BERRIEN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY DAVID CHANDLER WAS CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT FOR HIS DECEMBER 07, 2007 ASSUALT ON HIS DAUGHTER. [Chandler is also a police officer for the Baroda - Lake Township PD].
DEPUTY DAVID CHANDLER BACK ON DUTY AT THE BERRIEN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO MISDEMEANOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
UPDATE: Fired corrections officer allowed male inmate access to gymnasium at Jackson County Jail so he could have sex with female inmates
Published: Tuesday, August 03, 2010, 8:52 PM
Updated: Wednesday, August 04, 2010, 11:42 AM
By Danielle Salisbury
The Jackson Citizen Patriot
http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/08/female_corrections_officer_fir.html
As the result of an investigation into alleged sexual improprieties at the Jackson County Jail, Corrections Officer Shareena Johnson has been terminated for allowing two female inmates each to have sex with a male inmate.
Another officer, Kyle E. Montgomery, was suspended without pay for 30 days for making inappropriate comments to female inmates, according to a sheriff’s office statement released Tuesday.
The statement publicly marked the end of the investigation, which began June 13 after an inmate alleged a jail employee engaged in sexual activity with a female inmate.
Investigators could not substantiate this, and Prosecutor Hank Zavislak found there was “insufficient evidence” to support criminal charges against Montgomery and Johnson.
“This is a case where policy and procedure was not followed and the parties involved used extremely bad judgment. It is not a matter of criminal behavior and it is not widespread,” Sheriff Dan Heyns said in the statement.
“We take the safety and humane treatment of inmates very seriously here and we are sending a strong message with the personnel actions taken.”
Heyns did not release the names of the officers because he said it is a personnel matter, but the names were contained in two letters signed by Zavislak and released by his office.
Efforts Tuesday to reach both Johnson and Montgomery were unsuccessful.
Though Zavislak did not find there was information to support prosecution, he reprobated the officers' actions, according to the letters, dated Monday.
Montgomery engaged in a pattern of behavior that was “crude, lascivious and unprofessional,” states one letter. “The interviews of the female inmates revealed that on a regular and consistent basis, Montgomery made comments and gestures which were by any measure absolutely inappropriate.”
Johnson displayed “astonishingly poor judgment amounting to culpable stupidity,” the other letter read. “She allowed herself to be manipulated into violating major jail policy multiple times by multiple inmates.”
Heyns said Johnson knowingly permitted the male inmate to have consensual sex, once with one of the women and once with the other, in the gymnasium area at the jail’s downtown facility.
Johnson arranged for the man, a trusty with laundry duties, to meet the women in a closet in or around the gym, according to police reports, released Tuesday.
The reports were assembled by sheriff’s detectives and out-of-county deputies assigned through the Michigan Sheriffs’ Special Investigations Operation Network, a service of the state sheriffs’ association. Heyns called for their assistance as impartial participants.
When interviewed by Detective Lt. David Chandler of Berrien County and Detective Michael Morris of Gratiot County, Johnson admitted she left inmates unsupervised in the gymnasium. She denied knowing they had sex, according to the police reports.
One of the women alleged the male inmate raped her, but she “has no credibility on the issue of consent,” according to one of Zavislak’s letters. Some inmates told investigators the woman thought she might get money out of making the allegation. One person called her “conniving and fake.”
On June 18, the woman said she wanted to “drop everything” related to the accusation, according to the reports.
The other woman told investigators she and the male inmate had a relationship, which she described as “jail house love.” She indicated he promised Johnson or someone else “rims and a sound system” for getting the woman out of the cell.
Inmates said Johnson was nice or good. One said “she wasn’t going to last long. She was too nice,” according to the reports.
Johnson, who served about eight years in the military, had been a corrections officer about three months, she told investigators. Heyns said she was still on probation, which lasts a year for new employees.
Montgomery has been with the sheriff’s office since 1999, Heyns said.
He also is assistant chief of the Columbia Township Fire Department. “Kyle has been on the fire department 20-plus years. Never had an ounce of problem with him,” said department Chief Shawn Lutz.
The sheriff said Montgomery, in his duties as a corrections officer, tolerated inmates’ explicit actions and failed to enforce the proper standard of conduct.
Inmates said he made lewd signs, put up with or even smiled at “flashing” women, talked of a nudist camp, and flirted with inmates, according to the police reports. About a dozen inmates talked about his inappropriate behavior.
In a transcript of an interview with Jackson County Undersheriff Tom Finco and Detective Sgt. Lee Rose, Montgomery denied the allegations against him. “I didn’t do it; I didn’t do any of those things,” he said.
