wildcard
5th May 2010, 10:52 AM
link (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/05/05/3-Baltimore-cops-charged-with-kidnapping/UPI-27121273076474/)
3 Baltimore cops charged with kidnapping
BALTIMORE, May 5 (UPI) -- Three Baltimore police officers have been charged with kidnapping a teenager and dumping him in a state park about 10 miles outside the city.
An indictment handed up Tuesday also charged the officers with the kidnapping of a West Baltimore teen left on the other side of the city, The Baltimore Sun reported.
The officers, Tyrone S. Francis, 29, Gregory Hellen, 30, and Milton G. Smith III, 32, were members of the Violent Crimes Impact Section. They have been on desk duty for the past year, and a police spokesman said they will be suspended without pay until the criminal charges are resolved.
Michael Brian Johnson Jr., who says he was left in Patapsco Valley State Park, and his family have already filed a lawsuit against the police department. Johnson said he was forced into a van after an exchange of words with one of the officers and then forced out near Ellicott City after the police took his cell phone and shoes and socks. He called 911 from a pay phone and was returned home by Howard County police.
The NAACP said Baltimore police have used similar tactics in incidents that were not reported, sometimes taking alleged gang members and leaving them in a rival gang's turf.
3 Baltimore cops charged with kidnapping
BALTIMORE, May 5 (UPI) -- Three Baltimore police officers have been charged with kidnapping a teenager and dumping him in a state park about 10 miles outside the city.
An indictment handed up Tuesday also charged the officers with the kidnapping of a West Baltimore teen left on the other side of the city, The Baltimore Sun reported.
The officers, Tyrone S. Francis, 29, Gregory Hellen, 30, and Milton G. Smith III, 32, were members of the Violent Crimes Impact Section. They have been on desk duty for the past year, and a police spokesman said they will be suspended without pay until the criminal charges are resolved.
Michael Brian Johnson Jr., who says he was left in Patapsco Valley State Park, and his family have already filed a lawsuit against the police department. Johnson said he was forced into a van after an exchange of words with one of the officers and then forced out near Ellicott City after the police took his cell phone and shoes and socks. He called 911 from a pay phone and was returned home by Howard County police.
The NAACP said Baltimore police have used similar tactics in incidents that were not reported, sometimes taking alleged gang members and leaving them in a rival gang's turf.