Probation officer gives office BJ to boot-camp teen
Top 5 Police Blunders Of The Week: Cop Stephen Mitchell Nabbed for 43 Counts of Sexual Assault
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 9:00 am
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Before skipping across the pond, however, we would first like to pay a visit to the paradise that is Schenectady, New York. And why might we want to do that this dismal time of year, you might ask? Because that's where we can find police officer John Lewis sitting in jail. Again.
Over the past two years, Lewis has been arrested on a half dozen domestic violence and drunk-driving charges. He's been picked up for everything from fighting with his brother, as well as a police officer, and damaging his mother's home. Finally, in June 2008, the Schenectady Police Department got the hint that Lewis might not be the best guy to enforce the law -- seeing as he was constantly breaking it -- and put him on unpaid suspension.
Still, that hasn't seemed to have much of a sobering effect on Lewis. Last month, the 40-year-old was picked up on another 10 criminal charges. Apparently, he used his girlfriend's computer to hack into his ex-wife's email -- the ex-wife who he has been court ordered to steer clear of. He was subsequently indicted with eavesdropping, stalking, aggravated harassment, computer trespassing, computer tampering, and tampering with a witness. Apparently, his wife had already pressed charges against him for violating the terms of his restraining order.
His girlfriend also doesn't appear too pleased with Lewis, either. Last month, he showed up to a court hearing with a stab wound to the hand that he sustained while fighting with his sweetheart on a romantic weekend getaway to the Berkshires. The judge begged him to stay in New York and out of trouble long enough to close at least one case. But, again, dear old John didn't listen.
Last week, he was arrested yet again. After having a bit too much to drink, Lewis ended up in an accident, before fleeing the scene and heading to the hospital for medical attention. When the police arrived, they found an open beer can in his 1988 BMW but no John, who was later apprehended in the emergency room.
On Monday, he was charged with yet another slew of criminal drunk-driving charges. This time, the judge set his bail at $25,000 cash, hoping to keep him quiet for the moment. And finally, the Schenectady Police Department is considering his termination.
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4. Edward Carson
Being in debt sucks. Every American knows this well. But robbing a bank is not the way to solve one's financial woes -- a fact lost on, of all people, Minneapolis Police SWAT team member Edward Carson.
On December 30, around 9:15 a.m., Carson showed up at the Wells Fargo bank in Apple Valley outfitted in a black ski mask, black jacket, and black gloves. Obviously, he wasn't there to make a deposit. Instead, he jumped over the counter, pulled a gun on all three tellers, and demanded their cash. After dumping $4,580 into a backpack, he fled and, like any good officer, went straight to work.
It didn't take long for police to figure out that 28-year-old Carson was behind the job. Security cameras from the nearby Target had caught him running across the parking lot towards his car. When they questioned him, at first he denied the charges, before breaking down and pointing them to the evidence.
It's not simply the fact that Carson robbed a bank that has us so bummed out. It's also the fact that he did it so poorly -- especially for a cop. His get up was cliche at best. The lack of foresight with regard to security cameras -- just silly. And the fact that Carson had no alibi -- showing up an hour late for work -- and then put all the evidence (the gun, the money, everything) in his locker, makes us downright disappointed in a man who should know just how the law works.
But it doesn't end there. Apparently, Carson had done this sort of thing before. Yes! He even had experience! Authorities are now saying that he has also confessed to robbing not just a pharmacy, but two SuperAmericas, a dry cleaners, and a woman who was making an ATM deposit at a U.S. Bank, as well.
He is currently in federal custody and in the process of being fired.
3. Baltimore Police Officer
The next two men on our list were neck in neck for the number three and two spots. The only distinguishing factor between these two sickos was that one committed his sex crimes on the clock, while the other kept his behavior behind close doors. Oh, and one of them has no name. At least, his name hasn't been reported in order to protect his victim, who happens to be his wife.
Last week, the 37-year-old officer was arrested after he held his wife at gun point and raped her. He was apparently angry over her marital infidelity.
The officer, also an Iraq War veteran, has been on the force since 2001 and was recently assigned to the city's Special Operations Section. He now faces rape and assault charges and is being held on $500,000 bail.
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2. Marcus Jackson
Charlotte, North Carolina police officer Marcus Jackson would likely have earned the number one spot on this week's list if it weren't for the fact that he was beat out by a British cop with at least 41 more sexual assault and rape charges. Still, Jackson is a scumbag nevertheless.
The week before Christmas, the relative of a 17-year-old called the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police to say that the girl had been ordered by Jackson into his marked patrol car and then was driven to another location where she was sexually assaulted.
A day later, another 21-year-old woman also said that Jackson did the exact same thing to her just the night before he attacked his 17-year-old victim.
Both incidents happened between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., when Jackson was on-duty.
As soon as the department got wind of the accusations, Jackson was charged with sexual battery, second-degree sex offense, extortion, kidnapping, indecent exposure, and two counts of felonious restraint. He is now being held in custody in lieu of a $360,000 bond. He was also immediately fired.
Police Chief Rodney Monroe isn't taking the case lightly, either. Convinced that there are more victims, he released Jackson's photo during a news conference in hopes that those women will come forward. Now that's a real cop.
1. Stephen Mitchell
Simply based on the existence of this here weekly countdown, it's obvious that we don't have to look outside of America to bring news of cops who have a bit of trouble following the laws they enforce. But British officer Stephen Mitchell's crimes are so prolifically heinous that we had to include him at this week's number one spot.
Last week, the 41-year-old Mitchell appeared in court to face a whopping 43 charges, which included everything from seven rapes to 17 sexual assaults and 19 allegations of misconduct in public office.
The charges stem from an investigation launched a year ago. His alleged victims were women he'd taken into custody for petty crimes. Apparently, all the incidents occurred between 1999 and 2007, when Mitchell worked as an officer for the Northumbria Police.
This is what one police officer told The Sun: "We've been told he's been picking on women who are young and attractive -- mainly shoplifters and homeless women. According to the women who've been questioned, what he's asked them to do for him is perverted. We've even been told he's been turning up at the homes or hostels where they stay to blackmail them into giving him more sexual favours."
Mitchell was arrested in Glasgow Scotland on January 19. He appeared in court this past week, but has not yet plead to the charges. In the meantime, the investigation is still on as police believe there are even more victims.
Think Mitchell et al are bad? Check out last week's Top 5 Police Blunders: Richard Kern, New York Officer, On Trial For Sodomizing A Suspect
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