New Questions in Sex Case Against Former Salem Cop

New information indicates that a former Salem Police Sergeant while performing an unauthorized investigation of the case, was having sex with an alleged victim.

(SALEM, Ore.) - New information coming to light could strongly affect the way people remember a sex abuse trial against a former African-American police officer in Salem, Oregon. It appears that a Salem officer investigating the case against Sterling Alexander was also sexually involved with one of the alleged victims, according to an investigation launched by Oregon State Police.

Sterling Alexander was charged with sex crimes against three women shortly after leaving Salem, Oregon Police. In each case, he was accused of having forced the women to comply with sex acts. Accompanying charges included strangulation and kidnapping.

When the jury offered their verdict, charges of rape and sex abuse were dropped, but they did find Alexander guilty on a second-degree Sex Abuse charge and Official Misconduct.

Alexander says his problems began when he was an active duty police officer in Salem. He said he believed he was receiving prejudice treatment because he was black.

After resigning, he filed a complaint citing racial slurs from another city employee, and racial discriminatory and disparate treatment by the Salem Police Department and DPSST, the police academy that at the time was located in nearby Monmouth.

Shortly after initiating the civil rights suit against Salem Police with the NAACP, Alexander was charged by Oregon State Police for the first of the three sex crimes. Alexander's supporters say it was a case of retribution toward a black officer over the filing a civil rights case involving the NAACP. Salem Police at the time said race was not a factor.

The water looked stormy for Sterling Alexander as the trial finally approached last summer, after an investigation that lasted almost three years. Marion County Prosecutor Jodie Bureta had what appeared to be, at least initially, a strong case.

But Alexander's Attorney Kevin Lafkey had a trick up his sleeve, a move made prior to the trial that would pay off big, by showing the jury that there was a much larger picture than had so far been presented to them. Lafkey had summoned copies of emails circulated between Salem Police and the agency investigating the case, Oregon State Police.

When a police officer is accused of committing a crime, the case is always handed over to another agency, and Sterling Alexander's case went to OSP and an investigator named Detective Terri Cassebarth.

But the trail of police emails subpoenaed by Lafkey showed clearly that Salem P.D. never stopped investigating the case, and they used a Street Crimes Sergeant named Jeff Barnes to gather information, as he was a "family friend" of one of Alexander's accusers, a woman named Brooke Neal. Barnes left Salem Police shortly before Alexander's trial began last summer.

Salem and Oregon State Police said at the time that they believed they had a good case, but during the trial Alexander's attorney charged that the agencies worked together against his client, and that it was a clear conflict of interest. He said, "Salem Police are not just investigating the case, they are out looking, cultivating, to find people to testify that Sterling Alexander did something."

The state police investigation that began after Alexander's trial, apparently sought to determine whether Salem Police were involved in any wrongdoing. The emails between the two police agencies discussed telling a Salem investigator to "name his price" and revealed that the state investigator writing the email was "desperate for another victim."

Lafkey says it is a situation where police located and then prepared the alleged victims for court. Bureta said that was the farthest thing from the truth. But the new revelation that a Salem investigator was sexually involved with one of Alexander's victims as he investigated the case, does not look good for the state, and Alexander's supporters say the impact from the jury hearing the case without understanding integral facts could have resulted in an unfair trial.

The new revelations go beyond former Salem Police Sgt. Jeff Barnes' involvement with the victim in the case. Oregon State Police investigators have learned that a Woodburn Police officer was also involved with with the same individual, Brooke Neal, in the same time period. An advocate for Alexander noted that the young woman with a small child may have had a propensity to seek out police officers for sexual relationships, even going so far as to make 911 calls about local crimes like underage drinking parties in hopes of meeting them.

How this new information will affect this case remains to be seen, but if nothing else, it lays all the cards on the table. And that's fair.

The sentencing of Sterling Alexander for the two convictions, second-degree Sex Abuse and Official Misconduct, takes place Monday morning in Salem.

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Mr Entitled March 11, 2021 11:18 am (Pacific time)

Brooke Neal is a ..... Should have antibiotics just being near her...

