January 28, 2008

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer is facing charges after the grand jury today returned a true bill indicting him on charges of first degree sexual offense and first degree kidnapping. A separate, internal investigation is also underway. 

Joseph D. Anthony III, 39, is accused of the November 27, 2007 kidnapping and sexual offense against a female. The kidnapping charge is common in situations in which a suspect moves a victim from one location to another. In this case, the victim was moved to different locations in her residence. Anthony was on duty and on a call for service at the time of the alleged assault.  

The CMPD initiated an investigation November 28, 2007 based on information provided by another CMPD employee. Detectives interviewed the victim. Within three hours of learning of the accusations, Anthony was removed from service and placed on paid administrative leave. Detectives then completed their work and submitted the case to the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office for consideration for criminal charges.

"As difficult as it is for any police department to have charges against one of their own, the CMPD aggressively pursues any allegations of misconduct because nothing is more important than the integrity of the force," said Police Chief Darrel Stephens. "Everyone who wears this uniform is expected to act with the highest degree of integrity and live by the same laws they are sworn to uphold. These charges sicken me and all of the other men and women of this department. In fact, it is due to the integrity of fellow officers that we got information that enabled us to pursue this investigation, and the appropriate legal and administrative actions," he added. 

Anthony was assigned to the Eastway Division. He was hired December 2, 1998. He was on paid leave during the investigation – November 28, 2007-January 28, 2008. He is now on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the criminal and internal investigations.