Charges against former Ephrata police officer dropped
EPHRATA - A special deputy prosecutor dismissed charges against a former Ephrata police officer.
In exchange, Leonard L. Geer, 40, Ephrata, agreed to decertify himself as a police officer through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Grant County Prosecutor Angus Lee explained Geer's involvement with law enforcement doesn't disqualify the prosecutor's office from handling the case, but he felt it was in the county's best interest to appoint a special deputy prosecutor. In this case, W. Gordon Edgar, a Douglas County deputy prosecutor, handled the case and made the decision.
"There was quite a bit of information provided and additional research conducted, and based on everything in the file, Mr. Edgar made the determination that the best thing to do in this case was to enter into an agreement," Lee said. "Mr. Geer had to voluntarily agree to decertification through the criminal justice center, meaning he can no longer be a police officer."
The decision was made independently of the Grant County Prosecutor's Office, but Lee said he agreed with it.
"The reason it is a good idea to bring in a special deputy is that it is important for the people to know that he was treated no better or no worse because of his previous position as a law enforcement officer," he said. "I don't think you can say this is a mild penalty. It means he can't be a police officer and it means in these economic times he's basically canceled his career."
The charges against Geer were amended to theft of a motor vehicle and official misconduct, after he was originally charged with possessing stolen property in the second degree and official misconduct.
Geer recovered a stolen 1986 Toyota pickup in Ephrata in 2008. At the time, he contacted the owner, telling him the engine was missing and the tires were different. Geer reportedly offered to store the truck at a friend's residence, while he tried to recover the missing parts, according to a Moses Lake police report.
Geer reportedly contacted the victim about two to three weeks later, telling him he was interested in buying the truck, according to the police report. The missing pieces were recovered and the former officer entered them into evidence.
He reportedly had the victim sign paperwork showing the stolen items were returned, taking them out of evidence and storing them at his home, according to the police report.
After not hearing from Geer for about a year and a half, the victim reportedly wrote a letter stating he wanted $2,000 for the truck. Geer denied getting the letter.
Geer reportedly moved the truck to his garage along with the missing pieces, according to the police report.
Cannon didn't hear from Geer again, until he was contacted by the Grant County Prosecutor's Office. After speaking with the victim/witness coordinator about the situation, Geer called reportedly saying he sent $50 for the vehicle. Cannon said he never received the money.
Once the Ephrata Police Department's internal investigation started, Cannon told investigators he received a threatening call from Geer, according to the police report. Geer denied calling Cannon after the internal investigation started.
Geer told investigators he only offered to buy the vehicle after Cannon asked if he knew anyone interested in buying the vehicle. Geer also said Cannon "released all interest" in the vehicle to the officer.
The officer claims he told Cannon he was signing documents to release the evidence, so Geer could put the pieces back into the truck. When he was asked if he'd gotten permission to take possession of the evidence, he claimed then-Deputy Prosecutor Albert Lin said it would be OK, "as long as he could get the truck back for the trial."
Lin did not give Geer permission to store the truck at his home, according to court records. He did send a letter to the Ephrata Police Department, stating the evidence could be released to the owner as long as he didn't sell it before the trial.
Edgar was on vacation this week and was not available.