SSCC #348–Hopewell

A former Hopewell police officer was convicted Wednesday of sexually abusing three women he had been investigating for drunken driving or shoplifting offenses.

Now while he was convicted, the following must also be noted:

Mark D. Baggett, 34, of the 500 block of MacArthur Avenue in Colonial Heights entered Alford pleas in Hopewell Circuit Court to three counts of aggravated sexual battery. Under an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is sufficient evidence for a judge or jury to find him guilty.

He certainly could get pegged for 20 years, and that would be a good start.  He is a Sponsored Criminal for the following reason though:

… Baggett used his position and authority as a police officer to elicit sex, or attempt to elicit sex, from three women in the their 20s and 30s in September and October.

This is by no means anything new, and it has come up plenty of times before in the count.  The department even upon discovering the information didn’t fire him, instead they allowed him to resign.  Maybe if the department wants a positive public image they should grow some balls and discipline their officers themselves and not just rely on the law.  There is this thing called morals and ethics that exist outside the law and you should make your officers exercise good judgment in both regions.

State Sponsored Criminal #348: Mark D. Baggett

Because the biggest mistake he made wasn’t doing what he did, it was getting caught.  That’s why we didn’t fire him, we just were going to suspend him without pay while he rotted in jail.

TMM

TMM is the owner, editor, and principal author at The Minuteman, a competitive shooter, and staff member for Boomershoot. Even in his free time he’s merging his love and knowledge of computers and technology with his love of firearms.

Many know his private name and information however due to the current political climate, many are distancing themselves due to the abandonment of Due Process.