Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 17, 2006 13:33:21 GMT -5
06.17.2006 - Columbus Police officer Tracey Giles pleaded guilty Friday to violation of oath by a public officer.
Giles, 36, was sentenced by Muscogee County Superior Court Judge Doug Pullen after he entered a guilty plea to the felony charge. Pullen sentenced Giles to five years probation, 200 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. He could have been punished by up to five years in prison.
Giles was arrested on Dec. 20, 2005, and charged with aggravated sodomy and violation of oath by a public officer. A woman who reported a burglary at her home alleged that Giles, who was assigned to answer the call in October, forced her to perform oral sex.
The woman gave her account of the events when the case went before a grand jury. Giles, under a state law allowing a statement to be made to the grand jury by a law enforcement officer accused of a crime during performance of his duty, also testified before the jury.
The grand jury refused to indict the nine-year police veteran on the aggravated sodomy charge, returning a true bill only on the oath violation felony.
"I think this whole incident was unfortunate," said Julia Slater, Giles' attorney. "I think the sentence Judge Pullen gave was appropriate."
Assistant District Attorney Don Kelly said Giles could never be a police officer again.
"This will stay on his record forever," he said.
Giles had been placed on administrative leave without pay upon his arrest. No formal decision on Giles' employment had been released Friday afternoon by Police Chief Ricky Boren, according to Maj. Charles Rowe.
Giles, 36, was sentenced by Muscogee County Superior Court Judge Doug Pullen after he entered a guilty plea to the felony charge. Pullen sentenced Giles to five years probation, 200 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. He could have been punished by up to five years in prison.
Giles was arrested on Dec. 20, 2005, and charged with aggravated sodomy and violation of oath by a public officer. A woman who reported a burglary at her home alleged that Giles, who was assigned to answer the call in October, forced her to perform oral sex.
The woman gave her account of the events when the case went before a grand jury. Giles, under a state law allowing a statement to be made to the grand jury by a law enforcement officer accused of a crime during performance of his duty, also testified before the jury.
The grand jury refused to indict the nine-year police veteran on the aggravated sodomy charge, returning a true bill only on the oath violation felony.
"I think this whole incident was unfortunate," said Julia Slater, Giles' attorney. "I think the sentence Judge Pullen gave was appropriate."
Assistant District Attorney Don Kelly said Giles could never be a police officer again.
"This will stay on his record forever," he said.
Giles had been placed on administrative leave without pay upon his arrest. No formal decision on Giles' employment had been released Friday afternoon by Police Chief Ricky Boren, according to Maj. Charles Rowe.