Fairfax County Police Watch: 05/06/14

Take down

Retired NJ sheriff's officer charged with robbery

Published: May 2, 2014 5:54 AM

By The Associated Press

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - (AP) -- Authorities are accusing a retired sheriff's officer of robbing a bank in northern New Jersey.

Harry Schnitzer of Parsippany is held on $200,000 bail.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office says the 70-year-old entered the Santander Bank in Boonton on Wednesday, demanded money and threatened to get his gun. Authorities say he fled on foot.

Schnitzer was employed with the Essex County Sheriff's Office, where he retired as a lieutenant in 2002.

Police Officer Suspended for Causing Accident on Way to Fire

A police officer is on unpaid suspension for a few days, after causing an accident on his way to a fire.

Dash cam video released by the Blackman-Leoni township public safety department shows the officer crashing into a car that was making a left turn.

The officer was going nearly 80-miles an hour, twice the speed limit, when he moved into the westbound lane to pass the car on Flansburg Road last Friday.

The woman, who was treated for minor injuries, said she didn't see or hear him coming

Raid in Hillsdale tied to reported police corruption

by Chris Hayes,

HILLSDALE, MO (KTVI) – Hillsdale police were kept away from a raid in its own jurisdiction because of concerns about possible police corruption.

Just after 8 pm, Friday night, St. Louis County Tactical and Pinelawn Police surrounded two homes on Bailey. Police raided the same homes seven months ago. In October, Pinelawn Police reported recovering cocaine and illegal guns. A bigger concern arose when a suspect in the home reportedly admitted hearing a Hillsdale officer warn other suspects about the October raid. The person described someone else in the home talking to the Hillsdale officer on speakerphone when the officer said, ‘Get out. Leave! Leave!’ Pinelawn police reported later finding drugs hidden in an air vent and overflow pipe. They also reported finding a gun under a mattress, with a defaced serial number and a gun in an air vent that was reported stolen.

The FBI later arrested two Hillsdale Officers, Lt. Parish Swanson and Officer Raymond Stephens, accusing them of a drug conspiracy.

Now, fast forward seven months to today. Pinelawn Detective Corporal Lawrence Fleming said Police believe illegal activity at the Bailey homes continued. After a loud flash bang, they arrested at least six suspects and recovered more guns and drugs. One officer said that a strong smell of PCP was slowing down the search.

The Hillsdale Police Department was not notified of this second raid. We watched as a Hillsdale officer drove up to the scene and was turned away by a Pinelawn officer.

Hillsdale is the same Department where Sgt Christopher Cornell pleaded guilty to Federal Drug charge in 2007.

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Cop arrested for theft

Rob Ireland

ELKHORN — A former Bloomfield and Genoa City police officer was arrested on April 16 after he was filmed allegedly 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.

On April 29, Henson was formally charged with felony misconduct in public office and misdemeanor theft. The felony charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 3 1/2 years and a $10,000 fine.

Necci said that future court proceedings will occur in Walworth County. Henson was booked into the Walworth County jail on March 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.

Betrayal

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.

Balog said that the investigation was turned over to the sheriff's department after he learned that one of his officers became the subject of the investigation.

Walworth County Sheriff's Capt. Dana Nigbor said the investigation was turned over to her department, but it was nearly completed by the time she received it.

"We are not looking into any other thefts," Nigbor said. "The chief assured me that all the other bonds were accounted for."

When asked if Henson received different treatment, Nigbor responded that he didn't.

"Absolutely not. He was treated exactly the same," Nigbor said.

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.

Tarrytown cop charged in vandalism at police headquarters

Richard Liebson, Westchester

TARRYTOWN – A veteran village police officer has been arrested, accused of breaking an office door lock at police headquarters.

Derrick G. Purdie, 49, was charged with third-degree criminal mischief, a felony.

Police said the incident took place in January but released no details about whose office door was damaged, how the lock was broken or why Purdie, a member of the department for 11 years, broke it. Police did say the damage cost more than $250 to repair.

Purdie was charged Tuesday.

