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San Diego cop arrested on domestic violence charge

by Bob Ponting

SAN DIEGO — La Mesa police arrested a San Diego police officer Tuesday on domestic violence charges, officials said.

Officer Gilbert Lorenzo was arrested and booked into county jail Tuesday afternoon by La Mesa police, San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said.

San Diego police contacted the neighboring police department after receiving a call alleging that Lorenzo had abused his wife, she said.

“We received the information early yesterday afternoon,” Zimmerman said. “We immediately contacted La Mesa Police Department, because it occurred in their city, and within just several hours after that, I revoked his police powers and suspended him without pay. He was booked into jail.”

Lorenzo’s wife was the alleged victim of the abuse, but she did not require medical attention, La Mesa police Lt. Matt Nicholass said. Lorenzo posted $50,000 bail and was release on bond, Nicholass added. Zimmerman and Nicholass refused to discuss details of the allegations against Lorenzo, saying they did not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

Zimmerman said she moved quickly after learning of the accusations against Lorenzo. She said the department will no tolerate misconduct by any of its officers.

“It’s called the police officers bill of rights,” said Chris Morris, Attorney.  Morris was also the head of the Criminal Division under former City Attorney Mike Aguirre.

Morris called Chief Zimmerman’s actions harsh and said she doesn’t have the right to revoke Lorenzo’s police powers.

“Typically you’d place this officer on some sort of administrative leave,” said Morris.

He also said to punish before a thorough investigation and hearing is a violation of the officer’s due process rights.

“This is the kind of case where the police officers bill of rights is meant to protect an officer’s pre disciplinary pre termination rights to a hearing,” explained Morris.  “He has rights to an investigative hearing, he has rights to have counsel present.”

Zimmerman said due process will come in two investigations.  One by the La Mesa Police Department and the other by San Diego Police Department Internal Affairs.

“I’ve sent, as the chief of police, a very clear message — expectations that we will be held to the  highest standards on duty and off duty,” Zimmerman said.

Lorenzo is a 7-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, Zimmerman said.

He had worked in the department’s Mid-City Division and was currently assigned to the Northern Division, she said.

Lorenzo’s arrest is the latest in a string of cases involving allegations of misconduct by SDPD officers. Among the other cases are allegations of sexual abuse of female detainees and drunken driving.

“I was very disappointed — very disappointed — to hear this news and I can tell you our officers were very disappointed to hear this news,” Zimmerman said.

She said “a very few” people are making terrible decisions to “discredit our badge” and “dishonor our noble profession.”

Fox 5 also contacted the Police Officers Association, we were told no comment.

Lowellville officer charged with abduction

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) –  A 23-year veteran on the Lowellville Police Department is facing a felony abduction charge.

A Mahoning County grand jury on Thursday handed up an indictment against Sgt. Roger Vance, 46, of Lowellville, on a felony charge of abduction and a misdemeanor charge of unlawful restraint. The victim alleges she was held against her will by Vance.

The relationship between the two is unknown.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case. Officials said the part-time officer is now on administrative leave with the department pending the outcome of the case.

Police officer charged with assaulting girlfriend, fellow officer

(NECN) - An Ipswich, Mass. police officer was arraigned Friday on domestic assault charges following a three-month investigation conducted by the Essex District Attorney's Office.

Peter Nikas, 52, is charged with four counts of assault and battery, malicious destruction of property and intimidation of a witness. Prosecutors say the charges stem from a physical confrontation with his girlfriend and a fellow police officer and a verbal confrontation with the other officer's girlfriend that occurred last year.

According to Wicked Local, Peter Nikas is the brother of Ipswich Police Chief Paul Nikas. He was recently demoted from sergeant to patrolman as part of an agreement with the town. He was placed on paid leave in the wake of the incident, and it wasn't immediately clear Friday if he has returned to work.

Prosecutors asked for $2,500 cash bail on Friday, plus the condition that Peter Nikas be placed on a GPS monitoring bracelet, remain alcohol-free, submit to random screenings, no abuse and refrain from contacting or going near the victims with whom he does not reside. They also asked that Nikas be forced to surrender all firearms to the Ipswich Police Department.

The judge set bail at $1,000 cash, which Nikas is expected to post, and imposed all of the conditions requested by the prosecutor.

According to the Essex District Attorney's Office, on the night of Oct. 27, 2013, Nikas got into a physical confrontation with his girlfriend, who then sought refuge for her and her children at a friend's home. Nikas is then alleged to have arrived at the friend's home, drunk, at which point he shouted at his girlfriend. A fellow police officer who also lived there drove Nikas back to his home and tried to calm him down.

