Former Salem Officer Sees Charges Dropped

(SALEM, Ore.) - Charges of rape and sex abuse have been dropped against a former Salem Police officer. 39-year old Sterling Alexander had been charged in three separate cases.

A split jury led to the latest development in the case. Alexander still faces sentencing on a second-degree Sex Abuse charge and over a conviction for Official Misconduct.

The former Salem Police officer alleges that he was subject to racial bias at the capitol city police agency. He represented one of the city's few African American employees. Prior to working in Salem, Alexander was a police officer in Stayton, Oregon and a military policeman in the U.S. Army before that.

Alexander has maintained a high profile since he was initially charged, shortly after leaving Salem Police. Active in church and with the NAACP's Salem chapter.

The cases against Alexander spanned a number of years. One of the victims in the case was 17-years old. He claimed that he had no knowledge of the girl's age when they had consensual sex. This is the case that resulted in a conviction for second-degree Sex Abuse.

Another woman who filed charges was a resident of Stayton at the time of the alleged occurrence. This was the oldest of the three cases.

The third woman to bring charges against Sterling Alexander is another former employee of the city of Salem. She claimed in court that an act of oral sex she performed on him was forcible.

Sterling Alexander will return to court in October for sentencing on the second-degree Sex Abuse and Official Misconduct allegations. Prior to that day, he will undergo an evaluation from a court psychologist.

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Debbie July 26, 2007 3:56 pm (Pacific time)

We all know that there is too much hatred in this world. Let's stop hurting the good people who are trying to make a difference. Don't you think Sterling has been put through enough nonsense, all charges should be dropped, and should never have been brought forward in the first place. Why don't we as people focus more on making this world a better place to live in and stop unnecessary cruelty towards one another. Sterling came to the rescue for my family when we needed it most. I will never forget the feelings that came over me, when he showed my family unconditional kindness. Sterling is a very considerate person. I have always beleived in him and his innocence. More people need his type of integrity and honesty. My brother, his children and I thank you, Sterling.

God; July 10, 2007 6:32 pm (Pacific time)

I had nothing to do with it!, with all the trouble in the world, Sterling got to take care of himself. So stop bringing me into this. If Sterling was strong in my word he wouldn't have had so many girlfriends, so there it is!

Anonymous July 10, 2007 2:48 pm (Pacific time)

This has been going on for almost 2 yrs. Isnt God's timing wonderful!!!! Sterling we knew you werent guilty from the day you were arrested. Stay strong in the word and obedient to everything that God says, and believe me-HE will take care of the rest!

Henry Ruark July 10, 2007 6:36 am (Pacific time)

To Anon et al: From extreme "learning experiences" including Grand Jury foreman with over 200 cases, believe me there is ALWAYS someone demanding penalties long before proof is in -- or NOT in. "Hung" jury invariably has at least one or two like that with no regard for facts but strong prejudice prevailing.

Anonymous July 9, 2007 8:47 pm (Pacific time)

Where are you people getting that he is not guilty? It was a hung jury--NOT an an acquittal which is the legal result of a verdict of not guilty! "A hung jury is a jury that cannot agree upon a verdict after an extended period of deliberation and is deadlocked with irreconcilable differences of opinion." Someone thought he was guilty.

CRJ July 9, 2007 5:50 pm (Pacific time)

Its pretty sad that woman can make such charges against someone because they didnt get dinner bought for them after they had sex. maybe we should try the horse before the carriage. shouldnt there be charges on the woman that made these false claims. its seems like it is way to easy for woman to yell rape and why are they getting away with it!!!! where is the evidence!!!! congrats sterling!!!!

P.H.D July 9, 2007 3:59 pm (Pacific time)

after reading all those stories that already tried and convicted him of all those charges and vilified him as this monster instead of letting him have his day in court first and then convict him of what the jury convicts him of now if that had been the case how big of a story it would have been. of two charges instead of ten. sometimes the media is too anxious to write an accusation from the writer's point of view and when people see the individual in the society they look at them as a person already convicted of something that a court hadn't convicted them of. i have sat in a few circles that discussed this case and their were individuals that had bets whether sterling would get between 20 to 30 years in prison based on the information that was reported . i am really glad that this news paper is a responsible paper that reported this story from the other side just based on the facts of the case and not the accusations of the case and its portrayal of sterling not as a member but a person who made a bad choice. thank you for some good journalism

wendy July 9, 2007 3:17 pm (Pacific time)

congrats! prayers do get answered and god knows the truth!

Anonymous July 9, 2007 2:54 pm (Pacific time)

Right on Brother, We know that you are not guilty and in the Almighty God's timing. There will be no other charges against you. Keep believing and trusting in the Lord God and He shall direct your path.

Anonymous July 9, 2007 1:29 pm (Pacific time)

Yeah Sterling! We've been keeping up on this from afar, congratulations.

Julie July 9, 2007 10:57 am (Pacific time)

Congrats on not putting another undeserving person behind bars. Having sex is not illegal. Getting your heart broke isn't either. I hope Sterling is more selective when choosing partners in the future. He's a good member of the community, and I'm sure he's learned from this. Sometimes justice does prevail. How refreshing.

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