He conceded he might make a rude comment about a partially clothed or indecent inmate or talk about a nice-looking inmate to other officers. Montgomery also said he would allow some trusties, who are given jobs and freedom to move about, extra food or treats.
Finco and Rose responded to his answers to their questions with skepticism. In another interview, a different detective indicated Montgomery was being nonchalant about the accusations.
Heyns said it is “pretty clear” Montgomery understands his mistakes and has agreed to do better.
As a result of the investigation, Heyns said his office has reviewed its procedures. Some rules have been “tightened up,” he said.
He is confident in the officers’ training. “None of those employees were ever trained to let this go on,” he said.
“You can’t legislate judgment.”
In brief
Chandler quits Baroda-Lake police
Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007 12:00 am
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/in-brief/article_1f822a46-210b-59e0-83da-f5acefa0446d.html
BARODA — David Chandler has resigned from his part-time patrolman position with the Baroda-Lake Township Police Department, according to Gary Ruhl, chief of police. Chandler had been demoted from captain to lieutenant in the Berrien County Sheriff's Department as the result of an internal investigation of a domestic violence incident. Chandler will no longer head the detective bureau but will continue to work as a detective.
Chandler earlier this month was sentenced in Berrien County Trial Court to serve nine months on probation and pay a fine and costs of $625. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to domestic violence, a misdemeanor.The charge stemmed from a Dec. 7 fight between Chandler and his 18-year-old daughter, Jacqueline Chandler, at the family's home in Pipestone Township.
Board must decide what to do with 2 part-time officers
Posted: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 12:00 am
By WILLIAM F. AST III, H-P Staff Writer
The Herald-Palladium
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/board-must-decide-what-to-do-with-part-time-officers/article_1c275938-d369-52d3-b84a-44cba27afc68.html
BARODA — The Baroda-Lake Township Police Board will have to decide the job status of Berrien County Sheriff's Department Lt. Dave Chandler and Bridgman Police Department officer Dean Jones, both of whom are part-time patrolmen with the township department.
Baroda Township Supervisor Jim Brow said police Chief Gary Ruhl on Monday gave the Township Board an update about the two officers. Ruhl said he will make a recommendation soon, and Brow said the police board will likely have a special meeting to decide on it.
Chandler has been demoted from captain to lieutenant in the Sheriff's Department as the result of an internal investigation of a domestic violence incident. Chandler last week was sentenced in Berrien County Trial Court to serve nine months on probation and pay a fine and costs of $625. He had pleaded guilty to domestic violence, a misdemeanor.
The charge stemmed from a Dec. 7 fight between Chandler and his 18-year-old daughter, Jacqueline Chandler, at the family's home in Pipestone Township.
Ruhl has issued a ticket to Jones, charging him with disregarding a stop sign.
A patrol car Jones was driving collided with a minivan at the corner of Hinchman Road and Cleveland Avenue in Baroda Township early Jan. 1. He was on his way to help at Baroda-Lake Township police officer.
Jones also faced internal discipline from Bridgman Police Chief Ted Post. Post said the disciplinary action has been administered and Jones remains on the police force, but the chief would not say what the punishment was.
Brow is a member of the Baroda-Lake Township Police board. He said other members are: Chairman Terry Eichler and Tom Carson, both Lake Township Board trustees; Baroda Township Treasurer Susan Newcomer; and Baroda Village Council President Bob Getz.
The board normally meets the second Tuesday every two months and already met in January, Brow said.
The Baroda-Lake Township Police Department has three full-time officers and 13 part-time officers.
Also Monday, Brow told the board the Baroda Fire Department will soon get its new pickup truck, and a new Jeep is on the way as well. Both vehicles will be used to fight grass fires and for other purposes, he said.
Once the two vehicles are on hand, Baroda will have equipment "as good as anyone has," Brow said. He recently retired from the Fire Department after some 22 years of service.The department's old pickup truck will be sold to the Drummond Island Fire Department, which needs a grass rig, Brow said.
In other matters, the board discussed extending the days that the recycling bin is available near the Fire Department.Brow said the bin is now available the second and last Saturdays of each month. The township is going to get a quote from Michiana Recycling of Niles on how much it would cost to have the bin available all the time, he said.
In brief
Chandler demoted over home incident
Posted: Saturday, January 13, 2007 12:00 am
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/in-brief/article_a8226e32-4155-553b-967d-2d22517ccaab.html
ST. JOSEPH — David Chandler has been demoted from captain to lieutenant in the Berrien County Sheriffs Department as the result of an internal investigation of a domestic violence incident, Sheriff Paul Bailey said Friday.
Chandler will no longer head the detective bureau but will continue to work as a detective, Bailey said.
