Findings Of Fact Based on all the evidence, the following facts are determined: At all times relevant hereto, respondent, Glenn C. Mingledorff, was certified as a law enforcement officer by petitioner, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, having been issued Certificate No. 02-25390 on June 13, 1980. When the events herein occurred, Mingledorff was employed as a uniformed highway patrolman with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). He resigned from the FHP effective October 26, 1984 and is no longer in the law enforcement profession. Shortly after midnight on February 5, 1983, respondent was on duty in Palm Beach County. When the following events occurred he was transporting two DWI arrestees to a local Palm Beach County jail. While driving north on I-95, he observed a vehicle with three occupants swerve into the lane in front of him. After tailing the vehicle a short distance, and noticing that it was "swerving" on occasion, Mingledorff stopped the vehicle. The driver was Nancy Lynn Pearson, a young female whose speech was slurred, and who smelled of alcohol. She was arrested for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol. Mingledorff drove her to a nearby "Batmobile" where she was given a breathalyzer test and asked to perform certain coordination tests. While these tests were being performed, Mingledorff transported the two male arrestees to a local jail. Pearson "blew" a .14 on the breathalyzer machine, which was above the .10 legal limits, and did not "adequately" perform the coordination tests. When Mingledorff returned to the Batmobile approximately an hour and a half later, he handcuffed Pearson with her hands in the front, and placed her in the back seat of his FHP car. He then drove Pearson to the Lake Worth women's facility which was approximately twenty minutes away. During the trip to the facility, Pearson began to cry, and Mingledorff attempted to comfort her by explaining what would happen after she reached the facility. He also told her she was "sweet" and "cute," that she had a "nice shape," and suggested that they might go out sometime in the future for dinner. When the two arrived at the Lake Worth facility, it was between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. in the morning. Mingledorff parked the car approximately twenty feet from the entrance to the jail. He then let Pearson out of the car, and after she had walked a few feet, told her he had to frisk her. Although the testimony is conflicting at this point, the more credible and persuasive testimony establishes the following version of events. Mingledorff asked her to extend her handcuffed hands to the front, and then reached down to her ankles and began patting her up the front side of her legs. When he got to her crotch, he "felt around" for a few seconds. Mingledorff then went up to her breasts and squeezed them momentarily. After going to her back side, he squeezed her buttocks during the pat-down process. Pearson did not say anything while Mingledorff frisked her, nor did she say anything when she was taken into the jail. However, about a month later she saw a highway patrolman named Davis at a local speedway, who she mistook for Mingledorff, and complained to him about the frisk. Davis then told local FHP officials. Mingledorff stated that he routinely frisked all arrestees for weapons and drugs, regardless of whether they were male or female. However, through credible testimony it was shown that a "hands-on" search of a female detainee by Mingledorff was inappropriate under the circumstances and contrary to FHP policy. More specifically, it was established that a female detainee is not searched by a male trooper unless the trooper "feels there's a threat to his well-being." Here there was none. Mingledorff should have taken only her purse and any other belongings and left the responsibility of frisking the prisoner to the female attendant at the jail. On the afternoon of May 23, 1984, respondent was on duty as a highway patrolman on I-95 in Palm Beach County. He came up on a vehicle which had spun around in a near-accident and was facing on-coming traffic. The vehicle was operated by Siham Caceres, a then unmarried young female. Caceres was extremely nervous and upset from her near-accident, and was unable to drive her vehicle to the side of the road. Mingledorff directed her to sit in the right front seat of his patrol car until she was calm enough to proceed on her trip. The two sat in his car for approximately ten minutes or so. During that time, Mingledorff, who was in the driver's seat, acknowledged that he briefly reached over and touched Caceres' arm to generate her "circulation." Although he denied any other contact, it is found that Caceres' testimony is more credible and that Mingledorff then reached inside Caceres' sun dress and rubbed her breasts. He also rubbed her crotch area momentarily. Caceres did not encourage or consent to this activity. She did not receive a ticket and was allowed to leave a few minutes later. Caceres did not immediately tell anyone about the incident since she was embarrassed, and she was fearful her brothers would "get" Mingledorff if they learned what had hap- pened. She later told her fiancee, who then reported the matter to FHP officials.
The Issue The issue for consideration in this case is whether Respondent's certification as a law enforcement officer in Florida should be disciplined because of the matters alleged in the Administrative Complaint filed herein.
Findings Of Fact At all times pertinent to the issues herein, the CJSTC was the state agency responsible for the certification of law enforcement officers in Florida. Respondent was certified by the CJSTC on May 21, 1982, holding law enforcement certificate number 105625. On November 7, 1997, the Tampa Police Department's Street Anti-Crime Squad initiated one of its periodic routine reverse prostitution stings at the intersection of Crawford and Nebraska Avenues in Tampa. Officer Dana Berry, a female police officer, played the part of the prostitute. Located in an unmarked police car across the intersection, also in civilian dress, was the "eyeball," Sergeant Russell Marcotrigiano, Officer Berry's supervisor. Officer Berry was to wait to be approached by a male customer, and when that happened, was to agree to an assignation for money. Without doing anything in furtherance thereof, if the customer agreed, she was to direct him to room 8 of the El Rancho Motel, down the block on Nebraska Avenue. Her pointing to the motel was the signal to Sergeant Marcotrigiano that a deal had been made. If the customer went to the motel, he would be arrested there. If he did not and drove away, the offense was in the solicitation and the customer would be arrested in a routine traffic stop within two blocks of the site. Sergeant Marcotrigiano was there to coordinate the sting, and even more important, to safeguard the welfare of Officer Berry. Parked in a marked patrol car about two blocks north on Nebraska Avenue were two uniformed officers, Officer Stephen Prebich and Officer MacFarlane, who, upon the direction of Sergeant Marcotrigiano, were to arrest the perpetrator in the routine traffic stop. The sting operation started at approximately 1:45 p.m. on November 7, 1997. At approximately 2:06 p.m., Respondent, driving a green pickup truck, stopped at the intersection in question and made eye contact with Berry, who was standing near a parking lot close-by. Immediately upon contact, Berry came over to the driver's side of Respondent's vehicle and asked if he was lost. Berry did not recognize Respondent as a police officer though there is some evidence, and Respondent so claims, that they had met at work on a previous occasion. Respondent denied being lost and asked Berry if she needed a ride. Berry indicated that she had a room at a nearby motel where they could go, but not without knowing what Respondent wanted. She had been instructed not to mention a sexual act but to wait until the subject first described the requested sexual act. Ultimately he said "a blow-job," and when Berry asked him how much money he had, he replied either "twenty," as Berry claims, or "plenty," as Respondent claims. At this point, considering the deal made, Berry directed Respondent to the motel and pointed to it. This was the signal to Sergeant Marcotrigiano that Respondent should be arrested. Instead of going to the motel, Respondent drove off, turning right onto Nebraska Avenue, heading north. Within two blocks, he was pulled over by Officers Prebich and McFarland. Both officers went to Respondent's vehicle, accompanied by two other officers. Weapons were not drawn. When the officers got to Respondent's vehicle, Officer Prebich opened the driver's door and requested he get out of the vehicle. When Respondent complied, he was placed under arrest. At this point, Officer Prebich did not recognize Respondent. However, it