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Post by KC on Jul 12, 2006 21:31:09 GMT -5
July 12, 2006 - A few weeks ago, I traveled with three friends to Ohio for the weekend. Traffic on the highway was light and the trip was going quite well. Our traveling crew was a festive one and the laughs and stories flowed easily. That’s until we got pulled over by police for improper use of windshield wipers. Well, that’s not the way the police officer first described the situation to the driver — I’ll call him John — when he pulled us over. Now John admits that he was going over the speed limit a little, but that wasn’t the primary reason that we were pulled over.............. Continue here: www.register-herald.com/opinion/local_story_190220750.html?keyword=topstory
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Post by KC on Jul 12, 2006 21:31:09 GMT -5
July 12, 2006 - A few weeks ago, I traveled with three friends to Ohio for the weekend. Traffic on the highway was light and the trip was going quite well. Our traveling crew was a festive one and the laughs and stories flowed easily. That’s until we got pulled over by police for improper use of windshield wipers. Well, that’s not the way the police officer first described the situation to the driver — I’ll call him John — when he pulled us over. Now John admits that he was going over the speed limit a little, but that wasn’t the primary reason that we were pulled over.............. Continue here: www.register-herald.com/opinion/local_story_190220750.html?keyword=topstory
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Post by KC on Jan 9, 2007 23:28:25 GMT -5
A Charlevoix County deputy has resigned as part of a plea agreement. The prosecutor says former deputy Brian VanMeter has pled responsible to careless driving. In October he was arrested for using his personal vehicle in a threatening manner. In exchange for his plea, two assault charges and one for assault and battery were dropped. VanMeter was required to resign from the sheriff's department and fined $200.] www.tv7-4.com/Global/story.asp?S=5911518&nav=1vrj
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Post by KC on Jan 9, 2007 23:28:25 GMT -5
A Charlevoix County deputy has resigned as part of a plea agreement. The prosecutor says former deputy Brian VanMeter has pled responsible to careless driving. In October he was arrested for using his personal vehicle in a threatening manner. In exchange for his plea, two assault charges and one for assault and battery were dropped. VanMeter was required to resign from the sheriff's department and fined $200.] www.tv7-4.com/Global/story.asp?S=5911518&nav=1vrj
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Post by KC on Jan 9, 2007 23:00:24 GMT -5
CHARLEVOIX — The special prosecutor appointed to handle an assault case involving a now ex-Charlevoix County Sheriff’s deputy and the former deputy’s attorney say a host of factors played into a last-minute plea-agreement that prevented the case from going to trial Monday. Deputy Brian VanMeter, 42, of Charlevoix had been slated to face a one-day jury trial in 90th District Court Monday on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and assault and battery. But on Friday VanMeter pleaded responsible to a civil infraction of careless driving in exchange for which the other charges were dropped. He was sentenced to pay $200 in fines and costs. VanMeter was employed as a deputy with the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s office at the time of the Oct. 5 incident that led to the charges. Although VanMeter was not on duty at the time of the incident, county sheriff George T. Lasater placed VanMeter on unpaid suspension a short time after. Both attorneys in the case said the deal also included an agreement on VanMeter’s part to resign from his position effective at 5 p.m. Monday and an agreement that he would not sue the sheriff’s office or the county over the ending of his employment. For his part, Lasater agreed to pay VanMeter for the time while he was on suspension and to provide him with a letter confirming his time of employment with the sheriff’s office and the fact that he resigned, the attorney’s said. The case was prosecuted by Antrim County prosecuting attorney Charles Koop, who was appointed to handle the case by the state attorney general’s office at the request of Charlevoix County prosecuting attorney John Jarema. Koop said a call from the victim saying he didn’t want to proceed with the case was one factor that played into the plea deal. Another factor, Koop said, was that the agreement “provided certainty that (VanMeter) will not be reinstated (to his deputy position).” Koop explained that the move to allow for VanMeter to receive his back pay was done to prevent the county from the hassle and expense of arbitration. “In my experience, if the sheriff had fired him, you’d be looking at three months of arbitration. With the attorney’s fees, it would far exceed the cost of just paying him,” Koop said. VanMeter’s attorney, Mary Beth Kur, said her client took the plea deal, because he felt it was in his and his children’s best interest, given the risks involved in going to trial. “From the beginning (VanMeter) has maintained his innocence in all criminal charges,” Kur said. “His acceptance of the plea illustrates that. If anything, this incident amounts to a simple traffic matter.” “When he balanced all the risks of going to trial