Former Houston officer sentenced to 6 years jail for coercing prostitute into sex

A former Houston police officer was convicted, then sentenced to 6 years imprisonment for raping two prostitutes while on duty. 26 year old Demetrie Trevail Dixon, 26 was convicted by a Harris county jury on two counts of sex assault Tuesday, May 3, 2011. The conviction stems from charges that two prostitutes had been coerced into performing oral sex by Dixon while he was on duty.

Dixon was sworn in as an HPD officer in January 2009. He was arrested June 4 and terminated after an internal investigation Jan. 7 [2011].The north Houston division patrol officer was charged last year with four felony counts of sexual assault and two misdemeanor counts of official oppression.

Internal affairs investigators said Dixon stalked several women while on duty then took them to a secluded area to strip-search them. Prosecutors said he raped two of the women twice over a three-month period. After more than a week of trial and about two hours of deliberating, Dixon was sentenced for raping one of the women twice.

While Harris County Prosecutor Prosecutor Matthew Peneguy asked for the maximum of 20 years behind bars for "using the badge to coerce" sex, Dixon's defense attorney said "We don't need to warehouse this guy, he needs help," but the jury disagreed.

Dixon sill faces sexual assault charges for raping the other prostitute, and faces two misdemeanor allegations that he forced two other women, one of them an undercover police officer, to submit to strip searches under threat of jail. 

Lawrence, MA police officer sent away for 10-12 years for raping mother of two on duty

A former Lawrence, MA police officer was sentenced to 10-12 years imprisonment for raping a young mother of two who was drunkenly celebrating her 24th birthday. Sentencing took place on February 3, 2011 in Newburyport District Court by Judge Richard Welch.

Kevin Sledge Sr, 48, of Salem, NH, was also ordered to stay away from the victim, her family and her friend Regina Perry, undergo sex offender treatment, register as a sex offender, and serve 5 years of probation after leaving prison. Judge Welch said that while Sledge's family said that he was a supportive father and nephew, he was "a man who committed rape and indecent assault and battery," taking advantage of a woman who "was drunk as can be." The official charges a jury convicted Sledge of were three counts of indecent assault and battery and a single rape count.

He said he was trying to help the victim, who told him she was stranded and abandoned in downtown Lawrence that night. He said she asked him for a ride home to Nashua, N.H. He told her he could drive her to the police station.

When she refused to go into the police station lobby and wait for Perry there, Sledge said he allowed the woman to wait in his car parked out back. The victim says after she was picked up by Sledge, he drove her to the police station where he was on duty. She said he returned to his car several times to rape and assault her.

Sledge, a police officer for 17 years, raped and repeatedly assaulted the woman in his personal car, a silver Jaguar he parked behind the police station on Sept. 26, 2008. Sledge was assigned to the booking room and repeatedly left his post to go to his car to rape and fondle the woman. When arrested, he was immediately suspended from the department and stripped of his paycheck once indicted.

The trial was Sledge's second trial - the first trial ended in a mistrial. Prosecutor Kate MacDougall asked for a 12-15 years sentencing, citing the "sacred trust" Sledge violated and that he used his police officer status to facilitate "disgraceful and shameful behavior." MacDougall read a victim impact statement from the victim. The statement said that the attack affected her parenting ability. Her son missed school because she was too scared to walk his to school. She eventually sucummbed to depression, and was evicted from her apartment and ended up with her children in homeless shelters. 

"Every time, I (saw) a silver car, I put my head down and my heart would pound hoping it wasn't him," "Never would I have thought trusting a police officer was gonna end in a disaster," she said. "I thought I had no chance going up against a cop, but I did it anyways."

Defense attorney John Morris asked Welch to impose a 3- to 5-year prison sentence, pointing to the many letters of support Sledge's extended family had written on his behalf to Welch. Morris read a letter in court from Kevin Sledge Jr., Sledge's 21-year-old son, who is a sophomore in college. Sledge Jr. described his father as his best friend and a person who loves him unconditionally. He also said he was disappointed by his dad's choices. "I cannot imagine what my life would be like without him. He taught me to be a hard worker ... to never quit," Sledge Jr. wrote. "I am proud to call him my dad."

Morris also said Sledge suffers from congestive heart failure, a condition he was diagnosed with in August. In addition to heart valve and blood flow problems, Sledge also has a herniated disk in his back and nerve damage that resulted from a cruiser accident he was involved in as a police officer, Morris said.

Judge Welsh told the victim, "You displayed remarkable courage when you testified...Hopefully you can build on that." Shawn Sledge, 40, the perpetrator's nephew, said "[The sentence is] somewhat harsh ... I do understand the judge's comments that he was a police officer and a protector of the law. I understand the decision he made, even though I don't think it's the right one."