Sometime after midnight on Oct. 28, prosecutors said Nikas returned to the home demanding that his girlfriend come out of the house. The other police officer attempted to stop him from entering the home, at which point Nikas pushed through the door and got into a physical altercation with the officer, who was eventually able to get Nikas to leave.

The matter was referred to the Essex District Attorney's Office by Ipswich town officials in late 2013.

Nikas is scheduled to return to court on June 10 for a pretrial conference.

Ill. cop, twice accused of murder, now accused of choking wife

ALORTON, Ill. - A southern Illinois police officer who has been accused of murder twice, was arrested this week for allegedly attacking his wife.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, William T. Miller IV, 63, was charged on April 22 with domestic battery for choking his wife, who is identified in court documents by her initials, "H.M."

Miller was arrested and released after posting $5,000 bail. The newspaper reports that he has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case.

But this is not the first - or even the second time - Miller has been accused of harming a woman he was romantically involved with. According to the Post-Dispatch, Miller was charged with killing his girlfriend, JoAnn Hubbard in 1975. He reportedly claimed self-defense. His first trial ended in a hung jury, and a second a jury acquitted him, reports the newspaper.

Ten years later, while working as an Alorton police officer, the paper reports that Miller was accused of taking $400 from a man while on duty, but that the charges of felony theft and official misconduct were dismissed.

And 1992, Miller's wife, Ruthie M. Miller, 41, was reportedly shot in the back of the head at the couple's home in Alorton. Miller was charged with first-degree murder, but again, the case was dismissed after a St. Clair County grand jury refused to indict him, reports the Post-Dispatch.

Prior to this week, Miller had also reportedly been charged three times with battery. Those charges, too, were dismissed, reported the Post-Dispatch. However, per a statement from St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly, it looks like he may not get off so easy this time.

"The Alorton police received a report of domestic battery, arrested the defendant and turned the investigation over to an outside agency, the Illinois State Police, in accordance with the appropriate policy and procedure," said Kelly, as reported in the Post-Dispatch.

Stamford Agrees to pay $230,000 for Incident of Police Brutality Against Norwalk Woman

The City of Stamford has agreed to pay a Norwalk woman $230,000 as the result of a 2009 case of police brutality.

BRIDGEPORT, CT, April 21, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The City of Stamford has agreed to pay a Norwalk woman $230,000 as the result of a 2009 case of police brutality.

Atty. Antonio Ponvert III, of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, today announced that the $230,000 out-of-court settlement resolves a lawsuit filed against the City of Stamford and Stamford police officer Greg Zach on behalf of a longtime Norwalk resident.

According to the Complaint filed in Stamford Superior Court in June 2009, Brenda Mazariegos was attempting to enter the parking lot of her employer, The Palms Nightclub, a longtime downtown Stamford business co-owned by her husband, when, with no justification whatsoever, Stamford Police Officer Greg Zach ordered her out of her car, punched her in the face with a closed fist, then left her bleeding, crying and shackled in a swelteringly police cruiser. Finally, other officers took Ms. Mazariegos to the Stamford Hospital Emergency Department, where she was treated for serious wounds to her head and face.

Ponvert filed the lawsuit in Stamford Superior Court in 2011. A trial in the case resulted in a hung jury at the end of 2013. A second trial was slated to begin this month.

According to the Complaint, Brenda Mazariegos and her friend and fellow employee Sandra Solis were attempting to park in The Palms parking lot when Officer Zach refused to grant them access - even after Sandra's husband Nelson Solis told the officer that he co-owned The Palms with Brenda's husband and that the women had the right to park there. Sandra had been driving when Officer Zach first stopped them, but she left the car to find her husband.

After ordering Brenda to get behind the wheel, the Complaint alleges, Officer Zach demanded to see Brenda's driver's license, which she had left at home. When Brenda failed to produce her license, Zach ordered her out of the car and brutally assaulted her. Brenda is five feet tall. Officer Zach is six feet.

With a closed fist, Zach viciously and repeatedly punched Brenda in the head, face, neck and shoulders, the Complaint alleges.

"This vicious and unjustified assault is every citizen's worst fear about a police force run amok. Officer Zach's excessive force against a tiny woman should have landed him in jail. Instead he is back on the job, wearing a uniform and carrying a gun, being paid at taxpayer's expense. It's a travesty," Ponvert said.

"It is only a matter of time," Ponvert added, "before the Stamford Police Department's failure to properly train and supervise its rogue officers costs another law-abiding citizen her health and safety, maybe even her life, and costs the city's residents another quarter million dollar legal settlement."

