Avondale State Trooper arrested
DJ
By Karen Busby 12/11/2003
Done in by a boot print, a 9-year veteran is arrested and suspended from duty
without pay.
A 9-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police, stationed at Avondale, has
been charged with 4 felony counts of burglary, 4 felony counts of criminal
trespass and 1 misdemeanor count of attempted burglary.
By his own admission, John Travis Layne was entering residences with the intent
to steal prescription medications for his own personal use.
Arrested Dec. 3, Trooper Layne, 31, of West Chester, was arraigned on the
charges before District Justice Rita Arnold at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 4, said
Captain Steven McDaniel, Commanding Officer of Troop J, at a press conference
last week. Layne was released on an unsecured bond of $20,000 per count, said a
press release.
According to McDaniel, Layne was arrested as a result of an investigation into
a recent rash of burglaries and attempted burglaries in the Southern Chester
County area. Officially, the first burglary dates back to Nov. 12 when medicine
and $160 in coins was removed from the home of Margaret Michaels in London
Britain Township.
A subsequent burglary took place on Nov. 21 on Steelville Road in West
Fallowfield Township in which the door of the residence of Nathan Carr was
kicked in and medication was "disturbed". The investigation of that incident
netted a boot print near the front door which crime lab analysis determined to
be state police issue type footwear, said McDaniel.
Additionally, the investigating officer on that incident, Sgt. Charles Wilmont
of the West Fallowfield Police Department, reported that he had occasion to
speak briefly to a State Trooper in an official vehicle coming from the
direction of the Steelville Road residence only moments before receiving a
burglary alarm call for that residence.
According to the affidavit, Wilmont advised the Trooper of this assignment;
however, the Trooper departed without offering any assistance to Wilmont.
At that time they began looking at similar cases over time, said McDaniel.
A detailed investigation plan including surveillance was implemented and a
subsequent incident took place on Nov. 25 in West Marlborough Township.
Ultimately, Layne was observed by Pennsylvania State Police officers as he
looked into the windows of the residence of Stephanie Armstrong and entered the
New London residence of Suzanne Fuller through the garage on Dec. 3.
In the filed court affidavit, Layne admitted to going to Armstrong's and
Fuller's properties with the intent of entering and looking for pain medication
for his personal use.
McDaniel confirmed that Layne was in uniform and on duty when the criminal acts
occurred.
"He was not on official business," said McDaniel. "He deliberately chose
residences on rural roads in less populous areas."
Layne made sure residences were not occupied by looking through various windows
of the residences and even going up and knocking on doors or ringing doorbells
to ensure the residences were unoccupied.
The Pennsylvania State Police said they were unaware of any addiction problem
or injury that would explain Layne's actions. "He was not recently injured in
the line of duty and was not on limited duty," said McDaniel.
Layne, who is married, was assigned to the Avondale barracks in 1995. His
duties were as a staff officer with support functions such as vehicle
maintenance that might take him away from the barracks and station duties.
"We are still looking at some cases to see if they might be related and
continuing our investigation...There are certainly other open burglaries in the
area we are going to take a look at... We are asking any citizen aware of any
criminal act [with regard to this investigation] to contact us," said McDaniel.
He also confirmed it was quite feasible that Layne had entered residences and
was undetected because "they just didn't have the medicine he was looking for."
Also in attendance at the press conference was Chester County First Assistant
District Attorney Pat Carmody who commended the swift action of the
Pennsylvania State Police. "This is very serious and very sad for the
Pennsylvania State Police when one of their own crosses the line. I want to
commend the Pennsylvania State Police for their action."
Carmody will likely seek to get a consolidation order to hear all the charges
against Layne at once.
Clearly, all those in attendance at the press conference were shaken by Layne's
actions but also wanted to reassure area residents of their continued
commitment to serve and protect.
"The Pennsylvania State Police is extremely committed to the honor, integrity
and service that the people of Pennsylvania expect. We are committed to
aggressively addressing any misconduct of any member of this department...Any
person not worthy of wearing this uniform will be dealt with swiftly. As
members we are distressed by the actions of one of our own but we are also
encouraged by the swift and just action being taken...On a personal note, it is
the most distressing thing I could ever be a part of - but it is also the most
rewarding as immediately we did the right thing and took steps to resolve the
situation," said McDaniel.
If you have any information regarding this investigation please contact the
Pennsylvania State Police at Avondale at 610-268-2022.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10644118&BRD=2243&PAG=461&dept_i
d=451163&rfi=6
"The gravest abuse of power - and the gravest threats to personal liberty and
security - are those in which the very individuals to whom we look for the
preservation of law and order turn out to be the predators."
Law Dawg
a civilian or negro, Attorneys would be standing in line wanting to
represent him and get him acquitted, hoping to get a little publicity
and exposure. Hummmm?
Morf
Criminal cop coddler?
Committing crimes and escaping in the cop car is not quite the same as
using drugs
for self medication.
Cops arrest burglars every day who work to support their drug problem.
DJ
>This Trooper was obviously a criminal and needed his fix.
= )
Excop42198
>This Trooper was obviously in pain and needed his medication.
Heh. :)
If it was
>a civilian or negro, Attorneys would be standing in line wanting to
>represent him and get him acquitted, hoping to get a little publicity
>and exposure. Hummmm?
AMEN, BROTHER!
~~~
Q: What's the only thing worse than criminals?
A: Their lawyers.