He was released without bail and was scheduled to appear in Tarrytown Village Court on Wednesday.

Police said Purdie has been suspended without pay.

Pembroke Pines officer charged after stealing watch from burglary scene

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police have arrested and charged a fellow officer after he was captured on surveillance video footage stealing a watch from a jewelry store during an investigation into a robbery at the shop.

Pembroke Pines police officer, 37-year-old Kevin Burgs, was one of several officers who responded to a break-in at the Jared, The Galleria of Jewelry store at 11077 Pines Boulevard on Feb. 5.

That morning, suspects had come through the store's ceiling in the Pembroke Lakes Square shopping center and stole an estimated $75,000 worth of jewelry, according to investigators. The men fled the scene before police arrived.

According to the Pembroke Pines Police Department, Burgs was captured on surveillance video carrying a ladder around the store. On another piece of surveillance, two watches are seen on the floor. Burgs is seen putting down the ladder to pick up his gun. As he picks up the gun and leaves the store, only one watch remained.

Investigators said they found the watch, worth nearly $8,000, inside Burgs' police cruiser.

Burgs has been charged with grand theft. Burgs has pleaded not guilty.

He has been suspended without pay. A scheduling hearing is set for July 17.

Concord Ex-Cop Convicted, Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Rx Thefts from Seniors

A former Concord police officer accused of stealing prescription drugs from elderly residents to satisfy his own addiction was convicted today and sentenced to 2.5 years in jail with the option to serve part of his sentence in a locked-down treatment facility.

Matthew Switzer, 38, pleaded no contest in a Martinez courtroom to two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree burglary, one count of fraudulently obtaining prescription drugs and one count of elder abuse, according to prosecutors.

"The sentence is a recognition that this is a serious offense committed by a peace officer, however it balances the need to potentially rehabilitate him and the opportunity for rehabilitation is part of the sentence," said Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Barry Grove.

"If he takes of advantage of that, hopefully he can be rehabilitated, and if he doesn't he'll have a long stay in county jail and we'll probably be seeing him again," he said.

Switzer made a brief apology to the court and to the victims in the case during his court appearance today.

He has been in custody at the county jail in Martinez since he turned himself in on the charges in early April and immediately resigned from his post as a K-9 officer with the Concord Police Department.

Concord police Chief Guy Swanger alerted the district attorney's office after getting a tip from a resident in February about Switzer's crimes.

Prosecutors said the defendant used his position as a police officer to enter the homes of several seniors in Concord and steal a powerful prescription drug called Norco.

He also obtained medication using multiple phony prescriptions, according to Grove. Harry Stern, Switzer's attorney, has said that his client developed a prescription drug addiction after using the medication to cope with an undisclosed injury and to ease his PTSD.

Stern said his client has a good reputation in the community and family members who he said have rallied to support Switzer since his arrest.

Ex-police chief gets 5-year sentence for fraud

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A former suburban Chicago police chief who pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme related to a $1.25 million state grant in 2009 was sentenced to five years in prison.

Regina Evans is the former top cop in Country Club Hills. She pleaded guilty last year in U.S. District Court to wire fraud, money-laundering and conspiracy charges last year. She was accused of stealing more than $900,000 of the state work-training grant that was part of her effort to revive the Regal Theater on Chicago's South Side.

In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Sue Myerscough told the woman she "broke the law in magnificent fashion with a magnificent fraud." She ordered Evans to pay $917,000 in restitution.

The national problem of Drunk and Drugged up cops

Dunk and drugged up cops Officer Charged in DUI Hit-and-Run: Sources

A Philadelphia police officer was arrested after she allegedly struck several vehicles with her car and then fled the scene while she was under the influence.

Law enforcement sources told NBC10 that June Nowell, an 18th District Police officer, struck several parked cars early Friday morning in Northeast Philadelphia. Nowell then allegedly fled the scene in her vehicle.

Sources say a witness directed responding officers towards Nowell and she was arrested a short time later.

Nowell was off-duty and was not using a police vehicle at the time of the crash, according to sources. Sources also say she was charged with DUI.