against a traffic ticket and a $200 fine and not having to put his kids through the publicity surrounding the trial, the choice was pretty clear,” Kur added. The charges stem from an incident that took place in and south of Charlevoix early Oct. 5 between VanMeter and his estranged wife’s boyfriend, Brad Sanderson. According to police reports and earlier testimony, VanMeter allegedly confronted Sanderson shortly after he had left the VanMeter home. Sanderson said VanMeter threatened him and then followed Sanderson as he drove back toward Charlevoix. Sanderson said VanMeter drove aggressively, following very closely at times and eventually forcing him to stop near the intersection of U.S. 31 and M-66. Sanderson said VanMeter got out of his car and, after attempting unsuccessfully to make Sanderson get out of his car — ostensibly intending to fight with him — VanMeter fled the scene. VanMeter was originally charged with a felony count of assault with a dangerous weapon (the car). But a judge threw that charge out following a preliminary examination in November. The judge found that there was not enough evidence showing that VanMeter had the “specific intent” to use his vehicle to put the alleged victim in fear of immediate harm to warrant sending the matter on the circuit court. www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2007/01/09/news/local_regional/news2.txt
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Post by KC on Jan 9, 2007 23:00:24 GMT -5
CHARLEVOIX — The special prosecutor appointed to handle an assault case involving a now ex-Charlevoix County Sheriff’s deputy and the former deputy’s attorney say a host of factors played into a last-minute plea-agreement that prevented the case from going to trial Monday. Deputy Brian VanMeter, 42, of Charlevoix had been slated to face a one-day jury trial in 90th District Court Monday on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and assault and battery. But on Friday VanMeter pleaded responsible to a civil infraction of careless driving in exchange for which the other charges were dropped. He was sentenced to pay $200 in fines and costs. VanMeter was employed as a deputy with the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s office at the time of the Oct. 5 incident that led to the charges. Although VanMeter was not on duty at the time of the incident, county sheriff George T. Lasater placed VanMeter on unpaid suspension a short time after. Both attorneys in the case said the deal also included an agreement on VanMeter’s part to resign from his position effective at 5 p.m. Monday and an agreement that he would not sue the sheriff’s office or the county over the ending of his employment. For his part, Lasater agreed to pay VanMeter for the time while he was on suspension and to provide him with a letter confirming his time of employment with the sheriff’s office and the fact that he resigned, the attorney’s said. The case was prosecuted by Antrim County prosecuting attorney Charles Koop, who was appointed to handle the case by the state attorney general’s office at the request of Charlevoix County prosecuting attorney John Jarema. Koop said a call from the victim saying he didn’t want to proceed with the case was one factor that played into the plea deal. Another factor, Koop said, was that the agreement “provided certainty that (VanMeter) will not be reinstated (to his deputy position).” Koop explained that the move to allow for VanMeter to receive his back pay was done to prevent the county from the hassle and expense of arbitration. “In my experience, if the sheriff had fired him, you’d be looking at three months of arbitration. With the attorney’s fees, it would far exceed the cost of just paying him,” Koop said. VanMeter’s attorney, Mary Beth Kur, said her client took the plea deal, because he felt it was in his and his children’s best interest, given the risks involved in going to trial. “From the beginning (VanMeter) has maintained his innocence in all criminal charges,” Kur said. “His acceptance of the plea illustrates that. If anything, this incident amounts to a simple traffic matter.” “When he balanced all the risks of going to trial against a traffic ticket and a $200 fine and not having to put his kids through the publicity surrounding the trial, the choice was pretty clear,” Kur added. The charges stem from an incident that took place in and south of Charlevoix early Oct. 5 between VanMeter and his estranged wife’s boyfriend, Brad Sanderson. According to police reports and earlier testimony, VanMeter allegedly confronted Sanderson shortly after he had left the VanMeter home. Sanderson said VanMeter threatened him and then followed Sanderson as he drove back toward Charlevoix. Sanderson said VanMeter drove aggressively, following very closely at times and eventually forcing him to stop near the intersection of U.S. 31 and M-66. Sanderson said VanMeter got out of his car and, after attempting unsuccessfully to make Sanderson get out of his car — ostensibly intending to fight with him — VanMeter fled the scene. VanMeter was originally charged with a felony count of assault with a dangerous weapon (the car). But a judge threw that charge out following a preliminary examination in November. The judge found that there was not enough evidence showing that VanMeter had the “specific intent” to use his vehicle to put the alleged victim in fear of immediate harm to warrant sending the matter on the circuit court. www.petoskeynews.com/articles/2007/01/09/news/local_regional/news2.txt
