Arrest of Former Deputy Puts Criminal Cases in Jeopardy
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The arrest of a former Marion County Sheriff’s detective on more than two dozen counts of theft, evidence tampering and official misconduct has thrown into question numerous criminal cases he worked on.
The Statesman Journal reports that charges already have been dropped in several cases, including one involving child pornography accusations, because of the detective’s lost credibility.
Former Deputy Sean Thomas Banks was arrested in July for allegedly stealing five guns from a deceased Salem man’s home and reselling them at local gun shops. New charges filed against Banks in March broadened the case. He is accused of tampering with evidence, stealing a total of 12 guns, misconduct and computer crimes.
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office declined to identify the other cases dismissed due to Banks’ involvement – or say how many of his cases are being reviewed – citing the ongoing nature of the criminal investigation against the former detective.