Post by Critique on Mar 2, 2007 2:17:18 GMT -5
Feb 28, 2007
Kathryn Brown
(WJZ) ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. An expanding investigation is underway after a second woman makes startling accusations against an Anne Arundel County police officer, who is already facing charges of sexual misconduct on the job.
As Kathryn Brown reports, the state's attorney is now investigating the latest claims from a woman who says she was given a sexual ultimatum during a traffic stop in Anne Arundel County.
The young woman, who declined to be identified, is the second in recent weeks to come forward with allegations of misconduct on the job by 22-year-old Anne Arundel County officer Joseph Mosmiller.
The alleged victim said during a traffic stop for suspicion of drunk driving, Officer Mosmiller presented her with the agonizing choice of showing her breasts or going to jail.
Police also believe there may be other victims who have been victims of Mosmiller's alleged misconduct.
"I got out of the car and did the sobriety test and then he told me that I failed," the woman said. "And he asked me if, well actually he said 'you know you could go to jail for this'," she said. The woman then said Mosmiller asked her, "would you show me your boobs to get out of it?" When she declined, Mosmiller then said, "What would you do for me?"
In an exclusive interview with the WJZ's Brown the woman then said she gave the rookie officer her cell phone number so that he would let her go.
The woman also said that her phone number was found on Mosmiller's phone number during an investigation of a similar complaint against the officer. She said that is when police contacted her.
Mosmiller is facing criminal charges in that case, in which police say he stopped a young woman on Jan. 20. The woman then allegedly failed a sobriety test and was given the chance to get out of the charge if she showed Mosmiller her breasts.
In that case, the alleged victim said she did comply by exposing her breasts. She also said Mosmiller touched her breasts and took a picture of them with his cell phone.
Attorney John Hamilton is representing both women. "Obviously I'm concerned, my clients are concerned. This is a guy accused of doing some really serious things," said Hamilton.
Anne Arundel County Police spokesman Dave Walthemeyer commented on the allegations. "Certainly these type of allegations are disturbing. Officer Mosmiller has made hundreds of traffic stops while he's been employed with us."
Walthemeyer added, "We want to at least give the public the option to call us if this story sounds familiar to them."
While the investigation goes forward, Mosmiller has been suspended from police duties meaning he does not carry a badge or gun but he still comes to work everyday for desk duty.
Three other officers implicated in the scandal are also on desk duty, though no charges have been filed against them.
Walthemeyer said, "There's been a rumor going around that this was a contest, how many officers could take pictures of women with their phone. To this point we haven't been able to substantiate that at all."
Mosmiller's attorney Michael Belski said his client will plead not guilty.
"He's engaged and has a 10-month-old daughter and he has really led an exemplary life," said Belski.
Now that reputation is on the line as Mosmiller is charged with fourth degree sex offense, second degree assault, false imprisonment, and misconduct in office.
Mosmiller has been with the department for one year.
wjz.com/local/local_story_059221727.html
Kathryn Brown
(WJZ) ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. An expanding investigation is underway after a second woman makes startling accusations against an Anne Arundel County police officer, who is already facing charges of sexual misconduct on the job.
As Kathryn Brown reports, the state's attorney is now investigating the latest claims from a woman who says she was given a sexual ultimatum during a traffic stop in Anne Arundel County.
The young woman, who declined to be identified, is the second in recent weeks to come forward with allegations of misconduct on the job by 22-year-old Anne Arundel County officer Joseph Mosmiller.
The alleged victim said during a traffic stop for suspicion of drunk driving, Officer Mosmiller presented her with the agonizing choice of showing her breasts or going to jail.
Police also believe there may be other victims who have been victims of Mosmiller's alleged misconduct.
"I got out of the car and did the sobriety test and then he told me that I failed," the woman said. "And he asked me if, well actually he said 'you know you could go to jail for this'," she said. The woman then said Mosmiller asked her, "would you show me your boobs to get out of it?" When she declined, Mosmiller then said, "What would you do for me?"
In an exclusive interview with the WJZ's Brown the woman then said she gave the rookie officer her cell phone number so that he would let her go.
The woman also said that her phone number was found on Mosmiller's phone number during an investigation of a similar complaint against the officer. She said that is when police contacted her.
Mosmiller is facing criminal charges in that case, in which police say he stopped a young woman on Jan. 20. The woman then allegedly failed a sobriety test and was given the chance to get out of the charge if she showed Mosmiller her breasts.
In that case, the alleged victim said she did comply by exposing her breasts. She also said Mosmiller touched her breasts and took a picture of them with his cell phone.
Attorney John Hamilton is representing both women. "Obviously I'm concerned, my clients are concerned. This is a guy accused of doing some really serious things," said Hamilton.
Anne Arundel County Police spokesman Dave Walthemeyer commented on the allegations. "Certainly these type of allegations are disturbing. Officer Mosmiller has made hundreds of traffic stops while he's been employed with us."
Walthemeyer added, "We want to at least give the public the option to call us if this story sounds familiar to them."
While the investigation goes forward, Mosmiller has been suspended from police duties meaning he does not carry a badge or gun but he still comes to work everyday for desk duty.
Three other officers implicated in the scandal are also on desk duty, though no charges have been filed against them.
Walthemeyer said, "There's been a rumor going around that this was a contest, how many officers could take pictures of women with their phone. To this point we haven't been able to substantiate that at all."
Mosmiller's attorney Michael Belski said his client will plead not guilty.
"He's engaged and has a 10-month-old daughter and he has really led an exemplary life," said Belski.
Now that reputation is on the line as Mosmiller is charged with fourth degree sex offense, second degree assault, false imprisonment, and misconduct in office.
Mosmiller has been with the department for one year.
wjz.com/local/local_story_059221727.html