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Post by KC on Jan 7, 2007 18:07:23 GMT -5
Sheriff Steve Leverton Deputy Chris Laird LIBERTY, Ind. -- The civil lawsuit filed against former Union County Sheriff Steve Leverton and former Chief Deputy Chris Laird by Liberty Police Officer Russ Burroughs has been settled. The $3,000 settlement cost Union County $2,500, the commissioners learned Wednesday. Burroughs sued Leverton in 2005, after their cruisers collided at a July 4, 2003, fire west of town. Burroughs said he was injured when Leverton slammed the cruiser door on his leg. Leverton was charged with misdemeanor battery but was given a pre-trial diversion agreement. The county's law enforcement liability insurance has a $2,500 deductible, so the insurance company paid only $500 of the settlement. The settlement was made payable to Burroughs and his attorneys, Allen Wellman and McNew. Attorney Tom Thompson, who represents Union County, said insurance companies often settle cases for an amount that barely exceeds the policyholder's deductible. "They settle for $3,000 and make it go away and they're off the hook," Thompson said of Midwest Claims Service. "It's no surprise it was settled in December. You've met the deductible for the year and a new (deductible) begins in January." Auditor Virginia Bostick said she'd checked with the insurance carrier that provides elected officials' bonds and learned no claim to cover the cost of the settlement can be made there. "That's only when there's misuse of funds," Bostick said. Burroughs did not immediately return a call for comment. The pre-trial diversion agreement for Leverton allowed the charge to be erased following six months of good behavior, but Leverton was required to write a letter of apology to Burroughs for his "unprofessional language and conduct" after the accident. Later in 2005, Laird was added as a defendant in the civil suit against Leverton because Burroughs said Laird was harassing him and encouraging others to lie about him to create a case of official misconduct against him. Earlier that year, Burroughs took a statement from a jail inmate who accused the sheriff of battering him. No charges were filed against the sheriff in that case. In May 2006, Burroughs arrested Laird on charges of resisting arrest and invasion of privacy because Laird was accused of violating a protective order by attending the high school prom walk-in. A special prosecutor declined to charge Laird. www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/NEWS01/612280309
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Post by KC on Jan 7, 2007 18:07:23 GMT -5
Sheriff Steve Leverton Deputy Chris Laird LIBERTY, Ind. -- The civil lawsuit filed against former Union County Sheriff Steve Leverton and former Chief Deputy Chris Laird by Liberty Police Officer Russ Burroughs has been settled. The $3,000 settlement cost Union County $2,500, the commissioners learned Wednesday. Burroughs sued Leverton in 2005, after their cruisers collided at a July 4, 2003, fire west of town. Burroughs said he was injured when Leverton slammed the cruiser door on his leg. Leverton was charged with misdemeanor battery but was given a pre-trial diversion agreement. The county's law enforcement liability insurance has a $2,500 deductible, so the insurance company paid only $500 of the settlement. The settlement was made payable to Burroughs and his attorneys, Allen Wellman and McNew. Attorney Tom Thompson, who represents Union County, said insurance companies often settle cases for an amount that barely exceeds the policyholder's deductible. "They settle for $3,000 and make it go away and they're off the hook," Thompson said of Midwest Claims Service. "It's no surprise it was settled in December. You've met the deductible for the year and a new (deductible) begins in January." Auditor Virginia Bostick said she'd checked with the insurance carrier that provides elected officials' bonds and learned no claim to cover the cost of the settlement can be made there. "That's only when there's misuse of funds," Bostick said. Burroughs did not immediately return a call for comment. The pre-trial diversion agreement for Leverton allowed the charge to be erased following six months of good behavior, but Leverton was required to write a letter of apology to Burroughs for his "unprofessional language and conduct" after the accident. Later in 2005, Laird was added as a defendant in the civil suit against Leverton because Burroughs said Laird was harassing him and encouraging others to lie about him to create a case of official misconduct against him. Earlier that year, Burroughs took a statement from a jail inmate who accused the sheriff of battering him. No charges were filed against the sheriff in that case. In May 2006, Burroughs arrested Laird on charges of resisting arrest and invasion of privacy because Laird was accused of violating a protective order by attending the high school prom walk-in. A special prosecutor declined to charge Laird. www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061228/NEWS01/612280309
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Post by KC on Jan 7, 2007 17:57:30 GMT -5
