Saturday, April 26, 2008

04252008 - Officer Robert Vargas - Stalking - Lansing PD


Officer Robert Vargas [Lansing PD]



*See also May 2007: Officer Robert Vargas, OIDV Arrest/Criminal conviction:
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/05/officer-robert-vargas-lansing-police.html

*Vargas' Appeal:
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/12/oidv-offender-appeal-robert-vargas.html











Lansing police officer sentenced to probation for stalking officer in Jackson County
by Danielle Quisenberry
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday May 28, 2009, 3:27 PM
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/05/lansing_police_officer_sentenc.html

A former Lansing police officer convicted of stalking a Blackman Township public safety officer was sentenced Thursday to five years probation.

As a condition of his probation, Robert Vargas, 39, is not to have any contact with Officer Joseph Merritt or his family, said Jackson County Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson.

A jury convicted Vargas, who recently retired as an officer after he was given a duty disability pension, of misdemeanor stalking and acquitted him on a charge of malicious use of a telephone.

Merritt testified at the trial that Vargas twice called him and made threatening statements after Merritt arrested Vargas in 2007 on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and telephone harassment.

In that case, Vargas was convicted of telephone harassment and was sentenced in October 2007 to 15 months probation.

Four days after his probation ended, Vargas first called Merritt and said, "You are going to need an attorney ... you're dead," according to testimony.

Thursday, Vargas turned to Merritt, who was sitting in the courtroom, and apologized. "Joe, I am truly sorry that things got to this point," he said. "I wish you all the best in the future."

His lawyer, Fred Blackmond, said Vargas is "changing his life."

Merritt said it did not seem as though Vargas had gotten over Merritt arresting him.

According to you, I have some general disdain for you. That's not true," Merritt said.

He said he never wanted to arrest a police officer, but had to make a difficult decision, which, as a former police officer, Vargas should understand.

Merritt said Vargas deserved jail time, but asked Wilson not to send him to jail. "I would ask Mr. Vargas to move on with his life and get past all this."

Wilson said he had planned to order Vargas to jail for "impact purposes," but did not.

A few years down the road, if Vargas has done well, Wilson said he may consider taking Vargas off probation.

Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave from the police department after he was first charged with crimes in 2007. Since then he was granted the pension.

In April 2004, Vargas was shot four times and killed one suspect during what authorities said was a robbery in progress.












Jackson County jury finds former Lansing police officer guilty of misdemeanor stalking
by Danielle Quisenberry
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday April 21, 2009, 5:23 PM
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/04/jackson_county_jury_finds_form.html

A jury found a former Lansing police officer guilty on Tuesday of stalking a Blackman Township public safety officer who arrested him in 2007.

After nearly a day of deliberations, jurors acquitted Robert Vargas, 39, of Mason of aggravated stalking, a felony, and convicted him of the lesser charge of misdemeanor stalking.

They also found him not guilty of malicious use of a telephone, a misdemeanor.

Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson is to sentence Vargas May 28. His crime is punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Public Safety Officer Joseph Merritt testified that Vargas twice called him in April 2008 and made threatening statements.

The threats occurred after Merritt arrested Vargas in 2007 in Blackman Township on a domestic violence charge.

A Jackson County jury found Vargas not guilty of domestic violence, but guilty of harassing his former girlfriend with a telephone. He was sentenced to probation.

Soon after his probation ended, Vargas called Merritt, according to Merritt and cell phone and court records.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Blumer argued the threats "terrified" Merritt, who sent his wife and children from their home after he received the first call.

Merritt testified he worried often about Vargas, who lives within a half mile of Merritt's home.

"I think about it when I am out plowing snow, I think about it when I am weeding flower beds. I think about it all the time," Merritt testified.

Defense lawyer Fred Blackmond argued Merritt was not really afraid of Vargas.

Blackmond said the elements to prove the felony charge of aggravated stalking "weren't really there."

Blackmond said Vargas, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, is retired from the Lansing Police Department. He received a duty disability pension after he was shot four times and killed one of the suspects during a robbery in progress in April 2004.









Jury deciding if former Lansing police officer was stalking Blackman Township officer
Published: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 7:53 AM
Updated: Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 7:55 AM
By Mike D. Lammi
The Jackson Citizen Patriot
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2009/04/jury_deciding_if_former_lansin.html

When Blackman Township Officer Joseph Merritt picked up his cell phone in April 2008, a male voice told him, "You are going to need an attorney. ... You're dead."

He was so bothered by the threat, Merritt sent his wife and two daughters away from their home, he testified Monday at the trial for Robert Vargas, who is accused of stalking Merritt.

Both sides rested their cases Monday. A jury is to continue deliberations today.

Vargas, 39, a retired Lansing police officer, is charged with aggravated stalking, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and malicious use of a telephone, a misdemeanor.

Merritt said Vargas twice called him on his personal cell phone and made foreboding statements, first on April 21, 2008, and again four days later.

In the second call, Vargas said, "Judgment day is coming, Joe," and hung up the phone, Merritt testified.

Merritt arrested Vargas in spring 2007 in Blackman Township, where Vargas' former girlfriend lived. He was arraigned in May 2007 on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and telephone harassment. A jury acquitted Vargas of domestic violence but found him guilty of telephone harassment, and he was sentenced in October 2007 to 15 months probation.

Four days after Vargas' probation ended, Merritt received the first call, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Blumer, who showed court and telephone records to the jury.