Suburban St. Louis police officer sentenced to 25 years for forcing women into sex acts

A former Uplands Park, MO police officer was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for raping and robbing prostitutes. One attack occurred at his own police station. 32 year old Leon Pullen of Foley, MO was sentenced in a St. Louis federal court Friday, January 28 to the 300 month sentence after pleading guilty to nine federal felonies.

These felonies included conspiracy, deprivation of civil rights, witness tampering, and lying to the FBI. Federal prosecutors dropped ten other charges after Pullen pled guilty July 28, 2010. Pullen faced a sentence of 18 1/2 to 25 years of federal confinement.

Pullen's MO was to respond to online escort ads, then after the women responded, he would identify himself as a police officer, pull out his gun, then force the victims to perform sex acts on him. Two of the victims were forced into sex at gunpoint. Pullen was arrested by the FBI on Saturday, September 19, 2009.

The affidavit goes on to say that Pullen called the woman, said his name was "Jimmy," and agreed to pay $400 for a sexual act and that he had her and another woman meet him in Uplands Park on July 15, 2009.

At the meeting, the affidavit said, Pullen rubbed himself against one woman and told her that she had two choices: to give him all her money or get naked, LaCombe wrote. Another officer was present, [FBI special agent Greg]LaCombe wrote, but that officer is not named in the complaint.

Pullen then ordered her and the other woman back in their car and told them to follow him to the police station, where he took the victim to an office in the rear of the station, forced her to undress and then forcibly performed oral sex on her.

The woman, afraid that Pullen would call in the other officer to have sex with her, tried to end the attack by offering to meet Pullen later, LaCombe wrote. Pullen gave her his contact information, and then she left, later calling the FBI.

The victim of that encounter, identified as D.S., gave a victim impact statement and said the sexual assault left her with PTSD and a back injury. "I've always considered myself a very strong woman until that day," she said. The attack had also affected her ability to parent her four children.

Judge Rodney Sippel gave Pullen the 25 year sentence, stating "[People] trust law enforcement to make sure they're safe," Sippel said. "For law enforcement to turn on them and take from them that sense of safety . . . it's hard to comprehend." Pullen was also ordered to pay thousands of dollars in restitution, with the exact amount being disputed.

The second officer in the federal complaint, Justin Biancardi, plead guilty in St. Louis federal court Monday, January 10, 2011 to shaking down over a dozen prostitutes for money. Biancardi, who cooperated with the feds, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced April 13.

Suburban Toronto police officer charged with physical, sexual assault on "husband"

A female police officer assigined to Burlington, ON, has been charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement, and 3 counts of assault after a man, believed to be her common-law husband, filed charges against her. According to a spokeman, the charges cover incidents lasting from February to November 2009. Halton Region Constable Melanie Fedun, 32, will have her first court appearance April 23, and is suspended with pay.

Ex-officer sentenced to 10-12 years for rape

On February 25, 2009, Judge Janet Kenton-Walker sentenced a former Rutland, MA police officer to 10-12 years imprisonment and 5 years probation for sexually assaulting a prostitute in the fall of 2008. 37 year old Jason Briddon was officially sentenced after a jury conviction, to the prison term for aggravated rape, aggravated kidnapping, and assault for the rape.

The 30-year-old victim in the case testified that Mr. Briddon repeatedly raped and beat her and held her against her will on the morning of Oct. 9, 2008, after she agreed to engage in a sex act with him for money to support her crack cocaine addiction.

She said the assaults and kidnapping took place in the basement of a house at 178 Burncoat St. that was owned by a friend of Mr. Briddon.

Assistant District Attorney Paula J. Frasso was hoping for a 25 to 30 year sentenced and the aggravated rape and kidnapping charges to run consecutively, calling the attack predatory and pre-planned. Though a streetwalker, “she didn’t deserve what happened to her,” said Frasso in her closing arguments.
 
In her victim impact statement, the victim told the court that “He showed no mercy to me and the court would be wise in showing none to him."
 
Describing his client as a hard-working family man with no prior criminal record, Mr. Briddon’s lawyer, Christopher P. LoConto, recommended a sentence of 5 years to 5 years and a day.

Mr. Briddon made a personal plea for leniency, telling the court he “saved lives” as a police officer and always provided for his family. He called his convictions a “miscarriage of justice.”

Wendy Briddon, his wife and the mother of his two children, asked the judge to keep in mind that her husband was “somebody’s father.” “He’s been a wonderful son,” said Mr. Briddon’s mother, Carol Briddon.

