Woman sues Skokie Police, alleges cop threw her into concrete bench

A Chicago woman charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and obstructing a peace officer in March claims in a lawsuit that a Skokie Police officer used excessive force.
In her civil rights lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, Cassandra Feuerstein, 47, of West Rogers Park, claims that Skokie Police Officer Michael Hart used excessive force when she was arrested.
“At the door of the open jail cell, defendant Hart gave plaintiff a violent shove in the back, using both of his hands,” according the lawsuit. “Defendant Hart used so much force in doing this that plaintiff was flung across the cell head first into a cement bench at the far side of the cell.”
The suit states that Feuerstein’s face “split open” and she began to bleed profusely. She broke several bones in her face, her lawyer said. The lawsuit also claims that Hart made false statements to others at the Skokie Police Department, erroneously accusing her of resisting efforts to be escorted into a jail cell.
Feuerstein’s lawyer, Torreya Hamilton, subpoenaed footage from video cameras at the Skokie Police station. The video shows a man in a police uniform pushing her into a cell and then her head striking a concrete bench.
“He whips her through the door and into the cell,” Hamilton said. “There was no threat to any of the police officers. It’s clear on the video that the [behavior] was indefensible.”
Feuerstein underwent facial reconstruction surgery and now has a titanium plate in her face. All of the teeth on the right side of her mouth are loose, Hamilton said. The full extent of the damage is not yet known, she said.
The lawsuit doesn’t ask for a specific amount in damages. The lawsuit states Feuerstein is seeking “a fair and just amount sufficient to compensate her for her damages, as well as such other relief as is just and equitable.”
The Skokie police report of Feuerstein’s arrest states that she was parked in the middle of an intersection in the 3900 block of Howard Street on the morning of March 10. She was slumped over inside her vehicle with her right foot resting on the brake pedal, police said.
Feuerstein pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol, Hamilton said Wednesday. The charge of obstructing a police officer was dismissed during the criminal trial. Judge Jeffrey L. Warnick sentenced her to one year of court-ordered supervision and ordered her to pay a roughly $1,600 fine, according to court records. The resisting arrest charge against and three other traffic citations were dropped, records showed.
Hamilton said her client had no previous interactions with police and this was her first DUI.
“She cooperated with the Breathalyzer and admits she was driving after she had been drinking,” Hamilton said.
On Wednesday, Skokie Police said the village had not yet been served with the lawsuit. Hamilton said that will happen within the next week.

police officer charged with assaulting his wife

AGAWAM - A 13-year member of the Agawam Police Department was arraigned on a domestic assault and battery charge Monday inWestfield District Court following his arrest for spousal abuse over the weekend at his Agawam home.
Paul Chenevert, 47, denied the charge at his arraignment. Judge Joseph Conant ordered him released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court in court on Dec. 20.
He was ordered to refrain making threats or physical violence against his wife, and was also ordered not to drink any alcohol. As part of the court order, he is to submit to periodic testing for alcohol use.
Police were called to Chenevert’s home just before 1:30 a.m. Saturday for a complaint made by his wife, who said her husband had assaulted her.
According to the report, the couple had been drinking over the course of the evening and were getting along fine, but at about 1 a.m. began to argue “about foolish husband and wife stuff.”
The arguing escalated to where Chenevert became very angry and dragged her through the kitchen, a carpeted room and out into the driveway, according to the report.
The report notes that she appeared to have abrasions on her left knee, her thighs and abdomen. She declined medical treatment at the scene.
It also notes that officers offered her the opportunity to apply for an emergency restraining order at the scene but she declined.
Chenevert has been a police officer in Agawam since 2000.
Lt. Richard Light Jr., acting chief for the department, said Chenever on Monday was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the outcome of the department's internal affairs investigation.
Light said he ordered the investigation on Monday and it should be completed by sometime next week.

Tulsa police officer charged with soliciting an act of prostitution

Tulsa, Okla. — 

Update: A Tulsa police officer busted in a prostitution sting was charged on Tuesday.

Tulsa court records show Cpl. David Turner faces two counts of soliciting an act of prostitution within 1000 feet of a church and one count of possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony. 

He was caught offering money to an undercover officer to receive a sexual act.

Original: A Tulsa police officer arrested on prostitution and firearm charges was the target of a long-running internal investigation.

