoury, the attorney for Hammick, said when his client told Besner he had a concealed weapon permit and was carrying a gun, the officers overreacted because of race.
“The officers’ story is built on the ugliest of stereotypes,” he said. “Young, black men, confrontational, belligerent, loud, pushy, aggressive, got a chip on their shoulder, looking for trouble.”
City attorney Bill Manlove argued the police were just doing their job.
“Officer Besner had to do that investigation to find out if in fact the gun was lawfully possessed by Mr. Hammick,” he said.
Besner’s history includes shooting 30-year-old Raymond Gwerder two years ago.
Gwerder was suicidal and had threatened to shoot police if they came inside his house.
He was shot outside the house while on the phone with a police negotiator, ending a 90-minute standoff.
In that case, Besner said he saw Gwerder appear to aim his gun as if he was “hunting” for something to shoot.
Ultimately, the city of Portland agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to Gwerder’s family.
The jury is currently deliberating the current suit against Besner.
Officer Leo Besner was among the officers who responded to a report of a fight downtown two years ago during a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Three men, Alex Clay, Richard Booth, and Harold Hammick, said the officers’ actions toward them were excessive and too aggressive. They are suing the city for $300,000.
Hammick said Besner punched him in the groin and used a knife to cut the seat belts he was wearing while he sat in a vehicle.
All three said they were detained too long and for no reason. None of the three was arrested.
A witness to the incident that took place in a parking garage, Adam Ganer, agreed with the plaintiffs.
“All of a sudden we see the police with all their guns drawn, you know, shouting. The three plaintiff’s were just shouting, ‘please just tell us what we did wrong,’” he said. There was “no resisting, no anger, no questioning. They were terrified.”
Greg Kafoury, the attorney for Hammick, said when his client told Besner he had a concealed weapon permit and was carrying a gun, the officers overreacted because of race.
“The officers’ story is built on the ugliest of stereotypes,” he said. “Young, black men, confrontational, belligerent, loud, pushy, aggressive, got a chip on their shoulder, looking for trouble.”
City attorney Bill Manlove argued the police were just doing their job.
“Officer Besner had to do that investigation to find out if in fact the gun was lawfully possessed by Mr. Hammick,” he said.
Besner’s history includes shooting 30-year-old Raymond Gwerder two years ago.
Gwerder was suicidal and had threatened to shoot police if they came inside his house.
He was shot outside the house while on the phone with a police negotiator, ending a 90-minute standoff.
In that case, Besner said he saw Gwerder appear to aim his gun as if he was “hunting” for something to shoot.
Ultimately, the city of Portland agreed to pay a $500,000 settlement to Gwerder’s family.
The jury is currently deliberating the current suit against Besner.
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