Grimy Times investigation reveals a shocking case of police corruption in suburban St. Louis.
WASHINGTON – A former Uplands Park, Missouri, police officer has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for civil rights violations stemming from multiple incidents where he sexually assaulted and stole money from women, the Justice Department announced.
Leon Pullen, 32, of Foley, Mo., was convicted of one felony count of conspiracy to violate deprivation of rights under color of law, four felony counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, one felony count of conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by threats or violence, one felony count of interference with commerce by threats or violence, one felony count of tampering with a witness, and one felony count of making false statements.
According to court documents, Pullen responded to an advertisement placed on the internet by a woman who posted her picture and contact information as a prostitute. He contacted her via cell phone, identified himself as “Jimmy,” and arranged to meet her at a specific location in Uplands Park. He agreed to pay $400 for sexual acts, and also asked her to bring a friend.
When the woman arrived, a police vehicle pulled behind her car. Pullen, who was on duty and dressed in full uniform, including a badge and sidearm, approached her, showed her the ad she had posted on the internet, and demanded to know how much money she had with her. Pullen made her follow him to the police station where he sexually assaulted her.
In February or March of 2009, Pullen answered another ad from a different woman and arranged to meet her at a hotel room that she had rented in St. Louis. When he arrived, he was wearing a blue jacket over a gray golf shirt that had a police badge embroidered onto the front with the words “Detective Pullen.” Once inside, he identified himself as a police officer and told her that she was under arrest. He displayed his firearm and handcuffs. After he sexually assaulted her, he took $100 in cash and her laptop computer.
Pullen sexually assaulted two more women using the same tactics in May and June 2009. Following his arrest on September 20, 2009, Pullen gave a voluntary statement to the FBI. He initially denied taking money from the victims and engaging in sexual activity while on duty.
“Communities must be able to trust their law enforcement officers to protect public safety. When officers abuse their power and violate the rights of individuals in their communities, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
Pullen pleaded guilty in July 2010 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Howard Marcus and Former Civil Rights Division trial attorney Eric Gibson.
Related Federal Cases
- Leonardo Leon, Producing and Distributing Child Pornography, Missouri 2025 · Iowa
- Leonardo Leon, Production and Distribution of Child Pornography, Missouri 2025 · Iowa
- Addison Jones, Attempted Production of Child Pornography, Missouri 2023 · Kansas
- Michael Robert Jett, Tax Evasion, Missouri 2023 · Kansas
- Steven Michael George, Distributed Child Pornography, Missouri 2023 · Kansas
Key Facts
- State: Federal
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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