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Ex-DPS trooper accused of abusing position during traffic stops

Posted 9/11/19

A former trooper for Arizona’s highway patrol is being booked into jail on accusations that he abused his position during traffic stops, including sexual extortion of female drivers for …

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Ex-DPS trooper accused of abusing position during traffic stops

Posted

A former trooper for Arizona’s highway patrol is being booked into jail on accusations that he abused his position during traffic stops, including sexual extortion of female drivers for leniency.

Tremaine Jackson, 43, is facing 61 counts including sexual abuse, attempted sexual abuse, sexual extortion, unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping, forgery, harassment, and fraudulent schemes.

He was with DPS for 13 years and was working out of the Metro Motors Division in Phoenix area.

DPS Col. Frank Milstead said he and others in his agency are horrified by the allegations, reminding the public that each member of his agency is and should be held to a higher standard.

“We operate with public trust and sentiment as our highest priorities,” he said.

DPS began looking into Mr. Jackson in May, when the first complainant reported receiving inappropriate comments from Mr. Jackson during a traffic stop. However, when a second complaint reported on June 11 included allegations that rose to the level of sexual abuse, DPS took action to remove him from the agency.

Court documents indicate Mr. Jackson pulled over more females than males, despite the average trooper pulling over two males for every one female.

DPS began to contact other women stopped or cited by Mr. Jackson, and have identified nine victims, according to court documents.

Court documents detail eight incidents involving nine victims of Mr. Jackson. All incidents occurred in Phoenix except for one in Buckeye:

  • Victim 1: Dec. 15, 2018 near 35th Avenue and McDowell Road
  • Victim 2: Dec. 22, 2018 near Interstate 17 frontage and Thomas Road
  • Victim 3: March 17, 2019 near 75th Avenue and McDowell Road
  • Victim 4: Jan. 11, 2019 near Interstate 17 and Thomas Road
  • Victim 5: Oct. 29, 2018 near 67th Avenue and McDowell Road
  • Victim 6: Nov. 24, 2018 near 27th and Northern avenues
  • Victim 7: Dec. 23, 2018 near Verrado Way and Interstate 10
  • Victim 8 and 9: Oct. 20, 2018 near 67th Avenue and Interstate 10

DPS said Mr. Jackson used comments, body language and other means to place female victims "in positions of desperation and fear" and that he illegally detained women he found attractive.

Mr. Jackson was booked into jail Tuesday night in lieu of a $150,000 bond.

DPS encourages anyone who has come into contact with Mr. Jackson to call 602-223-2389 or visit the DPS website.