Deputy Lazaro Mesa DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- A Broward County Sheriff's deputy is out on bond after being arrested in connection with a bar fight. Deputy Lazaro Mesa is accused of hitting, kicking and punching a patron at JB's On The Beach at 300 N. Ocean Blvd. in Deerfield Beach on Oct. 30. A police report indicated that Mesa, who was in uniform working an off-duty detail, responded to a fight that was reported in the bar. But BSO said the rest of the report included lies about what had happened. BSO said that Mesa reported that he overpowered Anthony Monaco, and he put his foot on the Monaco's back to hold him down. Mesa reported that Monaco suffered minor bruises to the face and a laceration to the lip and was taken to North Broward Hospital. Witnesses at the bar said that Mesa stomped on Monaco's head twice while trying to restrain him. In a mug shot taken when Monaco was arrested, a footprint is clearly visible on his forehead. A police report says the patron then became unconscious and bled from his head. www.local10.com/news/10618237/detail.html
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Post by KC on Jan 7, 2007 17:57:30 GMT -5
Deputy Lazaro Mesa DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- A Broward County Sheriff's deputy is out on bond after being arrested in connection with a bar fight. Deputy Lazaro Mesa is accused of hitting, kicking and punching a patron at JB's On The Beach at 300 N. Ocean Blvd. in Deerfield Beach on Oct. 30. A police report indicated that Mesa, who was in uniform working an off-duty detail, responded to a fight that was reported in the bar. But BSO said the rest of the report included lies about what had happened. BSO said that Mesa reported that he overpowered Anthony Monaco, and he put his foot on the Monaco's back to hold him down. Mesa reported that Monaco suffered minor bruises to the face and a laceration to the lip and was taken to North Broward Hospital. Witnesses at the bar said that Mesa stomped on Monaco's head twice while trying to restrain him. In a mug shot taken when Monaco was arrested, a footprint is clearly visible on his forehead. A police report says the patron then became unconscious and bled from his head. www.local10.com/news/10618237/detail.html
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Post by KC on Jan 7, 2007 17:33:29 GMT -5
Officer Henry Neil Lee A Fernandina Beach police officer was arrested Tuesday night after he allegedly shot a Nassau County deputy with his stun gun after he caught him having a "consensual physical encounter" with his wife. Henry Neil Lee, 35, of Hilliard, reportedly witnessed his wife with Nassau County Sheriff's Deputy Corey Wilson, then kicked in the door to his own home and pointed his stun gun at Wilson. Lee is the school resource officer at Fernandina Beach High School. Wilson is a deputy at the Nassau County Jail. According to a statement released by Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves, Lee first tried to hit Wilson with his police-issued baton and threatened to use his Taser. "He then holstered his Taser and pulled his firearm out," Seagraves said in the statement, issued late Tuesday night. "Wilson turned his head and asked Lee not to shoot him." Lee's wife intervened and urged her husband not to shoot. Lee reportedly put his gun away but shot Wilson with the stun gun twice. According to Seagraves, Lee's wife had invited Wilson over to the house to have dinner and meet another female friend; Lee was reportedly aware of the invitation. "When the (other) female did not show up, (Wilson and Lee's wife) watched television and talked," the statement said. "This lead to them having a consensual physical encounter, agreeable by both parties." Lee, who was reportedly working at a second job at the time, was not on-duty with the FBPD when the incident occurred. According to the statement, Lee went to his house and watched the physical encounter between his wife and Wilson through a window. According to the statement, at least one child - Lee's daughter - was in the house at the time of the incident. Lee is being held at the Nassau County Jail on $55,006 bond. He is facing charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and domestic battery. Wilson has been suspended from duty, with pay, while an internal investigation into the incident is conducted. Wilson has been with the sheriff's office for three years. www.fbnewsleader.com/articles/2006/12/06/today/00today.txt
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Post by KC on Jan 7, 2007 17:33:29 GMT -5
Officer Henry Neil Lee A Fernandina Beach police officer was arrested Tuesday night after he allegedly shot a Nassau County deputy with his stun gun after he caught him having a "consensual physical encounter" with his wife. Henry Neil Lee, 35, of Hilliard, reportedly witnessed his wife with Nassau County Sheriff's Deputy Corey Wilson, then kicked in the door to his own home and pointed his stun gun at Wilson. Lee is the school resource officer at Fernandina Beach High School. Wilson is a deputy at the Nassau County Jail. According to a statement released by Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves, Lee first tried to hit Wilson with his police-issued baton and threatened to use his Taser. "He then holstered his Taser and pulled his firearm out," Seagraves said in the statement, issued late Tuesday night. "Wilson turned his head and asked Lee not to shoot him." Lee's wife intervened and urged her husband not to shoot. Lee reportedly put his gun away but shot Wilson with the stun gun twice. According