Tenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Thomas Deen has filed charges against Mark Ellis Danzy
charging him with abuse of public trust based on an investigation of allegations that while employed as a Warren Police Officer, he extorted cash from a citizen in exchange for dismissing a traffic ticket.
The offense is punishable as a Class D Felony by imprisonment for not more than six years and by a fine not exceeding $10,000.
Deen's office released the following information:
In October 2011, a citizen of Warren contacted Lt. Shaun Hildreth with the Warren Police Department and complained about a Warren Police Officer. The citizen claimed that Officer Mark Danzy stopped him and wrote him a traffic citation. He further claimed that the officer told him he would dismiss the ticket if he would pay him some money.
Clayton Moss of the Arkansas State Police reported that on October 24, 2011, the complainant was given $175 cash in state police money and sent out to meet with Officer Danzy. "I saw Danzy sitting in his patrol car on the city street. In a moment the complainant drove by and turned down the same street towards the officer. A few moments later the complainant pulled out of the street, and he called me on the phone. He said that he gave Officer Danzy $50, and that Danzy told him the ticket would be taken care of."
On December 6, 2011, the complainant was given $100 cash in state police money and sent out to meet with Officer Danzy again. "I watched from across the street as the complainant and Officer Danzy talked near his patrol car. After the meeting, the complainant told me that he gave Danzy $100, and Danzy told him the ticket would be taken care of. The payoff was video and audio recorded. The video shows money exchanging hands and Officer Danzy talking about court and the ticket. There were also a few text messages sent and a recorded phone call made between the complainant and the officer that implied that the ticket would be dropped.
A warrant for Danzy's arrest was issued on December 19, 2011. Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division arrested Mark Danzy, age 48, yesterday (Monday, December 19th). Danzy was taken into custody without incident and was incarcerated at the Drew County Jail awaiting a first appearance hearing. He will be brought before the Bradley County Circuit Court to be dealt with according to law.
Warren Police Chief Randy Peek told salineriverchronicle.com that he was saddened by the alleged actions of Mr. Danzy and was very appreciative of the thorough investigation conducted by the State Police. Chief Peek stated "As soon I saw the evidence and upon Mr. Danzy's arrest, Mr. Danzy was immediately terminated."
Chief Peek said he expected all Warren Police officers to adhere to a high standard and misconduct and criminal activity would not be tolerated. The chief went on to say the city would cooperate fully with the prosecuting attorney as this case moves forward.
charging him with abuse of public trust based on an investigation of allegations that while employed as a Warren Police Officer, he extorted cash from a citizen in exchange for dismissing a traffic ticket.
The offense is punishable as a Class D Felony by imprisonment for not more than six years and by a fine not exceeding $10,000.
Deen's office released the following information:
In October 2011, a citizen of Warren contacted Lt. Shaun Hildreth with the Warren Police Department and complained about a Warren Police Officer. The citizen claimed that Officer Mark Danzy stopped him and wrote him a traffic citation. He further claimed that the officer told him he would dismiss the ticket if he would pay him some money.
Clayton Moss of the Arkansas State Police reported that on October 24, 2011, the complainant was given $175 cash in state police money and sent out to meet with Officer Danzy. "I saw Danzy sitting in his patrol car on the city street. In a moment the complainant drove by and turned down the same street towards the officer. A few moments later the complainant pulled out of the street, and he called me on the phone. He said that he gave Officer Danzy $50, and that Danzy told him the ticket would be taken care of."
On December 6, 2011, the complainant was given $100 cash in state police money and sent out to meet with Officer Danzy again. "I watched from across the street as the complainant and Officer Danzy talked near his patrol car. After the meeting, the complainant told me that he gave Danzy $100, and Danzy told him the ticket would be taken care of. The payoff was video and audio recorded. The video shows money exchanging hands and Officer Danzy talking about court and the ticket. There were also a few text messages sent and a recorded phone call made between the complainant and the officer that implied that the ticket would be dropped.
A warrant for Danzy's arrest was issued on December 19, 2011. Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division arrested Mark Danzy, age 48, yesterday (Monday, December 19th). Danzy was taken into custody without incident and was incarcerated at the Drew County Jail awaiting a first appearance hearing. He will be brought before the Bradley County Circuit Court to be dealt with according to law.
Warren Police Chief Randy Peek told salineriverchronicle.com that he was saddened by the alleged actions of Mr. Danzy and was very appreciative of the thorough investigation conducted by the State Police. Chief Peek stated "As soon I saw the evidence and upon Mr. Danzy's arrest, Mr. Danzy was immediately terminated."
Chief Peek said he expected all Warren Police officers to adhere to a high standard and misconduct and criminal activity would not be tolerated. The chief went on to say the city would cooperate fully with the prosecuting attorney as this case moves forward.
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