Philadelphia Police confirmed that an officer was arrested for DUI though they did not confirm whether or not it was Nowell.

“The officer has been taken off the street and relieved of police powers pending the outcome of the case,” said Philadelphia Police Lieutenant John Stanford. “There were no injuries involved in this incident.”

Dunk and drugged up cops Cop Crashed Into Sober Woman, Broke Her Neck, Arrested Her For Drunk Driving

A sheriff’s deputy rolled through a stop sign and crashed into another driver — 25-year-old Tanya Weyker — breaking her neck in four places.

Unbelievably, police arrested Weyker for drunk driving — even though she was sober, and even though they soon obtained surveillance video proving the deputy was at fault.

It took a year for Weyker to definitively clear her name, and she still hasn’t been reimbursed by the county for damages to her vehicle and medical expenses, according to FOX 40.

Joseph Quiles, a Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, sheriff’s deputy, caused the accident at night in February of 2013, when he rolled through a stop sign, T-boning Weyker.

Quiles was soon joined by another officer at the crash scene. Weyker was injured so badly that it was impossible for officers to administer a field sobriety test. She told the officers that she had consumed a few sips of alcohol from a friend’s cup, and was previously taking medication after having her wisdom teeth removed. The officers considered this to be enough information to charge her with drunk driving.

In Quiles’ report, he claimed that he stopped at the sign, and the accident was Weyker’s fault.

Within two days, authorities received video proof that the crash had been Quiles fault. They did not drop the charges, however. The county even wrote letters to Weyker demanding that she pay for all the damages to both cars.

Five months later, test results proved that Weyker was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the arrest. Still, it took another five months for prosecutors to drop the charges against her. Luckily for Weyker, Quiles eventually contradicted his original statements and indicated that he was at fault for the crash. He was suspended for nine days because he damaged county equipment, but was never disciplined for giving a false statement.

Quiles was on medical leave for months following the crash, and has applied for permanent medical leave. While he is no longer on duty, it’s unclear whether the county will continue to pay him.

Weyker — a cancer survivor with a spotless driving record — may have been vindicated, but she hasn’t yet been repaid for all she suffered. A planned lawsuit against the officer who arrested her may change that, however.

“Lots of people are too afraid to stick up for themselves against someone in such high power,” she said in a statement.

Dunk and drugged up cops Mountlake Terrace officer fired for drunken driving

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE, Wash. (AP) - A Mountlake Terrace police commander has been fired following a January arrest for drunken driving.

The Everett Herald reports Friday that 50-year-old Don Duncan was an 18-year veteran of the city's police department. He was arrested on Jan. 31 on suspicion of drunken driving after a state trooper noticed his car crossing the center line and that his headlights weren't on. Duncan pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge and the case is pending trial.

However, authorities say Duncan attempted to talk himself out of being arrested and accused the trooper of being untruthful.

In the 14-page termination letter sent Thursday, Mountlake Terrace city administrator Arlene Fisher wrote that Duncan's behavior showed "a complete absence of judgment" and reflected poorly on the police department.

Duncan says the city's internal investigation was flawed.

Dunk and drugged up cops Baltimore cop pleads to DUI, endangerment

With BAC of 0.276 and his kids in the car, his plea agreement calls for house arrest, probation

By Rick Lee

In a negotiated plea agreement, Baltimore City Police Officer Shawn Byron Johnson has pleaded guilty in York County court to driving under the influence and two counts of endangering the welfare of children.

Northern York County Regional Police said that at 9:26 p.m. on March 24, 2013, they responded to the 1400 block of Detwiler Drive, where they found Johnson, now 41, standing by his gray 2008 Honda Accord.

The Honda sustained severe front-end damage after crashing into a Hyundai sedan and a large brick pillar.

Police found Johnson's children, who were not injured, in the back seat of his car. His ex-wife came to the scene and picked the children up, documents state.

Johnson's blood-alcohol level was 0.276 percent, documents state; the legal limit for driving in Pennsylvania is 0.08 percent.