Judge Kenton-Walker said that the brutal attack by Briddon not only physically injured the victim, but also caused “severe emotional and psychological trauma which continues to this day.” Factors used to arrive at her sentence included “punishment, deterrence, protection of the public and rehabilitation.”

Briddon's probation conditions include sex offender treatment and registration, no contact with the victim or her family, GPS monitoring, undergoing any other treatment deemed appropriate, and no weapon posession.

Briddon is facing charges that he raped a 29 year old woman who rode home with him from a bar. A mistrial was declared last year after a hung jury.

Former Riverside officer gets 3 months jail, lifetime SO registration for coercing woman into oral sex

A former Riverside, CA police officer will have to serve 23 more days for coercing a woman into oral sex while on duty. Robert Allan Forman, 39, sentenced yesterday, will serve a total of 3 months in jail and three years probation. Forman only has 23 days to serve on his jail term, but must register for life as a California sex offender. He was convicted December 12 of a count of forced oral copulation, and misdemeanor petty theft for stealing from a john. 

According to prosecutors, Forman went to a Riverside woman's home in March 2008 to investigate a check fraud case, then returned to the house alone to receive oral sex. The woman testified she felt forced to comply because he was a police officer and she feared going to jail. Jurors acquitted Forman of a second charge when a prostitute alleged he picked her up in a local park and forced her to perform oral sex.

Forman testified that the relations were consensual, but admitted during his sentencing hearing Thursday that he acted inappropriately, said his attorney, Mark Johnson. He has maintained he is innocent of any crime. "He placed himself in a position that made him vulnerable," Johnson said.

Deputy District Attorney Elan Zektser declined to comment after the sentencing.

Johnson said his client's case can be compared to David Kushner, the Moreno Valley ex-officer sentenced to 3 months in jail and 5 years probation for 2 counts of forcible orla copulation and kidnapping.

The victim in the criminal case and the prostitute Forman was criminally acquitted of abusing have both filed complaints against the city of Riverside. These claims are for a total of $11.6 million.

Tampa Bay area sheriff's deputy sentenced to 5 years for sex assault of motorist

Circuit Judge Wayne S. Timmerman sentenced a former Hillsborough County deputy to 5 years in prison and 10 years of sex offender probation Thursday, December 10. Raymond Choy, 38,  faced 30 years for sexual battery and another 30 years for kidnapping before the plea deal. Choy's attorney, Normal Canella Sr, said that his client's deal was appropriate "in view of the totality of circumstances. My client is pleased and certainly should be pleased by the outcome."

Assistant State Attorney Rita Peters said prosecutors decided to offer the deal after reviewing all the circumstances in the case. Peters said she explained the agreement to the victim.

Authorities say Choy was investigating a hit-and-run when the assault happened on April 1, 2007. He ran the license plate of the car that drove away and went to the owner's home, where he took a woman into custody.

She told investigators that Choy took her to the accident scene and then drove to orange groves in Thonotosassa, telling her she wouldn't be arrested if she cooperated. She immediately called the sheriff's office after Choy took her back home. Investigators took samples from the woman's hair and arm. Choy's DNA matched those swabs.

Choy, a seven-year veteran, was placed on administrative leave before resigning.

The victim, flanked by her boyfriend, said that Choy "ruined my life. As a deputy, he was there to protect and serve. He didn't do that."

Groping police officer pleads no contest to sexual abuse of women

A former San Leandro police officer has plead no contest to two counts of false imprisonment - a felony and a misdemeanor count - for groping two women while on the job. Forty-five year old Greg Cannedy was sentenced to 6 months home detention and 18 months probation by Judge Kevin Murphy of Alameda County Superior Court.

The misdemeanor charge came in the case of Jennifer Acuna, who Cannady abused while she was in her kitchen back in September 2006. He leaned over her body, began to kiss her, then put his hand over her crotch. The felony charge came after Cannady repeatedly showed up at Starlah Burke's house between May and December 2005, asking for sex, culminating with the groping of Burke during a traffic stop. Acuna and Burke were awarded damages of over $90,000 by the city of San Leandro.

Cannedy's attorney Michael Rains said that he believed that the allegations against Burks had no merit.

Four year Portland police veteran sentenced to 6 months in jail for harassing calls to women, girls

A former Portland, OR police officer was sentenced to 6 months in jail Monday, November 30, 2009 for obscene telephone calls directed against other police officers and relatives, including a 14 year old girl.  Twenty-eight year old Joseph Wild was sentenced to 6 months in jail and 5 years of probation by on 15 counts of official misconduct, 5 counts of telephonic harassment and a count for menacing.

