Houston Police Officer Dan Todd Charged With Stalking

Accused Stalker Dan Todd

Houston, Texas

A veteran Houston police officer, Dan Todd, is off the job and facing a felony charge of stalking.

A district court judge has also barred the 57-year-old accused stalker from entering two police department buildings, and the police union.

Todd must also stay away from his ex-wife, a Houston police sergeant, and his teenage daughter.

According to court documents, Todd, over a several month period in 2012 and 2013, followed, harassed, and caused fear among his family members.

"The complainant believed the defendant was acting strangely and was concerned for her safety," the probable cause affidavit reads.

"She's scared. She's got legitimate fear and from what I've learned she has reason to have that fear," said Mark Montgomery, attorney for Sgt. Marsha Hausman Todd.

Todd’s most recent assignment was Bush Intercontinental Airport, the same place where he was arrested while on duty on March 5.

Stalking is a third degree felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and a jail term of between 2 and 10 years.

Ft. Bend County Sheriff’s Investigator and Boozer Moses Perez Charged With Intoxicated Manslaughter

Moses Perez

Katy, Texas

A former investigator with the Ft. Bend County Sheriff’s Office has been accused of driving a motorcycle while intoxicated in a wreck that killed his colleague. And both his and her Facebook Pages seem to suggest the two were more than colleagues.

Fort Bend County sheriff's deputies have charged Moses Perez with intoxicated manslaughter with a vehicle, following an internal affairs investigation.

The crash happened in Katy back in October of last year. Investigator Shelley Nicodemus, 45, was a passenger on the motorcycle when it crashed on the feeder road of Interstate 10 near Pin Oak Road.

Detectives said Perez appeared to have hit a curb, causing the motorcycle to skid.

Nicodemus' body was found about 30 feet from the motorcycle, investigators said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Shelley Nicodemus

Perez was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. He suffered head and back injuries.

According to deputies, the internal affairs investigation showed that Perez was in violation of sheriff’s office policy. That finding was followed by an order for termination at the sheriff’s office on Feb. 22.

As is often the case, Perez decided to retire from the sheriff’s office effective Feb. 22 in lieu of termination, deputies said.

On Monday, Perez was indicted by the Fort Bend County Grand Jury and turned himself in at the Fort Bend County Jail on Wednesday morning. He was released after posting bail on a $10,000 bond, deputies said.

Perez was a detective in the burglary and theft unit of the criminal investigations division. He had been with the sheriff's office in various assignments since July 2, 1990.

Nicodemus worked in the special crimes unit and the criminal investigation division. She had been with the sheriff's office for about 20 years.

Moses Perez Facebook

Shelley Nicodemus Facebook

East Texas Sheriff Ron Clinton Jailed over Corruption, Theft, Abuse of Power and Fraud

Sheriff Ron Clinton being sworn in

Carthage, Texas

The sheriff of an East Texas county has been arrested in a public corruption investigation involving alleged theft, abuse of power and fraud.

The Texas Rangers, along with the FBI arrested Panola County Sheriff Ron Clinton, who took office in January.

According to Department of Public Safety Trooper Jean Dark, Clinton faces charges of tampering with a government record defraud/harm, abuse of official capacity and theft by a public servant.

He is currently out of jail on a $50,000 bond. Carthage is 160 miles southeast of Dallas.

Dallas Police ‘Gangsta’ Lt. Regina Smith’s Rap Song Not a Hit With Superiors

Dallas, Texas

A Dallas police lieutenant by day and a wannabe thug ‘gangsta’ after-hours has been suspended for performing a rap song under the moniker “Lucille Baller” that contains profanity and threatens violence.

Lt. Regina Smith was placed on administrative leave in November but her disciplinary hearing wasn't held until Friday. Assistant Police Chief Cynthia Villarreal issued a five-day suspension.

Officials say that as owner of the Big Rush In music production company, Smith appeared in uniform on the company website. In one video she displays her service weapon while holding a bullet and "making inappropriate statements." Police officials say Smith "brought discredit to the department."