Bailey said he met with Chandler Friday and informed him of the decision. Chandler was taken off administrative leave status and will return to work in two weeks after he uses some vacation time.
On Thursday, Chandler was sentenced in Berrien County Trial Court to serve nine months on probation and pay a fine and costs of $625. He pleaded guilty on Wednesday to domestic violence, a misdemeanor.
The charge stemmed from a Dec. 7 fight between Chandler and his 18-year-old daughter, Jacqueline Chandler, at the family's home in Pipestone Township.
Officer draws fine, probation
Posted: Friday, January 12, 2007 12:00 am
By WILLIAM F. AST III, H-P Staff Writer
DENNIS COGSWELLH-P Region Editor
H-P Staff Writer Julie Swidwa contributed to this report.
The Herald-Palladium
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/officer-draws-fine-probation/article_d78b74a6-d4db-5483-af0a-e4751f8100f8.html
ST. JOSEPH — Capt. David Chandler of the Berrien County Sheriff's Department was sentenced Thursday to nine months' probation and a fine and costs of $625 for misdemeanor domestic violence.
Chandler pleaded guilty to the charge Wednesday.
Berrien County Trial Court Judge Al Butzbaugh ordered Chandler to continue to attend counseling and to have no personal contact with the victim, his 18-year-old daughter, Jacqueline Chandler. Butzbaugh said they can have phone and e-mail contact in the meantime.
Jacqueline Chandler in court Thursday asked that she be allowed to have personal contact with her father. Butzbaugh declined to permit that but said he will review his order after Chandler attends more counseling sessions.The case stemmed from a fight between Chandler and his daughter at their home in Pipestone Township on Dec. 7. Jacqueline Chandler told state police that she, her mother, Victoria, one of Jacqueline's friends and the friend's 3-year-old daughter were watching television when her father came home. She told her father she had gotten a puppy, which had soiled the floor.
When the 3-year-old started playing with the puppy in a cage, David Chandler became annoyed and asked his daughter to do something about it, according to a state police report in the court files.
Jacqueline Chandler said she replied that it wasn't her child, telling her father, "Why do you have to be such a jerk?"
She told a police investigator that her father struck her in the face with the palm of his hand.
He then said to her, "If you are so big and bad, let's fight" and pinned her to the floor, striking her in the face several times, she told police.
Jacqueline Chandler said she suffered a fat lip and her face was discolored and bruised. Her friend told police the young woman's mouth and nose were bleeding.
Jacqueline Chandler told police she has been physically abused by her father before, according to the report. The report did not contain a statement from David Chandler.
Chandler's lawyer, Andrew Burch, told Butzbaugh that Chandler is "going to be a success in the counseling sessions." He called his client "an honorable man who has served our community well for 30 years."
State police from Fifth District headquarters in Paw Paw investigated the accusation against Chandler. Because Berrien County prosecutors know Chandler, the information was forwarded to the Allegan County prosecutor's office to avoid possible conflicts of interest. That office authorized the assault charge.Chandler was placed on paid administrative leave on Dec. 8 while the investigation took place, Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said Thursday.The department is conducting its own internal investigation of the incident, and that investigation will be complete on Monday, Bailey said. The department at that time will make a decision on Chandler's status, he said.Victoria Chandler last year lost a bid for re-election as a Berrien County commissioner.
Sheriff's captain pleads guilty to domestic violence
Posted: Thursday, January 11, 2007 12:00 am
By WILLIAM F. AST III, H-P Staff Writer
http://www.heraldpalladium.com/localnews/sheriff-s-captainpleads-guilty-todomestic-violence/article_4a81d0bd-f3a1-55fb-8121-ee9bc6b506f3.html
ST. JOSEPH — Berrien County Sheriff's Department Capt. David Chandler pleaded guilty Wednesday morning in Berrien Trial Court to a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence.
Police and court officials have been being tight-lipped about the details of the case. However, numerous sources familiar with the case have confirmed it involved an altercation between Chandler and a daughter.
Chandler was scheduled to be sentenced today by Berrien Trial Court Judge Alfred Butzbaugh. The charge carries a penalty of up to 93 days in jail.State police at the Niles post investigated the incident and gave the information to Berrien County Prosecutor Art Cotter. It was then forwarded to the Allegan County Prosecutor's Office, as Chandler is a police officer in Berrien County.
"I really don't feel comfortable" releasing any details, said Allegan Chief Assistant Prosecutor Margaret Bakker, who reviewed the case and authorized the charge. "The case involves family and I want to respect their privacy at this point."
Chandler had been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said in an earlier story.
Chandler is the husband of Victoria Chandler, who last year lost a bid for re-election as a Berrien County commissioner.
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