Prior to that call, Merritt said Vargas followed him around Meijer in Mason while Merritt, who lives in Mason, shopped there with his family.

When questioned by defense lawyer Fred Blackmond, Merritt said he was not intimidated by Vargas at that time. "He was being a jerk," Merritt said.

Blackmond contended Merritt was not seriously threatened by Vargas, who Merritt learned during his domestic violence investigation lived within a half mile of Merritt's home.

Merritt said Monday he did not know if Vargas still lived in such close proximity.

If he was seriously frightened of Vargas, he would know this, Blackmond said.

"He is not scared of Mr. Vargas; he thinks he is a jerk," Blackmond said in his closing argument.

Merritt said he knew, through his work on the domestic violence case, Vargas had a cabinet full of guns in his home.

Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave after he was first charged with the crime in May 2007. He is now retired, his lawyer said. Vargas applied last year for a duty disability pension.

On April 29, 2004, Vargas was shot four times and killed one suspect in what authorities called a robbery in progress in Lansing.









Former police officer's fate in hands of jury
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
By Danielle Quisenberry
http://www.mlive.com/news/citpat/index.ssf?/base/news-28/1240322711224300.xml&coll=3

When Blackman Township Officer Joseph Merritt picked up his cell phone in April 2008, a male voice told him, ``You are going to need an attorney. ... You're dead.''

He was so bothered by the threat, Merritt sent his wife and two daughters away from their home, he testified Monday at the trial for Robert Vargas, who is accused of stalking Merritt.

Both sides rested their cases Monday. A jury is to continue deliberations today.

Vargas, 39, a retired Lansing police officer, is charged with aggravated stalking, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and malicious use of a telephone, a misdemeanor.

Merritt said Vargas twice called him on his personal cell phone and made foreboding statements, first on April 21, 2008, and again four days later.

In the second call, Vargas said, ``Judgment day is coming, Joe,'' and hung up the phone, Merritt testified.

Merritt arrested Vargas in spring 2007 in Blackman Township, where Vargas' former girlfriend lived. He was arraigned in May 2007 on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and telephone harassment. A jury acquitted Vargas of domestic violence but found him guilty of telephone harassment, and he was sentenced in October 2007 to 15 months probation.

Four days after Vargas' probation ended, Merritt received the first call, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Blumer, who showed court and telephone records to the jury.

Prior to that call, Merritt said Vargas followed him around Meijer in Mason while Merritt, who lives in Mason, shopped there with his family.

When questioned by defense lawyer Fred Blackmond, Merritt said he was not intimidated by Vargas at that time. ``He was being a jerk,'' Merritt said.

Blackmond contended Merritt was not seriously threatened by Vargas, who Merritt learned during his domestic violence investigation lived within a half mile of Merritt's home.

Merritt said Monday he did not know if Vargas still lived in such close proximity.

If he was seriously frightened of Vargas, he would know this, Blackmond said.

``He is not scared of Mr. Vargas; he thinks he is a jerk,'' Blackmond said in his closing argument.

Merritt said he knew, through his work on the domestic violence case, Vargas had a cabinet full of guns in his home.

Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave after he was first charged with the crime in May 2007. He is now retired, his lawyer said. Vargas applied last year for a duty disability pension.

On April 29, 2004, Vargas was shot four times and killed one suspect in what authorities called a robbery in progress in Lansing.









Lansing officer arrested for stalking
WWMT News, Channel 3
July 9, 2008 - 8:08AM
http://www.wwmt.com/news/lansing_1351025___article.html/officer_side.html

LANSING, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A Lansing police officer has found himself on the wrong side of the law.

It's not the first time he's been there.

Officer Rob Vargas, an eleven year veteran of the LPD, is accused of aggravated stalking and making harassing phone calls.

He was placed on paid administrative leave last year after being arrested on similar charges. At that time he was charged with domestic assault, but the court only found him guilty of verbally abusing his girlfriend.

Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley says he can't discuss any specifics of the case while it's in the courts, but he is very disappointed by what has happened.

Officer Vargas is out on a $5,000 personal bond. He is expected back in court later this month.








Reaction to Officer Arrested
WLNS NEWS, TV 6 Lansing Michigan
Posted: July 9, 2008 06:52 AM CDT
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=8645553&nav=0RbQ

Instead of being out on the streets stopping crimes, one local police officer is charged with one.

It's not the first time the Lansing officer has had a brush with the law. Officer Rob Vargas faces stalking and harassing charges. It all stems back to another incident that happened last year. That's when Vargas was arrested after an altercation with his girlfriend and was later convicted of a misdemeanor harassment charge. Now the Jackson County assistant prosecutor says Vargas stalked the same officer that originally arrested him.

He wore the badge for 11 years, and even became a hero when he was shot 4 times during a robbery gone bad. Now Lansing Police Officer Rob Vargas is on the other side of the law.

Chief Mark Alley, Lansing Police Department: "Obviously not only myself, but the organization are very disappointed that we find ourselves in this position."

It's a position not many are used to. The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office says they've never seen a case like it.

Mark Blumer, Assistant Prosecutor: "Handled a number of cases against corrupt police officers, and I've never had one alleging stalking by a police officer, that's a new one."

It might be unusual, but officials say they're treating it like just any other case.