That's the latest word from the Tulsa Police Department, which hasn't offered many details but confirms that Corporal Dave Turner was the target of that investigation.

David Turner was arrested Thursday afternoon at a hotel near E. 11th St. and S. Garnett Ave. on complaints of engaging in prostitution within a thousand feet of a church and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Police say he offered $40.00 to an undercover female officer for sex.

He was not on duty at the time of his arrest.

Turner was booked into jail at 5:48 p.m. and released on bonds totalling $11,500 at 7:19 p.m., according to online jail records.

According to a statement from the department, "at the appropriate time Chief Chuck Jordan will release further information."

Former MNPD Officer Charged With Official Misconduct

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A former Metropolitan Nashville Police officer was arrested after authorities said he used his resources as a cop to try to get his ex-girlfriend fired from her job.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said 38-year-old Gerald McShepard was indicted by the Davidson County Grand Jury on one count of official misconduct. He surrendered at Metro Police headquarters on Tuesday afternoon.
In April, authorities said McShepard sent an anonymous letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Children's Services making allegations of prostitution and pornography against a DCS employee.
The letter contained confidential biographical information and provocative photos of the employee, who was McShepard's ex-girlfriend.
An investigation proved those allegations were unfounded and that McShepard sent the information in attempt to cause her harm at work after they broke up.
The TBI said McShepard used resources available to him as a law enforcement officer to send the letter and photographs.
McShepard was decommissioned on May 3 during the investigation. He submitted resignation paperwork on July 10, which ended his 15-year career with the MNPD.
His bond was set at $5,000.

Millington police officer has been charged with assault after an altercation with his wife.

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (AP) — Authorities say a Millington police officer has been charged with assault after an altercation with his wife.

The Shelby County Sheriff's Office says 41-year-old Jeffery Hepler was arrested Tuesday night.

The sheriff's office says deputies arrived at Hepler's home to respond to a domestic violence call. Authorities say Hepler told deputies he was involved in a verbal argument with his wife.

Deputies say they found the officer's wife on the floor of the bedroom. She was unresponsive after a possible seizure but was revived.

She allegedly told deputies that Hepler had grabbed her by the neck and held her down.

Online court records do not show if Hepler has a lawyer.

Green Country police officer charged with harassment

One Green Country officer is now charged with harassing and threatening a woman he used to date.
FOX23's Dontaye Carter obtained the report that showed hundreds of times that officer text messaged the victim.

Three pages sum up a terrifying experience for a Tahlequah woman. Investigators say the woman called off their relationship when she found out Officer Jeff Phillips was involved with another woman. They say that is when the text messages began.

"Our job is to look at it, review the evidence and if there's probable cause to file charges," said Assistant District Attorney Joy Mohorovicic.

It shows 94 calls, more than 60 voicemails left and more than 270 text messages. Some of the text messages said, "I'm in the driveway freezing" and "I promise that I will make a better friend than enemy and I didn't look hard for you you're not that hard to find anyways."

The response from the victim "I'm not sure what's hard to understand about quit texting me or calling me."
"This officer is not on administrative duty right now for this incident but he's not on duty."

Tahlequah police Chief Nate King told FOX23 he is looking into the case. Sources close to the case say this isn't Phillips first run-in with the law. We found out he had four other complaints filed against him and about one that wasn't filed where he allegedly opened fire on another officer who was dating the same girl. FOX23 was told a report was not filed because Phillips resigned instead.

"How important is it for you guys to make sure you're holding your officers accountable?" asked Carter.

"I think it's more important than holding regular citizens accountable," said King. "I feel like we're held to a higher standard. We need to make sure our officers are protecting our public."

"Regardless of the position that anyone is in they should be held accountable for their actions," said Mohorovicic.

King says the department is preparing to perform an internal investigation on this incident.

Elkhart police officer to receive suspension

Elkhart, Ind. An Elkhart police officer will be suspended for 35 days without pay for the way he handled a domestic violence case.
According to our reporting partners at the Elkhart Truth, patrolman Cory Newland's suspension will start sometime in October.
An internal affairs investigation found that he failed to follow standard procedures and lied to his supervisors.
It all unfolded back on May 10, when Newland responded to a domestic disturbance in which a woman said her husband had hit her in front of her children. 
Newland took the man away from the scene, but didn't arrest him and told his supervisors that the couple were pushing each other. 
He later admitted to making "a poor judgment call by not following up on the victim's statement