NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
POLICE OFFICER ARRESTED ON CRACK COCAINE-RELATED CHARGESHarrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed and Dauphin County District Attorney Edward Marsico today announced the arrest of John D. Evans, 43, of Elizabeth-town, Lancaster County, a 12-year veteran of the Harrisburg Police Bureau, on 69 criminal counts related to the theft and use of crack cocaine, including instances involving the removal of evidence from criminal case files. Evans was arrested this morning and was simultaneously terminated from city employment. The charges include 23 counts of tampering with evidence, 23 counts of theft, and 23 counts of possession of crack cocaine. There were a total of 23 cases in which crack cocaine was allegedly taken by Evans. The investigation into Evans was triggered approximately 2 _ weeks ago when Evans met with Chief of Police Charles G. Kellar to advise him that he felt under high stress and said he wanted to leave police work before he did something for which he would be arrested. This aroused suspicion and an immediate review of his recent cases commenced. When it was determined that crack cocaine was missing from one or more case files, the city immediately contacted the Pennsylvania State Police and the District Attorney’s Office to have them take-over the probe to avoid the potential conflict of interest of the city doing the entire investigation itself. The State Police is the arresting agency. Evans was relieved of all duties during the probe. Evans was a patrol officer during most of his years on the job and more recently has been an investigator in the Organized Crime and Vice Unit, which conducts undercover drug investigations and other functions. The investigation indicates that Evans began periodically using crack cocaine in June, 2003 and that the usage increased in April, 2004. There is no evidence implicating any other officers nor any evidence suggesting any other officers knew of the problem. In addition to crack cocaine Evans secured from his police-related work, he apparently also purchased crack cocaine from others when off-duty. The investigation is continuing. Reed said: “The conduct of this now former officer betrays the trust that the city and its citizens place in the members of law enforcement. Police officers see the ravaging effects of crack cocaine in our society more than most, which makes this conduct all the more mystifying and unacceptable. By becoming a part of the problem, these acts can undermine confidence in the very system of public safety protection that the community relies upon to deal with the scourge of drugs. “He has brought dishonor to himself but no one should believe for a second that his behavior in any way represents the Harrisburg Police Bureau or the men and women of the police force who have dedicated themselves to high standards and ideals of law enforcement service,” the mayor said. “The fact this case was initiated by the Police bureau and has come to the point of arrest in 2 _ weeks serves to verify this.” XXX |
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