Tuesday, August 16, 2005

08162005 - Chief Kenneth Norton - Resigns - Colon PD


Also See:

Deputy Kenneth Norton dismissed from St. County Sheriff Department for CSC allegations [1994]




Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton - August 2004 CSC assault and charges



 In August 2004, Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton sexually assaulted an acquaintance while he was on duty. During the investigation of the victim's complaint, other  victims of Norton's  stepped forward...Including a victim from 1994.








It was discovered during the 2004 - 2005 investigation that before he was Chief of Police for Colon, Kenneth Norton was a deputy on the St. County Sheriff Department.  He was terminated from the sheriff department in  August 1994, after a victim filed a CSC complaint against him. Criminal charges were never filed against him AND on April 15, 1995, Kenneth Norton became Colon's Chief of Police.










Ex-chief to receive back pay
Thursday, August 18, 2005
The Kalamazoo Gazette
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1124378483261560.xml&coll=7

Former Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton will receive about $4,800 in back sick pay following his resignation Tuesday, Village Council President Anthony Wolowicz said.

Council members voted unanimously to give Norton the lump sum as he departs the post he's held for a decade. The figure amounts to about half of the sick pay Norton had accumulated before his departure, Wolowicz said.

Norton's resignation came six weeks after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct accusing him of inappropriately touching a woman.

Additional charges of felony firearm and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in which a weapon was used were filed recently against the 60-year-old in the case.

Norton had been on vacation since early July.

A police affidavit said Norton, a Colon resident, was in uniform when he came to a 33-year-old woman's apartment, made comments about her breast, pulled on her shirt to expose part of her breast, then put his hand down her shirt and fondled her.

The affidavit says Norton admitted to moving the woman's shirt to expose part of her breast, stating that he thought the woman was willing to allow that. He denied he fondled her.

The woman made a complaint with authorities shortly after the Aug. 14, 2004, incident, according to Michigan State Police investigators. A special prosecutor from Calhoun County was assigned to the case.

Wolowicz said Sgt. Mark Brinkert has been put in charge of the police department. Officials will discuss filling the chief's position at its Sept. 13 meeting.

                     











Chief resigns ‘with regrets’
8/17/2005
By Amanda VanAuker
Sturgis Journal, MI
http://www.sturgisjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=65&ArticleID=19240&TM=78334.33

COLON — Colon Police Department Chief Ken Norton submitted his resignation “with regrets” to the Colon Village Council Tuesday night after a special meeting to discuss the matter.

After going into closed session with Norton and his attorney, J. Richard Colbeck of Coldwater, the board reconvened to approve a motion to accept Norton’s resignation.

They also agreed to pay Norton a portion of his accumulated sick time, totaling more than $5,000.

The village chief of many years has been charged in St. Joseph County with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct and a felony firearms charge. He entered a not-guilty plea to all charges earlier this month in Calhoun County.

The charges stem from accusations that Norton inappropriately touched a Colon woman in August 2004 at her apartment while he was on duty.

The council members would not say who would replace Norton, only that they would discuss the matter at their next board meeting Sept. 13.

                   











Facing sex charges, police chief quits
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
The Kalamazoo Gazette
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1124292047303350.xml&coll=7

Colon Police Chief Kenneth Norton resigned Tuesday, six weeks after he was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving the inappropriate touching of a woman.

Additional charges of felony firearm and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in which a weapon was used also recently were filed against Norton in the case.

Colon village officials accepted Norton's written letter of resignation at a special meeting Tuesday night, Village Council President Anthony Wolowicz said.

Wolowicz said council members were told of Norton's resignation request during a closed session. The council reconvened in public and Wolowicz announced the chief's resignation, he said.

Norton, 60, had been on vacation since early July when the fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charge against him became public. A police affidavit said Norton, a Colon resident, was in uniform when he came to a 33-year-old woman's apartment, made comments about her breast, pulled on her shirt to expose part of her breast, then put his hand down her shirt and fondled her.

The affidavit says Norton admitted to moving the woman's shirt to expose part of her breast, stating that he thought the woman was willing to allow that. He denied he fondled her.

The woman made a complaint with authorities shortly after the Aug. 14, 2004, incident, according to Michigan State Police investigators. A special prosecutor from Calhoun County was assigned to the case.

Fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison, second-degree criminal sexual conduct is a 15-year felony and felony firearm carries a mandatory two-year minimum sentence.

Wolowicz said village officials will discuss filling Norton's position at its next regular meeting Sept. 13.

                       





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