appears that Officer MacFarlane did recognize him. While Respondent was being searched, a pay stub was discovered which indicated that Respondent was a police officer. The arresting officers took Respondent back to the command post where Sergeant Marcotrigiano and Officer Berry were waiting. At this point, Respondent was asked where he worked and replied, "tactical." Prebich claims he did not say much to Respondent at that time. He states he may have mentioned Berry's name to Respondent but does not believe he did so. Officer Politano was working at the command post at this time, writing up paper work on the prostitution sting and monitoring the radio. He recalls Respondent being brought into the command post under arrest. Sergeant Marcotrigiano spoke with Respondent and instructed Politano to take down the names of the parties. In the course of doing this, Politano spoke with Respondent who told him he knew Officer Berry and her former supervisor, Sergeant Raulerson, and was just playing with Berry when he made the statements attributed to him by her. Politano contends that it is quite common for police officers to tease undercover operatives who are on duty, including women. This teasing, however, is usually confined to cat-calls and whistles, and he has never heard of a proposition such as was involved here in a stake-out situation. Respondent admits to a conversation with Officer Berry at the location in issue on the afternoon of November 7, 1997. However, he denies having driven past Berry's location twice before stopping to speak with her. Both Berry and Sergeant Marcotrigiano claim he did, however, and neither would have any reason to dissemble. Further, Respondent contends that he could not have been at the intersection at 2:06 p.m. as indicated by Berry and the sergeant. He claims to have left his credit union on Bearss Street after 1:45 p.m., and considering the state of traffic, could not have traveled the 8.9 or so miles between the credit union and the intersection of Crawford and Nebraska Avenues, gone around the block twice as alleged, and still have had the conversation with Berry in time to be arrested at 2:06 p.m. There are several collateral matters to consider regarding the time issue. In the first place, Respondent contends that the accuracy or lack thereof is indicative of the non-credibility of the arrest report. However, no independent evidence was introduced to show that the time stamp on the credit union transaction ticket, showing 1:45 p.m., is accurate. Regardless, Respondent admitted to a version of the reported conversation between him and Berry, and it is that conversation and the circumstances which surround it, not the exact time, which is important. Respondent categorically denies having seriously solicited Officer Berry for an act of oral sodomy. He claims that while driving in the vicinity, searching for a shop to reasonably detail his relatively new truck, he spotted her on the sting. They made eye contact and, he claims, she nodded at him. Since he recognized her from work, he thought she recognized him as well. She did not, though he had seen her on several occasions at the police station where he would go frequently. Respondent claims he noticed Officer Berry when he stopped for a traffic light at the intersection, and while he was waiting for the light to change, she came up to his truck and asked him if he was lost. Thereafter, the conversation progressed as previously indicated, though Respondent claims to have said "plenty" rather that "twenty" in response to her query as to how much he had. He claims he had no intention to have any sexual contact with Berry and drove off, heading north on Nebraska Avenue, when she pointed to the motel. When questioned by Sergeant Marcotrigiano at the command post, Respondent claims he indicated that he thought Berry had recognized him as he had recognized her, and was just "fucking around." Respondent related this same story to Captain Doyle, the supervisor, but such crass verbalization without an indication he was kidding makes Respondent's claim unbelievable. In July 1997, Respondent and the CJSTC entered into a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement in the Commission's case number L-3388 whereby Respondent's certificate was suspended for 80 hours, and he was placed on probation for a period of one year after reinstatement of his certificate. The documentation of record does not indicate the basis for that action. During May 1999, Respondent, through counsel, filed a motion to dismiss the criminal charge of soliciting for prostitution which had been filed against him in Hillsborough County Court. On June 14, 1999, the motion to dismiss was granted and Respondent was discharged.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is recommended that the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission enter a final order revoking Respondent's certification as a law enforcement officer. DONE AND ENTERED this 24th day of September, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. ARNOLD H. POLLOCK Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6947 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 24th day of September, 1999. COPIES FURNISHED: Richard D. Courtemanche, Jr., Esquire Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 H. R. Bishop, Jr., Esquire Police Benevolent Association 300 East Brevard Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 A. Leon Lowry, II, Program Director Division of Criminal Justice Professionalism Services Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Michael Ramage, General Counsel Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302
The Issue The issue presented is whether Respondent is guilty of the allegations contained in the Administrative Complaint filed against him, and, if so, what disciplinary action should be taken against him, if any.
Findings Of Fact On August 31, 1981, Petitioner issued to Respondent certificate number 02-29029, certifying Respondent as a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida. On March 4, 1987, Respondent, who was employed as a deputy sheriff by the Broward County Sheriff's Department, was on duty at Port Everglades in Broward County, Florida. At the time, Port Everglades was closed to the public between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. At approximately 4:00 a.m. on March 4, 1987, a car approached the front gate of the Port. Present in the guard house at the front gate at the time were Port security officers Joel Myers and William Updegraff, along with Respondent. Myers stepped out of the guard house and stopped the vehicle at the front gate. He asked the driver and passenger where they were going. The driver answered incoherently and appeared to be intoxicated. About that time Respondent and Updegraff came out of the guard house and approached the rear of the vehicle. Respondent instructed the driver to pull over as he was being stopped by a deputy of the Sheriff's office. The driver instead accelerated and drove into the Port. At no time was there any danger of the car hitting the Respondent, Myers, or Updegraff. Respondent got into his patrol car and began pursuing the vehicle. Myers and Updegraff remained at the guard house. A radio transmission was sent to other employees of the Port advising them that an unauthorized vehicle was in the Port. A few moments later, Donald Leake, a firefighter employed by the Port who had joined in the search, saw the vehicle heading toward the front gate in order to exit the Port. Leake drove his patrol unit beside the vehicle and motioned to the driver to pull over, which the driver did. The vehicle stopped approximately 100 yards from the guard house at the front gate. Leake sent a radio transmission that he had stopped the vehicle in question. He then approached the vehicle on foot and instructed the driver and passenger to place their hands on the steering wheel and the dash of their vehicle. The occupants followed Leake's instructions and offered no resistance to him. It appeared to Leake as though the driver was intoxicated. Leake walked to the rear of the vehicle and obtained the license tag number. He then approached the driver and asked for his driver's license and vehicle registration, which the driver provided to him. The driver's license identified the driver as Rodney Hensen. Myers and Updegraff had observed Leake stop the vehicle, and Updegraff left the guard house and walked to the vehicle in question in order to offer assistance to Leake if Leake needed any. After Updegraff had reachecd the vehicle, Respondent arrived at the scene, got out of his vehicle, approached Leake and Updegraff, handed them his night stick and radio, and opened the driver's door. After opening the door, Respondent began punching the driver in the chest and face, while chastising the driver for running from a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy. Respondent