to Seagraves, Lee's wife had invited Wilson over to the house to have dinner and meet another female friend; Lee was reportedly aware of the invitation. "When the (other) female did not show up, (Wilson and Lee's wife) watched television and talked," the statement said. "This lead to them having a consensual physical encounter, agreeable by both parties." Lee, who was reportedly working at a second job at the time, was not on-duty with the FBPD when the incident occurred. According to the statement, Lee went to his house and watched the physical encounter between his wife and Wilson through a window. According to the statement, at least one child - Lee's daughter - was in the house at the time of the incident. Lee is being held at the Nassau County Jail on $55,006 bond. He is facing charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault and domestic battery. Wilson has been suspended from duty, with pay, while an internal investigation into the incident is conducted. Wilson has been with the sheriff's office for three years. www.fbnewsleader.com/articles/2006/12/06/today/00today.txt
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Post by KC on Jan 4, 2007 22:47:19 GMT -5
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department said an off-duty deputy has been arrested on charges of attempting to solicit a prostitute. The department identified the officer as 39-year-old Deputy Anthony Moffett. He is a seven-year veteran of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. Authorities say Moffett was arrested Wednesday evening around 8:30 by a Milwaukee police officer. He was booked into jail and released after posting a $250 bond. The department said the deputy has been suspended with pay pending the completion of an internal investigation. www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/10672602/detail.html
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Post by KC on Jan 4, 2007 22:47:19 GMT -5
MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department said an off-duty deputy has been arrested on charges of attempting to solicit a prostitute. The department identified the officer as 39-year-old Deputy Anthony Moffett. He is a seven-year veteran of the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. Authorities say Moffett was arrested Wednesday evening around 8:30 by a Milwaukee police officer. He was booked into jail and released after posting a $250 bond. The department said the deputy has been suspended with pay pending the completion of an internal investigation. www.themilwaukeechannel.com/news/10672602/detail.html
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Post by KC on Oct 13, 2006 19:09:17 GMT -5
LORAIN -- A Lorain police officer was fired and a sergeant received a 10-day suspension for separate violations of departmental rules, according to Lorain Safety-Service Director Michael Kobylka. Kobylka upheld police Chief Cel Rivera's recommendations to terminate officer Daniel Bozsoki for wrongfully shooting a prisoner with a Taser stun gun and to suspend Sgt. James Wolford for yelling profanities about a municipal court judge. Both officers were notified of the discipline yesterday. Rivera made the recommendations based on the outcomes of two separate internal investigations. His comments were sent to Kobylka on Aug. 31. ''I thought a lot about Bozsoki's discipline because terminating someone is not something to be taken lightly,'' Kobylka said. ''But even after the Taser incident, every step of the way he tried to hide what happened, and we can't have that.'' On May 1, Bozsoki and officer Stanley Marrero arrested Kalian Santiago on a warrant. While Santiago was handcuffed in the back seat of the cruiser, Bozsoki used ''unnecessary force'' on him with a Taser, according to a letter from Kobylka to Bozsoki. Bozsoki was interviewed three times before he admitted to using the Taser to ''check Santiago,'' according to the recommendation submitted by Rivera. ''Upon further questioning, Patrolman Bozsoki stated he didn't know the underlying reason for having shocked the prisoner with his Taser equipment,'' the letter said. Marrero received a letter of reprimand for not filling out a ''use of force'' form after the incident, according to past reports. Bozsoki has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 7. He was officially terminated yesterday. On May 17, Wolford became upset in Lorain Municipal Court after being told a case in which he was scheduled to be a witness had been continued. He referred to Judge Mark Mihok in a ''vulgar, indecent and profane manner,'' according to a letter from Kobylka to Wolford. ''We can not have our officers question city officials in public like this,'' Kobylka said. Wolford was given a 10-day unpaid suspension because the incident was the second time he had committed a similar offense, Kobylka said. In February 2005, he was given a letter of reprimand after referring to a citizen as an ''idiot'' over the police radio. In addition, Wolford has been ordered to complete an anger management program. www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17311117&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6
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Post by KC on Oct 13, 2006 19:09:17 GMT -5
