Police chief, assistant charged with rape www.privateofficer.com
Posted by privateofficernews on June 8, 2008
Police chief, assistant charged with rape www.privateofficer.com
DES MOINES, Iowa June 8 2008 A southwest Iowa police chief and his assistant chief were charged Friday in the rape of a woman at a country club bar.
Creston Police Chief James Alan Christensen, 40, and assistant chief John West Sickels, 38, are charged with second-degree sexual abuse. The charges allege that a forced sex act was committed while being aided or abetted by another person. Both men surrendered Friday.
In an affidavit, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent David Dales detailed what happened during the alleged assault at the Crestmoor Golf Club in the early morning hours of April 18.
It said that Sickels and Christensen were the only customers at the club’s bar around closing time when Sickels requested that a female employee perform a sex act on both men and she refused.
The men allegedly blocked the woman’s exit from the bar area and then Sickels left that area apparently to lock the door to the country club. Upon his return Sickels had forced sexual intercourse with the woman while Christensen “held her hand, stroked her hair and ’shushed her,”‘ the affidavit said.
It said the woman repeatedly told Christensen that what was happening was wrong, and that he knew it was wrong.
Attempts to reach attorneys for the two officers were unsuccessful.
Sickels was interviewed by state investigators last month and initially denied any physical contact with the woman. He later admitted having intercourse with the woman but claimed it was consensual and said that he doubted Christensen had witnessed the act, the affidavit said.
When Christensen was interviewed, he initially denied that he or Sickels had any contact with the woman. Later, he admitted that he saw Sickels having sex with the woman and that during the act he touched her hand. The affidavit said he also admitted that the woman had expressed that she did not consent to have sex.
Bail has been set at $25,000 each for Sickels and Christensen. If convicted, they face a maximum prison sentence of up to 25 years.
The Iowa attorney general’s office said it is prosecuting the case at the request of the Union County attorney’s office. The Division of Criminal Investigation has handled the investigation.
Warren Woods, mayor of the town of about 8,000 located 70 miles southwest of Des Moines, said the police chief and his assistant have been on administrative leave for about a week, adding that the city is evaluating what to do now that both men face charges. The fire chief has taken over administrative duties for the Police Department, which is comprised of about a dozen officers, Woods said.
The state patrol will provide backup if needed, he said, adding that all the police shifts are being covered.
“Our police department is in place. We have good officers on the ground,” he said.
A woman who answered the phone at the Crestmoor Golf Club declined to comment.
Alma Swanson, owner of Fiscus Diamond Jewelry and Gifts in Creston, said rumors “have been flying” around the community for several weeks.
“It’s just totally blown us all away,” said Swanson, who said she knew Christensen. “I’m still just totally amazed. It’s kind of hard to believe.”
Swanson called it a sad situation and said she’s trying not to jump to conclusions.
“There are a lot of things I’m sure that will be uncovered and/or discussed when this comes to trial,” she said.
Jim Saunders, a spokesman for the DCI, said the case was an isolated incident among law enforcement and that Sickels and Christensen are being held accountable.
“I think it goes without saying that when something like this happens it’s kind of a blow to the public trust that law enforcement tries to maintain in the community,” he said.
Creston Police Chief James Alan Christensen, 40, and assistant chief John West Sickels, 38, are charged with second-degree sexual abuse. The charges allege that a forced sex act was committed while being aided or abetted by another person. Both men surrendered Friday.
In an affidavit, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent David Dales detailed what happened during the alleged assault at the Crestmoor Golf Club in the early morning hours of April 18.
It said that Sickels and Christensen were the only customers at the club’s bar around closing time when Sickels requested that a female employee perform a sex act on both men and she refused.
The men allegedly blocked the woman’s exit from the bar area and then Sickels left that area apparently to lock the door to the country club. Upon his return Sickels had forced sexual intercourse with the woman while Christensen “held her hand, stroked her hair and ’shushed her,”‘ the affidavit said.
It said the woman repeatedly told Christensen that what was happening was wrong, and that he knew it was wrong.
Attempts to reach attorneys for the two officers were unsuccessful.
Sickels was interviewed by state investigators last month and initially denied any physical contact with the woman. He later admitted having intercourse with the woman but claimed it was consensual and said that he doubted Christensen had witnessed the act, the affidavit said.
When Christensen was interviewed, he initially denied that he or Sickels had any contact with the woman. Later, he admitted that he saw Sickels having sex with the woman and that during the act he touched her hand. The affidavit said he also admitted that the woman had expressed that she did not consent to have sex.
Bail has been set at $25,000 each for Sickels and Christensen. If convicted, they face a maximum prison sentence of up to 25 years.
The Iowa attorney general’s office said it is prosecuting the case at the request of the Union County attorney’s office. The Division of Criminal Investigation has handled the investigation.
Warren Woods, mayor of the town of about 8,000 located 70 miles southwest of Des Moines, said the police chief and his assistant have been on administrative leave for about a week, adding that the city is evaluating what to do now that both men face charges. The fire chief has taken over administrative duties for the Police Department, which is comprised of about a dozen officers, Woods said.
The state patrol will provide backup if needed, he said, adding that all the police shifts are being covered.
“Our police department is in place. We have good officers on the ground,” he said.
A woman who answered the phone at the Crestmoor Golf Club declined to comment.
Alma Swanson, owner of Fiscus Diamond Jewelry and Gifts in Creston, said rumors “have been flying” around the community for several weeks.
“It’s just totally blown us all away,” said Swanson, who said she knew Christensen. “I’m still just totally amazed. It’s kind of hard to believe.”
Swanson called it a sad situation and said she’s trying not to jump to conclusions.
“There are a lot of things I’m sure that will be uncovered and/or discussed when this comes to trial,” she said.
Jim Saunders, a spokesman for the DCI, said the case was an isolated incident among law enforcement and that Sickels and Christensen are being held accountable.
“I think it goes without saying that when something like this happens it’s kind of a blow to the public trust that law enforcement tries to maintain in the community,” he said.
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