punched Hensen several times with closed fists for a period of approximately 30 seconds. The driver was offering no resistance or threat at the time of the incident and still had his hands on the dash when the punching began. Hensen began crying and kept asking Respondent why Respondent was doing that to him. As he was being punched, he leaned away from Respondent in a defensive position, trying to protect his face with his hands and arms. The passenger kept his hands on the dash while Respondent was punching Hensen, and he offered no resistance or threat to the Respondent. Neither the driver nor the passenger ever struck the Respondent or threatened to strike him. Both remained passive and in defensive positions, leaning away from Respondent. Both Leake and Updegraff repeatedly called out Respondent's name to get his attention and repeatedly told him to stop. Respondent then grabbed Hensen, and pulled him from the vehicle, pushed him up against the car, and handcuffed Hensen behind his back. Respondent then retrieved his night stick, placed it between Hensen's cuffed arms, twisted it, and caused Hensen to roll down the car and fall to the ground, hitting his head against the ground. Respondent then picked up Hensen and placed him in the back seat of Respondent's patrol car. Respondent then commented to Updegraff, "I thought you would have liked to get in on that." As Respondent was handcuffing Hensen, he instructed Leake to remove the passenger and place him face down on the ground. Leake did so, and the passenger was compliant. Respondent sent a radio transmission to the Broward County Sheriff's Office advising that he had made an arrest and had been involved in a fight in doing so. Almost momentarily, other law enforcement officers arrived at the scene. Respondent was not involved in a fight. He struck Hensen repeatedly without provocation, and it was not necessary for Respondent to strike Hensen to effectuate an arrest. During the ensuing investigation conducted by the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Respondent admitted striking Hensen.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be entered finding Respondent guilty of the allegations contained in the Administrative Complaint filed against him and revoking his certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Florida. DONE and ENTERED this 20th day of June, 1991, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. LINDA M. RIGOT Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 20th day of June, 1991. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER DOAH CASE NO. 89-6708 Petitioner's proposed findings of fact numbered 1-34 and 36 have been adopted either verbatim or in substance in this Recommended Order. Petitioner's proposed findings of fact numbered 35 and 37 have been rejected as not being supported by the weight of the evidence in this cause. Respondent's proposed findings of fact numbered 1-3 and 8 have been adopted either verbatim or in substance in this Recommended Order. Respondent's proposed findings of fact numbered 4-7, 9-14, 20 and 21 have been rejected as not constituting findings of fact but rather as constituting recitation of the testimony or argument. Respondent's proposed findings of fact numbered 15-19 have been rejected as being irrelevant to the issues under consideration in this cause. COPIES FURNISHED: Sharon Larson, Esquire Assistant General Counsel Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Michael J. Tavalario 270 Southeast Second Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 James T. Moore, Commissioner Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Jeffrey Long, Director Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Rodney Gaddy, Esquire General Counsel Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302
Findings Of Fact Based upon the testimony of the witnesses and the documentary evidence received at the hearing, the following findings of fact are made: On August 28, 1987, Respondent was certified by the Commission as a law enforcement officer and was issued certificate number 19-87-002-04. At all times material to this case, Respondent was employed as a law enforcement officer with the City of Miami Police Department. Respondent was born in Marianna, Florida, but was reared in Miami, Dade County, Florida. Respondent has lived and worked in the Liberty City and Overtown areas of Miami for many years. Prior to becoming employed with the City of Miami Police Department, Respondent was graduated from Florida A & M University with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Additionally, he had completed police academy training and had served as a reservist in the U.S. Navy. According to Respondent, he is a natural leader and has acquired discipline from his military experiences. During the early morning hour of September 18, 1988, Respondent was on duty in a marked police vehicle patrolling an area of Miami in the vicinity of 22nd Street and Biscayne Boulevard. Respondent was armed, dressed in his police uniform, and accompanied by another uniformed officer, Efrain Grillo. At approximately 12:00 a.m. on that date, Respondent observed a white female standing in the curb area along Biscayne Boulevard. The Respondent later learned that the female's name was Linda MacArthur. At that time, however, he recognized her from a prior encounter he had had with her in the Overtown area approximately a month before. At that time, Respondent believed Ms. MacArthur to be a prostitute. Officer Grillo pulled the police car over to the curb where Ms. MacArthur was standing. Respondent directed her to enter the back seat of the vehicle and she complied. Prior to being directed to enter the vehicle, Ms. MacArthur was not placed under arrest, was not advised that she was being transported for questioning, and had not committed a criminal offense in the officers' presence. Neither Respondent nor Officer Grillo notified police dispatch that they were transporting a female passenger. Such notification is required by police policy. After Ms. MacArthur entered the police vehicle, the Respondent and Officer Grillo took her to a dead end street located at approximately 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue. Once there, the three individuals exited the police car and walked over to a dumpster that blocked the end of the paved street. After exiting the vehicle, Respondent obtained Ms. MacArthur's purse and went through it. Among the items enclosed in the purse were condoms and a small bottle of perfume. Officer Grillo took the perfume bottle and emptied it over Ms. MacArthur's upper torso. Next, Respondent asked Ms. MacArthur how she used the condoms. While the police officers observed, Ms. MacArthur opened the condom package, placed the condom in her mouth and began a sucking action. After a few seconds, she threw the condom down on the ground. While Officer Grillo spoke with Ms. MacArthur, the Respondent went to the police car and retrieved his flashlight. Officer Grillo asked Ms. MacArthur if she had underwear on. When she replied she did not, Respondent asked her if they (the officers) could see. Ms. MacArthur pulled her pants down to reveal her naked backside. When he returned from the car with the light, Respondent attempted to illuminate Ms. MacArthur's lower body but was unable to do so since the batteries in the flashlight failed. Officer Grillo then went to the police car and obtained a surgical glove which he placed on his hand. With Respondent present, Officer Grillo placed his hand in Ms. MacArthur's vagina and anal areas. Respondent observed Officer Grillo rub his hand in Ms. MacArthur's vagina and anal areas and saw her fidget at one point. Officer Grillo inserted his finger into Ms. MacArthur's vagina and rectum without her consent. The touching that is described in paragraph 10 was not done to effect a cavity search of someone under arrest nor was it performed for a bona fide medical purpose. Following the acts described above, the Respondent and Officer Grillo placed the Respondent into the police car and transported her back to the vicinity of Biscayne Boulevard. Ms. MacArthur then located an undercover police officer and disclosed the activities which had taken place. As part of the follow up investigation performed by the police, the perfume bottle and condom were retrieved from the site. Also in connection with the investigation of the allegation, an investigator went to the location of Respondent's day job and asked him to return to the police station for questioning. Respondent drove himself to the sexual battery office and spoke with Detective Mahon and Sgt. Sparrow. Prior to giving a statement, Respondent was advised of his rights by the officers. Respondent executed a written Miranda warning form. Respondent then gave an account of the activities which had occurred with Ms. MacArthur and Officer Grillo. This statement