Alabama Police Officer Arrested On Rape And Drug Charges

An investigation has been launched into the actions of 37-year-old Matthew Wilcox. While serving as an officer with the Birmingham Police Department, the accused was charged with multiple offenses. He was relieved from his duties and arrested over the weekend.

On Friday, July 2 the Birmingham Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division received a sexual misconduct complaint against their officer. An internal criminal investigation was launched based on the complaint.

Speaking to AL.com, Birmingham Police Department’s spokesperson, Rod Mauldin, stated that Wilcox’s residence was searched as a part of the investigation. With a search warrant, the Special Victims Unit investigators and Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office investigators searched the Alabama home. During the search on Saturday, July 3, the investigators found multiple firearms, illegal narcotics and drugs paraphernalia on the accused’s property.

Following the discovery of the illegal substances in the officer’s possession, Wilcox was taken into custody. Investigators questioned the accused. He was also relieved of his duties. According to WSFA, the accused was taken to Birmingham City Jail. He was jailed after being charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and first-degree rape.

The police department did not share further details regarding the sexual assault accusation. The department only clarified that the alleged sexual misconduct did not take place while the officer was on duty.

Wilcox was reportedly transferred to Jefferson County Jail on Sunday, July 4 at 6:25 p.m. Associated Press reported he was released from prison on a $26,000 bond. Investigation into the Birmingham officer’s misconduct continues.

Misconduct accusations against another officer led to a woman suing the New York Police Department (NYPD) in April. 35-year-old Valentina Veleva claimed that her complaint against Miguel Delacruz was mishandled by the police department.

Veleva and Delacruz knew each other and used to frequent the same bar in Queens. On March 13, 2017, the duo after getting intoxicated at the bar went to Delacruz’s home and had sexual intercourse. Following the one-night stand, the man ignored the woman’s attempts at getting in touch with him. He eventually sent her a clip of her performing oral sex. The off-duty policeman had without the woman’s knowledge recorded their intimate moments.

Veleva filed a complaint against Delacruz, however, she claims that no concrete action was taken against the officer.