Johnson's attorney, Chris Ferro, said his client's negotiated plea agreement calls for a sentence of three days on house arrest, 10 days wearing an alcohol monitoring bracelet and two years on probation.

Following his arrest, Johnson's wife reportedly told police that "she and Johnson ate dinner, and he drank three small mixed drinks at her house before taking the children and traveling home," documents state. She told police she didn't think Johnson was drunk or intoxicated.

Ferro said Friday that Johnson, of the 1400 block of Monroe Street, West York, had gastric bypass surgery before his arrest and that "medical research shows that significantly enhances (blood alcohol levels.)"

"My client said he drank moderately," Ferro explained. "But the law doesn't consider medical explanations. If you're above, you're above."

Ferro said the status of Johnson's employment likely will not be determined until after his Nov. 26 sentencing.

Dunk and drugged up cops: Portland cop pleads guilty to criminal mischief

PORTLAND -- An off-duty Portland police officer arrested for vandalizing his neighbor's vehicle pleaded guilty to criminal mischief during a plea hearing Friday.

Homero Reynaga, 41, was arrested Dec. 31 by Tualatin police on charges of criminal mischief in the second degree and booked into Clackamas County Jail.

The incident wasn't Reynaga's first arrest. In July 2011, he was taken into custody for hitting another vehicle and being intoxicated.

Reynaga is scheduled to be sentenced May 23. He was a 15-year-veteran of the Portland Police Bureau.

Ex-Concord cop pleads no contest to stealing drugs

By Gary Peterson

MARTINEZ -- A Concord K-9 police officer who resigned after being arrested and charged with stealing prescription drugs from the elderly pleaded no contest to five counts in Contra Costa Superior Court on Friday and received a sentence of 2½ years.

As part of the plea agreement, Matthew Switzer will spend six months in County Jail, with the other two years of his sentence suspended pending his successful completion of a licensed, secure residential drug-treatment program.

"This negotiation gives him a fighting chance to beat his addiction," said Harry Stern, Switzer's attorney, after the hearing in Judge Bruce C. Mills' courtroom.

"This gets the point across that what he did was wrong, and that being a police officer did not place him above the law," said deputy district attorney Barry Grove. "The ball's in his court now. He's getting the help he needs."

Switzer, a 12-year veteran of the department, was arrested after Concord police were tipped off that he was stealing drugs from residents of a seniors complex. He was charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, one count of second-degree burglary, one count of fraudulently obtaining prescription drugs and one count of elder abuse. He was held on $480,000 bail.

Stern, shortly after Switzer was arrested, said the "well-respected" officer became addicted to painkillers after an on-the-job injury. Grove said Switzer used his status as a police officer, sometimes with the aid of his dog, to steal prescription drugs to feed his addiction.

For most of Friday's hearing, Switzer stood quietly in a prisoner enclosure. When the hearing was complete, he made a spontaneous statement.

"I apologize to the court," he said, "and especially to the victims, my family and my relatives."

"I'm extremely proud of him," said Stern, whose firm specializes in representing peace officers. "This is a bold, courageous step toward beating his addiction. I'm confident he's going to win."

Grove, who said after Switzer's second hearing that "I absolutely hate having to" prosecute a police officer, seemed to feel empathy for the former officer.

"It's no easy thing having felony strikes on your record,"Grove said. "And it's not an easy thing being a peace officer serving time in County Jail."

Edgewood officer on drugs at time of fatal crash

Anderson — Prosecutors say blood tests have found an off-duty central Indiana police officer was under the influence of an anti-anxiety drug and a painkiller when his SUV plowed into a car, killing a man and injuring his pregnant wife.

Suspended Edgewood Officer James Foutch faces driving while intoxicated causing death and other charges from the April 6 crash that killed 23-year-old Jesse Sperry. His wife, 22-year-old Rebecca Sperry, gave birth to a daughter later that day at an Indianapolis hospital.

The Herald Bulletin reports Madison County court documents filed Monday show Foutch's blood tested positive for the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and the painkiller hydrocodone.

Foutch doesn't have a published telephone number and court records don't list a defense attorney. His initial court hearing is scheduled for May 19.

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