https://wtaw.com/college-station-police-officer-is-fired-and-charged-with-misdemeanor-theft/
He's facing up to a year in jail
He's facing up to a year in jail
College Station Police Officer Fired and Charged with Stealing from Jail Inmate
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36 Replies |
Last: 7 mo ago by maroon barchetta
I don't care what the crime is. If a cop commits a crime while on duty or uses their position to commit a crime, it should be a felony.
How this isn't considered a felony is unnerving.
It would normally be a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days, but it was increased to a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year.
He bonded out of jail. If he's convicted, he'll lose the right to serve on a jury, since convicted felons and people convicted of misdemeanor theft can't serve on juries in Texas.
Not being able to serve on a jury should be the last of his worries.
Throwing away a career for a couple of hundred dollars is what should be foremost on his mind.
Throwing away a career for a couple of hundred dollars is what should be foremost on his mind.
True, the jury part isn't that important, but it's interesting how Texas singles out theft as the only misdemeanor that restricts people from serving on juries. I agree that he's an idiot.
If he had stolen at least $750, he would have been charged with a felony (normally, it takes stealing at least $2,500 to be charged with one).
Sadly, when police commit crimes they get the best treatment. They get separated from the inmate population and rarely are even punished. We need to change this. They should get no special treatment. They should go into the regular population. They should also get double the penalty for any crime.
In this case, the maximum penalty was doubled, but I wouldn't be surprised if he avoids jail time, since he didn't have a prior record.
Two different people. One had a lot of people in CS who hated him. The other person was trusted. Was Romei ever locked up. I don't remember that he was. The cop should be fairly treated and punished if justified.
The fact that he was trusted and abused it is why it should be a felony when a uniformed cop commits a crime.Bryanisbest said:
Two different people. One had a lot of people in CS who hated him. The other person was trusted. Was Romei ever locked up. I don't remember that he was. The cop should be fairly treated and punished if justified.
This wasn't a random pickpocket. He allegedly stole from someone that was in custody.
If that person would have realized it and fought back, his charges would have been enhanced.
I'm usually very pro law enforcement. When cops do stuff like this, they should go to jail. I don't care if it is their first offense or not.
Ask any Sheriff or Warden about the joys of an in custody death.phillytex24 said:
Sadly, when police commit crimes they get the best treatment. They get separated from the inmate population and rarely are even punished. We need to change this. They should get no special treatment. They should go into the regular population. They should also get double the penalty for any crime.
In custody death of a law enforcement officer? Or former law enforcement officer?MB19 said:Ask any Sheriff or Warden about the joys of an in custody death.phillytex24 said:
Sadly, when police commit crimes they get the best treatment. They get separated from the inmate population and rarely are even punished. We need to change this. They should get no special treatment. They should go into the regular population. They should also get double the penalty for any crime.
In addition to up to a year in jail, he's also facing up to a $4,000 fine.
My question is, was this an isolated incident? Or had he done that before? Will be interesting if others step forward, claiming he robbed them as well.
Maybe dude thought Training Day was an instructional film?
I'm surprised he thought he could get away with it, since his bodycam should have been running non-stop until he got the suspect to the jail, at which point there are a ton of cameras in the booking area.
Standard procedure if an officer finds a bunch of cash on a person they are arresting (and the cash isn't being seized as evidence or for forfeiture purposes) should be to count the cash with the suspect watching and camera running. As an additional safeguard, you can have the backup officer count it again.
I'm surprised he thought he could get away with it, since his bodycam should have been running non-stop until he got the suspect to the jail, at which point there are a ton of cameras in the booking area.
Standard procedure if an officer finds a bunch of cash on a person they are arresting (and the cash isn't being seized as evidence or for forfeiture purposes) should be to count the cash with the suspect watching and camera running. As an additional safeguard, you can have the backup officer count it again.
If it were a felony, would that have sent this to a grand jury and given the DA an opportunity to deliver a no-bill?
Brian Alg
Brazos Coalition for Responsible Government and Moderator Restraint
Brazos Coalition for Responsible Government and Moderator Restraint
Yeah, but the grand jury would probably indict him.
Any in custody death is a pain in the ***.Stupe said:In custody death of a law enforcement officer? Or former law enforcement officer?MB19 said:Ask any Sheriff or Warden about the joys of an in custody death.phillytex24 said:
Sadly, when police commit crimes they get the best treatment. They get separated from the inmate population and rarely are even punished. We need to change this. They should get no special treatment. They should go into the regular population. They should also get double the penalty for any crime.
https://www.kbtx.com/2023/07/18/college-station-police-officer-fired-arrested-stealing-money-suspect/
This article says he took $360 and that he confessed to the theft
Edit: WTAW says he took $500, but only $360 was recovered
This article says he took $360 and that he confessed to the theft
Edit: WTAW says he took $500, but only $360 was recovered
He has a status/plea hearing scheduled for September 27th, so he might plead guilty then.
Grand juries are the only body that can charge a felony, but they can also charge misdemeanors along with State Attorneys. State Attorneys can choose not to charge, unless the accused is a peace officer or magistrate, in which case he must charge it or present it to a grand jury. A State Attorney choosing not to charge does not prevent a grand jury from charging. A grand jury choosing not to charge does not prevent another State Attorney or another grand jury from charging.Brian Alg said:
If it were a felony, would that have sent this to a grand jury and given the DA an opportunity to deliver a no-bill?
So yes - If it were a felony it would have been required to be presented to the grand jury because the accused was a peace officer. But even as a misdemeanor the fact that he was a peace officer removed the prosecutorial discretion.
Even if he doesn't get jail time, it should at least be on his permanent record. He should also have to pay back the $140 that wasn't recovered and receive a large fine and perform a lot of community service.
https://wtaw.com/former-college-station-police-officer-arrested-for-a-second-theft-while-on-the-job/
He was arrested again for another theft committed in July
He was arrested again for another theft committed in July
Like I said above, I wonder if someone else comes forward? Yup.
He has a plea hearing for his first case scheduled for Wednesday.
His plea hearing was delayed to February 5th. If he's convicted in both of the theft cases and commits theft again, it will automatically be a felony, since he'll have two prior convictions.
He got a plea deal today for twenty months probation (no early termination and he'll have a permanent record) with 120 hours of community service, $2,000 in fines, $100 restitution to one of the victims and he had to forfeit his peace officer's license. If his probation is revoked, he can get up to a year in jail.
No jail time?
I'm shocked.
I'm shocked.
maroon barchetta said:
No jail time?
I'm shocked.
Indeed
I bet he had an awesome credit score and his test results were off the charts....
O.G. said:
I bet he had an awesome credit score and his test results were off the charts....
They don't want you if you're too smart, now… just in the sweet spot.
Absolutely not saying accountability isn't needed, because it is. Just stopping in to say that I know this guy and he is a genuinely good man who made some mistakes.
This is not meant to be controversial or to spark any debate about anything. Just saying that he really is a good dude who made some mistakes.
This is not meant to be controversial or to spark any debate about anything. Just saying that he really is a good dude who made some mistakes.
Good man or not, thievery is not a mistake.