In late July, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Roberts was suspended after a woman reported that the trooper pulled her over in a traffic stop, took her to a remote location, and raped her. After a couple of weeks had passed with no arrest, his accuser named Roberts in a lawsuit alleging rape.
Roberts's attorney denied the rape allegations and pointed out that the plaintiff in the lawsuit had filed a false rape report against an ex-boyfriend in the past. While that incident shook the woman's credibility, a second accuser came forward adding her name to the lawsuit.
In the meantime, the media focus shifted from the OHP trooper to an Oklahoma City police officer, Daniel Holtzclaw. Like Roberts, Holtzclaw was accused of sexually assaulting women while he was on duty. Holtzclaw was quickly arrested and charged with 16 crimes, including multiple counts of first degree rape, forcible sodomy, sexual battery, indecent exposure, burglary, and stalking.
While the focus of the media may have moved from Roberts to Holtzclaw, the focus of the OHP investigation did not. Roberts was arrested yesterday morning on complaints of kidnapping and sexual assault. He was booked into the Creek County Jail before being released on $66,000 bond.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has identified three potential victims. They point to three separate cases in which Roberts pulls over a woman before turning off his dash cam and microphone. In two of the cases, each woman alleges that the trooper made inappropriate sexual comments to her before driving her to a secluded location and sexually assaulting or raping her. OHP chief Col. Ricky Adams said at a press conference that the agency's investigation has revealed two possible acts or rape and one of sexual battery.
The results of the OHP internal investigation have been submitted to the Creek County district attorney for review. As of this writing, Roberts has not been formally charged.
The trooper's attorney continues to insist that the allegations against his client are false.
Law enforcement agents are sworn to protect and serve the public. However, if the allegations against the OHP trooper and the OKC police officer are true, it shows a terrible breach of these men's moral, ethical, and legal responsibilities. Using the badge as an implement of intimidation and fear rather than a symbol of security and protection is an egregious betrayal of public trust, and the actions of a few bad officers can make the job much more difficult for the law enforcement officers who are truly dedicated to serving in the interest of public safety.
