Written by: Sam Orlando
October Sees Rise in Arrests of Good Cops Gone Bad
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA - As Halloween approached this year, a series of real-life horror stories unfolded in police departments across the country, where some of America’s so-called “finest” showed an uncanny commitment to Halloween themes—if Halloween was about giving the public a scare. Here’s a look at some truly frightful tales of cops who traded in their badges for rap sheets, getting arrested or convicted for crimes that might make even the most hardened villains shudder.
October Frights in D.C.: Special Officer Turns Monster, Attacks Detained Citizen
On October 25, federal authorities arrested Ehren Fluellyn, a special police officer in Washington, D.C., who allegedly let his fists do the talking in an unprovoked attack on a detained person. According to federal prosecutors, Fluellyn kicked, punched, and struck the restrained victim without legal cause, violating their constitutional rights. The incident adds a new twist to “protect and serve” that has little to do with safety and everything to do with his own Halloween-style horror show. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison – a treat he may not have been hoping for this season.
The Maryland Macabre: Officer’s Lies to Hide Sickening Assault on Teen
A Halloween horror movie couldn’t conjure a villain quite like Martique Vanderpool, a former Fairmount Heights officer recently convicted of obstruction of justice. Vanderpool concocted a false report to cover up a truly disturbing incident: taking a 19-year-old woman in custody to an empty station and sexually assaulting her. The case reads like something out of a midnight horror special, but it’s no work of fiction. Vanderpool could face 20 years in prison, leaving only one question: how could he have thought this monstrous act would go unnoticed?
The Ghost of Police Injustice Haunts Louisville
In a long-awaited reckoning, former Louisville detective Brett Hankison was convicted this Halloween season for using excessive force during the raid that killed Breonna Taylor in 2020. Hankison’s conviction marks the first federal accountability in Taylor’s case, as he fired 10 blind shots that riddled Taylor’s apartment and endangered her neighbors. His defense that he was acting to protect fellow officers failed to sway jurors, who sobbed as they delivered the verdict. A haunting reminder of a life lost and a community left scarred, Hankison’s case brings accountability to the fore and leaves Taylor’s family with a measure of closure on this tragic chapter.
N.C. Nightmare: CMPD Officer Arrested on Harassment Warrant from Another State
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Dylan Lineberger gave “Halloween getaway” a new meaning when he was arrested after fleeing across state lines to South Carolina, where he’s wanted for first-degree harassment. Arrested in North Carolina and currently awaiting extradition, Lineberger's story reads like a true-to-life crime thriller. His absence will certainly haunt his department, which has now placed him on unpaid leave.
Shooting Spree Scare in Bowie, Maryland
Sgt. Robert Warrington of the Bowie Police Department unleashed a real-life jump scare on a man who just wanted to retrieve his hat. Warrington claimed he saw a gun, fired a shot, and ended up hitting... a passing minivan. Now indicted for attempted second-degree murder, Warrington is facing a future where his Halloween masks may well be of the orange jumpsuit variety.
Virginia Sheriff Deputy Learns He Can't Beat Up Police Auditors
Augusta County Deputy CJ Taylor copped a plea that kept him out of jail, after Taylor physically attacked two police auditors while he was being audited. He didn't just fail the audit, he also picked up a year of good behavior ordered by the Circuit Court.
Georgian Ghoul: Officer Accused of Tipping Off Felon About Warrants
Amari McCrary of the Clayton County Police Department apparently thought it’d be a good idea to “help” a wanted felon by providing him with insider information on his outstanding warrants. She now faces charges of computer invasion of privacy and violating her oath as a public officer. As of November 1, she’s out of jail, but it seems that her days as a police officer might be as dead as last week’s Halloween candy.
Akron’s Frightening Fall: Former Officer Guilty of Disturbing Child Abuse Charges
Former Akron officer Geoffrey Parker added an unholy twist to this Halloween season with his court appearance in a “DILF” shirt while facing charges for horrific child exploitation crimes. Guilty of multiple counts of abusing minors and distributing obscene material, Parker could be behind bars for up to 65 years. Just in time for the season, Parker has proven himself a true monster, far beyond the caricatures in horror flicks.
Okemah Officer’s DUI Horror Show
Officer David Young from Okemah, Oklahoma, tried to pull off a DUI double-feature this Halloween season. This time, he was found with his wrecked truck, police-issued firearms, and a soaked badge surrounded by beer cans after allegedly stumbling into a local bar. Young’s “thrilling” arrest involved an attempt to clean up the scene with Febreze and insist that he was “there the whole time.” It might just be his last big performance in the police force.
Louisiana’s Domestic Horror: Officer Arrested for Aggravated Assault
In Pineville, Louisiana, Officer Lacy Ann Fields was arrested on October 30 for alleged domestic abuse and aggravated assault. Police say Fields got into a heated argument that ended in battery and gunfire—a chilling spectacle if there ever was one. After posting bond, Fields was placed on administrative leave, and while her department awaits investigation results, one thing’s clear: this is no haunted house; it’s real life.
Jacksonville’s House of Horrors: Officer Charged with False Imprisonment
In Jacksonville, Florida, Officer John Burgos added yet another unsettling tale to the Halloween roster. Facing allegations of false imprisonment and battery, Burgos reportedly touched a crime victim without consent and wouldn’t let her leave. His arrest and suspension without pay show that he may soon be the one sitting in a cell, wondering how he ended up on the wrong side of the law.
Trick or Truth? A Halloween Reflection on Policing
With a series of arrests that reads more like a script for a Halloween thriller than reality, the past month of police misconduct arrests underscores the importance of accountability. From disturbing assaults and DUIs to misuse of power and cover-ups, these officers left a chilling reminder that corruption can lurk even among those sworn to uphold the law. For every officer out there doing their job honorably, cases like these are an unsettling reminder of how quickly the badge can be tarnished. As the nation moves past Halloween, the hope remains that these real-life horrors can be left in the past – where they belong.
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