was given at approximately 3:21 p.m., September 18, 1988. Respondent gave a second statement to an assistant state attorney and Detective Mahon at approximately 5:41 p.m., September 18, 1988. That statement was made under oath and mirrored the one previously given by him. While Respondent did not see penetration of Ms. MacArthur's vagina and anal areas by Officer Grillo's hand, it is undisputed that he observed the gloved hand being placed in those specific areas as described above. The police did not coerce Respondent into making the statements given on September 18, 1988. Respondent was not placed under arrest, was not charged with a criminal offense, and has not been prosecuted for any alleged wrongdoing. Further, there is no evidence that Respondent is likely to be prosecuted for any alleged criminal act. In contrast, Officer Grillo was charged with criminal offenses related to the incident with Ms. MacArthur. Subsequent to the incident described above, Respondent resigned his employment with the City of Miami Police Department. Prior to that action, he had received several commendations for specific acts of excellent service, and had obtained satisfactory or very good performance evaluations for his work as a police officer. All acts which gave rise to the allegations of this case occurred during Respondent's rookie year as a police officer. Prior to being asked to return to the police station to give a statement regarding the allegations of this case, Respondent had not disclosed the acts perpetrated by Officer Grillo to another police officer.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission enter a final order revoking the Respondent's certification. DONE and ENTERED this 25th day of July, 1990, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. JOYOUS D. PARRISH Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 25th day of July, 1990. APPENDIX TO CASE NO. 90-0919 RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY THE COMMISSION: Paragraphs 1 and 2 are accepted. The first two sentences of paragraph 3 are accepted; the balance is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 are rejected as irrelevant. It is accepted that the Respondent and his partner intimidated the victim, Linda MacArthur and that she was fearful of being arrested. Paragraph 7 is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. The victim complied with Respondent's directive to enter the police vehicle. Paragraphs 8 through 12 are accepted. Paragraph 13 is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. It is accepted that Respondent asked the victim as to how she normally used the condom; it is not accepted that he made her suck it. See finding of fact paragraph 8. Paragraph 14 is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. Respondent did, however, make the request described at a later time (prior to releasing the victim). The second sentence of paragraph 15 is accepted. The balance of that paragraph is rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 16, 17, 18, and 19 are rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence or irrelevant. Paragraph 20 is accepted. Paragraph 21 is accepted. The first sentence of paragraph 22 is accepted; the balance is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. Paragraph 23 is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. Respondent's account (that he did not touch the victim) is accepted. If the flashlight was pressed against the victim, the inference that Officer Grillo did that also is more credible. Paragraph 24 is rejected as contrary to the weight of the evidence. See, however, finding of fact paragraphs 10 and 17. Paragraphs 25 and 26 are rejected as irrelevant. Paragraphs 27 through 32 are accepted. Paragraphs 33 through 36 are rejected as irrelevant. RULINGS ON THE PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT SUBMITTED BY THE RESPONDENT: None submitted. Respondent submitted a written closing argument. Copies to: Jeffrey Long, Director Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 James T. Moore Commissioner Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Rodney Gaddy General Counsel Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Joseph S. White Assistant General Counsel Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Rashad El-Amin Attorney at Law 4300 S.W. 92 Davie, Florida 33328
The Issue The issues in this case are whether Respondent committed the allegations contained in the Amended Administrative Complaint, and if so, the penalty that should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact The Parties Pursuant to section 943.1395, Florida Statutes, Petitioner is charged with the responsibility of investigating complaints and taking disciplinary action against persons holding certificates as law enforcement officers. At all times relevant to this proceeding, Respondent was certified by Petitioner as a law enforcement officer, having been issued certificate number 248318 on April 28, 2005. Upon receiving his certification, Respondent accepted a position as a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol. Events of April 18, 2008 At approximately 9:30 p.m. on April 18, 2008, Ms. Diana Agudelo was driving alone on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County. Respondent, who was on solo patrol in his marked Florida Highway Patrol cruiser, initiated a traffic stop of Ms. Agudelo for exceeding the speed limit. Respondent exited his cruiser, approached the driver's window of Ms. Agudelo's vehicle, and began to engage her in conversation. While he did so, Respondent stared——with, in Ms. Agudelo's words, a "perverted" expression on his face——at her breasts and directed the beam of his flashlight at the same part of her anatomy. Eventually, Respondent requested, and received, Ms. Agudelo's driver's license, at which point he returned to his patrol cruiser while Ms. Agudelo waited in her vehicle. A short time later, Respondent walked back to Ms. Agudelo's vehicle and requested that she accompany him to his patrol cruiser. Ms. Agudelo complied with the request and followed Respondent to his vehicle. At that point, Respondent sat down in the driver's seat of his patrol car and asked Ms. Agudelo to get inside the vehicle with him. Ms. Agudelo declined the invitation. While Ms. Agudelo stood near the window of the patrol vehicle, Respondent continued to engage her in conversation. As he did, Respondent continued to stare at (and direct the beam of his flashlight on) Ms. Agudelo's breasts. A short time thereafter, Respondent decided to escort Ms. Agudelo back to her vehicle. While walking behind Ms. Agudelo, Respondent intentionally, and without justification, touched Ms. Agudelo's buttocks without her consent. Understandably intimidated, Ms. Agudelo made no comment in response to the unwanted contact. Once she reached her vehicle, Ms. Agudelo sat down in the driver's seat and closed the door. As Respondent leaned through the driver's window and continued to converse with Ms. Agudelo, he intentionally touched her breasts with his hand. Ms. Agudelo did not consent to the contact. Eventually, Respondent moved away from the window and advised Ms. Agudelo that she was free to leave. Respondent did not issue Ms. Agudelo a speeding ticket or a written warning. Correctly believing that Respondent's behavior constituted sexual harassment, Ms. Agudelo contacted law enforcement shortly after the incident. An investigation ensued, during which Ms. Agudelo identified Respondent from a photographic lineup.1 Events of July 28, 2006 During the evening of July 28, 2006, Erin Weigel, a 21-year-old female, was driving alone in her vehicle on Interstate 95 in Palm Beach County. After she missed her intended turn, Ms. Weigel decided to exit the interstate and ask for directions. While stopped at a red light near the interstate, Ms. Weigel noticed a marked Florida Highway Patrol vehicle——occupied solely by Respondent——at rest in an adjacent lane. After Ms. Weigel gained Respondent's attention, she advised him that she was lost and in need of assistance. Respondent instructed Ms. Weigel to follow his vehicle, at which point he led her to a poorly lit, deserted parking lot. Inconveniently, Respondent parked in such a manner that Ms. Weigel would have been unable to re-enter the roadway unless Respondent moved his patrol vehicle. Respondent exited his patrol car, approached the driver's side window of Ms. Weigel's vehicle, and began to engage her in conversation. Almost immediately, Respondent made an unsolicited inquiry regarding Ms. Weigel's relationship status. Specifically, Respondent asked, "Do you have a boyfriend," to which Ms. Weigel replied that she did. Upon being informed that she had a boyfriend, Respondent asked Ms. Weigel to produce her driver's license. Although Ms. Weigel was confused by the request, she decided to comply and reached for her purse, which was located on the