Spanky April 20, 2019 4:40 pm (Pacific time)

Stirring is a dope. Arrogant phony

Yeah, Right... December 1, 2007 6:36 pm (Pacific time)

A complaint was filed with the FBI, the Oregon State Police, the City Council, the Governor's office, etc. Nothing was done...

Anonymous October 25, 2007 9:50 pm (Pacific time)

Citizen---did you final your complaint with the city of salem or with the dept of justice?

Citizen October 23, 2007 8:47 pm (Pacific time)

Your statement is wrong: "When a police officer is accused of committing a crime, the case is always handed over to another agency..." I filed a complaint of misconduct due to actions taken by a few officers including Birr, Piontek and Connolly, but nothing was investigated by any outside agency!

Anonymous October 20, 2007 10:15 pm (Pacific time)

To Liars: guess it wasnt also said on here that he passed a lie detector test that the judge ordered him to take. when asked if has ever forced anyone to have any kind of sexual contact against their will (meaning rape!) his answer was no! and ya know what? he passed! Now does that make him a rapist or you a liar!

Liars October 11, 2007 10:15 am (Pacific time)

Just because one of the Vics lied does not mean that they all did. Also the fact that he had women chasing him all of the time has nothing to do with rape. Rape is not about sex it is about power. Also to believe everything that you read about this case on Salem news is just stupid. Take a look back at some of the other articles regarding this. "Salem Office found not guilty of rape" that could not be further from the truth. He was found not guilty of a couple charges but not the rape. The jury deadlocked. There is a difference. But it is also hard to overlook that Sterling and the guy writing these emails are "Good Friends" so of course they are not going to talk about the bad things that he did.

shandi October 9, 2007 10:30 am (Pacific time)

god is good. people underestimate his power....pray for them.

Jacquie October 8, 2007 3:03 pm (Pacific time)

Well praise God. For all the glory belongs to him and only him for He is yet still in control of all things. The bibles says what you reap you shall sow. So if those people lied in court before the judge they will be exposed in due time.

copfriend October 7, 2007 11:15 am (Pacific time)

I have known Sterling since he worked in Stayton. There were women chasing after him left and right. There is no way he would have to make any girl have sex with him. Sterling was not that type of person. He was a flirt but not some stalking predetor like the papers tried to make him out to be. He did a lot for the youth. He even tried to help build a skatepark in Stayton. He treated people like they were human, he didnt think he was bad cause he was a cop. He loved his kids and was always making people laugh. This is the sterling I know. I know he was not a perfect person but who is? If you people only knew the dirt that goes on with many cops,it would blow your mind. No one asks and no one tells. Somebody needs to start asking!! God Bless you Sterling

Don October 7, 2007 10:40 am (Pacific time)

Its clear that there are some unresovled issuse in this case. It would be sad to sentence this guy and later find out there is even more to this story which is what ususally happens. I hope his attorney is yelling and screaming over this. Lets see if the judge in this case takes a serious look into this and not make a hasty decision just to satisfy the people. More police porobing needs to be done. Its evident Salem PD Chief Moore got some issues with some of his employees. Whats up with these emails?? That Terri and the salem cop need to be fired!!! I guess we will see.

Anonymous October 6, 2007 11:49 pm (Pacific time)

oh yes MRB construction company, dont even get me started on that as they have had their own legal trouble that included Jeff and his brother Michael Barnes.

Charlene October 6, 2007 9:53 pm (Pacific time)

Jeff Barnes is working with his brother's construction and home building company.

jackson October 6, 2007 3:50 pm (Pacific time)

yeah but why did Jeff Barnes really leave SPD? Perhaps OSP according to the emails presented during the trial really did "name their price!"

T October 6, 2007 11:49 am (Pacific time)

He sounds like a real weinerhead.

Charlene October 6, 2007 10:40 am (Pacific time)

Hey Wendy, Read the story!! Jeff Barns left SPD before this trial even took place..........

wendy October 6, 2007 9:19 am (Pacific time)

maybe brook neil and jeff barnes need two be punished for they're lies. jeff barnes needs to be fired from SPD and write sterling an apology letter.GOD knows the truth!

Henry Ruark October 6, 2007 7:52 am (Pacific time)

festus et al: Yours seems to defy the deepest principle of justice: court should decide on guilt, not simple-review by "outside" observers. Details demand courtside testimony and proof for any equitable decision.

