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"I don't like this book because it don't got know pictures" Chief Rhorerer

“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”

“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”
“It’s becoming a disturbingly familiar scene in America - mentally unstable cops”

Cop arrested for theft


Rob Ireland

ELKHORN — A former Bloomfield and Genoa City police officer was arrested on April 16 after he was allegedly filmed stealing cash from the Genoa City Police Department.

Aaron E. Henson, 36, was arrested on charges of theft and misconduct in public office. Henson is a five-year veteran of the village of Bloomfield Police Department, and he also worked part time in the village of Genoa City.

Walworth County District Attorney Daniel Necci said Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel has accepted a request to be a special prosecutor on the case. Schimel will review the information in the case and make a decision on whether to formerly charge Henson. Necci said that future court proceedings will occur in Walworth County.

Henson was booked into the Walworth County jail on April 16 at 6:49 p.m., and he was released on a signature bond the next day at 2:25 p.m. Henson was arrested after police raided his home as part of the theft investigation.

According to online court records, defense attorney Frank Lettenberger is representing Henson. On Thursday morning, Lettenberger said he can't comment on the case at this time.

Genoa City Police Chief Joseph Balog said he felt betrayed by the theft.

"When I briefed my personnel, I would equate this to telling them that there was a death in the department," Balog said on Thursday morning.

Balog also emphasized that he acted quickly when he learned of the theft, and that Henson was not given special treatment because he is a police officer.

"Even when someone in our own department does something they are held accountable," Balog said.

He said acting quickly is necessary to ensure that the public can trust law enforcement.

In a press release, Bloomfield Police Chief Llyod Cole reported that on April 17, his department was notified of the investigation into Henson. The press release states that later that day Henson submitted his resignation to the Bloomfield Police Department.

Cole's press release also states that Capt. Dana Nigbor is handling the investigation. She didn't return a message left Thursday morning seeking comment.

Fallout

Necci said his office is reviewing the cases that Henson handled prior to his arrest.

"I don't know how big the fallout will be, but there will be fallout," Necci said. "There will be cases that have to be dismissed because of this. I don't know how many, but I know that will happen."

Necci said Henson's arrest will affect his credibility as a witness in some cases.

"Credibility is always at issue with a witness. Despite the fact that he is an officer he is a witness," Necci said. "If these (allegations) were allowed in at trial, which I tend to think they would be, that would affect his credibility greatly."

In the village of Bloomfield, Henson recently arrested a man for fourth-offense drunken driving, and he referred charges to the District Attorney's Office against the man for attempting to bribe a public official.

In that case, Henson's report included that the man he arrested offered him a $1,000 to let him go. Henson reported that he declined the bribe. So far, the District Attorney's Office has only filed the drunken driving charges against the man.

The defendant in that case is represented by defense attorney Peter Wilson. On Thursday morning, Wilson said he isn't sure what effect, if any, Henson's arrest will have on his client's case.

"It would appear that the two incidents are unrelated," he said. "It obviously goes to the officer's character, but the officer's character is not an element of the offense that my client is charged with."

Wilson added that Henson and his client are both presumed innocent.

Investigation

According to the search warrant affidavit, on April 7, Balog was contacted by his administrative assistant, who reported to him that there was money missing from the bond box.

After the money went missing, on April 11, the assistant photographed and recorded the serial numbers of $230 in cash, which she then placed into the bond box.

On April 14, the assistant discovered that the $230 of pre-recorded cash and $1,728.30 in other bond envelopes went missing.

Later that day, Balog photographed and recorded the serial numbers to another $400 and installed a video camera near the bond box.

The next day, the money went missing. Balog reviewed the video surveillance footage and saw Henson use a fly swatter to remove the bond envelopes from the locked bond box, according to the affidavit.

"(Balog) observed Henson remove the envelopes that contained the money and walk out of view of the camera," the affidavit states.

A search warrant for Henson's home was obtained and executed the next day. Balog has since turned the investigation over to the Walworth County Sheriff's Department.

At his first court appearance, Henson was ordered not to have any contact with the village of Genoa City Police Department, the Genoa City Village Hall, the Bloomfield Village Hall or any of the employees of either department.

According to online court records, Henson is next scheduled to appear in court on May 1 at 1:15 p.m. in front of Judge David Reddy.