passenger's seat. As she did so, Respondent aimed the beam of his flashlight down Ms. Weigel's shirt (she was wearing a v-neck tank top) and remarked, "You know what I want to see." Ms. Weigel responded by stating, "Excuse me," at which point Respondent announced, "I want to see your breasts." In response to the inappropriate and unwelcome demand, Ms. Weigel informed Respondent that she wanted to leave. At that point or shortly thereafter, Respondent informed Ms. Weigel that he thought she was pretty, he wanted to take her on a date, and that he would let her leave once she gave him her cell phone number. Although Ms. Weigel did not want to give Respondent her phone number and had no wish to date him, she relented in the hope that Respondent would keep his word and allow her to drive away. After he received Ms. Weigel's phone number, Respondent did not immediately allow her to leave. Instead, Respondent told Ms. Weigel that she seemed "a little intoxicated," notwithstanding the fact that she was not impaired and had consumed no alcoholic beverages that evening. Although Respondent asked Ms. Weigel to exit her vehicle, she held her ground and refused to comply. Eventually, Respondent ended the encounter and allowed Ms. Weigel to drive away. Ms. Weigel subsequently reported the incident to the Florida Highway Patrol. During the investigation that ensued,2 Ms. Weigel identified Respondent in a photographic lineup as the trooper involved in the July 28, 2006, incident.3 Other Allegations As a licensed law enforcement officer with the Florida Highway Patrol, Respondent was granted access to Driver and Vehicle Information Database ("DAVID"), which is maintained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. DAVID is a secure database that contains confidential information regarding motorists, which includes addresses, photographs, driving records, and vehicle descriptions. Each time an authorized person accesses DAVID, the user is required to acknowledge that the system is being utilized for legitimate law enforcement or criminal justice purposes. Pursuant to the Prehearing Stipulation in this matter, it is undisputed that Respondent accessed DAVID on multiple occasions for "personal reasons" and without a legitimate law enforcement purpose.4 However, neither the Prehearing Stipulation nor the evidence presented during the final hearing established what particular benefit Respondent derived——if any—— from his unauthorized use of DAVID. Ultimate Findings The undersigned determines, as a matter of ultimate fact, that Respondent committed a battery upon Ms. Agudelo by touching her breasts and buttocks, and therefore failed to maintain good moral character. The undersigned also finds, as a matter of ultimate fact, that Respondent's behavior toward Ms. Argudelo and Ms. Weigel constitutes misuse of his position as a law enforcement officer, and thus Respondent failed to maintain good moral character. The undersigned further determines, as a matter of ultimate fact, that the evidence failed to establish that Respondent's accessing of the DAVID system for personal reasons constituted misuse of his position.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Criminal Justice Standards Training Commission enter a final order finding Respondent guilty of failing to maintain good moral character, in violation of section 943.13, Florida Statutes, and revoking his certification as a law enforcement officer. DONE AND ENTERED this 11th day of May, 2011, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S EDWARD T. BAUER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 11th day of May, 2011.
The Issue The issue presented in this case is whether there is just cause for the City of Cape Coral's decision to terminate the employment of Hector Calderon, a police officer with the City of Cape Coral Police Department.
Findings Of Fact Based on the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the final hearing, and the entire record in this proceeding, the following findings of fact are made: The City of Cape Coral (the "City") employed Hector Calderon as a police officer in the operations division of the Cape Coral Police Department (the "Department") from January 11, 1997 through January 11, 2002, the effective date of his termination. Officer Calderon was employed as a patrol officer, and his main duties were traffic enforcement during the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift. On October 29, 2001, Sgt. Keith Perrin of the Department received a telephone complaint concerning Officer Calderon from a woman named Cheryl Sugar. Ms. Sugar told Sgt. Perrin that Officer Calderon had lived with her over the past several months. She offered information about narcotics usage and deviant sexual behavior by Officer Calderon, both on and off duty. She specifically alleged that Officer Calderon had been taking cocaine. Ms. Sugar also told Sgt. Perrin that Officer Calderon had been seeing a woman named Nicole Beougher, whom he had met working at a Circle K store when he stopped there during his work shift. Ms. Sugar alleged that Officer Calderon had been taking Ms. Beougher on "ride-alongs" in his police car. Ms. Sugar was angry at Officer Calderon because she had only recently discovered that he had also been dating Ms. Beougher. She and Ms. Beougher had spoken to each other, and realized that Officer Calderon had been deceiving both of them. Sgt. Perrin made a report to Lt. Michael Maher, the Department's head of internal affairs. Lt. Maher contacted Ms. Sugar by telephone on the morning of October 30, 2001. Ms. Sugar reiterated her allegations and agreed to come in later that afternoon to give a sworn statement and submit to a polygraph examination. However, she telephoned Lt. Maher at 3 p.m. and stated that she had placed herself in an "awkward position" and could not give a statement after all. From that point forward, Ms. Sugar declined to cooperate with the Department, despite frequent attempts by Lt. Maher to secure her testimony. On or about November 3, 2001, officers from the Department responded to a domestic dispute call involving Officer Calderon and Ms. Sugar. The officers on the scene noted that Officer Calderon acted unusually. He was upset, shaken, and verbally abusive. He refused to leave the scene until Lt. Maher gave him a direct order to leave or go to jail. This incident, coupled with Ms. Sugar's earlier complaint, led Lt. Maher to place Officer Calderon on administrative leave and send him for a "fitness for duty" psychological evaluation. The evaluation was conducted by a psychologist on November 8, 2001. The psychologist concluded that Officer Calderon was not capable of returning to duty. Officer Calderon was placed on administrative desk duty and his patrol vehicle was taken from him. Officer Calderon's patrol vehicle was assigned to another officer, Robert Slager. Following routine procedure, Officer Slager inventoried the vehicle to assure that Officer Calderon's personal property was accounted for and returned to him. While conducting the inventory, Officer Slager discovered sixteen driver's licenses in the vehicle. The licenses were in a cup holder, in plain sight. Upon investigation, Lt. Maher determined that the driver's licenses had been confiscated by Officer Calderon during traffic stops over a four-year period. Department procedure called for confiscated licenses to be turned in to the records division along with the citation, but Officer Calderon simply kept them in his vehicle. Lt. Maher questioned Officer Calderon as to why he kept the licenses. Officer Calderon's only explanation was that they were his "personal collection." Several officers testified that they had heard of the practice of keeping confiscated driver’s licenses as trophies, but all denied that they did it themselves. They could not or would not name any other officer who indulged in the practice. Officer Calderon kept the licenses in plain sight, and his vehicle was inspected by his superiors on a regular basis, yet no disciplinary action was taken against him concerning the confiscated licenses until this investigation developed. Despite Ms. Sugar's failure to cooperate, Lt. Maher continued investigating her allegations. Ms. Sugar had provided the name of Nicole Beougher, and Lt. Maher contacted Ms. Beougher, who provided a sworn statement and testified at the hearing. In October or November 2000, Ms. Beougher was working nights in a Circle K store in Officer Calderon’s patrol zone. She was 18 years old. Officer Calderon came in, and they began talking. He started coming in frequently to talk to her. He gave her his business card, adding a handwritten note with the code for his voice mailbox at work. During their conversations, Ms. Beougher mentioned that she had never ridden in a police car, and Officer Calderon offered to take her on a "ride-along." At the time, the Department had a "ride-along" program as part