The lawsuit alleges that Zach's assault caused Brenda to suffer a "hematoma on her forehead the size of an orange."

"For months after Zach's violent assault," the lawsuit said, "Brenda could not stay in her house alone for fear that Zach might come to hurt her."

"Due to Officer Zach's false statements about Brenda's behavior on the day he beat and arrested her, she was wrongfully charged with breach of peace, interference with an officer, resisting arrest and assault on a police officer," the lawsuit said. All those charges were subsequently dropped.

The lawsuit accused the Stamford Police Department of inadequately training its officers and supervisors, failing to "properly evaluate and assign Officer Zach in light of previous incidents and complaints" and failing to terminate Zach as a result of previous incidents and complaints. Specifically, according to the lawsuit, prior to his assault on Brenda, Zach had a well-documented history of sustained citizen complaints for verbal abuse and other threatening misconduct toward Stamford citizens, including women and children. He remains an officer with the Stamford Police Department.

Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder has offices in Bridgeport, Danbury, New Haven and Stamford. The nationally known law firm has achieved record-breaking verdicts for people who have suffered serious personal injuries and economic harm from medical malpractice, violation of their civil rights, dangerous products, negligence, drunk drivers, corporate and governmental abuse, and commercial misconduct. www.koskoff.com. 

Rally For Crockford Alleges Police Misconduct

Residents gathered on Elmira Road last Saturday to participate in a Human Rights Rally calling for Tompkins County Sheriff Ken Lansing and District Attorney Gwen Wilkinson to take action to remove Stephen Moracco from service as a County Deputy Sheriff.  The rally was prompted by an incident five years ago in which Moracco arrested Amy Crockford, who alleged that the officer injured her on purpose after placing her in custody in the back of his squad car.  She also alleged she was taunted by Moracco because she is a lesbian.

In 2009 Moracco, working as an Ithaca Police Officer, arrested Crockford after an incident at the State Diner. According to Crockford, Moracco handcuffed and placed her in the backseat of the squad car without being seat-belted. Moracco then allegedly intentionally drove erratically causing Crockford to slam up against the door and front seat, which resulted in her sustaining injuries to her face and shoulder. Crockford was charged with disorderly conduct and released a few hours after her arrest. All charges were later dropped and Crockford states that she still doesn’t know why she was arrested.

Crockford reported that the rally on Saturday was to garner public attention to the case because the statute of limitations for criminal charges will expire on May 31st. Crockford’s supporters carried signs and talked with passers-by explaining that they feel Wilkinson’s original investigation was incomplete and potentially biased.

In attendance at the rally was Heather Baretz of Ithaca who was an eyewitness to Crockford’s arrest. Bretz stated, “I heard the officer shout to Amy, ‘Do you want to go to jail?’ to which she responded ‘For what?’ We were only about ten feet away from them. We stayed and watched because he seemed overly aggressive.” Bretz continued, “Then he grabbed and twisted her hand and she went down on her knee and he handcuffed her. She did not resist at all and did not appear to be drunk. It was not the same kind of behavior I’d seen here from other police and it concerned me.”

Eyewitness Dyan Kummer, also in attendance at the rally, reported, “I watched him (Moracco) grab her and throw her to her knees handcuffing her. She was completely compliant despite his aggressive behavior.” Kummer goes on to say, “The manner in which he took the corner when he drove away with her was way too fast and unsafe.”

Kummer said Wilkinson never contacted her. Bretz stated that Wilkinson did call her but was not interested in her statement and only spoke to her for about thirty seconds on the phone. Information from these two witnesses prompted County residents including members of the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca’s Social Justice Council (FUSIT-SJC) to write letters to Wilkinson asking her to recuse herself from the case and allow a special investigator to reopen the matter.

Wilkinson never responded to letters from individual supporters or from Crockford. She did respond to the letter from the FUSIT-SJC stating that she stood by her investigation and would not recuse herself.

Rally-goers carried signs reading 'VIDEO DOES NOT LIE' referring to a video released by the City of Ithaca depicting Moracco allegedly re-enacting the car ride with Crockford in conversation with another officer disclosed in the Ithaca Journal on December 25, 2013.

Crockford said that Moracco used homophobic slurs as he repeatedly sped up and slammed on the brakes during their short ride from the State Diner to the Ithaca police station. “I was really scared. I had no idea what he might do to me next. By the time we got to the station, I was pretty beat up.”

