Former DPS trooper gets probation, $2,000 fine for illegal body cavity searches
Original item: A state district judge is expected to determine the sentence on Friday of a former state trooper who was indicted in 2013 on two charges of sexual assault and two charges of official oppression.
Angel Dobbs, 38, and her niece Ashley Dobbs, 24, accused Department of Public Safety Trooper Kelly Helleson of performing what they called “humiliating and shamefully embarrassing” body cavity searches on the side of State Highway 161 near Irving the night of July 13, 2012.
The women said Helleson used the same latex glove for the searches, which were done in full view of passing motorists. The searches were captured on dashboard video camera.
Helleson and Angel Dobbs are expected to testify before Judge Dominque Collins on Friday.
-----
Updated at 10:50 a.m.: Helleson has pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charges of official oppression, but said she did not commit the alleged sexual assaults.
“At no time did I ever stick my finger inside someone’s body,” Helleson said.
But Russell Wilson, special fields bureau chief with the district attorney’s office, said Helleson stated in the judicial confession that she had committed the offense.
-----
Updated at 11:25 am: The judge sentenced Helleson to a year in jail, which was suspended.
She will serve two years of supervised probation and must pay $1,000 for each of the two convictions.
Helleson declined to comment.
-snip-
Dobbs said she is disappointed in the verdict and said believes other people have been victimized by Helleson and encouraged them to come forward.
-snip-
In June 2013, the two women received a $185,000 settlement in a federal civil rights lawsuit.
More at http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/2014/05/judge-to-sentence-dps-trooper-accused-of-illegal-body-cavity-search.html/ .
= new reply since forum marked as read