of its community outreach. The program encouraged citizens to ride with patrol officers as they conducted their daily course of duties. Interested persons were required to fill out a release of liability form and permit the Department to run a criminal background check. By Department policy, each citizen was limited to one ride-along every six months. Ms. Beougher completed the form and went on a ride- along with Officer Calderon on Christmas Eve 2000. He picked her up at her mother’s house at 6 p.m. and drove to the police station for roll call. Then Officer Calderon and Ms. Beougher went out on the road on his patrol duties. They discussed personal matters, such as whether Ms. Beougher had a boyfriend. At around midnight, they drove to a secluded area on the north end of Cape Coral. Officer Calderon stopped the car. They both got out and walked to the rear of the car. Officer Calderon began kissing Ms. Beougher. Nothing further of a sexual nature occurred. Officer Calderon dropped Ms. Beougher off at her mother's house at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Christmas Day. In January 2001, Officer Calderon and Ms. Beougher began seeing each other regularly. On May 6, 2001, Officer Calderon moved in with Ms. Beougher. While they lived together, Officer Calderon, on duty, would stop by their apartment five or six times per shift, sometimes for as long as 45 minutes. On one or two of these occasions, they engaged in oral sex. While they lived together, Ms. Beougher rode along with Officer Calderon on his work shift on 15 to 20 different occasions. Ms. Beouger never filled out another release of liability form, and the number of ride-alongs was clearly in violation the Department's policy. However, the evidence at hearing established that the Department's enforcement of its policy was lax. Officer Calderon's shift sergeant saw Ms. Beougher with him on more than one occasion and made no inquiry. On one or two of these unauthorized ride-alongs, they drove to a secluded area of northern Cape Coral, and Ms. Beougher performed oral sex on Officer Calderon. One evening while they were living together, Officer Calderon brought home a small amount of cocaine and offered to use it with Ms. Beougher. She was afraid to use it, fearing that Officer Calderon was trying to set her up for an arrest. Ms. Beougher said she would use it if he did first. Officer Calderon snorted the cocaine through a rolled dollar bill. Ms. Beougher then joined him. From that point forward, Officer Calderon and Ms. Beougher used cocaine frequently on weekends when Officer Calderon was not working. Officer Calderon and Ms. Beougher frequently spent weekends at a Motel 6 in North Fort Myers. They did this to get away from their roommate and to be closer to the clubs downtown. They would drink heavily at the clubs, to the point where Ms. Beougher could not remember much of what occurred. They would bring other people, male and female, back to the motel and have sex with them. They also used cocaine while at the motel. Officer Calderon sometimes worked details at a bar called the Hired Hand Saloon, a place he also frequented when off duty. A prior acquaintance named Roger Montgomery worked there as a bouncer. Ms. Beougher testified that Mr. Montgomery was the source of Officer Calderon's cocaine. At the hearing, Mr. Montgomery confirmed the details of Ms. Beougher's testimony. At the Hired Hand, Mr. Montgomery would give Officer Calderon "bumps" of cocaine, i.e., small amounts sufficient for him and Ms. Beougher to get high. On at least two occasions, Mr. Montgomery sold $50 worth of cocaine to Officer Calderon. Mr. Montgomery never gave or sold cocaine to Officer Calderon while he was on duty. Mr. Montgomery never saw Officer Calderon appear to be under the influence of alcohol or any other drug while he was on duty. Mr. Montgomery never actually witnessed Officer Calderon taking cocaine, though he was certain that he saw him high on cocaine. Ms. Beougher testified that she and Officer Calderon used cocaine while at the Hired Hand. On one occasion when Officer Calderon was off duty at the Hired Hand, he asked Mr. Montgomery for cocaine. Mr. Montgomery did not have the cocaine on his person, but did have some in the ashtray of his truck. He gave Officer Calderon the keys to his truck, and Officer Calderon went out to the truck. When Mr. Montgomery later went out to his truck, the cocaine was gone. Officer Calderon invited Mr. Montgomery to the Motel 6 to use cocaine and have sex with Ms. Beougher and him. Mr. Montgomery wanted to go, but couldn't. Mr. Montgomery testified that Ms. Beougher, under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, performed oral sex on both him and Officer Calderon at the Hired Hand. Ms. Beougher could not recall this incident, but did not deny that it might have happened while she was under the influence. One evening at the Hired Hand, Officer Calderon gave Mr. Montgomery a bag of marijuana. Officer Calderon told him that he had confiscated the marijuana from a group of teenagers while on duty. Officer Calderon had earlier shown the marijuana to Ms. Beougher and told her the same story. On one occasion, Officer Calderon asked Mr. Montgomery to get him the drug Ecstasy. Mr. Montgomery made the attempt but was unable to get it because his seller's supplier had been arrested. Officer Calderon and Ms. Beougher took the drug Oxycontin on several occasions. Officer Calderon procured the drug from a person unknown to Ms. Beougher. Officer Calderon had no car other than his patrol vehicle, which he was authorized to take home. Ms. Beougher testified that while off duty, Officer Calderon drove the patrol vehicle under the influence of alcohol on several occasions. He also allowed Ms. Beougher to drive the police vehicle. Sometime in August 2001, Officer Calderon moved out of Ms. Beougher's apartment. He told Ms. Beougher he was moving because there had been a drug bust in the apartment next door, and he was concerned that the Department would somehow associate him with it. Officer Calderon's move also coincided with his learning that Ms. Beougher was pregnant with twins. Ms. Beougher was certain that Officer Calderon was the father. Officer Calderon did not deny it, but wanted to make certain prior to undertaking support obligations. The results of a DNA test were pending at the time of the hearing. Ms. Beougher testified that her drug use ceased when she learned she was pregnant, and that she never saw Officer Calderon take illegal drugs after she stopped taking them. During the investigation, Lt. Maher discovered that Officer Calderon failed to notify the Department of several address changes, in violation of General Order D-1, Section III.18. Officer Calderon admitted to the sexual allegations that occurred at the Hired Hand and the Motel 6. He denied having sex with Ms. Beougher in his patrol car, and denied that he had ever used any illegal drugs. Officer Calderon alleged that Ms. Sugar and Ms. Beougher were bitter about his seeing them both at the same time, and thus concocted a false tale of his drug usage. He contended that Mr. Montgomery, a known drug dealer, had been intimidated through fear of arrest into testifying, and that Mr. Montgomery was sexually involved with Ms. Beougher and thus part of the conspiracy. Officer Calderon's contentions about the opposing witnesses cannot be credited. Neither Ms. Beougher nor Mr. Montgomery knew the other's last name, and both credibly testified that their only involvement with each other was through Officer Calderon at the Hired Hand. Ms. Beougher admitted to being angry at Officer Calderon, but credibly denied that she invented her story of drug usage. Adding to her credibility was that she freely implicated herself in the illegal activities that occurred, rather than portraying herself as an innocent bystander. Mr. Montgomery admitted that his motive for testifying was fear of prosecution for his drug dealings. He was reluctant to testify against Officer Calderon. He did not want to get Officer Calderon in trouble. His testimony was credible and corroborated that of Ms. Beougher as to the particulars of occurrences at the Hired Hand. Officer Calderon had a prior disciplinary history, which Chief Gibbs testified played a role in his decision to terminate Officer Calderon. In 1999, Officer Calderon was given a eight-hour suspension without pay for failing to report the discharge of his service revolver. He and his live-in girlfriend at the time, Allison Gimello, were involved in a domestic disturbance. When the police arrived, they discovered bullet holes in a closet door. Ms. Gimello told police that Officer Calderon had fired his police weapon after threatening to kill her. She later changed her story, saying that she had accidentally fired the gun. Because of this ambiguity, Officer Calderon was disciplined only for not reporting the discharge of his weapon. He