Chief Mark Alley: "I'm not here to make a judgement about Officer Vargas, other than we're disappointed that he's been charged by the Jackson County prosecutor, but once again, we know that we need to do an investigation to get all the facts before we make judgements about what happened."

While the Lansing police department conducts its own investigation, Vargas is on paid administrative leave. Meantime, he's expected back in court on July 29th for his preliminary hearing.

Lansing cop faces charges of stalking, threatening officer who arrested him
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
By Danielle Quisenberry
http://www.mlive.com/jackson/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1215612316178030.xml&coll=3

A Lansing police officer is facing charges he stalked a Blackman Township public safety officer who arrested him last year on a domestic violence charge.

Robert Vargas, 38, of Mason was arraigned late last week in Jackson County District Court on charges of aggravated stalking, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and malicious use of a telephone, a misdemeanor.

Vargas, who is on paid administrative leave, is accused of making life-threatening phone calls to Blackman Township Public Safety Officer Joseph Merritt.

Merritt arrested him last spring in Blackman Township, where Vargas' former girlfriend lived; Vargas was arraigned May 23, 2007, on misdemeanor charges of domestic violence and telephone harassment.

In September, a Jackson County jury acquitted him of domestic violence, but found him guilty of telephone harassment; he was sentenced in October to 15 months probation.

Jackson County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Mark Blumer said Tuesday that Vargas' probation was reduced to six months, and he began calling Merritt in mid-April, shortly after he came off probation.

Merritt, through Blackman Township Public Safety Director Mike Jester, declined comment.

Michigan State Police Lt. Jim Shaw, who commands the Jackson post, which handled the investigation, said the calls were ``threatening in nature.''

As defined in the Michigan statute, aggravated stalking involves threats to kill another individual or inflict physical injury.

At one time, Merritt, who has been a public safety officer for five years, ran into Vargas in a store and had concerns Vargas was following him, Shaw said.

Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley said Vargas has been on paid administrative leave since he was first charged with crimes in May 2007.

At that time, the department launched an internal investigation, but Vargas has since applied for a duty disability pension, which is under review by the department pension board.

The investigation was put on hold pending the board's review of his application. A decision is expected this month, Alley said.

If his request is granted, he will no longer be employed by the Lansing Police Department, Alley said. If the application is accepted, the investigation will resume, the chief said.

On April 29, 2004, Vargas was shot four times and killed one of the suspects, Alley said.

Vargas had interrupted what authorities called a robbery in progress at a town home in Lansing, according to news reports at the time.










Policeman accused of stalking another cop
Lansing officer faces felony charge in Jackson Co.
July 9, 2008
Christine Rook
Lansing State Journal
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080709/NEWS01/807090347

A Lansing police officer is accused of stalking and harassing a Blackman Township police officer who arrested him on a criminal complaint in 2007.

Robert Vargas, 38, was arraigned July 3 on one count of felony aggravated stalking and one count of misdemeanor telephone harassment, according to prosecutors in Jackson County.

He has been released on a personal bond of $5,000.

The accusations come less than a year after Vargas was convicted of misdemeanor telephone harassment involving a former girlfriend and sentenced to probation.

During that September conviction, Vargas was acquitted of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge in the May 2007 incident, Jackson County officials said.

Vargas completed his probation in that case.

Mark Blumer, chief assistant prosecutor for Jackson County, said that in April, Vargas began harassing the Blackman Township police officer who had arrested him on the previous case.

Authorities wouldn't comment further about what form the harassment took.

"We're disappointed that we find ourselves in the position of these charges being filed," Lansing police Chief Mark Alley said Tuesday.

Vargas has been on paid administrative leave since the original incident with his former girlfriend in May 2007. Vargas and union representatives could not be reached for comment Tuesday evening.

Vargas has worked for the Lansing Police Department since the summer of 1997.

Following his conviction, he had applied for duty disability pension, the chief said, and was awaiting an official ruling on both the pension and possible disciplinary action from the department.

Vargas' preliminary exam on the new charges is set for July 29 before 12th District Court Judge R. Darryl Mazur in Jackson.

The felony stalking charge carries a possible maximum sentence of five years in prison, Blumer said. The harassment charge carries a maximum of six months.

In addition, a police internal affairs review is likely to go over the entire series of events and determine how it might affect Vargas' work status, said Lansing police spokesman Lt. Noel Garcia.

"It has to be determined on a case-by-case basis," Garcia said.

Vargas made headlines as an officer in 2004 when he was shot four times after he interrupted a robbery.

While wounded, he shot and killed one of two men involved in the break-in. It was determined that Vargas' use of deadly force was justified.







LANSING COP ARRESTED FOR STALKING
WKHM 970AM, Jackson Michigan
July 09, 2008
http://www.wkhm.com/story.php?more_group=83&more_block=news&more_item=70540

AN ELEVEN YEAR VETERAN OF THE LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT IS FACING UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON FOR ALLEGEDLY STALKING JOSEPH MERRITT, AN OFFICER WITH THE BLACKMAN TOWNSHIP DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS MERRITT ARRESTED ROBERT VARGAS IN MAY OF 2007 FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT INVOLVING HIS GIRLFRIEND.

HE WAS LATER ACQUITTED OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGES, BUT HE WAS CONVICTED ON THE MALICIOUS USE OF A TELEPHONE CHARGE.

