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Officers convicted of serious sex crimes against children

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Abused by the Badge

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Jamel Bradley, Former School Resource Officer Accused of Sexual Misconduct with Students, Pleads Guilty

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The Washington Post obtained thousands of court filings, police records and other documents to report on law enforcement officers accused of crimes involving child sexual abuse. Read <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2024/police-officers-child-sexual-abuse-in-america" target=_blank>the findings of our investigation, Abused by the Badge</a>.

Information about some of the officers, including whom they worked for, what they were convicted of and any comments they provided, appear in this key.

The Post tried to contact them and the lawyers who represented them in their criminal cases. Reporters requested comments from the law enforcement agencies that once employed the officers. Some responses were edited for length and clarity.

The convictions are listed as they appear in court records or were confirmed by prosecuting agencies. They may not be reflective of all conviction charges. If an officer had both state and federal cases, the federal case is listed.

Read more about <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/03/14/police-child-sex-abuse-how-we-reported/">our methodology and how this series</a> was reported.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Conviction: Unlawful Sexual Activity with Certain Minors

Response: Arnold and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

Agency: Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Florida

Agency response: Confirmed case details but did not offer further comment.

Katy Rajski

Conviction: Child Seduction; Official Misconduct

Barber response: “I committed a crime and saying that the crime was done differently is foolish. Either way, at the end of the day, it’s still a crime. ... This has been good for me. I know that people don’t want to hear that. They want to know that I’m going through pain or torture probably. ... But I’m very happy and I’m very fortunate.”

Agency: South Bend Police Department, Indiana

Agency response: Declined to comment on case details citing pending litigation.

Lake Wales Police Department

Conviction: Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor

Agency: Lake Wales Police Department, Florida

Agency response: “We have to be able to maintain the trust of the public. ... People see us as law enforcement regardless of whether we’re on duty or off duty.”

Harris County Sheriff's Office

Conviction: Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 14 Years of Age

Response: Bastida and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

Agency: Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Police Department, Texas

Agency response: “The former employee, who resigned while being investigated, was in a training program and was always under the direct supervision of a field training officer in CFISD.”

Oldham County Detention Center

Conviction: Distribution of Child Pornography; Possession of Child Pornography; Transfer of Obscene Materials to a Minor; Knowingly Persuade, Induce, and Entice a Minor to Engage In Sexual Activity; Attempt to Knowingly Persuade, Induce, and Entice a Minor to Engage In Sexual Activity

Response: Betts and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

Agency: Louisville Metro Police Department, Kentucky

Mike Hensdill

Conviction: Statutory Rape of Child &lt;=15

Blair response: “I am still heartbroken over the fact that this happened. It has caused a lot of hurt including the girl that I wish very much that I could take it all back but we all know that hind sight is always 20/20. ... I do want you to know that I am a good man and I have always wanted to help people and I continue to do so even while being Incarcerated. I will not let what has happen define who I am as a man.”

Agency: Lowell Police Department, North Carolina

Agency response: Did not respond to requests for comment.

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office

Conviction: Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile

Brunet response: “I was wrongfully accused. ... When I was charged, I believed with all my heart that the Legal System would work. But I had not figured in the level of corruption and egos of people in power.”

Agency: Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana

Jackson County Sheriff's Office

Conviction: Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law

Response: Burgess could not be reached for comment.

Agency: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri

Agency response: “I would like to emphasize nobody is above the law, and the Sheriff’s Office took prompt action in response to the situation when it was reported. It’s important for law enforcement officials to hold themselves accountable to maintain trust and integrity within their communities. Such actions demonstrate a commitment to justice and fairness.”

Bucks County DA Office

Conviction: IDSI (Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse) Victim Less Than 16 YO; Statutory Rape; Corruption of Minors; Indec. Asslt. w/o Cons. of Other; IDSI (Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse) Person Less Than 16 Yrs. Age; Statutory Sexual Assault; Aggrav. Indec. Asslt. w/o Cons. of Other

Response: Carey and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

Agency: Warminster Township Police Department, Pennsylvania

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

Conviction: Sex Assault on a Child by a Person in a Position of Trust - Pattern; Sexual Contact - Coerce; Sexual Contact - Fake Medical Exam; Enticement of a Child

Response: Carrier and his attorney could not be reached for comment.

Agency: Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado

Agency response: “When Joshua Carrier was arrested in May of 2011, the Colorado Springs Police Department immediately suspended him and began an internal affairs investigation. The department also publicly asked for any additional victims to come forward so the case could be fully investigated and prosecuted to seek justice for his victims. ... The criminal acts of Joshua Carrier are his alone and brought a sense of betrayal to the men and women of the Colorado Springs Police Department.”

Galveston County Sheriff's Office

Conviction: Online Solicitation of a Minor; Sexual Assault of a Child

Agency: Galveston ISD Police Department, Texas

Ellis County Sheriff's Office

Conviction: Sexual Assault of a Child; Indecency with a Child

Coffey response: “There was no abuse. ... The trial was all about character assassination. They used everything they could to make me look bad.”

Agency: Maypearl Police Department, Texas

Agency response: “I have a huge problem with anybody who would do something like that, especially when they have the responsibility that comes with policing. ... You don’t cross that line. You take an oath.”

Pitt County Sheriff's Office

Conviction: Indecent Liberties with a Child

Agency: Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina

Agency response: “Law enforcement officers are not above the law. In fact, our behaviors must be above reproach and truly worthy of the public’s trust. As a matter of fact, our detectives arrested Dickinson again on February 27th of this year when our investigation showed that he had not complied with the laws involving sex offender registration.”

St. Charles County Corrections

Agency response: “Upon the conclusion of the Highway Patrol’s criminal inquiry, Mr. Dody’s employment with the Troy Police Department was terminated. The Troy Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to maintaining public trust and confidence through the highest standards of conduct and accountability. We will continue to take swift and appropriate action in any instances where our members fail to uphold the ethical principles and professional expectations that our community deserves.”

South Dakota Sex Offender Registry

Conviction: Criminal Sex Conduct-1st Degree-Penetration-Victim 13-15-Position of Authority

Agency: Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota

Response: In November 2022, Edwards took his own life before any criminal charges could be filed.

Agency: Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia

Washington Post staff

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