did not file a grievance or appeal his suspension. Also in 1999, Officer Calderon was disciplined for showing a photograph of himself, naked with an erection, to female employees of the Department. Without grievance or appeal, Officer Calderon received a 24-hour suspension without pay. Upon completion of the internal affairs investigation in the instant case, Officer Calderon was charged with the following: failure to notify the Department of an address change; loafing while on duty; use of a controlled substance while off duty; purchase and possession of a controlled substance while on and off duty; intentional violation of state law; conduct unbecoming a public employee; using the prestige of his official position or the Department's time, facilities, equipment or supplies for private gain; improper performance of his duties; engaging in sex while on duty and in a City of Cape Coral police vehicle; malfeasance or misfeasance in office; perpetration of an act or conduct which causes substantial doubt concerning an officer's honesty, fairness, or respect for the rights of others or for the laws of the state, irrespective of whether such act or conduct constitutes a crime; and violation of the rules of conduct of the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission ("CJSTC") by failing to maintain good moral character and having a pattern of conduct not consistent with state standards. Lt. Maher's internal affairs report, dated December 5, 2001, sustained all of the charges except loafing on duty and use of a controlled substance. Lt. Maher dropped the loafing charge after consulting with Officer Calderon's immediate superiors, who did not see a problem with his frequent visits to the Circle K store or to the apartment he later shared with Ms. Beougher, provided his productivity was unaffected. It was conceded at the hearing that Officer Calderon was one of the most productive officers in the Department throughout his employment. Lt. Maher dropped the drug usage charge because the only drug test given to Officer Calderon came back negative. At the outset of the investigation, Lt. Maher wanted to test Officer Calderon for drugs but was advised by the City attorney that he lacked reasonable suspicion to order a test. By the time his investigation built reasonable suspicion, Officer Calderon had been placed on administrative duty and was aware that the Department was looking into his activities. Nonetheless, Lt. Maher believed that, without a positive drug test, he could not sustain a charge of drug usage. At the hearing, Officer Calderon challenged the alleged inconsistency between the Department's finding there was insufficient evidence to support that he used drugs, but finding the same evidence sufficient to support that he bought and/or possessed drugs. This argument is rejected. The evidence at hearing established that Officer Calderon both possessed and used drugs. Lt. Maher's decision to drop one of the potential charges does not change the fact that the other charge was proven. Lt. Maher's report was forwarded to Officer Calderon's immediate superiors for a recommendation on corrective action. One of the superiors, Lt. Craig Durham, recommended termination. Officer Calderon's immediate superior, Sgt. John Dickman, recommended a 30-day suspension without pay or benefits. These recommendations then went to the division commander, Major B. A. Murphy, who recommended termination and forwarded the file to Chief Gibbs for his review on December 12, 2001. Officer Calderon elected to have the recommended discipline reviewed by a Department Disciplinary Review Board ("DDRB"). The DDRB was composed of five Department employees: two selected by Officer Calderon, two selected by the Department's administrators, and a fifth member selected by the other four. Lt. Maher presented the case for the Department. Officer Calderon presented his case in rebuttal. The DDRB then deliberated and rendered a decision. On December 19, 2001, the DDRB unanimously recommended termination. On December 21, 2001, Chief Gibbs entered a Final Notice of Disciplinary Action terminating Officer Calderon's employment. Officer Calderon sought and received an appeal of this decision with the City Manager. On January 10, 2002, Interim City Manager Howard Kunik upheld the decision to terminate Officer Calderon's employment.
The Issue Whether Respondent violated Subsections 943.1395(6), 943.1395(7), and 943.13(7), Florida Statutes, and Rules 11B- 27.0011(4)(a), 11B-27.0011(4)(b), and 11B-27.0011(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code, and, if so, what discipline should be imposed.
Findings Of Fact At all times material to this proceeding, Osborne was employed as a police officer with the Winter Haven Police Department. Approximately 15 times during 2001, Osborne picked up a prostitute, Sandra Cornell (Cornell), in his police vehicle and had sex with her while he was in his police uniform. The first time Osborne picked up Cornell, he was in his police car parked near a church in Winter Haven, Florida. Cornell was walking down the street, and Osborne called her over to the police car and asked her what she was doing that night. She told him that she was trying to make some money, and he told her to get in the back seat of the car. She got in the vehicle, and he drove to a spot near Publix and a nursing home. He told her, "Nobody will bother a police car." They got out of the car, and she performed oral sex on him. Osborne paid her $10 and gave her some cigarettes. The second time that she had sex with Osborne, he gave her $5. However, he discontinued paying Cornell for her services after their second encounter. Cornell continued to have sex with Osborne without payment, believing that he would arrest her if she did not continue to have sex with him. Another time Osborne picked Cornell up in the parking lot of the Regency Inn and told her to get in the back of the police car and lie down. She did as she was told. Osborne drove them to a water tower near the Regency Inn, where they had sex. Another time Osborne, while in his police uniform, picked Cornell up in the early morning hours and took her to Silver Lake in his police car. Osborne was on duty at the time. While the couple was having sex, Osborne received a police call. He left Cornell at Silver Lake so that he could respond to the call, and she had to walk back to town. The Winter Haven Police Department conducted an Internal Affairs investigation of Osborne's activities with Cornell. On July 19, 2002, Osborne was interviewed under oath by Lieutenant Katy Goddard and Lieutenant Jim Allen. During the interview, Osborne was asked the following questions and gave the following answers under oath: Q. Have you ever rode uh Sandy Cornell in your patrol vehicle . . . A. No, I have not. Q. . . . let me finish the question--in an unofficial business? A. No. * * * Q. Have you ever had sex with Sandy Cornell on duty? A. No, I have not. Q. Have you ever had sex with Sandy Cornell off duty? A. No, I have not. On December 6, 2002, the Department filed an Administrative Complaint against Osborne, alleging that the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission had issued Osborne an auxiliary law enforcement certificate and a law enforcement certificate on December 28, 1994. Osborne filed an elections of rights form on January 8, 2003, requesting an administrative hearing and disputing only the factual allegations dealing with having sexual relations with Cornell and soliciting another prostitute for sex. Osborne has not contested that he is a certified auxiliary law enforcement officer and a certified law enforcement officer.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be entered finding that Jimmy Osborne did not violate Subsection 943.1395(6); finding that Jimmy Osborne did violate Subsection 943.13(7) and Rule 11B-27.0011(4)(a), (b), and (c), Florida Administrative Code; and revoking his certification as an auxiliary law enforcement officer and a law enforcement officer, pursuant to Subsection 943.1395(7). DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of October, 2003, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S SUSAN B. KIRKLAND Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of October, 2003. COPIES FURNISHED: Linton B. Eason, Esquire Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Jimmy Osborne 902 9th Street, Northeast Winter Haven, Florida 33881 Rod Caswell, Program Director Division of Criminal Justice Professionalism Services Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Michael Ramage, General Counsel Department of Law Enforcement Post Office Box 1489 Tallahassee, Florida 32302
The Issue This is a license discipline case in which the Petitioner seeks to take disciplinary action against the Respondent, who holds a Florida teaching certificate, on the basis of allegations regarding the Respondent's purchase of crack cocaine.
