It's appalling when the very people charged with protecting society abuse their powers and cause harm to the people they are assigned to protect. Some would argue that it happens every day in Washington, but it's an unusual occurrence when the perpetrator is a member of the Los Angeles Police Department. In October, LAPD Officer Russell Mecano, part of the West LA Patrol Division, was indicted by the Los Angeles County Grand Jury for sex crimes committed or initiated while on duty and in uniform.
Mecano was immediately arrested and is out on bail awaiting his December 12 arraignment. LAPD has relieved the officer of his police powers and assigned him to his home pending the outcome of criminal and LAPD internal affairs proceedings. Mecano was indicted on four charges:
- Solicitation of prostitution
- Sexual battery by unlawful restraint
- Penetration by a foreign object by a public official
- Penetration by a foreign object under duress
LAPD is asking other victims or anyone with information to contact Internal Affairs investigators toll free at 800-339-6868 or the LAPD 24-hour tip line at 877-LAPD 24-7 (877-527-3247). Victims may be asked to identify their attacker from a photo lineup.
Sex crimes are vigorously prosecuted in Los Angeles and California. Sex offenses include rape, prostitution, child molestation, indecent exposure, solicitation, pornography and sodomy. If you are accused of or charged with committing a sex crime, it is important that you immediately consult with a skilled criminal defense lawyer with experience in litigating sex crimes. The penalties for conviction of a sex crime are serious and life changing. Early legal representation can be critical in providing the best defense.
Why is there not any follow up to this case, where is that spark for a demand toward public information? Updated information about the investigation? Did the LAPD decide that they needed to do a little internal investigation to see if the effect of this one officer had an internal influence?Where did the media go?