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Evidence tech to serve 3 years for theft
December 21, 2011Sequim Gazette, sequimgazette.com
BYLINE: AMANDA WINTERS Sequim Gazette
Link to Article
Clallam County, WA/strong>
A former Sheriff’s evidence technician received a three-year prison sentence for stealing $8,644 on the job.
Staci Allison, 41, showed no emotion when taken into custody after her sentencing hearing to serve 36 months in prison.
Allison was charged with theft and money laundering in May 2009, six months after 129 empty evidence bags that once contained $51,251 were found stuffed in a plastic tube in the Sheriff’s Office evidence room where she worked.
Assistant Attorney General Scott Marlow prosecuted the case, proving to the six women and six men on the jury Allison stole more than $8,000 by removing it from evidence envelopes inside evidence bags and deleting the computer records. She is suspected of stealing the larger amount, but Marlow charged her based on what he thought he could prove.
Allison’s defense attorney, Ralph Anderson, argued the deletions were made as a test of the system and the evidence room was a mess and poorly managed, making it easy for anyone to steal from it.
During the trial, Allison testified she didn’t know who stole the money and she continues to maintain her innocence.
Anderson filed a notice of appeal in Clallam County Superior Court on Dec. 15 during the sentencing hearing.
Before Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams sentenced Allison to three years in prison, Anderson argued for a first-time offender waiver and 90 days in jail with 30 days converted to community service and the rest served on electronic home monitoring.
“Staci was a good, hard worker,” he said, adding she has no prior criminal history, appeared for all court hearings and complied with all the court’s directions. He said she has medical problems and listed nearly a dozen medications she takes for them.
“This is not a person who would benefit from prison,” he said.
Marlow said Allison was convicted of a major economic offense and because of that an exceptional sentence is warranted.
“She violated that (trust), jeopardized all the cases, stole money from envelopes and spent it on herself,” he said.
He requested a 36-month sentence and $51,905.33 in restitution.
After Williams ordered the 36-month sentence, to decide on restitution later, Anderson made a motion to stay Allison’s sentence pending her appeal.
In the alternative, he asked she be given a week to prepare to go to prison.
Marlow objected, stating he doesn’t believe it was appropriate and it could undermine the public’s view of the justice system.
“When people are sentenced, they go to prison,” he said.
Williams said he was not convinced there were valid reasons to stay Allison’s sentence but told Anderson he could file a written motion.
Allison was taken into custody by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office to be turned over to the Department of Corrections.
Anderson said he intends to file a written motion requesting Allison not be imprisoned pending her appeal.
Reach Amanda Winters at awinters@sequimgazette.com.
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International Association for Property and Evidence
“Law Enforcement Serving the Needs of Law Enforcement”
www.IAPE.org
Former police officer pleads guilty to misconduct
December 8, 2011NorthJersey.com, northjersey.com, Neighbor News (Denville Edition)
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Denville, NJ
Eugene Blood, 38, a former Denville Police officer, has plead guilty to one count of official misconduct, by admitting he unlawfully obtained the key to the department’s evidence room and stole drugs for his personal use, reported Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. on a Nov. 30.
The investigation conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit and the Denville Township Police Department, revealed that Blood, who had been with the department since January of 2003, began taking the drugs while he served as the department’s evidence custodian in 2007, and continued after he was re-assigned to patrol duties by using a stolen key.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Blood has accepted the state’s offer of three years New Jersey State Prison with a mandatory period of parole ineligibility of two years.
He has also forfeited his position with the police department and any right to a public pension and is barred from future public employment.
“This plea strikes the balance of severely punishing this conduct, but also takes into consideration that the defendant immediately accepted responsibility for his actions,” said Bianchi. “Blood has lost his job and profession, will serve a minimum of two to five years in state prison and is forever barred from future public employment. This case sadly demonstrates how drug addiction, and the havoc an addictions causes, unfortunately exists at all levels of society.”
Bianchi also reiterated that the Denville Police Department should be “applauded in how they handled this difficult situation and I continue to have the utmost confidence in the Denville Township Police Department.”
“This [situation] demonstrated the Denville Township Police Department is not only an ethical and well run department, but also shows that they will not tolerate misconduct,” Bianchi said. “To be clear, this matter is limited to this one officer, and is by no means a reflection of the Denville Township Police Department.
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International Association for Property and Evidence
“Law Enforcement Serving the Needs of Law Enforcement”
www.IAPE.org
Grayson Co. Sheriff’s Office employee faces criminal charges
December 5, 2011Gray Television, Inc., kxii.com
BYLINE: Josh Stevenson, josh.stevenson@kxii.com
Link to Article
Grayson County, TX
SHERMAN, TX — A former Grayson County Sheriff’s deputy is under criminal investigation, accused of taking guns from the department.
SHERMAN, TX — A former Grayson County Sheriff’s deputy is under criminal investigation, accused of taking guns from the department.
Sheriff J. Keith Gary said at a press conference Monday that the deputy has been fired, and he expects criminal charges to be filed. The man’s name has not been released. Gary declined to answer any questions, pending further investigation.
In a press release the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office said a number of guns were missing from the property room although many have already been recovered.
Sheriff Gary says he believes the employee acted alone.
“The action of one employee does not represent the standards I have set from this office. This was this is a one time incident involving one employee, and I took immediate action on it,” said Sheriff Gary.
The Texas Rangers have been called in to investigate. Sheriff Gary says deputies are conducting an inventory of the property room.
Gary released the following statement to reporters:
“On December 2, 2011 the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office began an internal investigation on an employee for misconduct.
Through that investigation I learned that the employee was involves in criminal activity.
I immediately requested that the Texas Rangers conduct a criminal investigation.
Texas Ranger Brad Oliver interviewed the employee and received enough information to substantiate the criminal complaint.
The employee has been terminated and the investigation in ongoing.
The actions of one employee does not represent the standards I have set for this office. This is a onetime incident involving one employee I took immediate action on. I ask the public to continue to trust and have faith in the employees of the Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to serve and protect the citizens of Grayson County as we have in the past.”
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International Association for Property and Evidence
“Law Enforcement Serving the Needs of Law Enforcement”
www.IAPE.org