Posted on 10/25/2014 3:47:26 PM PDT by Half Vast Conspiracy
A California highway patrolman says that for several years he has participated in a “game” in which he and other police officers shared explicit pictures they had taken from the cell phones of female arrestees.
Sean Harrington, a 35-year-old CHP officer, was initially being investigated for sending five explicit pictures from the cell phone of a 23-year-old woman he had arrested on Aug. 29 for a DUI, the Contra Costa Times reported.
The woman came forward earlier this month and told authorities that during her DUI stop — during which she registered a 0.29 blood-alcohol level — Harrington asked for the password to her cell phone, which she provided.
The woman told authorities that she later discovered that content from her Apple iPhone had been transferred to an unknown phone number while she was in custody. The record of the forwarding was deleted from the phone, but it showed up on her iPad – the two devices were synced. When she did not recognize the number to which the photos had been sent, she researched and found that it belonged to Harrington.
As disturbing as that allegation is, the Contra Costa Times dove deeper and uncovered several new twists.
According to court records obtained by the Times, Harrington said that he had done the same thing to other women “half dozen times in the last several years.”
And worse, other officers had taken part as well.
“Harrington said he first learned of this scheme when he was working in the Los Angeles office,” Contra Costa County district attorney investigator Darryl Holcombe wrote in an affidavit for an Oct. 14 search warrant.
“Harrington said when he was assigned to the Dublin office, he learned from other officers that they would access the cell phones of female arrestees and look for nude photographs of them. Harrington said if photographs were located, the officers would then text the photographs to other sworn members of the office, and, to non-CHP individuals. Harrington described this scheme as a game.”
In the affidavit, Holcombe determined that Harrington should be charged with felony computer theft.
During the course of his investigation, Holcombe reviewed jailhouse surveillance footage to establish the timing of the photo transfer. He found that the woman was in custody when the photos were sent from her phone.
The court records also show that on Aug. 7 Harrington had hacked into the phone of another woman who had been involved in a DUI accident. He forwarded two photos of the woman wearing a bikini, accompanied by the text message sent to fellow CHP officer Robert Hazelwood which read, “Taken from the phone of my 10-15x while she’s in X-rays. Enjoy buddy!!!”
According to the Contra Costa Times, “10-15x” is code for a woman in custody.
“No f—— nudes?” Hazelwood replied.
Harrington sent the same photos to another CHP officer named Dion Simmons. Simmons sent text messages back which read “Nice” and “Hahahaaaa.”
“Just rerun a favor down the road buddy. :)” Harrington replied.
In his affidavit, Holcombe reported that Harrington and Hazelwood had exchanged crude messages when discussing the pictures of the woman who sparked the investigation.
Hazelwood asked to see the woman’s “dl,” which could be a reference to her driver’s license. He also sent a text message to Harrington which read “Nudes are always better with the face.”
CHP commissioner Joe Farrow condemned the officers’ alleged actions.
“The allegations anger and disgust me,” Farrow said, according to the Contra Costa Times. “We expect the highest levels of integrity and moral strength from everyone in the California Highway Patrol, and there is no place in our organization for such behavior.”
“The callousness and depravity with which these officers communicated about my client is dehumanizing, horribly offensive and degrading to all women,” said Rick Madsen, who represents the woman who reported Harrington. “It’s going to lead to another level of mistrust and skepticism to the motive of law enforcement in general.”
Dilbert San Diego opened his first comment by saying that he doesn’t wish to blame the victim, then goes on to highlight the women who are taking nudes of themselves.
Well, it is interesting that the media as well as individuals always highlight women taking nude selfies. Men do as well, but this is seldom reported in comparison. Grant it, cops are loading nudes of women, but you understand my point.
Frankly, I don’t know how many women take nude photos. Judging by the media, it would seem that most women do, but the stories are not a fair reflection of most women in our society.
You’ll find no nude selfies of myself or my better half. Just not my idea of being romantic, but people take nudes without being vulgar for the enjoyment of their loved one. It’s an intimate expression of love and romance.
People hold less of a regard for privacy, nonetheless, our privacy should be protected, including an individuals right to possess nude selfies.
It is never a good idea to keep such pictures in your photo library. Your husband or wife can enjoy the photos for a short while, but these should be destroyed. :^) In order to avoid any embarrassment or misunderstanding, of course. Or a situation such as my buddy...finding his mothers photo.
How are we to make informed opinions without related photos?
While you are correct, the much bigger point is what the "Law" is doing to citizens. It doesn't matter if you're a saint or a closet pervert, the "Law" oversteps its bounds daily and it is getting worse. Just as bill changers on soda and candy machines prepared us for dollar soda and candy bars, they are prepping us for full-fledged tyranny and oppression.
” How are we to make informed opinions
without related photos?”
I am sure you are joking. But you don’t actually want to look at women against their will, do you?
Putting aside that the cops did, then this woman was stupid to think her privacy on her phone would stay private.
She could have lost the phone, had it stolen, or had it hacked too.
She was stupid like so many females today who show themselves having sex or naked on their phone
Joking i assure you.
All parties here were stupid, but the cops most so. Their careers will probably end because of this. Sadly, the nearly limitless legal nudity on the Internet just wasn’t enough to satisfy ‘em.
The cops likely did what they did more for the thrill of the risk and power over their “victims.”
The cops abused their position of trust and violated the women’s privacy just the same as if they had peeked into their bedroom windows or shower stalls.
That said, if something is precious to you and you believe it should not be seen by anyone else you should keep it safe. Also, don’t get falling-down drunk (at least not in public). If you leave yourself vulnerable sooner or later someone will come along and take advantage of it.
She was stupid...
I'll have to trust your expertise in the area.
Uh-oh. Looks like the DA is NOT putting aside what the cop did, but instead, is recommending felony charges!
An investigator from the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office is recommending that 35-year-old CHP Officer Sean Harrington be charged with felony computer theft, according to the court records.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/chp-officer-investigated-sending-himself-nude-phot/
thanks for the update , and he deserves it too.
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