Former Salem Police Officer Facing Several Charges

(Salem) - Former Salem Police officer Sterling Alexander is one of the few African/Americans to have worn a law enforcement badge in Oregon`s Mid-Willamette Valley. He`s now sitting in the Marion County Jail on charges of rape, kidnapping, strangulation and sex abuse. His bail is set at $115,000 in a case that dates back to the summer of 2003. Alexander`s attorney Kevin Lafkey says his client is an innocent man.

"Our position is he`s not guilty, it`s just that simple, and we intend to fight these charges."

Several months ago, Alexander said he believed he was being singled out by Salem Police and targeted because of his skin color.

But the prosecutor in the case, Jodie Bureta, says Alexander was arrested by Oregon State Police. The case stems from an alleged incident involving an acquaintance of Alexander`s who says she knew him through his role as a police officer.

Lafkey was not quick to talk about racial issues, though he indicates that it could become a subject, "I know that he was certainly a minority in the city of Salem Police department. Whether that`s an issue in this case, that is certainly too soon to say."

"The only thing I would say about the case at this point is that this charge is alleged to have happened over two years ago, almost two and a half years ago. I think it should concern people as to why this is coming up at such a late date."

Deputy District Attorney Courtland Geyer says many cases involving rape and sex abuse have delayed reaction times because of the trauma initially inflicted on the victim, as well as fear of retaliation.

Lafkey hopes his thirty-eight year old client, a resident of South Salem, can manage his legal battle from outside of the county jail.

"We`ve set a release hearing for next Wednesday at 3:00 PM. At that point we are hoping his bail will be reduced and he will be released. Certainly he is a good candidate for release and that is appropriate at this time."

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