ONCE HE COMPLETED HIS PROBATION FROM THAT CASE, IT IS ALLEGED THAT VARGAS STARTED STALKING MERRITT WITH PHONE CALLS. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND VARGAS TURNED HIMSELF INTO THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE LAST WEEK.

HE IS NOW FACING THE SAME CHARGES HE WAS CONVICTED OF LAST YEAR. VARGAS WAS RELEASED ON $5,000 BOND. HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF THE MONTH. CURRENTLY VARGAS IS ON PAID LEAVE FROM THE LANSING POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE HIS FIRST ARREST IN 2007.









Lansing Police Officer Charged With Stalking
WLJA News, Lansing Michigan
July 8, 2008 - 8:18PM
http://www.wlaj.com/news/officer_12501___article.html/vargas_lansing.html

ABC 3 News has learned a Lansing Police officer has been charged with stalking.

Officer Rob Vargas was arrested in Jackson County.

Here is a statement from the Lansing Dept:
On July 1, 2008 the Jackson County Prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for Lansing Police Officer Rob Vargas. On July 3, 2008 Officer Vargas was arraigned on charges of Felony Aggravated Stalking and Misdemeanor Malicious Use of Telecommunications.

Officer Vargas was hired on August 22, 1997 and was most recently assigned to the uniform patrol division. Officer Vargas was placed on paid administrative leave on May 23, 2007 due to a criminal investigation in Jackson County. Since that time Officer Vargas has applied for a duty disability pension. The Pension Board is currently reviewing his request.

Lansing Police Chief Mark Alley said today that the Lansing Police Department does not tolerate criminal misconduct by any of its members and that allegations of wrongdoing by any member of the agency are thoroughly investigated.

"We have and will continue to hold ourselves to the highest possible standards of integrity and professional conduct in law enforcement," Chief Alley said. "We will not compromise our core values and will assure that those values are applied to all our personnel on or off duty. The Lansing Police Department will maintain the integrity of our disciplinary process by following the policies, procedures and union contract, which details the disciplinary process."

Chief Alley noted that Officer Vargas's situation remains in the criminal justice system and therefore it would be inappropriate to discuss the details of his case.







Lansing Police Officer Charged with Stalking Another Officer
Posted: 5:24 PM Jul 8, 2008
Last Updated: 11:54 PM Jul 8, 2008
Reporter: Jamie Edmonds
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/24079909.html

Thirty-eight year old Robert Q Vargas - a Lansing police officer for 11 years - was charged Thursday in Jackson County with felony stalking and illegal use of a telephone... a misdemeanor.

The alleged victim in this case? Another police officer.

"The victim of the alleged stalking is the Blackman Township police officer who arrested Mr. Vargas," Jackson County Prosecutor Mark Blumer said.

Back in May 2007, Vargas was arrested and charged with domestic violence and malicious use of a telephone - the same misdemeanor charge he faces this time around.

The victim that case was his girlfriend.

"He was convicted by a jury on the malicious use of a telephone," Blumer said, "but he was acquitted on the domestic violence charge."

Blumer said Vargas had just completed his probation from that case in April when he began stalking the arresting officer from Blackman Township.

"Part of the stalking crime occurred here in Jackson," he said. "If I call you and your in Jackson, then part of the crime occurred in Jackson."

Vargas was on paid administrative leave from the Lansing Police Department since his previous criminal case, but before the Lansing Police Department made any decision on his future, Vargas filed for medical pension relating to a shooting in 2004.

"The most appropriate thing to do was to put a hold on the internal investigation until the medical doctors could do a review of Mr. Vargas," Lansing Chief Mark Alley said.

Which means Vargas is still on paid leave from the department.

He's also out on $5,000 bond in Jackson County until his preliminary hearing on the new charges at the end of this month.

Vargas could face up to five years in prison.








Lansing cop facing charges he stalked Blackman officer
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Posted by Danielle Quisenberry
July 08, 2008 23:32PM
http://blog.mlive.com/citpat/2008/07/lansing_cop_facing_charges_he.html

A Lansing police officer is facing charges he stalked a Blackman Township public safety officer who arrested him last year on a domestic violence charge.

Robert Vargas, 38, of Mason, was arraigned late last week in Jackson County District Court on charges of aggravated stalking, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, and malicious use of a telephone, a misdemeanor.

Vargas, who is on paid administrative leave, is accused of making life-threatening phone calls to Blackman Township Public Safety Officer Joseph Merritt.













Lansing police officer charged
WLNS NEWS
Posted: July 8, 2008 05:13 PM CDT
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=8643322&nav=0RbQ

Vargas is free on a $5,000 dollar bond and will have a preliminary hearing on July 29th.












Lansing Police Officer Charged with Stalking Another Officer
WILX News, Lansing Michigan
Posted: 4:24 PM Jul 8, 2008
Last Updated: 10:54 PM Jul 8, 2008
Reporter: Jamie Edmonds
http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/24079909.html

Thirty-eight year old Robert Q Vargas - a Lansing police officer for 11 years - was charged Thursday in Jackson County with felony stalking and illegal use of a telephone... a misdemeanor.

The alleged victim in this case? Another police officer.

"The victim of the alleged stalking is the Blackman Township police officer who arrested Mr. Vargas," Jackson County Prosecutor Mark Blumer said.

Back in May 2007, Vargas was arrested and charged with domestic violence and malicious use of a telephone - the same misdemeanor charge he faces this time around.

