A sheriff, acquitted a year ago for charges of sexual abuse while on duty, now faces the same charges in a personal injury lawsuit field by the victim, as reported by The Journal.
Berkeley County Sheriff K.L., along with the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department, are named in the suit filed by plaintiff D.P.
In 2010, while Sheriff K.L. was on duty, he allegedly touched D.P.'s breasts and buttocks without her consent.
K.L. was later let go from the department. He was indicted on two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. A Berkeley County Circuit Court jury found him innocent of all charges.
As stated in the criminal case, D.P. claimed that after having a verbal altercation with a former family member at a restaurant in Martinsburg, K.L. was the officer that interviewed D.P. at the scene.
Then, hours later, at approximately 5:45 in the morning, K.L. appeared at D.P.'s home, entered without being asked in, sat on her couch and allegedly said, "I know you don't have any underwear on."
D.P. recoiled at the remark and K.L. allegedly told her to calm down and that she appeared to need a hug. At this point, according to D.P., K.L. grabbed her and pulled her to him, she pushed him off, he grabbed her a second time, and told her she was a good looking woman.
D.P. stated that K.L. said, "You know how you older women are and I bet you got those sexy little short, those sexy little underwear and stuff on don't you?"
At this point D.P. demanded that K.L. leave her apartment but he, instead, began to tug her toward the entrance of her bedroom. K.L. then grabbed her hips, asked for a kiss, forced his own tongue into her mouth and proceeded to reach under her nightgown.
D.P. again demanded that K.L. stop and this time he did remove his hands, however, he repeatedly asked her to "just give me a kiss and I'll leave" and "just give me one more kiss."
Now, as D.P. claimed, K.L. grew angry, stomped his feet and suggestively put his hand on his gun. This action made D.P. grow more fearful of K.L.'s actions, and she begged him to go. Before he did, according to D.P., K.L. grabbed her one last time to suck on her neck and grab underneath her nightgown again. A phone call from a neighbor interrupted the attack and K.L. left the apartment.
Minutes later, however, he returned to further taunt the plaintiff. K.L. allegedly pushed his way into her apartment and made her promise not to breathe a word of his actions to anyone.
The suit seeks a jury trial to access damages for assault, battery, false imprisonment and attorney fees. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Department and Lemaster are cited for their negligence in hiring K.L.
The idea of being harmed instead of helped by a member of a police force is rare. However, if you have been placed in a similar situation, possibly by a company's representative or a private entity, you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Contact a personal injury lawyer today for help!