New details in Greenfield police officer sexting scandal

GREENFIELD -- A Greenfield police officer has resigned amid a sexting scandal. The officer is accused of sending racy text messages to a woman he met during an investigation. Police say the "sexting" was mutual, but the woman told FOX6 News "no way!" 

FOX6 News is not naming the officer because no criminal charges were filed against him. FOX6 News on Wednesday, November 14th obtained over 100 pages of documents describing what was said in text messages between the former Greenfield police officer and the victim -- JoAnne Fagan. 

The officer with less than six years of experience had contact with Fagan during a theft investigation in August. 

According to Greenfield PD, Fagan later initiated phone contact with the officer while he was on duty, and the two agreed to have further phone contact while he was off duty.

"Later on that night, I got another text and he said 'this is officer so-and-so and this is my private number if you need anything,'" Fagan told FOX6 News.

According to police, in the early morning hours of August 22nd, the officer and female suspect exchanged several consensual text messages, including photos. Police officials say the messages from the officer included several which were sexually explicit in nature.

"The texts came late at night. He started sending me texts about what he would like to do to me. I just felt sick to my stomach. I just couldn't believe that it was happening. (I felt) gross and scared at the same time, pretty much," Fagan said.

The most inappropriate messages with Fagan took place from 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. The conversation was friendly if not flirtatious at first. Fagan even sent the officer a picture of her in a sports bra and cutoff blue jean shorts. 

Then, the officer sent a flurry of sexual messages, asking to see more of Fagan and talking about sexual acts, including wanting to put his hands around her throat. 

The officer also said: "I need to see your chest," after Fagan said she didn't want to send any more pictures.

Fagan then sent two pictures of his private area -- the final picture captioned: "Goodnight baby."

Fagan did not describe the text messages as mutual -- claiming there were two inappropriate images sent and over a dozen lewd messages.

"He said he wanted to have sex with me. He just kept going and kept going and kept going, and eventually sent me pictures of his privates. Honestly I felt like I was treated like a whore. I felt like a sex object, pretty much," Fagan said.

When this evidence was discovered following a tip call, the officer was placed on administrative leave. Then, the internal investigation was launched, and Greenfield's police chief prepared to file charges for the officer's termination -- at which time the officer resigned.

"Part of me is relieved that he can't abuse his power anymore, and he can't do this to somebody else," Fagan said.

In a statement to FOX6 News, Greenfield Police Chief Bradley Wentlandt said: 

“The Greenfield Police Department values the high level of trust and confidence placed in our officers by the community stakeholders we serve and we are fortunate that the vast majority of police officers are honest, loyal and exhibit the highest level of honor and professionalism.

All members of the department expect that their coworkers will abide by the law enforcement code of ethics and our standards of conduct.

In this case, the department took immediate action to investigate the tip we received, even though no formal complaint of officer misconduct was ever received. We were preparing to file charges for his termination when he resigned.

The officer involved in this matter clearly engaged in behavior which does not conform to the high level of standards we expect of our personnel. His actions are an anomaly and do not represent the fine men and women of this agency.”

FOX6 News has also learned the officer signed a "Last Chance Agreement" with the City of Greenfield after misconduct in 2009 and 2010. The 2010 incident was related to a bar fight.

When police cleaned out the officer's locker, they found it packed with random objects, including a pair of brass knuckles.