The victim that case was his girlfriend.

"He was convicted by a jury on the malicious use of a telephone," Blumer said, "but he was acquitted on the domestic violence charge."

Blumer said Vargas had just completed his probation from that case in April when he began stalking the arresting officer from Blackman Township.

"Part of the stalking crime occurred here in Jackson," he said. "If I call you and your in Jackson, then part of the crime occurred in Jackson."

Vargas was on paid administrative leave from the Lansing Police Department since his previous criminal case, but before the Lansing Police Department made any decision on his future, Vargas filed for medical pension relating to a shooting in 2004.

"The most appropriate thing to do was to put a hold on the internal investigation until the medical doctors could do a review of Mr. Vargas," Lansing Chief Mark Alley said.

Which means Vargas is still on paid leave from the department.

He's also out on $5,000 bond in Jackson County until his preliminary hearing on the new charges at the end of this month.Vargas could face up to five years in prison.









Lansing officer faces stalking charge
Midday update
Lansing State Journal
July 8, 2008
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080708/NEWS01/807080365/1002/NEWS01

JACKSON - A Lansing police officer is accused of stalking and harassing a Blackman Township officer.

Robert Vargas, 38, was arraigned July 3 on one count of felony aggravated stalking and one count of misdemeanor telephone harassment, according to prosecutors in Jackson County.

Vargas also was found guilty in 2007 of verbally abusing his former girlfriend over the telephone and was sentenced to 15 months of probation.

Vargas now is accused of harassing the Blackman Township officer who investigated the case against him last year.

Since 2007, Lansing police said, he has been on paid administrative leave. Vargas has since applied for a duty disability pension.

Vargas could not be reached for comment.











Monday, April 21, 2008

04212008 - Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue - Sentenced - CSC - Genesse County SD

OFFENDER: ALAN EUGENE TRIMUE JR [FORMER GENESSE COUNTY SD RESERVE OFFICER]


ORIGINAL CHARGES: ELEVEN COUNTS OF 1ST DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT; 2 COUNTS OF KIDNAPPING; 2 COUNTS OF IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER WHILE COMMITTING A CRIME; AND 2 COUNTS OF FELONY FIREARM.



Also See:
Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: Sentenced [April 21, 2008]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2009/10/oidv-offender-update-alan-trimue.html

Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: Charged [June 20, 2007]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/06/special-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee.html

Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: December 01, 2006 [Sentence 1]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee.html

Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: December 01, 2006 [Sentence 2]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd.html

Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: December 01, 2006 [Sentence 3]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd_1.html

Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: December 01, 2006 [Sentence 4]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd_8613.html

Reserve Deputy Alan Trimue: December 01, 2006 [Sentence 5]
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2006/12/reserve-deputy-alan-trimue-genesee-sd_6823.html








MDOC NUMBER: 684725
CURRENT STATUS: PRISONER
LOCATION: EARNEST C. BROOKS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
SECURITY LEVEL: 11
EARLIEST RELEASE DATE: 12/19/2015
MAXIMUM DISCHARGE DATE: 06/19/2024

SENTENCE 1:
OFFENSE: KIDNAPPING-ATTEMPT

MCL #: 750.349
COURT FILE # : 07021390-FC-U
COUNTY: GENESEE
CONVICTION TYPE: NOLO CONTENDERE
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 5 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 12/01/2006
DATE OF SENTENCE: 04/21/2008

SENTENCE 2:
OFFENSE: CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT, 3RD DEGREE [MULTIPLE VARIABLES]

MCL #: 750.520D
COURT FILE # : 07021390-FC-U
COUNTY: GENESEE
CONVICTION TYPE: NOLO CONTENDERE
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 6 YEARS 6 MONTHS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 15 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 12/01/2006
DATE OF SENTENCE: 04/21/2008

SENTENCE 3:
OFFENSE: KIDNAPPING-ATTEMPT

MCL #: 750.349
COURT FILE # : 07021390-FC-U
COUNTY: GENESEE
CONVICTION TYPE: NOLO CONTENDERE
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 5 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 12/01/2006
DATE OF SENTENCE: 04/21/2008

SENTENCE 4:
OFFENSE: CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT, 3RD DEGREE [MULTIPLE VARIABLES]

MCL #: 750.520D
COURT FILE # : 07021390-FC-U
COUNTY: GENESEE
CONVICTION TYPE: NOLO CONTENDERE
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 6 YEARS 6 MONTHS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 15 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 12/01/2006
DATE OF SENTENCE: 04/21/2008

SENTENCE 5:
OFFENSE: WEAPONS-FELONY FIREARMS

MCL #: 750.227BA
COURT FILE # : 0721390-FC-U
COUNTY: GENESEE
CONVICTION TYPE: NOLO CONTENDERE
MINIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 2 YEARS 0 MONTHS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 12/01/2006
DATE OF SENTENCE: 04/21/2008


 

Special deputy off to prison on CSC charges
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
By Bryn Mickle
http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-49/1208874003312420.xml&coll=5

FLINT - A former special police deputy was sent to prison Monday for having sex with two teen sisters.

Genesee Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille told Alan E. Trimue Jr. that his selfishness and immaturity had "left a trail of destruction" and had besmirched the reputation of other special deputies with the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.

Trimue, 29, of Flint was sentenced to six years, five months to 15 years in prison for third-degree criminal sexual conduct, two to five years for attempted kidnapping and two years for felony firearm.