Multnomah County Judge Kenneth R. Walker also placed Wild under a permanent restraining order all victims, including his sister in law and his youngest victim, a 14 year old girl. Judge Walker ordered him to undergo counseling, 180 hours of community service, and an exit interview with the Portland police force's psychologist. Wild lost his police certification and is barred from using pornography.

Wild was accused of repeatedly making sexually-explicit phone calls to 10 females, including to two female police recruits and a 14-year-old relative, between November 2008 and April 2009. During some calls, he threatened to rape the women or told them he wanted to see them naked, according to court documents.

The Wild case began Feb. 2 when three women police cadets at the state police academy reported receiving harassing phone calls. Even after Portland detectives began a criminal inquiry, Wild used his bureau-issued cell phone to make more than 50 calls to his teenage relative between Feb. 24 and April 23, calls the 14-year-old told investigators made her extremely frightened and made her cry, court records show.
 
Wild, who worked North Precinct, was arrested on June 12. As Wild faced indictment that month, Police Chief Rosie Sizer said the organization was "both embarrassed and feels betrayed by the allegations," and pushed for the ability to give polygraph tests to police applicants, which would need legislative approval.
 
Other victims included a woman who Wild met while investigating a domestic violence call, and a 16 year old girl who Wild had driven to a center for missing teens.
 
Some on his victims testified at the sentencing, including his aunt, Amy Prazeau. Prazeau said that she is unable to forgive Wild and wishes that he had died in the line of duty instead. She told the court about how the obscene calls led her to lock herself and her 5 year old son in her bedroom with a baseball bat. The betrayal was compounded by Wild's offer to "monitor" the caller even though it was him.
 
John Snell, father of another victim (and Wild's father-in-law), said that disgusted with Wild, "I find it very disturbing that you would be able to be face to face with our family a few hours after making the calls and act like the perfect husband, brother-in-law and son-in-law that you wanted everyone to believe you were."
 
The 14 year old girl's statement, read by her attorney Erin Olsen, stated that "You called me and said things I never thought I'd hear – especially from you, a cop, a husband, a brother, a son and a friend. You can't imagine how it feels to know somebody you loved and trusted took advantage of you in such horrific ways."

Former police officer sentenced to year behind bars for assaulting woman

On Thursday, October 29, a former police officer was sentenced to a year in prison with 14 more years suspended for sexually assaulting a 18 year old woman that he knew. Ronald M. Hendrickson, 47, a former Newport News police lieutenant, was sentenced Thursday in York-Poquoson Circuit Court by Substitute Judge Thomas Nance. After the prison time, Hendrickson must register as a sex offender and seek sex offender treatment at his own expense, and stay away from the Internet, with a polygraph to monitor this condition. If Hendrickson violates any supervision conditions, then "I'm going to give you the other 14 years," Judge Nance promised.

Last month, Hendrickson pleaded guilty to a single felony charge of object sexual penetration as part of a pre-arranged agreement. In exchange, Simantov dropped felony charges of possession of child pornography, filming a non-consenting nude minor and production of child pornography.

The charges stemmed from the woman's accusation that Hendrickson tried to force himself on her after she rejected advances he made after the pair drank alcohol together.

Early in the case, Simantov declined to prosecute felony charges of abduction and abduction with intent to defile and misdemeanor sexual battery that were brought in conjunction with the accusation. The child pornography charges were filed in April after the discovery of a video that depicted the victim while she was still a minor.

At the time of his arrest, Hendrickson was a patrol supervisor assigned to the Newport News Police Department's South Precinct. His employment with the department ended in February.

 

Hendrickson said that the offense was due to mishandling of job-related stress, particulary the death of a colleague. He has started attending AA meetings, counseling, and reparing his familial relationships. This was echosed by his father, Harold Hendrickson, who said his son told him, "Dad, I feel dead inside. I don't have any emotions."

 

However, Simantov said that the betrayal of trust outweighed any mitigating circumstances. "He's someone who knew what he was doing. He knew it was criminal. He chose to betray his badge."

Pewaukee officer demoted beacuse of inappropriate behavior with suspect

A City of Pewaukee police seargeant was demoted to patrol officer and suspended for 15 days without pay on Monday, October 26 for attempting to date a criminal suspect and lying about it. This demotion will cost Officer Cher Sneider almost $10,000 in gross annual salary.

The administrative sanctions were the result of an internal investigation by the City of Pewaukee’s Police And Fire Commission of administrative charges against her, regarding an off-duty incident on May 10, 2008.

