Alexander was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 60 months' probation, he will also register as a sex offender.
(SALEM, Ore.) - A former Salem Police officer was sentenced in Marion County court this morning. Sterling Alexander had faced a number of charges stemming from three alleged sex abuse cases.
Of the multiple charges initially brought against Alexander, convictions were only reached on two counts; second-degree Sex Abuse and Official Misconduct.
Alexander was sentenced to probation for the next 60 months, during which time he will serve a 90 day jail sentence. He will also register as a sex offender.
During the incarceration, Judge Alvin Norblad agreed to allow Alexander on a work release program so he can maintain the job he has had for the last year.
Victims in the case were called up to the front of the court at first. They offered testimony on the case and they were asked to offer opinions as to the length of sentence.
One victim talked about harassment she believes she has been subjected to, citing a time that Alexander's mother Shirley Nash went inside a city building seeking information.
The woman said she has had a difficult time over the trial and she added that the court experience has, “soured my whole impression of law enforcement.”
Another victim in the case says her life's challenges have gone through the roof, “I think about all the times co-workers made comments.” Each said their lives were increasingly difficult to manage because of the case.
After the victims offered their final testimony, Prosecutor Jodie Bureta share her thoughts with the court on what the punishment should be for Sterling Alexander.
She asked for a 365 day jail sentence, 60 months of supervised probation, no contact with victims, compliance with all sex offender provisions, and required that he will register as a sex offender and submit to an HIV test.
Norblad said that in spite of Alexander's otherwise good record in the community, he committed a “huge violation of public trust.” He said Alexander's community service and involvement in a Christian ministry were vital in his decision to not impose a longer sentence.
Advocates of Alexander's like Rhonda Carter, a friend of ten years, says Alexander has not been fairly portrayed, "He has not only suffered by losing his job but also contact with his kids for several years. It has killed Sterling to be separated from his daughter.
"He is in no way a threat to the city of Salem or the community He is very active in Salem, serving on several local boards, he is still an advocate for youth."
Alexander will report to jail in a week, after having time to get his affairs in order. His Pastor, Russel Dickerson, says the work Sterling Alexander has performed in the community since the case began should not be taken lightly.
He says he hopes that healing can now happen, for all of the people involved. "We've been praying for the victims too," he said after today's sentencing.
"We were hoping for just probation, Sterling has great hopes for the community, and he works closely with, young fatherless gang bangers. There aren't many people who do that well."
The case against Sterling Alexander has been a high profile event for the city of Salem. The investigation has been underway since 2004 and the trial culminated last summer.
New allegations surfaced recently against one of the three women pressing charges and a former investigator from Salem Police. An Oregon State Police investigation revealed that the victim and former Salem officer who investigated the case were actually having sex as well.
The Salem officer was not supposed to be investigating the case at all.
Because Alexander is a former Salem officer, Oregon State Police performed the investigation. Alexander's attorney Kevin Lafkey subpoenaed emails between Salem Police and Oregon State Police which confirmed that Salem had indeed been an active participant in the investigation.
In those emails were references to "paying for" witnesses and other potentially damaging information for the state's case. Both Salem and Oregon State Police say there was never a plan to pay for witnesses.
Lafkey however, accused the city of direct involvement. "Salem Police are not just investigating the case, they are out looking, cultivating, to find people to testify that Sterling Alexander did something."
Alexander's advocates say they ideally hoped for a different outcome, but they appreciate the fact that he will be able to continue working as he fulfills the court obligations imposed this morning.
Skipper Osborne, former NAACP President and TAJFA representative, says it is important to note that Alexander passed a polygraph test, denying that he ever forced anyone into sexual contact, and also whether he had sex knowingly with a person under the age of 21.
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Here are other Salem-News.com articles on the Sterling Alexander trial:
Oct-05-2007 New Questions in Sex Case Against Former Salem CopJuly-9-2007 Former Salem Officer Sees Charges Dropped Jun-13-2007 Jury Begins Deliberation in Trial of Former Salem OfficerJun-07-2007 Trial in Former Salem Police Officer Sex Abuse Case ContinuesJun-06-2007 Sex Abuse Trial of Former Police Officer Begins in Salem, OregonApr-12-2006 NAACP Will Fight for Former Salem OfficerJan-7-2006 Former Salem Police Officer Facing Several Charges
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Former Oregon Police Officer Sentenced in SalemSalem-News.com