A woman from Dryden that identifies as lesbian who wanted to remain anonymous stated, “Knowing that Moracco might show up at my door makes me think twice about calling the cops even if it were an emergency. I shouldn’t be afraid of my own police force. That’s why I’m here today.”

Kathy Russell walking the bridge sidewalk at Clinton and Elmira stated, “I don’t know Amy Crockford, but I care about the LGBTQ community and I want to show my support for them.”

Organizers reported that another Human Rights Rally is planned for two weeks on Saturday, May 10th.  They say they plan to continue until Lansing and Wilkinson take action to remove Stephen Moracco from the Tompkins County Sheriff’s office.

Two Former South Carolina Police Officers Charged with Using Unreasonable Force

U.S. Department of Justice April 22, 2014         •           Office of Public Affairs (202) 514-2007/TDD (202) 514-1888

The Department of Justice announced that a federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina returned a two-count indictment today charging Eric Walters and Franklin Brown, both former police officers with the city of Marion Police Department, with using unreasonable force against a female citizen.

Walters and Brown have each been charged with one count of deprivation of rights under color of law, specifically alleging that, while acting as police officers, each defendant used unreasonable force on the victim, resulting in bodily injury. The indictment alleges that on April 2, 2013, Walters and Brown each used their respective tasers multiple times on the victim.

If convicted, each defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

An indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Resident Agency of the FBI. It is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Nicholas Murphy and Henry Leventis for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles and Assistant U.S. Attorney John Potterfield for the District of South Carolina.

Cuero officer charged with assault on trooper wife

 CUERO, Texas (AP) — A police officer has been charged with assault after his Texas trooper wife allegedly was hit by a pickup truck pulling a trailer at their home.

Department of Public Safety officials say Cuero police Sgt. Corey Tolbert was charged Friday with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury/family violence.

Records for DeWitt and Lavaca counties show Tolbert, with bond at $200,000, was no longer in custody Monday.

Texas Rangers helped investigate the April 17 incident when Trooper Elizabeth Tolbert allegedly was struck. KAVU-TV reports the trailer rolled over her legs. The Victoria Advocate reports the trooper spent several days hospitalized.

Jailers had no attorney information for Corey Tolbert, who's on paid leave.

Cuero police on Monday referred questions to DPS, which didn't release details on the victim.

Tuckerton Police Officer Justin Cherry Charged with Assault

Veteran Tuckerton Police Cpl. Justin Cherry has been suspended without pay and charged with official misconduct and aggravated assault stemming from a January arrest when his K-9 attacked and bit a woman who was stopped for eluding police and other motor vehicle violations.    

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato announced the arrest on Friday. Cherry, a 10-year veteran officer, seven for the borough police officer, is charged with official misconduct, a second-degree crime, and aggravated assault, a third-degree crime.

On Jan. 29, a 57-year-old Barnegat Township woman allegedly failed to stop after Cherry activated his police vehicle’s emergency lights while the woman was driving in Tuckerton. The woman drove from Tuckerton to the parking lot of the Barnegat Township Municipal Complex, where she was taken into custody by two officers from the Barnegat Police Department.  It is alleged that Cherry was present in Barnegat at the scene of her arrest and unjustifiably allowed his K-9 to attack and bite the woman. It is also alleged that Cherry falsified his police reports in an effort to conceal or justify his improper actions.

Cherry surrendered in the presence of his attorney, Robert Rosenberg, on Wednesday, April 9. Cherry posted  $15,000 bail and was released pending further court proceedings.

The woman was charged with third-degree eluding for the slow speed chase and for other motor vehicle violations but was not arrested. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office did not release her name. —P.J.

Officer suspected of domestic abuse no longer employed by BPD

BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) -- A Boise Police officer suspended last month after he was arrested on domestic violence charges is no longer employed by the city of Boise.

Lynn Hightower, Boise Police spokesperson, told KBOI 2News that 43-year-old Gary Miller's employment ended April 3. He had been with Boise PD for 16 years and had been assigned to the department's Bench Patrol Division.

He was placed on suspension for more than two weeks before his employment ended.

"The Boise Police Department demands the highest professional conduct from its officers, both on and off duty, which includes conformance to laws," the department said in a news release last month.

Miller, who's trial is scheduled for May 21, is charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and misdemeanor battery.

Woman who suffered broken arm in scuffle takes Ottawa County sheriff's deputy to trial

By John Agar   

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A woman who says an Ottawa County sheriff’s deputy used excessive force while breaking her arm and dislocating her shoulder will share her story with a U.S. District Court jury beginning Tuesday, April 15.