According to the complaint, Sgt. Sneider had an on-duty patrol officer access a secure police database to get Sneider the phone number of a man under investigation for suspicion of illegal activity, including drugs. That man had a known criminal history with the City of Pewaukee police department.

Sneider, who thought the suspect was “hot,” and wanted to go out with him, made four calls with her personal cell phone May 10, 2008, another call and a visit to the man’s house the next day, and two more calls May 17, 2008. She denied trying to have a relationship with him, saying she contacted him as part of a noise complaint investigation.

Commission members said that Sneider’s testimony was unconvincing, citing the late night phone calls she made to the suspect’s residence. As part of their seven page decision, they said the following:

"It is not credible that Sneider would be making legitimate and necessary police-related calls...while out visiting a succession of taverns on a Saturday night and drinking alcoholic beverages. It is not believable that Sneider would pursue this issue off duty as late as 12:06 a.m. on Sunday morning, May 11, 2008, which is the time she made her last call to the Doe residence."

Pewaukee Police Department rules state that officers engage in professional conduct, refrain for associating with people of questionable character, use city resources for work, and “speak the truth at all times.”

A separate insubordination charge against Sneider was dismissed by the commission. That charge stemmed from her request to remove a laptop computer mount bracket from then-Chief Gary Bach's squad car to have it installed in her car. Meister earlier had issued an order that nothing be removed from Bach's squad, and Sneider was accused of ignoring the mandate.

The commission said it is disappointing that department personnel and commission time was spent looking into the laptop mount issue.

"The commission is concerned that this situation is symptomatic of poor management, system-wide disregard for authority and continuing deterioration in the chain of command with the police department. This matter should have been handled internally," the commission said.

Sneider's attorney, Gordon McQuillen, says his client may appeal the demotion.

Ex sheriff's deputy pleads guilty to rape of drunk woman

Former Fall River County sheriff deputy Buckly "Buck" McColl plead guilty to a single count of 3rd degree rape in front of Seventh Circuit Court Judge Thomas Trimble in the Cusster County, SD courthouse yesterday. In South Dakota, 3rd degree rape carries a maximum sentence of 25 years or a $50,000 fine. 2rd degree rape is defined as having intercourse with a drunk, drugged, or asleep person, rendering them unable to consent to sex.

Greg Sperlich, McColl's lawyer, said the guilty plea was designed to cap his client's sentence at 5 years. Two other 3rd degree rape charges, as well as counts of perjury and false reporting, were dropped in exchange for the plea.

As part of his guilty plea, Judge Trimble required that McColl give a factual basis for the plea, to which McColl replied, “I had intercourse with (name redacted). She was intoxicated at the time and could not give consent.”

After the plea, Judge Trimble ordered that a pre-sentence investigation be done. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, but will take place in Fall River County before Judge A.P. Fuller.

State’s Attorney Jim Sword requested that McColl be remanded to the Fall River County Sheriff, but Trimble said that McColl would be allowed to remain free on bond. Sword then asked that he be required to stay within the boundaries of the Seventh Circuit.

McColl stated that he had to leave the 7th Circuit's boundaries for his work as a trucker. Judge Trimble kept McColl's bond at its current level, stating that “He is here. He entered his plea.”

Taxpayers will pay for defense of Davie, FL police officer charged with rape of girl

A Davie, FL police officer will be granted legal aid for his upcoming trial, according to his attorney. Stephen Olenchak, 35, plead not guilty to sexual battery, however due to his suspesion without pay from the Davie Police Department, taxpayers will be footing his defense. According to this report, the girl was between 12 and 18, and ironically, happened after the threesome was watching the HBO series "Big Love."

According to the arrest report, the victim told investigators Olenchak brought his wife a drink before going to bed on March 22. After his wife fell asleep, he brought the victim something to drink. At the time, police said they were investigating whether the drinks were spiked with drugs.

According to the report, Olenchak then fondled and had intercourse with the victim, who said she did not consent and was not coherent enough to call out to Olenchak's wife for help.

Olenchak, an 11-year veteran, was put on administrative leave without pay on May 13, town records show. He will remain on leave pending the outcome of the case.

"He is innocent of what he is accused of doing - He has a spotless record as a Davie police officer" said his attorney."

Trooper allegedly fondles woman after DUI arrest

A former Maryland state trooper was charged with sexual assault Wednesday, September 2 after he sexually abused a woman in his custody for DUI. Marlon E. Iglesias, 42, of Montgomery County backed up a Montgomery County patrol officer who pulled her over on southbound I-270 for tailgating and suspicion of DUI. After Iglesias took over the stop from the county officer, the woman alleges that he squeezed her thigh in his patrol car, and kissed her when they went back to the Maryland State Police barracks in Rockville.