LORAIN -- A Lorain police officer was fired and a sergeant received a 10-day suspension for separate violations of departmental rules, according to Lorain Safety-Service Director Michael Kobylka. Kobylka upheld police Chief Cel Rivera's recommendations to terminate officer Daniel Bozsoki for wrongfully shooting a prisoner with a Taser stun gun and to suspend Sgt. James Wolford for yelling profanities about a municipal court judge. Both officers were notified of the discipline yesterday. Rivera made the recommendations based on the outcomes of two separate internal investigations. His comments were sent to Kobylka on Aug. 31. ''I thought a lot about Bozsoki's discipline because terminating someone is not something to be taken lightly,'' Kobylka said. ''But even after the Taser incident, every step of the way he tried to hide what happened, and we can't have that.'' On May 1, Bozsoki and officer Stanley Marrero arrested Kalian Santiago on a warrant. While Santiago was handcuffed in the back seat of the cruiser, Bozsoki used ''unnecessary force'' on him with a Taser, according to a letter from Kobylka to Bozsoki. Bozsoki was interviewed three times before he admitted to using the Taser to ''check Santiago,'' according to the recommendation submitted by Rivera. ''Upon further questioning, Patrolman Bozsoki stated he didn't know the underlying reason for having shocked the prisoner with his Taser equipment,'' the letter said. Marrero received a letter of reprimand for not filling out a ''use of force'' form after the incident, according to past reports. Bozsoki has been on paid administrative leave since Sept. 7. He was officially terminated yesterday. On May 17, Wolford became upset in Lorain Municipal Court after being told a case in which he was scheduled to be a witness had been continued. He referred to Judge Mark Mihok in a ''vulgar, indecent and profane manner,'' according to a letter from Kobylka to Wolford. ''We can not have our officers question city officials in public like this,'' Kobylka said. Wolford was given a 10-day unpaid suspension because the incident was the second time he had committed a similar offense, Kobylka said. In February 2005, he was given a letter of reprimand after referring to a citizen as an ''idiot'' over the police radio. In addition, Wolford has been ordered to complete an anger management program. www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17311117&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=46371&rfi=6
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Post by KC on Jul 1, 2006 19:53:57 GMT -5
July 01, 2006 - LORAIN -- An internal investigation into a citizen's complaint has revealed a Lorain police officer had ''no lawful reason to use a Taser'' on a man arrested on a warrant, according to Lorain Capt. Robert Davey.
Officers Dan Bozsoki, who is accused of wrongfully using the Taser, and Stanley Marrero will face police Chief Cel Rivera on Friday for a predisciplinary hearing involving departmental charges filed by Davey, according to the attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3.
''This was just a egregious mistake made by an officer who has only been on the force for 14 or 15 months,'' said attorney Robert Phillips, who will represent Bozsoki and Marrero in the hearing. ''He never intended to harm Mr. Santiago.''
The investigation stemmed from the arrest of Kalian Santiago, 23, of Lorain. Santiago was allegedly ''dry-stunned'' in an unprovoked action by Bozsok using a Taser that had prongs removed before it was fired, according to Davey.
''We conducted an investigation into a formal citizen's complaint,'' Davey said. ''The complaint stated Santiago had been Tasered in the leg for no reason after being arrested on a warrant, handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the cruiser.''
Phillips said Bozsoki was trying to ''spook'' Santiago when he accidentally bumped his right thigh with the Taser.
''He got excited and made a mistake,'' Phillips said. ''It was dark in the back of the cruiser. It scared (Bozsoki) as much as it scared Santiago.''
Phillips said Bozsoki is a good officer who doesn't have a ''malevolent bone in his body.'' Phillips said everyone makes mistakes, and he expects Bozsoki to get a stiff consequence for his actions.
Although it is not against the use-of-force rules to Taser someone who is handcuffed, investigating officer Lt. Steve Schmittle said there was ''no lawful reason to use the Taser'' in this case.
Schmittle and Davey concluded the Bozsoki and Marrero, who is a veteran of 10 years, were in violation of several rules of conduct, and they were subsequently charged internally, Davey said.
Rivera declined to comment on the situation until the hearing was over.
Bozsoki was charged with failure to be truthful during an investigation, using unnecessary violence toward a prisoner in his custody and a violation of the department's use-of-force policy.
Neither officer completed a use-of-force form, which is procedure any time a Taser is deployed, Davey said.
Marrero, who made the arrest with Bozsoki, was charged with failure to notify a supervisor of the incident and failure to be truthful during an investigation.
Phillips said he was surprised Marrero is facing discipline.
''He really had nothing to do with it,'' he said. ''He was 20 to 30 yards away when he heard the yelp, and when he saw what happened he chastised Bozsoki for his carelessness.''
The officers could face anywhere from a reprimand to being terminated, Davey said. If they receive more than a three-day suspension, Safety-Service Director Craig Miller will become involved.