Smith was hired in 1988 and currently is assigned to the property crimes division.

Smith's attorney, Chris Livingston, told The Dallas Morning News that she's served the department with distinction for 25 years.

Madisonville Police Sergeant Jeffrey Covington Indicted in Public Corruption Case: The True Definition of a Dirty Cop

Madisonville, Texas

If you think a police officer would never tell a lie, or try to frame an innocent person, then you haven’t had the chance to meet Sgt. Jeffrey A. Covington.

A Madison County grand jury has indicted the local peace officer on public corruption and narcotics charges related to a disturbing scheme to plant methamphetamine on an innocent person. Jeffrey A. Covington, 37, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, obstruction or retaliation, and official oppression.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case, after Madison County District Attorney Brian Risinger recused his office from the case.

Back in the summer of 2011, Covington allegedly attempted to recruit several narcotics informants to plant methamphetamine in the vehicle of an unsuspecting female. Court records reveal that the intended victim, Laura Covington, was the defendant’s ex-wife and had been engaged in a lengthy child custody battle with him.

According to state prosecutors, after the methamphetamine was planted in the victim’s vehicle, a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was told that she used the vehicle to transport and distribute narcotics. Unaware of the defendant’s plot, the trooper later conducted a traffic stop and searched Ms. Covington’s vehicle. The search revealed the planted methamphetamine, which prompted the officer to arrest the victim and book her in the Madison County Jail for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. After taking over the case, Assistant Attorney General David Glickler formally notified Ms. Covington that the State would not pursue the case and the charge against her was dismissed.

Madisonville Police Chief Chuck May says, "I was surprised and dumbfounded and still at a loss for words after hearing of his indictments. Jeff was a good policeman and deserves his day in court, just like any other person would."

If convicted on the third-degree felony charge of obstruction or retaliation, Jeffrey Covington could face from two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The state jail felony charge of delivery subjects the defendant to a possible term of up to two years in a state jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000. The official oppression charge is a Class A misdemeanor.

It's kind of funny, to think that in 2011, Covington was named City Employee of the Year. Covington was named the city’s Employee of the Quarter during an April meeting of the Madisonville City Council. He was recommended by Madisonville Police Chief Gary Clendennen.

In his recommendation, Clendennen said Covington was chosen because he has had a “great impact on narcotics in this community, with and without the K9 unit.” Also, Clendennen said Covington has good working relationships with all co-workers. Also, said Clendennen, Covington treats all members of the community the same, without regard to age, sex, race or personal status. And Covington continues to keep up with all reports, citations and other paperwork as a part of his duties in the department, added the chief.

South Carolina Cop Mike Gavrilis Had Sex on the Brain

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Looks like Myrtle Beach Police Department will have to penetrate deep into Virginia to find editors for its cops.

South Carolina officer Mike Gavrilis responded to a Sunday report of theft from a motor vehicle, but his write-up of the incident -- obtained by The Smoking Gun -- suggests he had more than justice on his mind.

From the report:

Victim 1 stated, he opened the door and searched the vehicle and noticed Victim 2's purse had been stolen. The vehicle, bearing a vagina tag (WZY1047) was a black in color Chevy Silverado.

West Columbia Police Chief Michael Parker Accused of Stealing Medication from Corpses and During Arrests

West Columbia, Texas

West Columbia is running without a police chief, at the moment, while the regular chief is spending some time behind bars.

Police Chief Michael Palmer was arrested on nine counts of tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance.

The accusations against Palmer are disturbing. Not only is he accused of taking prescription drugs from arrests, but he is also accused of stealing prescription pills and other medications during hospice death investigations dating back to March 2012.

Brazoria County prosecutors said some of Palmer's officers reported some of the alleged incidents.

Investigators said they plan to review every case that came out of the department over the past year. They are encouraging anyone with concerns about their cases to come forward.

A captain will lead the police department until further notice.