St. Helens High School Principal Dr. Katy Wagner has been indicted on two counts of criminal mistreatment and four counts of official misconduct related to a sex abuse scandal involving teachers at the school. The charges allege Wagner failed to report and address abuse by teachers Eric Stearns and Mark Collins, who were arrested earlier. Wagner is accused of neglecting mandatory child abuse reporting laws, with charges including Class C felonies and misdemeanors. She is currently on administrative leave, and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.
Yamhill County deputy David Richard Mills has been arraigned on 12 charges, including public indecency and first-degree official misconduct, for allegedly creating and posting pornography online while in uniform. The indecent photos and videos were reportedly shared on Twitter and OnlyFans. Mills is no longer employed by the Yamhill County Sheriff's department, and he has been released on his own recognizance with the condition that he cannot be seen publicly wearing any law enforcement insignia. The court documents detail a pattern of sexually explicit behavior dating back to January 2022, including allegations of public indecency and masturbating in his patrol car. The case is being handled by a special prosecutor to avoid conflicts of interest.
Former Rising Sun Police Chief, Harlis Steven Hoover Jr., has been arrested on 17 felony charges, including fraud, theft, and official misconduct. The investigation revealed that Hoover borrowed money to purchase vehicles but did not provide evidence of the purchases or repay the loans. He also engaged in ghost employment, claiming to be on duty while taking care of personal business. The case was presented to the Dearborn/Ohio County Prosecutor's Office, resulting in a warrant for Hoover's arrest.
Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron has been sentenced to three years of probation and a $20,000 fine for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns. Byron, who served as a commissioner for Wildwood, failed to report earnings from a law firm job to the IRS. Additionally, Byron, former Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., and current City Commissioner Steve Mikulski have been indicted on charges of official misconduct, theft, and tampering with public records related to fraudulently participating in the State Health Benefits Program.
A Kentucky deputy jailer has been charged with sexual abuse for allegedly recording a female inmate performing sexual acts for preferential treatment. The deputy jailer would befriend female inmates using the jail’s phone calls and text messaging system to communicate with them. He used a phone to record an inmate performing the requested sexual act on at least two occasions and gave preferential treatment in exchange for the video footage. The deputy jailer was charged with two counts of video voyeurism, two counts of sexual abuse, and four counts of official misconduct.
Two New Jersey police chiefs, one retired and the other suspended, have been charged with sexual assault and official misconduct. The suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst is accused of sexually assaulting two department employees and soliciting sexual favors from the wife of one of his subordinates. The former Howell Township Police Chief Andrew Kudrick is charged with official misconduct, false swearing, tampering with public records, tampering with and retaliating against witnesses, and obstructing the administration of law. Kudrick had an extramarital affair and threatened to launch an improper internal affairs investigation of a captain who called him on it.
