Post by WaTcHeR on May 24, 2006 9:39:14 GMT -5
05/24/2006 - BARTOW, FL (AP) -- Polk County is being sued by relatives of a teenager who died in a car crash after a high-speed chase with sheriff deputies.
The family of 16-year-old Miles White claims deputy Scott Lawson pursued White and another boy because he wanted to sexually assault them. Lawson was eventually arrested when tips revealed he was pretending to be a physician's assistant performing medical exams on young men.
The lawsuit says Polk County failed to properly supervise and train Lawson. It alleges the department also knew of the deputy's temptations, but allowed him to ride alone in an unmarked patrol car anyway.
A spokesman for Polk County says there is no comment because the lawsuit hasn't been received. Lawson pleaded guilty to sexual battery and six counts of practicing medicine without a license. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The family of 16-year-old Miles White claims deputy Scott Lawson pursued White and another boy because he wanted to sexually assault them. Lawson was eventually arrested when tips revealed he was pretending to be a physician's assistant performing medical exams on young men.
The lawsuit says Polk County failed to properly supervise and train Lawson. It alleges the department also knew of the deputy's temptations, but allowed him to ride alone in an unmarked patrol car anyway.
A spokesman for Polk County says there is no comment because the lawsuit hasn't been received. Lawson pleaded guilty to sexual battery and six counts of practicing medicine without a license. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.