Trimue pleaded no contest to the charges last month. The no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as such at sentencing.








Former special deputy faces prison in sex assaults on teen sisters
by Paul Janczewski
The Flint Journal
Wednesday March 26, 2008, 5:39 PM
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/03/former_special_deputy_faces_pr.html

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- A former special deputy with the Genesee County Sheriff's Department faces prison after pleading to charges he had sex with two teen sisters.

Alan E. Trimue Jr., 29, of Flint, faces an April 21 sentencing after pleading no contest to two counts each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and attempted kidnapping, and one count of felony firearms.

Trimue originally was ordered to stand trial on seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, and two counts each of kidnapping, impersonating a peace officer to commit a crime and felony firearms use.

Prosecutors dismissed some charges and amended others to reach a plea deal with Trimue.

Attorney Frank J. Manley, who represents Trimue, said he pleaded no contest because of potential civil liability.

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but is treated as that at sentencing.

Manley said Trimue committed "a crime of immaturity, not malice."

Genesee Circuit Judge Richard B. Yuille said Trimue used a "false persona" of being involved in law enforcement to trick the girls, then 13 and 14, and their mother.

At an earlier hearing, the girls testified their mother asked Trimue, a family friend, to straighten them out for unruly behavior.

The girls said they and their mother believed Trimue was a deputy with the Genesee County Sheriff's Department because he had a badge, gun and uniform.

They said Trimue told their mother he was taking them to jail, juvenile detention or boot camp, but instead took them to area motels. One girl said she was there for several days and had sex with Trimue as he placed his gun on a night stand, pointed at her.

Neither girl is being named by The Journal, but the 13-year-old said Trimue was usually dressed in a deputy's outfit, complete with gun and badge, when he took her to the motels.

She said Trimue would leave her in the room alone for periods and order her not to call her mother.

She said she would watch television until he returned.

Both girls said Trimue told them to keep the motel visits quiet and not tell their mother. The older girl said she once told her mother what was happening, but Trimue denied it when asked by the girls mother.

The incidents occurred between December 2006 and June 2007, officials said.

The liaisons came to light after the older girl ran away from home and the younger girl told their mother they'd been having sex with Trimue, officials said.

Special deputies help with crowd control at community events and sometimes provide security at local churches or the jail, but have no police authority, Genesee Sheriff Robert J. Pickell said earlier.

Trimue, a special deputy since 2005, was released from the program by Pickell.

His attorney, Frank J. Manley, said Trimue isn't a sexual predator, but rather a man with diminished mental capacity who made bad judgments.

"It doesn't excuse what happened," said Manley, adding that Trimue is sorry.

David Mayes, an assistant Genesee County prosecutor, said Trimue's actions violated the public trust.

Trimue was arrested last June on charges that he took two sisters, then 13 and 14, to area motels for sex during a seven-month period that began in December 2006.

Their mother apparently had asked Trimue to talk to the girls about their unruly behavior, and thought he was a deputy because he had a badge, uniform and gun.

Trimue, however, had no real police authority and instead was a two-year member of the county's special deputy program used for duties like crowd control. He since has been released from the program.

Yuille told Trimue that he had broken trust of the girls' mother and that the harm caused the girls may not be known for years to come.

Trimue, as well as a family member of the victims, declined to make a statement before the sentencing.

Under terms of the sentence, Trimue will have to register as a sex offender.



Friday, April 18, 2008

04182008 - Officer Brandon Robinson - Child Abuse - Sentenced - Lowell PD

Also See:

Lowell PD Officer Brandon Robinson charged with CSC [May 22, 2007]









ORIGINAL CHARGES: TWO COUNTS OF 3RD DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT



MDOC NUMBER: 680367
CURRENT STATUS: PROBATIONER
LOCATION: KENT / GRAND RAPIDS PROBATION
SECURITY LEVEL:
SUPERVISION BEGIN DATE: 04/18/2008
SUPERVISION DISCHARGE DATE: 04/18/2013
OFFENSE: CHILD ABUSE, 2ND DEGREE MCL# 750.136B3
COURT FILE #: 0715242-FH
COUNTY: ALLEGAN
CONVICTION TYPE: PLEA
MINIMUM SENTENCE:
MAXIMUM SENTENCE: 5 YEARS
DATE OF OFFENSE: 01/01/2002
DATE OF SENTENCE: 04/18/2008










Former police officer gets jail time, probation
Published: Friday, April 18, 2008, 11:45 PM
Updated: Friday, April 18, 2008, 11:47 PM
By The Grand Rapids Press
The Grand Rapids Press
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/04/former_police_officer_gets_jai.html

ALLEGAN -- A former Lowell police officer accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2002 was sentenced to 11 months in jail and five years of probation Friday in Allegan County Circuit Court.

Brandon Clare Robinson, 31, of Wyoming, was sentenced for second-degree child abuse as part of a plea agreement where prosecutors dismissed a sexual assault charge.

Allegations against Robinson surfaced last year when the teen, now 18, divulged to his sister the molestation secret he kept for five years.

The victim alleged Robinson molested him several times over at least a year at Sandy Pines Resort near Hopkins, where Robinson had a trailer.

Robinson, who resigned from the Lowell Police Department in February, had worked full time since 2005 and part time since December 2002.

Before that, he worked as a part-time deputy with the Allegan County Sheriff's Department from April 2000 to May 2002.