Michelle October 6, 2007 2:28 am (Pacific time)

Growing up I found Salem very racist. I hope Mr. Sterling finds justice and that the state is sued. I DO hope all sexual abuse claims will continue to be taken seriously, however.

festus October 5, 2007 11:20 pm (Pacific time)

Bottom line is the guy had sex on duty. Is this someone we should be advocating for? I think not! He is definately guilty himself, lets not overlook that fact regardless of how shoddy this investigation was!

Henry Ruark October 5, 2007 3:43 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Where was truly-enterprising journalism in Salem while all this was going on ? What you found out has come from S-N so far, don't you agree ? (*check back for fact.) Yet surely court and police commitment and their actual performance are --or surely should be !-- one of highest demanded responsibilities of any truly "free press".

jlb October 5, 2007 3:21 pm (Pacific time)

Louise, you made some very good points---we shall see what Judge Norblad has to say. I'm sure the DA, OSP, and SPD are sweating it right about now and they should be. Sterling may of lost his home and all of the materialistic things that were inside of it but I bet he sleeps better at night than those names who are now being brought forward.

Sara October 5, 2007 3:16 pm (Pacific time)

Pattern with victim is correct Henry... I am sure the judge will see this.

Louise October 5, 2007 2:45 pm (Pacific time)

We pray it does not stop at this incident and all involved will learn how to conduct Justice for all, there are many cases before this investigation that should be revisited. It seems that "don't ask don't tell" works for our police department quite well. What goes on in SPD stays in SPD. Great job defence!! Jodi, success is not like it always appears to be, out of all your getting get an understanding. What does the DA have to say in response to this alleged new discovery? Will the sentence be affected or a new verdict based on witnesses Perjury ? The Judge may need to speak to these issues since it took place in his courtroom.

Audra in Astoria October 5, 2007 1:58 pm (Pacific time)

Seems to me that this Brook Neal needs to have some charges against her. Sterling, hopefully, can keep his head up and heart strong, and get back the things he has lost. Hopefully the next weeks will bring all the truth that he deserves.

Fall October 5, 2007 12:59 pm (Pacific time)

Wonder what will happen to her kid/s...

Henry Ruark October 5, 2007 9:11 am (Pacific time)

Genie et al: Photo here "tells the truth" inimitably, so why NOT show it to all ? Cannot falsify those kids-face expressions... Dunno deep-facts yet here, but pattern re victim is all too familiar; so we need to do the digging to nail down or explode actualities. Which is why S-N coverage so deeply significant for us all.

Anonymous October 5, 2007 8:34 am (Pacific time)

well well well good to see the truth is starting to come out--too bad this didnt come out during the trial. It makes you wonder if the outcome would of been any different it being that there would of been less charges for the jury to decide on. Sounds like it should of been a mistrial to me---Jeff Barnes and Brooke Neal were questioned about their relationship while they were on the stand and lied--PERJURY!!!!! What goes around comes around. Sterling lost his job and his home to defend a bunch of lies. This is just the beginning as I'm sure more will be uncovered in the weeks to come--I wish him and his family all the best.

Neal Feldman October 5, 2007 7:54 am (Pacific time)

Seems that Brooke Neal and Jeff Barnes are in serious need of some investigating if you ask me. And anti-black racism in Salem? With the huge black population we have? (it sometimes seems as if blacks are stopped at the city limits or something). Ah well...

C October 5, 2007 7:05 am (Pacific time)

Well, we might be seeing those officers in the news soon.......that is if they upset her. This BS with people filing false charges would slow down a bit if the people that were making them would get some jail time or at the least community service. Maybe they wouldnt have time to make up stories and ruin peoples lives if they had something to do. Great Job for the defence!!!!

Andy October 5, 2007 6:32 am (Pacific time)

Falsely accusing someone in an effor to ruin their life is not something to be proud of. I hope these people have learned their lesson and will admit to the truth. When you lie it always has a way of turning back to you. This man, Mr. Alexander, deserves to have his life back.

genie cochran October 5, 2007 6:25 am (Pacific time)

The picture accompanying this story would be lovely on a mantle but is highly inappropriate here. There is NO reason the childrens faces should be associated with the adult wrong doing in the article.

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