''Since it is still at the police chief step, I am not aware of all the details, nor has either officer been found guilty,'' Miller said.
Both officers will remain on duty until the predisciplinary hearing.
The officers arrested Santiago on a warrant on May 1 after following up on a complaint filed against him on April 30. The initial complaint alleged that Santiago had threatened physical harm to another man. While addressing the complaint, the officers found Santiago had an active warrant from Sheffield Lake.
Santiago was made aware of the investigation and its outcome and has the option of filing further charges against the police department in federal or common pleas court for violation of his constitutional rights, Davey said.
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Post by KC on Jul 1, 2006 19:53:57 GMT -5
July 01, 2006 - LORAIN -- An internal investigation into a citizen's complaint has revealed a Lorain police officer had ''no lawful reason to use a Taser'' on a man arrested on a warrant, according to Lorain Capt. Robert Davey.
Officers Dan Bozsoki, who is accused of wrongfully using the Taser, and Stanley Marrero will face police Chief Cel Rivera on Friday for a predisciplinary hearing involving departmental charges filed by Davey, according to the attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3.
''This was just a egregious mistake made by an officer who has only been on the force for 14 or 15 months,'' said attorney Robert Phillips, who will represent Bozsoki and Marrero in the hearing. ''He never intended to harm Mr. Santiago.''
The investigation stemmed from the arrest of Kalian Santiago, 23, of Lorain. Santiago was allegedly ''dry-stunned'' in an unprovoked action by Bozsok using a Taser that had prongs removed before it was fired, according to Davey.
''We conducted an investigation into a formal citizen's complaint,'' Davey said. ''The complaint stated Santiago had been Tasered in the leg for no reason after being arrested on a warrant, handcuffed and placed in the back seat of the cruiser.''
Phillips said Bozsoki was trying to ''spook'' Santiago when he accidentally bumped his right thigh with the Taser.
''He got excited and made a mistake,'' Phillips said. ''It was dark in the back of the cruiser. It scared (Bozsoki) as much as it scared Santiago.''
Phillips said Bozsoki is a good officer who doesn't have a ''malevolent bone in his body.'' Phillips said everyone makes mistakes, and he expects Bozsoki to get a stiff consequence for his actions.
Although it is not against the use-of-force rules to Taser someone who is handcuffed, investigating officer Lt. Steve Schmittle said there was ''no lawful reason to use the Taser'' in this case.
Schmittle and Davey concluded the Bozsoki and Marrero, who is a veteran of 10 years, were in violation of several rules of conduct, and they were subsequently charged internally, Davey said.
Rivera declined to comment on the situation until the hearing was over.
Bozsoki was charged with failure to be truthful during an investigation, using unnecessary violence toward a prisoner in his custody and a violation of the department's use-of-force policy.
Neither officer completed a use-of-force form, which is procedure any time a Taser is deployed, Davey said.
Marrero, who made the arrest with Bozsoki, was charged with failure to notify a supervisor of the incident and failure to be truthful during an investigation.
Phillips said he was surprised Marrero is facing discipline.
''He really had nothing to do with it,'' he said. ''He was 20 to 30 yards away when he heard the yelp, and when he saw what happened he chastised Bozsoki for his carelessness.''
The officers could face anywhere from a reprimand to being terminated, Davey said. If they receive more than a three-day suspension, Safety-Service Director Craig Miller will become involved.
''Since it is still at the police chief step, I am not aware of all the details, nor has either officer been found guilty,'' Miller said.
Both officers will remain on duty until the predisciplinary hearing.
The officers arrested Santiago on a warrant on May 1 after following up on a complaint filed against him on April 30. The initial complaint alleged that Santiago had threatened physical harm to another man. While addressing the complaint, the officers found Santiago had an active warrant from Sheffield Lake.
Santiago was made aware of the investigation and its outcome and has the option of filing further charges against the police department in federal or common pleas court for violation of his constitutional rights, Davey said.