He had been on unpaid administrative leave before his resignation.

At Friday's sentencing, the victim talked about the molestation's harmful emotional impact, Allegan County Assistant Prosecutor Doug Ketchum said.

The child abuse conviction keeps Robinson off the state's sex-offender registry, but Ketchum said it should end any career in law enforcement.

"I would think anyone with any kind of felony conviction would not be a likely candidate for that type of job," he said.

Ketchum said it is not uncommon for victims to come forward about sexual assaults years after they occur, particularly when the victim is a child. Sometimes, they are frightened to tell anyone until they get older.












Officer in sex case quits Lowell job
Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 9:33 AM
Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 9:35 AM
By John Tunison
The Grand Rapids Press
http://blog.mlive.com/grpress/2008/02/officer_in_sex_case_quits_lowe.html




ALLEGAN -- A Lowell police officer accused of molesting a teenage friend six years ago at an Allegan County campground has resigned from the force after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Brandon Clare Robinson, 30, was on unpaid administrative leave from the Lowell Police Department since May. He resigned Monday, police said.

He was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct after the alleged 2002 molestation surfaced when the teen, now 18, told his sister.

Robinson pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree child abuse, a four-year felony.

Robinson, a full-time Lowell officer since 2005 who worked part time for more than two years before that, was accused of molesting a teen family friend at a trailer Robinson had at Sandy Pines resort near Hopkins.

During a hearing in May, the teen testified he sometimes would spend the night at the trailer and said he was molested several times over months.

Robinson was not employed with Lowell then, but worked as a part-time Allegan County sheriff's deputy from April 2000 to May 2002.

He pleaded guilty to the child-abuse charge just days before his trial was to begin in Allegan County Circuit Court.

"He had to put his family first," said Robinson's attorney, Frank Stanley. "He has a young child at home. He wanted to think about what was in the best interest for his family."

Stanley said the trial may have come down to the teen's word against that of Robinson.

"There was a pretty significant factual dispute about what happened," Stanley said. "This was the best compromise."

Lowell Police Chief Jim Valentine said Robinson came to the Police Department on Monday to submit his resignation. With a felony conviction pending, he knew he could no longer serve, Valentine said.

The allegations against Robinson, described as a capable and respected officer, are still baffling even today, he said.

"It was just a state of total shock and surprise to our entire staff," Valentine said. "He was an outstanding police officer."

The department is close-knit, with seven full-time officers, eight part-time officers and two clerks.

Robinson could receive jail time at his March 14 sentencing, but is not expected to receive prison, his attorney said.


04172008 - Sheriff Scott Fewin - Grand Traverse County SD


Also See:

Deputy Justin Revnell [Sheriff Scott Fewin's nephew] - Charged with domestic violence




























ALSO SEE:
DEPUTY JUSTIN REVNELL, MARCH 2004: SIX- PAGE DEPARTMENT WRITE-UP

http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/03/deputy-justin-revnell-grand-traverse.html


DEPUTY JUSTIN REVNELL, AUGUST 2004 ASSAULT:
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2004/08/deputy-justin-revnell-grand-traverse.html













Lawsuit Against Record-Eagle Dismissed
Interlochen Public Radio
Date: July 16, 2009
http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/3423

A Benzie County Circuit Judge has dismissed a suit against the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Former Grand Traverse County Sheriff Scott Fewins charged the paper defamed him in an April 2007 editorial.

Editor Mike Tyree wrote that Fewins was tampering with the victim in a domestic violence case. It involved Fewins' nephew, who was at the time a sheriff's detective.

The Court found Fewins did not clearly show the paper acted with malice. Since Fewins had several conversations with his nephew's accuser, it could not be proven that he didn't influence her decision to move away from the area. After than, the domestic charges were dropped.

Judge James Batzer said the editorial contained sharp language and hyperbole, but was not knowingly false.

As a public official, former Sheriff Fewins faced a strict standard to prove the paper defamed him.















Grand Traverse Sheriff sues The Record Eagle
Posted: 08.01.2008 at 3:34 PM
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=168624

The Grand Traverse County Sheriff is suing The Traverse City Record Eagle for libel. Friday afternoon, Sheriff Scott Fewins, along with his his attorney Christopher Cooke, announced they have served the newspaper with a lawsuit for "defaming the Sheriff's good name". The original complaint was filed in Benzie County Circuit Court on April 17th, but the Sheriff waited until July 17th to serve the newspaper with the lawsuit. On July 18th the case would have been automatically dismissed. When asked why they waited so long to have the suit served, Cooke told 7&4 news anchor Diana Fairbanks "We waited because We wanted to give The Record Eagle time to retract their statements." The Record Eagle has not yet commented on this lawsuit only saying they were working on a response. The sheriff is up for re-election on Tuesday.

In fairness to the two other Republican candidates 7&4 News contacted Tom Bensley and Brian Weese for comment on this story.

Brian Weese told us that " I am sure that the timing has something to do with the election. If it was actually legitimate in his mind he should have done it long ago. "

Tom Bensley told us. "It's unfortunate this had to occur. It's evident with the timing that it's for political purposes

















Editorial

Theft investigation leaves another blemish on sheriff
The issue: No charges likely in jail fund thefts
Our view: Another black mark for sheriff
See related story:
Probe of Grand Traverse County jail thefts proves fruitless
April 7, 2007
http://static.record-eagle.com/2007/apr/18edit.htm

For more than a year, someone used an account reserved for Grand Traverse County Jail inmates as a personal ATM.