The woman reported the attack in May. Iglesias' police powers had been suspended in January because of a personnel issue, according to state police. A member of the force since 1994, he resigned in April, police said. Iglesias was charged with three counts of third-degree sexual offense, two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense and one count of second-degree assault. He was released from the Montgomery County Detention Center after posting a $30,000 bond.

Fourth degree sexual offense refers to nonconsensual sexual contact (not intercourse - that's 3rd degree sexual offense). It is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of a year in jail and/or a $100 fine. 2nd degree assault is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in jail and/or a $2500 fine. Sex offender registration is optional.

Kansas police officer who sexted woman facing DUI charges pleads guilty to wire fraud

A Goddard, KS police officer pled guilty to a single count of wire fraud Wednesday, September 2, for sexting a picture of himself and demanding sex from a woman motorist in exchange for her DUI charges being dropped. Calvin Schaffer, 44, was charged with wire fraud because his actions defrauded the citizens of Goddard, KS of his honest services as a police officer, according to U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch.

In his plea, Schaffer admitted to arresting a woman for driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 27, as well as later contacting the woman and suggesting he could arrange for the charge to be dismissed if she would have sex with him, Welch said. Prosecutors said Schaffer used police department computers to send e-mails and photographs to the woman while he was on duty. Welch said Schaffer was partially undressed and nude in the photos.

The case became federal because the electronic correspondance traveled through servers on Virginia and California servers. Schaffer faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at sentencing November 16.

Police officer pretends to be twin - accused of rape by force and fraud

Officer Jared Rohrig of the Orange, CT police department was charged with rape after allegedly tricking a woman who had a sexual relationship with his twin brother Joe into having sex. The woman found out it was her "boyfriend's" brother after she noticed that a tattoo on her "lover's" butt was missing from the man she was having sex with.

Rohrig, 25, of Flax Mill Lane, has been on paid administrative leave from his job since July 23, pending the outcome of an internal investigation, said Orange Police Chief Robert Gagne.

The unnamed woman told police July 22 that she was sexually assaulted July 19 at the Rohrig home, where she went to meet Joe Rohrig, Jared's identical twin. The woman had been having a sexual relationship with Joe Rohrig since March, and on July 19 she talked on the phone with someone she believed was him and agreed to meet at his house, according to a search warrant.
When she arrived, she got into the hot tub with the Rohrig brother she believed was Joe, began kissing him and agreed to go to an upstairs bedroom with him.

It was then that she had noticed that the cowboy tattoo on Joe's left buttocks were missing. According to the warrant, the woman "immediately began to cry and asked him where his tattoo went. The male replied that he had never had a tattoo and told her that she must have hooked up with his brother who had a tattoo. The female victim realized at this point that this was not the person that she had previously had sexual relations with."

After she tried to leave the bedroom, Jared threw her back on, and "grabbed her arms and threw her on the bed, where she continued to cry," while Jared continued to have sex with her.

When the woman told Jared Rohrig to get off her, he allegedly put a pillow over her face, and while it did not prevent her from breathing, she felt "scared and claustrophobic," according to the warrant.

Her attempts to push him off were unsuccessful "because he was too strong and she gave up," the warrant states. Later, the man -- still claiming to be Joe Rohrig -- drove the woman home in Jared Rohrig's pickup truck, but could not find the way, even though Joe had previously visited there several times, she told police.

"The female victim looked at the male and asked, 'When did you think I was going to find out? When I realized you didn't have a tattoo? When we didn't use Joe's car to drive home? Or when you didn't know how to get to my house because you've never been there?"

Jared claimed to have said his brother, the woman's "boyfriend," "told me to go for it." The victim recieved a text message from Joe's phone stating "I want to apologize for what my brother did last night. I had no idea what was going on until this morning."

A graduate of Jonathan Law High School, Rohrig is the son of Joanne Rohrig, a Republican member of the Board of Education, and the family owns Lasses Restaurant and catering in Milford.

A separate investigation into anonymous allegations that adults served alcohol to minors at a July 12 graduation party at the Rohrig residence has determined those charges to be "unfounded," said Milford Police Chief Keith Mello.

There was no evidence substantiating the claims, Mello said, adding that investigation showed "the family went to significant steps" to avoid giving minors access to alcohol at the party.

According to Gagne, Jared Rohrig is still in the 18 month probationary period given to all new police officers, having been hired July 11, 2008. He was released on $50,000 bond Friday, August 21, charged with 1st degree sexual assault and criminal impersonation. His preliminary hearing will be September 8 in Milford Superior Court.

