Latest news with #ExplorerProgram
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Texarkana Police Explorer program halted over misconduct claims
TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – 32-year-old Zackary Gilley was arrested and placed on administrative leave on Monday on charges including two counts of sexual assault of a child. Louisiana conference tackles human trafficking prevention According to a probable cause affidavit, the case involves a 15-year-old taking part in the Texarkana, Texas Police Department Explorer Program, which mentors young people interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Investigators believe it began at the start of last year when Gilley told his mentee that he had a crush on them and that they had to pinky promise not to tell anyone, the minor said this interaction made them uncomfortable. The document details an escalating series of inappropriate behavior and sexual contact Gilley allegedly committed during ride-alongs. Survivor Lindsey Rayl shares story of human trafficking In light of this incident, TTPD says they are pausing the Explorer program.'We've made the decision to pause our explorer post activities while we take a thorough look at the program. The safety of the young people involved is absolutely our top priority, and this review will help us make sure the program is not only meeting that standard, but also providing the kind of positive, meaningful experience that it's meant to provide,' says Shawn Vaughn with TTPD. Gilley was released after posting a $600,000 bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
King County deputy accused of raping 17-year-old girl
The Brief King County Sheriff's deputy Ricardo Cueva is charged with raping a 17-year-old girl he met through a youth program. The alleged incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018 while Cueva led the sheriff's office's Explorer Program. Cueva is on administrative leave, with bail set at $150,000. BURIEN, Wash. - A King County Sheriff's deputy has been charged with allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. Ricardo Cueva is facing charges of third-degree rape and first-degree sexual misconduct with minor. The alleged incidents occurred back in 2017 and 2018, when Cueva was lead of the King County Sheriff's Explorer Program at the Burien Police Department. The Explorer Program had the goal of connecting young adults ages 14 to 21 with law enforcement. Court documents state Cueva met the victim through the program, accused of having sexual relations with the victim multiple times, sometimes while still in uniform. The Burien City Council previously awarded Cueva with Employee of the Year for 2018. The victim said the award made her even more fearful of coming forward with the allegations, worrying that no one would believe her. Cueva was also the subject oaf norther sexual misconduct case in 2014, accused of touching a 10-year-old girl, according to court documents. The sheriff's office ultimately found no evidence and dismissed the case. A judge set Cueva's bail at $150,000 on Friday. He was placed on administrative leave. The Source Information in this story is from court documents obtained through King County Superior Court, the Burien City Council and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Homicide investigation underway after 5-year-old dies in Federal Way, WA Major 5-day SR 18 closure at I-90 in Snoqualmie, WA Alaska man pinned by 700-pound boulder for 3 hours walks away unharmed Why hasn't anyone been charged in Seattle clash arrests? What we know Mandatory driver's education to expand under new Washington law To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Anthony Collins becomes first black Chief Deputy in Hillsborough County Sheriff Office history
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – A historic promotion at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office resulted in the first African-American Chief Deputy in the department's 180-year history. Anthony Collins has served HCSO for 21 years and is now a Chief Deputy. Collins is the first African-American to serve in this role, and it's the highest position any African-American has ever held at HCSO. Collins was born and raised in East Tampa, where he attended King High School, and had a relationship with HCSO that started well before he started patrolling the Tampa streets as a deputy. 'I wasn't the greatest kid growing up, so I got suspended,' Collins chuckles while reminiscing. 'I found myself in a program called ATOSS, it was an alternative to out-of-school suspension. Mark Penix was the off-duty deputy working at the ATOSS site, and we ended up building a relationship so much so that he is like a God Dad to me.' HCSO investigating deputy-involved shooting in Brandon USF police investigate gun accessory found on campus Anthony Collins becomes first black Chief Deputy in Hillsborough County Sheriff Office history That high school suspension is what opened his eyes to a career in law enforcement, which was not typical for someone who looked like him growing up in East Tampa. 'It was pretty abnormal for people in my environment because I grew up in East Tampa,' said Collins. 'I think the adversity and challenges that people face who grew up in an environment like that are second to none.' Collins' interaction with the off-duty deputy led him to HCSO's Explorer Program, a youth program that exposes youth and young adults to different professions and vocations while also exposing them to the law enforcement field. That taste birthed a dream. 'I wanted to be like Mike Lowry, like on Bad Boys, work undercover and be on the SWAT,' Collins said. It sounds a little wild, but he did. All of it. Joining HCSO in 2004 while serving in the Army National Guard, Collins started out patrolling the university area, then served on the SWAT team for nine years. 'I busted and stopped multi-million dollar drug organizations,' said Collins. 'I worked with agencies like the FBI and DEA during several operations. Collins was then promoted to Corporal, working crimes against children. 'This part of my career was a true defining moment,' said Collins. 'Crimes against children is tough. No one wants to see an abused 6-month-old; it just makes you work that much harder because you absolutely have to close those cases and get justice for those children.' After a couple of years working in crimes against children, Collins rose in the ranks. He went from Sergeant to Lieutenant to Captain to Major to Colonel and now Chief Deputy. 'I grew up in a family where no one ever even graduated from college, so it's humbling to come from that point to be here talking to you,' Collins said. 'It is very, very humbling to be given this position. First and foremost, my faith is what got me to this point. Believing in God and do the right thing for the right reasons.' He gives a lot of credit to Sheriff Chad Chronister; however, his own dedication, work, and respect were not given, but earned. Chief Deputy Collins now oversees at least 1,000 of the department's 2,000 employees, which includes the Marine unit. He also oversees a $654 million budget. While he may be the first African-American in this position, he is ensuring he won't be the last. 'Truth of the matter is every day I come to work, I don't come to work for me, I come to work for everyone who's coming behind me and to make sure I use this platform so that way those individuals can go further than me,' Collins said. Collins is extremely involved in the community. He holds board memberships with the Pace Center for Girls, ACTS Florida, and the Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Programs. He has earned numerous commendations, which reflect his passion for this community. Collins is a devoted husband and father of two as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Yahoo
Caddo Sheriff open house for students exploring criminal justice
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) will open its doors for an upcoming open house. More Salute the Badge news CPSO's Explorer POST Program Open House is scheduled for Monday, January 27, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Sheriff's Safety Town. According to CPSO, a week from January 13 to January 21, the CPSO school resource officers (SRO) collaborated with faculty members at their assigned high schools to identify students interested in exploring careers in the criminal justice field as Explorers. 41 students from various Caddo Parish high schools met the qualifications to be invited to the upcoming Open House. The upcoming event's agenda is as follows: Welcome from Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Sr. Introduction to the Explorer Program by Captain LaTienda Pierre: What is an Explorer Program? Structure of the CPSO Explorer Program Introduction of Adult Advisors Completion of the Program Introduction of Executive Director Michael Wells Q&A and Application Completion Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The invited Explorers who cannot attend this open house may come for a make-up Open House on Monday, February 10. All Explorers will officially begin on Monday, February 24, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