Someone stole $16,120 from that account during a 14-month span, from December 2003 until January 2005.

It was an inside job, committed by one or more members of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department. And it appears the culprit is home free.

A Michigan State Police detective this month all but raised the white flag on the thefts case, finally acknowledging what had become increasingly apparent over the past year:

The crime will go unpunished.

Well, unpunished if you don't count taxpayers who had to foot the bill to replenish the account.

Unpunished, if you don't consider the honest sheriff's department employees who had nothing to do with the thefts, yet were tarnished by the crime.

Unpunished, if you ever believed in Sheriff Scott Fewins but now can't help but know a ruddlerless, ill-equipped administration when you see one.

A sheriff's employee notified sheriff's brass of a problem with the inmate accounts in early 2005, about the same time Fewins was running interference in a criminal domestic violence case against his nephew Justin Revnell, who also happened to be a Grand Traverse County sheriff's detective.

It's unclear whether Fewins was too busy tampering with the victim/witness in Revnell's case to focus on the inmate accounts, but the fact is the thefts case mostly sat fallow for months, until mid-August, when state police were invited to join the investigation.

By then, it was far too late.

Whoever stole the money had plenty of time to conceal evidence and cover tracks. And the same systemic holes in sheriff's department procedures that created opportunity for the thief came back to haunt the state police investigator; he couldn't pin the case on one particular person, in part because slack rules created opportunities for multiple sheriff's employees.

Beyond those limitations, Fewins' office was slow to face facts. As late as September 2005, sheriff's officials were still hoping to pin blame on employees of the bank that housed the inmate cash.

Those were false hopes, though, and state police Detective Sgt. Mark Henschell, who called the case "enormously frustrating,” said he's confident a jail employee is responsible. A handful remain under suspicion, but all can breathe easier.

The public can't, though, not with yet another example of Fewins' failures to competently administer his department. It's little wonder the sheriff increasingly has tried to circle his wagons and shield his decisions from public view.

























Monday, April 14, 2008

04142008 - Firefighter Michael Boyd - Charges dismissed - Southgate FD

Firefighter Michael Boyd [Southgate FD] : August 17, 2007 domestic violence assault.
http://michiganoidv.blogspot.com/2007/08/firefighter-michael-boyd-southgate-fire.html

Resisting arrest charge against Firefighter Michael Boyd: DISMISSED.  





















1st Assault charge against Firefighter Michael Boyd : DISMISSED.  




















  2nd assault charge against Firefighter Michael Boyd: DISMISSED  













  3rd assault charge against Firefighter Michael Boyd: DISMISSED.      













Aggravated Burglary charge against Michael Boyd : DISMISSED












Facing charges, firefighter suspended
By Jackie Harrison-Martin
The News-Herald
PUBLISHED: September 5, 2007
http://www.thenewsherald.com/stories/090507/loc_20070905002.shtml

SOUTHGATE. A 38-year-old firefighter has been suspended without pay since last week after city officials learned of felony and misdemeanor charges against him.

City administrators took the action against Michael Boyd of Southgate after learning of the firefighter being charged with one felony count of aggravated burglary, three misdemeanor counts of assault and a misdemeanor charge for resisting arrest. Mayor Norma Wurmlinger said the information initially came through the Internet.

The mayor said Boyd is suspended without pay, as opposed to with pay, because of the felony charge. A decision on his employment is pending on the resolution of the case against him.

Wurmlinger said the suspension did not take place until officials had the complete police report on the incident.

The charges stem from an encounter Boyd had with an ex-girlfriend, her friend and the woman's father in Port Clinton, Ohio, on Aug. 16.

Wurmlinger said Fire Chief John Wlodkowski, along with the city and labor attorneys, were all in on the decision-making process to suspend the firefighter.

Wlodkowski has not returned calls for comment on the case.Boyd's attorney, Thomas DeBacco, was at a jury trial and initially could not be reached for comment.

He later told The News-Herald Newspapers: "I am honored to defend this young man who commits his young life to saving people and their property. I believe a jury is going to treat him quite favorably."

Boyd is accused of assaulting 25-year-old Melissa McCann, and her high school friend, Josh Large, 28, after driving to visit the woman and seeing the two together watching television.

According to a police report on the incident, McCann had noticeable bruises around both her eyes and upper left arm and Large, her friend and neighbor, also was attacked.

McCann ran to her father's house down the street and Boyd followed her, according to the police report. Police said Boyd kicked in 52-year-old Pat McCann's front door and when McCann tried to come between his daughter and Boyd the firefighter punched him in the lip, causing a bruise and a cut.

Police said Boyd left the house, but was spotted early the next day in a nearby trailer park.

Police officers found Boyd in a shed kissing a woman and said he refused to come out. He told officers they didn't have a warrant, a report said.

According to the police, Boyd was warned several times to come out of the shed and he became combative and attempted to push an officer in the chest when approached.

As they struggled, Boyd began using obscenities and informed police that he is a firefighter, the report says. After several more warnings, police said they sprayed Boyd with pepper spray and handcuffed him.

A pretrial hearing is set for 2 p.m. Oct. 29 before Judge Paul Moon of the Ottawa County Court of Common Pleas. A trial date is set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8.