Hurricane police officer charged with sexual assault on duty sentenced to 60 days jail, 3 years probation

(Original Post 4-4-08)

Nathan Amosa, a 24 year old police officer from Hurricane, UT, was charged with coercing sex from a woman by threatening to cite her for child neglect to obtain sexual favors from his alleged victim. He was on call when he allegedly coerced her into letting him fondle her and perform a sex act.

"Amosa stated that he used his authority and the threat of a citation for child neglect in order to obtain sexual favors from the victim," Washington County sheriff's officials stated.

[He] was charged in 5th District Court in St. George on Monday with forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony; and two counts of second-degree felony forcible sex abuse. He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

Hurricane police received a complaint of officer misconduct on Friday, and Amosa was placed on administrative leave. The Washington County Sheriff's Office conducted a criminal investigation, and the case was forwarded to the county attorney's office.

(Update 8-12-09)

Amosa pleaded no contest to custodial sexual relations, a 3rd degree felony, today. Judge James Shumate of Utah's 5th District Court sentenced Amosa to up to 5 years in prison, the standard sentence for a 3rd degree felony. The sentence mandates that Amosa spend 60 days in the Washington County Jail and 3 years probation. Amosa was also ordered to stay away from the victim and not go within 500 yards of her or her residence.

Amosa was originally charged with forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, and two counts of second degree-felony forcible sex abuse. He entered the no-contest plea after negotiations with prosecutors, his defense attorney and the victim.

According to the probable-cause statement filed with the charges, Amosa admitted to "coercing the victim into oral sex," and said he fondled her and put his mouth on her breasts. He "used his authority and the threat of a citation for child neglect" to gain the sexual favors, the document said.

The victim told investigators Amosa was at her house and on duty when she was assaulted.
The victim was "distraught" when she talked to investigators, telling them she thought she had to comply with Amosa because "he was in uniform and had a gun," according to court documents.

Prosecutor Ryan Shaum, Adult Probation and Parole's pre sentence report, and Amosa's attorney Gary Pendelton agreed to the sentence. Shaum stated that due to the difficulty of proving whether the sex act was coercive or not, "If Mr. Amosa was not in law enforcement, I don't think we'd be here for sentencing for anything."

The victim, her father, and their lawyer, Brandon Simmons, appeared for sentencing. The victim's letter said in part, "I always trusted the police and their integrity, until he entered my home and took that trust away."

The victim's father said about the 60 day sentence, "I don't think he got what he deserved."

ASShole Indy police officer sentenced to house arrest for coercing sex from 19 year old

(Original Post 8-22-08)
Anthony S. Smith, 36, was charged with rape, criminal deviate conduct, sexual misconduct, and official misconduct Thursday after a SWAT team arrested him at his home Thursday afternoon. The charges stem from allegedly sexually assaulting a 19 year old woman Friday, August 15.

Prosecutor Carl Brizzi and Indianapolis Police Chief Michael Spears held a joint news conference yesterday, stating "Things don't get much worse than this case. These allegations are horrific. ... This officer used his authority and position, allegedly, to satisfy his own desires."

According to a probable cause affidavit, Smith stopped the woman at an Eastside gas station and told her she was wanted on a warrant in a misdemeanor case involving driving without a valid license.

"I’m going to give you an option. I can lock you up, but I really don’t want to,” Smith said, according to court documents, “or you can ride with me for an hour.” The victim agreed to ride with the officer. Smith, the woman said, threatened to jail her if she did not have sex with him. Smith later admitted to having sex with the woman but said it was consensual. He denied threatening to arrest her, according to the affidavit.

IMPD Patrol Officer Anthony S. Smith, 36, was suspended without pay Monday morning, Chief Michael Spears said in a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

A woman came forward on Aug. 15, telling police Smith had assaulted her while he was on duty.
Spears would not comment on those allegations, but said that Smith had violated several police department procedures, including IMPD's ride-along policy.

"He did not devote his full attention to duty. I believe he was in violation of many other of our policies … and those, combined with the other allegations, which will be forthcoming, were enough information for me Sunday night to make the decision to immediately separate him from employment."

Smith worked nights with the Northeast District, a post he was assigned to in April of 2007, police said.

The arrests of several officers this year on charges ranging from running a prostitution ring to selling firearms to felons, drunken driving and drug trafficking have damaged the department.

Mayor Ballard said the police chief did the right thing in dismissing Smith.

"We give him the latitude to do what he thinks is the right thing to do with the cops," Ballard said. "They're seeing it. If they get out of line -- we don't want a witch hunt -- but if they're doing the wrong thing, they're going to pay the price."