Leah Allyn Norton filed a federal lawsuit against Deputy Heather Stille after her humerus bone – the bone between the shoulder and elbow – was broken during an encounter in a holding area in Holland District Court in 2010.

Norton, who at the time used a four-wheel handicap scooter after foot surgery, contends that Stille used “unnecessary and unreasonable use of the arm bar restraint,” attorney Daniel Manville wrote in a trial brief.

Stille’s attorney, Douglas Van Essen, said his client used appropriate restraint methods. He noted that Norton pleaded no contest to assault, obstruction or resistance of a police officer for her role in the incident.

The encounter happened Oct. 12, 2010, when Norton was summoned to Holland District Court after failing to show for jury pick the previous week in a misdemeanor case. Norton said she was unaware of the hearing.

Judge Susan Jonas held her in contempt and set bond at $150. She could not pay the bond, so her husband left to get the money. She was taken to the lockup area.

Norton had a medical walking boot on her right foot, which she propped on the scooter. Norton, with a history of bi-polar disorder and panic attacks, said she began having a panic attack when the judge held her in contempt.

Stille began the intake process.

Norton handed over jewelry. She dropped a piece, but Stille picked it up. Then, she told Stille she was having a panic attack, and needed a minute. She said she needed to blow her nose, and reached for a piece of toilet paper that Stille took away. She gave her a paper towel to blow her nose.

Norton then asked for a drink of water. Stille said no, the complaint contends. Norton’s attorney said his client then reached for a three-quarter full bottle of pop on a nearby desk, and picked it up with her left hand. Stille grabbed it back with her right. The bottle dropped when the deputy grabbed Norton’s wrist.

When Ms. Norton came to her arm was (visibly) hanging limp at her side and (she) was screaming in agony - Leah Norton's attorney

Stille then used an arm-bar restraint and pushed Norton against a wall. Both sides agree that Norton suffered a broken arm after the initial restraint. Then, both heard a sound during a takedown, Norton’s shoulder dislocating.

Norton was unconscious on the ground for several minutes, her attorney said.

“When Ms. Norton came to her arm was (visibly) hanging limp at her side and (she) was screaming in agony.”

Norton contends she heard Stille call her a “psycho ...” and that she was “just faking it," allegations Stille denies.

Norton went to the hospital via ambulance. Later, she had a 12-inch brace with 11 screws placed into her arm.

“Here, defendant used more force than reasonably necessary to control plaintiff in the booking area, Manville wrote. “Plaintiff was an older woman (58) with one foot on a medical scooter who was only marginally taller and heavier than the defendant.”

Norton was 5-foot-4 and 130 pounds. Stille was 5-foot-2, 105 pounds.

Stille contends Norton didn’t tell her she was having a panic attack. She said that Norton called her a name, raised the bottle in a threatening manner and said, “What are you going to do about it, little one?”

Van Essen, the deputy’s attorney, said his client used the “lowest level of force.”

“Regardless of whether the bottle was in Ms. Norton’s possession, Deputy Stille had the right to handcuff a resisting inmate who had also committed a felony of resisting/obstructing against her resulting in a physical struggle,” he said.

He said Stille stabilized Norton’s arm until another deputy arrived, and asked for an ambulance. She said that “Norton never lost consciousness but was verbally abusive until removed from the courthouse,” Van Essen said in court documents.

Williamston officer charged with criminal domestic violence

By MIKE ELLIS

WILLIAMSTON --- A Williamston police officer was fired this week after being charged with criminal domestic violence for the second time in five weeks, Williamston Police Chief Tony Taylor confirmed.

Christopher Shaw Whitfield, 31, was charged March 11 with criminal domestic violence after an alleged fight with his wife over a cellphone. That charge was dropped March 28.

He was charged again this week with a separate incident of criminal domestic violence after allegedly threatening to shoot his wife in the couple's home Wednesday, according to a warrant.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division was asked to investigate the second accusation at the request of the Williamston Police Department, Taylor said.

Whitfield remains at the Anderson County Detention Center and a bond has not been set for his release.

He will be prosecuted by the 10th Judicial Circuit Solicitor's Office.

Before working at the Williamston department, Whitfield was a deputy with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office from 2005 until September 2012 except for four months in 2007.

Former police officer charged with criminal domestic violence

Christopher Shaw Whitfield, 30, was charged with criminal domestic violence, a misdemeanor with penalties upon conviction of up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,500. Whitfield was booked at the Anderson County Detention Center.

SLED investigated the case at the request of the Williamston Police Department.

The case will be prosecuted by the Tenth Circuit Solicitor's Office.