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Post by KC on Sept 12, 2006 22:41:55 GMT -5
September 12, 2006 - A Uniontown police officer, who was recently reinstated to his post after an arbitration hearing regarding a prior suspension, was charged with perjury after an investigation into his testimony at the hearing. Officer Andre Marcel Mason, 35, of Hiller was charged last week with perjury, false swearing and un-sworn falsification to authorities before Magisterial District Judge Mark Blair. Mason, who was suspended without pay from the city police force a year ago, was reinstated without compensation for lost wages following an arbitrator's decision in July. Mason, a patrolman for nearly a decade, was suspended for alleged conduct unbecoming a police officer, according to city solicitor Daniel Webster. According to state police trooper Jamie Bauer of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Western Task Force, Mason perjured himself during three arbitration hearings held Dec. 21, 2005, and Jan. 10 and 23 of this year. Bauer met with Uniontown police Chief Kyle W. Sneddon, Capt. Ronald "Crow" Kozak, Detective Jason Cox, Sgt. Wayne Brown and Webster on Aug. 21. Bauer said Sneddon and Kozak said Mason was "a questionable officer at best" during his service with Uniontown and was disciplined on several occasions and ultimately suspended without pay pending discharge on Sept. 9, 2005. Bauer said the arbitrator in the case said Mason was not due lost wages and specifically cited Mason's arbitration testimony. "The fact that officer Mason was not forthcoming in his testimony about the termination of his prior employment at California Borough Police Department must also be considered," the arbitrator said in regard to the lost wages, Bauer said. Bauer said that during the arbitration hearing on Jan. 10, Mason perjured himself when he stated he quit his job with California police. Bauer said Mason was terminated from the borough department for conduct unbecoming a police officer and failure to perform acceptably during the probationary period, according to California police Superintendent Stephen Silbaugh. Bauer also said Mason failed to report his termination on his employment application with the Uniontown police in 1995. According to Silbaugh, Mason was present at the California Borough Council meeting when he was terminated and received a certified letter notifying him of the termination, Bauer said. Bauer said police took Mason's employment application with Uniontown, as well as copies of his suspension letter and termination notice for California Borough, into evidence during the investigation. Negotiations were under way between the city and police union, Teamsters Local 491, to determine whether he returned to work or would leave the job under terms of an agreement when the new charges were made. Teamsters Local Vito Dragone could not be reached for comment Monday regarding Mason. If convicted on all charges, Mason could face up to 10 years in prison and $22,500 in fines, Bauer said. A preliminary hearing has not been set. www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17181905&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
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Post by KC on Sept 12, 2006 22:41:55 GMT -5
September 12, 2006 - A Uniontown police officer, who was recently reinstated to his post after an arbitration hearing regarding a prior suspension, was charged with perjury after an investigation into his testimony at the hearing. Officer Andre Marcel Mason, 35, of Hiller was charged last week with perjury, false swearing and un-sworn falsification to authorities before Magisterial District Judge Mark Blair. Mason, who was suspended without pay from the city police force a year ago, was reinstated without compensation for lost wages following an arbitrator's decision in July. Mason, a patrolman for nearly a decade, was suspended for alleged conduct unbecoming a police officer, according to city solicitor Daniel Webster. According to state police trooper Jamie Bauer of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Western Task Force, Mason perjured himself during three arbitration hearings held Dec. 21, 2005, and Jan. 10 and 23 of this year. Bauer met with Uniontown police Chief Kyle W. Sneddon, Capt. Ronald "Crow" Kozak, Detective Jason Cox, Sgt. Wayne Brown and Webster on Aug. 21. Bauer said Sneddon and Kozak said Mason was "a questionable officer at best" during his service with Uniontown and was disciplined on several occasions and ultimately suspended without pay pending discharge on Sept. 9, 2005. Bauer said the arbitrator in the case said Mason was not due lost wages and specifically cited Mason's arbitration testimony. "The fact that officer Mason was not forthcoming in his testimony about the termination of his prior employment at California Borough Police Department must also be considered," the arbitrator said in regard to the lost wages, Bauer said. Bauer said that during the arbitration hearing on Jan. 10, Mason perjured himself when he stated he quit his job with California police. Bauer said Mason was terminated from the borough department for conduct unbecoming a police officer and failure to perform acceptably during the probationary period, according to California police Superintendent Stephen Silbaugh. Bauer also said Mason failed to report his termination on his employment application with the Uniontown police in 1995. According to Silbaugh, Mason was present at the California Borough Council meeting when he was terminated and received a certified letter notifying him of the termination, Bauer said. Bauer said police took Mason's employment application with Uniontown, as well as copies of his suspension letter and termination notice for California Borough, into evidence during the investigation. Negotiations were under way between the city and police union, Teamsters Local 491, to determine whether he returned to work or would leave the job under terms of an agreement when the new charges were made. Teamsters Local Vito Dragone could not be reached for comment Monday regarding Mason. If convicted on all charges, Mason could face up to 10 years in prison and $22,500 in fines, Bauer said. A preliminary hearing has not been set. www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17181905&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
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