Findings Of Fact The Respondent, Wayne Thurston, holds Florida teaching certificate number 479646, covering the area of physical education, which is valid through June 30, 1995. During the period from April 1991 to July 1991, the Respondent was employed as a teacher at James H. Bright Elementary School, in the Dade County School District. On April 5, 1991, Detective Laurick Ingram was working as an undercover police officer with the Metro-Dade Police Department, assigned to a tactical narcotics team detail. As part of his assignment, Detective Ingram was posing as a seller of cocaine in what is termed a "reverse sting" operation. It was an operation in which several undercover police officers posed as sellers of crack cocaine at premises which were previously know by the police to be the location of frequent drug sales. The reverse sting operation in question took place in the front yard of a house located at 2520 N.W. 159th Street, Miami, Florida. At approximately 8:00p.m. on the evening of April 5, 1991, the Respondent approached Detective Ingram at the location described above and asked the Detective for $20.00 worth of cocaine. Detective Ingram gave the Respondent two rocks of crack cocaine and in exchange the Respondent gave Detective Ingram $20.00. Detective Ingram did not conduct any tests on the substance sold to the Respondent to verify that it was, in fact, cocaine. However, it is the regular and consistent practice of the Metro-Dade Police Department, in conjunction with reverse sting operations, to use genuine cocaine. Detective Ingram then gave a signal to one of the other police officers and one of the other police officers then arrested the Respondent. The Respondent was processed and was subsequently charged by information in the Circuit Court for Dade County with one count of purchasing cocaine and one count of possession of cocaine. On or about July 11, 1991, the Respondent was accepted into the Dade County Drug Treatment Pretrial Release Program. During the period from February 27, 1992, to May 7, 1992, the Respondent was subjected to urinalysis examinations on eighteen occasions and on each occasion the results were negative for use of drugs. Ms. Joanne Goberna Molina has been the principal of James H. Bright Elementary School since January 23, 1992. During the year that she has been the principal at that school, the Respondent's performance as a teacher has been acceptable. During that period the Respondent has not been tardy. The fact that the Respondent was arrested has received very little notoriety among the faculty, staff, students, or parents of the school where he works.
Recommendation On the basis of all of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be issued in this case to the following effect: Concluding that the Respondent is guilty of the violation alleged in the Administrative Complaint and imposing a penalty consisting of a three year period of probation, which probation shall include the requirements that the Respondent: Shall make arrangements for his immediate supervisor to provide the EPC with quarterly reports of his performance, including, but not limited to, compliance with school rules and school district regulations and any disciplinary actions imposed upon the Respondent; Shall make arrangements for his immediate supervisor to provide the EPC with a true and accurate copy of each written performance evaluation prepared by his supervisor, within ten days of its issuance; Shall satisfactorily perform his assigned duties in a competent professional manner; Shall violate no law and shall fully comply with all district and school board regulations, school rules, and State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006; and Participate fully and to its completion in a substance abuse program and submit to random drug testing as directed by his employer or the Education Practices Commission. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of July, 1993, at Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. MICHAEL M. PARRISH, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 904/488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of July, 1993. APPENDIX TO THE RECOMMENDED ORDER IN CASE NO. 92-7063 The following are my specific rulings on all proposed findings of fact submitted by all parties. Findings submitted by Petitioner: Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7: Accepted in whole or in substance. Paragraphs 8 and 9: Rejected as constituting primarily argument about conflicting testimony, rather than specific proposed findings of fact. Paragraph 10: Rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details. Paragraph 11: First sentence rejected as unnecessary procedural details. Second sentence rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details. Paragraph 12: Rejected as based on speculation or conjecture, rather than on reliable evidence. Paragraph 13: Accepted in substance with some unnecessary details omitted. Findings submitted by Respondent: Paragraph 1: This paragraph is rejected because as stated it is nothing more than an unnecessary summary of the allegations of the Administrative Complaint. (It should be noted, nevertheless, that findings have been made to the effect that the acts alleged in the Administrative Complaint have been proved.) Paragraphs 2 and 3: These paragraphs are rejected as constituting summaries of testimony, rather than statements of specific proposed findings of fact. (It should be noted, nevertheless, that findings have been made consistent with the testimony summarized in these two paragraphs.) Paragraph 4: Rejected as constituting argument about the quality of the evidence, rather than a statement of a specific proposed finding of fact. Paragraph 5: Rejected as constituting a summary of testimony, rather than a statement of a specific proposed fact. Also rejected for the reason that the exculpatory explanation offered by the Respondent has not been credited. Paragraph 6: Rejected as constituting argument about the quality of the evidence, rather than a statement of a specific proposed finding of fact. Paragraph 7: The first line is rejected as not supported by persuasive, credible evidence. The remainder is rejected as subordinate and unnecessary details. Paragraphs 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12: Accepted in whole or in substance. COPIES FURNISHED: William T. Jackson, Esquire Department of Education 352 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 William du Fresne, Esquire Du Fresne and Bradley 2929 Southwest Third Avenue Suite One Miami, Florida 33129 Dr. Karen B. Wilde, Executive Director Education Practices Commission 301 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Jerry Moore, Administrator Professional Practices Services 352 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Sydney H. McKenzie, Esquire General Counsel Department of Education The Capitol, PL-08 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
