Officer Larry Pugh Accused of Sexual Assault (pic)

[WaTcHeR]

Officer Larry Pugh

02/08/2006 - Texas - A Jacksonville police officer was fired Wednesday, after he was arrested, accused of multiple sexual assaults while on duty.

Officer Larry Pugh was in federal court today. He was a part of the Jacksonville Police Department for three years. He pleaded not guilty to all five of the charges he's facing. In the indictments, he's accused of sexually assaulting five different women multiple times, all while on duty and in uniform. The FBI officers on the case say this is an abuse of power.

"This involves a police officer operating in uniform to take advantage of the fact that he is in a position of trust. One of the concerns we have is that he would have been trading freedom from prosecution to these individuals in exchange for sexual favors," Fbi Agent Peter Galbraith said.

"Pugh" has been on paid leave since October. In a statement from the police department today, they say they launched an immediate investigation when allegations were made against him. They were forced to fire him, when the FBI made their arrest. The statement goes on to say, "It is deeply regretful that Mr. Pugh involved himself in this type of conduct, but he left the agency with no other choice but to act in this manner. "

If Larry Pugh is convicted of all the charges he could face up to five years in prison.

[KC]

August 11, 2006 - TYLER, Texas - A former Jacksonville police officer accused of sexually assaulting women while on duty was jailed again after allegedly attacking one of the witnesses against him.

Larry M. Pugh, 33, was arrested Tuesday on state charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction of justice and a federal charge for violating the conditions of his release, authorities said.

Pugh had already been indicted on three federal counts of deprivation of rights under color of law for the alleged sexual assaults of three women while on duty in 2005. He was also indicted for allegedly lying to FBI officials.

Pugh had been released Feb. 8 on $5,000 bond on the condition he have no contact with any alleged victims or potential witnesses.

A woman who was part of the federal investigation of Pugh contacted the police early Tuesday saying he had assaulted her, said Jacksonville Police Chief Reece Daniel.

Daniel declined to release further information, citing concerns for the woman's safety.

Pugh remains in the Smith County jail, and bail has not been set, authorities said.

A call to his attorney was not immediately returned Thursday.

If convicted, Pugh faces two to 20 years in prison for the aggravated assault charge, a second-degree felony, and two to 10 years in prison for the third-degree felony obstruction charge.

The three federal charges for deprivation of rights could each carry sentences of up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Pugh has also been named in an unrelated lawsuit claiming excessive force.

He was fired by the Jacksonville police department after his initial arrest.

www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/15244370.htm

[WaTcHeR]

09.14.2006 - Former Jacksonville police Officer Larry Pugh now faces up to 20 years in federal prison after he was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of tampering with a witness, allegedly dragging her by a belt around her neck.


The indictment alleges that Pugh used physical force against the witness involved in his other felony cases and attempted to force her into his vehicle "with the intent to delay or prevent her testimony in an official federal proceeding," according to a prepared statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Pugh, 33, was indicted earlier with sexually assaulting three women while on duty as a law enforcement officer and lying to federal officials. He faced up to one year in prison for the sexual assault cases and up to five years in prison on the allegation that he lied to authorities.

The tampering with a witness charge, which allegedly violated his pre-trial release, carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

According to the court documents, Pugh approached the witness and offered her a ride. When she recognized Pugh, she began to immediately move away from him.

Pugh exited his van, approached her from behind and "placed his belt around her neck and began dragging her back to his van," court documents state. The witness said the belt apparently broke while she was being dragged and she fled to a nearby friend's house. Pugh fled from the scene in his van.

Pugh has been charged for lying to FBI officials, saying he had "never had sex with anyone while on duty," on Oct. 24, 2005. He was also charged with sexually assaulting three women - depriving them of their rights - while acting under the color of the law between Jan. 1, 2005, and Oct. 21, 2005.

Pugh was fired from the police department after his arrest. He has also since been named in an unrelated lawsuit claiming excessive force.

www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17193746&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=227937&rfi=6

[WaTcHeR]

10.12.2006 - TYLER — U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Orwig announced Thursday that a 33-year-old former Jacksonville police officer has pleaded guilty to civil rights violations and retaliating against a witness.

Larry M. Pugh admitted to the charges before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Tyler, according to a press release issued by Orwig's office.

Pugh admitted that on two occasions in 2005, while a Jacksonville police officer, he violated the civil rights of two women by forcing them to have sex with him while he was on duty and in uniform, according to evidence introduced by prosecutors.

In one incident, he had arrested the woman and then released her after she had sex with him. In the other incident, Pugh offered the woman a courtesy ride, then took her to a trailer house where he had sex with her and then returned her to her neighborhood.

Pugh also admitted to retaliating against one of the women for providing information to law enforcement officials. Specifically, he admitted that he confronted the woman, wrapped his belt around her neck and attempted to drag her into his van. In doing so, the woman suffered physical injuries.

In the plea agreement, Pugh and the United States agreed that he should receive a sentence of 12 years in federal prison. He also faces a fine of up to $450,000. A sentencing date has not been set.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Cherokee County District Attorney's Office and the Jacksonville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan Jackson and Wes Rivers.

www.lufkindailynews.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/09/29/jax_policeman_pleads.html