Ladmarald Cates, Civil Rights Violation, Wisconsin 2012

State: Federal
Category: Sex Crimes
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/former-milwaukee-police-officer-sentenced-24-years-prison-civil-rights-violation-and-sexual" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A former Milwaukee police officer has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for violating a woman’s civil rights and committing a heinous act of sexual assault.

Ladmarald Cates, a former Milwaukee Police Officer, was found guilty by a federal jury on January 11, 2012 of a civil rights charge stemming from his July 16, 2010 sexual assault of a Milwaukee woman.

The evidence at trial established that on July 16, 2010, Cates, while acting as a Milwaukee police officer, responded to a 911 call for police assistance at the victim’s home. He then used a combination of coercion and intimidation to force the victim to commit sexual acts before forcibly raping her.

“This officer committed a heinous act by raping a woman who called on the police because she needed help. His outrageous conduct requires the significant prison sentence delivered by the court today,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

“The 24-year term of imprisonment imposed upon this defendant reflects both the flagrant violation of the fundamental civil rights of a member of our community and the unconscionable conduct of a law enforcement officer sworn to protect our citizens,” said James L. Santelle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Following an internal investigation, the Milwaukee Police Department fired Cates. The prosecution of this case was based upon the cooperation and support of the Milwaukee Police Department, which worked closely with the FBI in the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mel. S. Johnson of the Eastern District of Wisconsin and Criminal Section Trial Attorney Saeed A. Mody of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

The case serves as a stark reminder that law enforcement officers who abuse their power and violate the civil rights of citizens will be held accountable.

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