(Update 8-28-08) Smith was arraigned Monday, August 25 in Marion Superior Court Judge Mark Stoner's courtroom. Judge Stoner entered not guilty pleas on his behalf and set a trial date for October 27. Wife Deidre Smith said that she loved her husband and that's he's innocent. Smith is being held on $80,000 bond. Attorney Robert Love of Ft. Wayne will represent Smith during his trial.

(Update 7-26-09) Smith was sentenced to 4 years suspended after pleading guilty. The former officer, now 37 years old, will serve another year of house arrest and won't be registered as a sex offender. The plea agreement, accepted by Judge Stoner, stipulated that while no force was used, Smith's misconduct towards the victim was unjustified.

A woman who identified herself as the young woman's mother called the sentence "a slap on the hand." The woman angrily told reporters and a court bailiff outside the courtroom that her daughter was raped. That was the original charge but after further investigation the prosecution agreed to a plea bargain on the lesser charges of sexual misconduct and official misconduct.

Smith and his attorney declined comment. Smith's mother, stepfather, pastor and former co-workers testified on his behalf. All said he has shown remorse.

Black Canadian prosecutor accuses Toronto police of sexually motivated strip search

Betsy Powell
COURTS BUREAU[Toronto Star]

A Crown attorney is asking a Superior Court judge to lay sexual assault charges against two Toronto police officers who "forced him to submit to an unlawful strip search," according to court documents.

The prosecutor, identified on the court docket yesterday as R.S., is appealing a decision by a justice of the peace last year not to charge the officers in connection with the Oct. 6, 2007, incident.

The allegation raises "implications for police as it relates to their long impugned practice of conducting strip searches on short-term detainees without the requisite lawful grounds," according to court documents filed by Donald McLeod, the lawyer representing R.S.

The justice of the peace did, however, approve assault charges against the two arresting officers after R.S. took the unusual step of laying charges privately. Those charges were withdrawn in March.

The 37-year-old Crown attorney, who is black, was arrested for causing a disturbance in the Entertainment District and later filed a human rights tribunal complaint alleging racism was behind his arrest. He was identified when the story became public earlier this year.

Now McLeod and Patrice Band, the lawyer representing the Crown, are requesting a publication ban on the full identify of R.S. as well as the two officers.

Justice Ian Nordheimer yesterday adjourned the matter to July 7.
The court documents submitted on behalf of R.S. say there was nothing "that could possibly justify a complete level 3 strip search."

"The applicant believed he was forced to submit to the degrading and humiliating strip search for an improper purpose – the impugned officers wanted to teach him a lesson."

During the strip search, R.S. says he was forced to "touch and manipulate his genitalia with his hands." He submits "that when assessed in the context of the relevant and controlling judicial authorities, the conduct of the impugned officers satisfies the legal elements of sexual assault."
A factum filed on behalf of the respondent says "there is no evidence that the search was conducted in circumstances of a sexual nature."

Milwaukee County Deputy sentenced to 20 years prison, 10 years extended supervision for shooting "girlfriend"

A former Milwaukee County sheriff's deputy was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision for shooting his then girlfriend in the face. After the victim fled to a neighbor's home, the perpetrator shot through the door, injuring a 12 year old girl and leaving a bullet lodged among the next door family's Christmas presents.

After a guilty plea in Milwaukee County Circuit Judge David Borowski's courtroom Thomas D. Hutchins, 40, was sentenced to consecutive 10 year prison/ 5 year extended supervision terms for two counts of intentional first degree reckless injury, and 2 years prison/ 2 years extended supervision for a single count of endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon.

According to records and testimony, Hutchins went to the home of his girlfriend, Petria Dent, 32, with a gift for their child just before Christmas. The couple soon were involved in a violent argument; he said it was over her spanking their daughter.

Dent said he slapped her and that she defended herself by striking him with a candlestick. Hutchins denied he slapped her, saying her attack was unprovoked and he shot her out of fear for his safety. He also said she had threatened to call the police and he feared his job would be endangered. He said she had earlier made allegations of illegal activity to the sheriff's office that she later retracted.

After Dent was shot, she fled to a neighbor's home, and Hutchins pursued her. The neighbor told Borowski that the scene was like something out of a horror movie. Days later, when the family opened Christmas gifts, they found a bullet in one of them.

WHen the defendant's attorney Bridget Boyle said that he fired the shots to see if the victim was OK, the victim responded from the gallery, "He shot me in the face! What does she mean he wanted to see if I was OK?"

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Kenney asked Judge Borowski for a 25 year prison sentence because of the proximity of children to the crime scene. The 12 year old girl injured was hit in the hand and leg, while other kids present had to undergo counseling.