MODESTO -- Authorities on Monday arrested a Stanislaus County sheriff's detective on murder charges in the off-duty shooting death of a Modesto woman last year, also alleging that the deputy engaged in a series of illegal activities.
The deputy, Kari Abbey, 34, reportedly was fired by the Sheriff's Department on Monday.
In court documents, the Stanislaus County district attorney's office said Abbey abused tenants at her rental properties, used fellow deputies to serve eviction papers while they were on duty and conducted her business on county time.
Kari Abbey criminal complaint
Family of woman shot by off-duty Stanislaus County detective files claim
Stanislaus detective's home subject of DA search
Woman killed by Stanislaus County detective had BB gun
Questions arise over shootings by Modesto area law enforcement
SearchItems found in a search of the compound Stanislaus County sheriff's Detective Kari Abbey shares with her husband, Bennie Taylor, and her father:
•A loaded, unregistered illegal assault rifle under the mattress in the bedroom Abbey and Taylor shared
•106 marijuana plants, packaged marijuana and scales
•Counterfeit U.S. currency
•16 vials of liquid steroids and54 syringes
•Three bullet-proof vests
•A shotgun stolen from a home in Oakland in 1987
•A loaded handgun in a kitchen drawer
•A loaded shotgun underneath couch cushions
•A samurai sword with a 16-inch blade in a ceramic pot in the family room
— Source: Stanislaus County district attorney's office
Chronology•Sept. 24 — Off-duty Stanislaus County sheriff's detective Kari Abbey shoots and kills Rita Elias, 31, during an argument on Donald Street in west Modesto.
•Oct. 1 — Sheriff Adam Christianson announces that the preliminary investigation shows Abbey "acted in self-defense" when she shot and killed Elias, who had brandished a replica handgun during the argument with Abbey.
•March 30 — The district attorney's office searches Abbey's home. Investigators remove records related to rental property the detective owned. About 20 officers — including FBI agents — execute the search warrant.
•April 13 — The family of Elias files a claim against the county seeking damages for her death, a likely precursor to a civil lawsuit.
•May 2 – Abbey is arrested and charged with second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. Additional charges listed on the complaint by the Stanislaus County district attorney's office include conspiracy, embezzlement from a government entity, cultivation of marijuana, receiving stolen property and child endangerment.
In addition, a March 30 search of the home and outbuildings she shared with her husband and father yielded a sophisticated marijuana growing system, several weapons, counterfeit bills, steroids and items from the Hayward Police Department. Abbey's husband, Bennie Taylor, worked for the Hayward police until last year.
The search took place as part of an investigation into the September shooting of Rita Elias, 31. Abbey shot Elias, who was staying in a property owned by Abbey's father, during a dispute over rent.
Abbey faces charges of second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. In addition, conspiracy, embezzlement from a government entity, cultivation of marijuana, receiving stolen property and child endangerment are charged in the complaint.
"This is certainly a tragic situation," District Attorney Birgit Fladager said. "Charges have been filed following a thorough investigation. We will now seek to bring this matter to a fair and just conclusion."
Abbey's attorney, Robert Forkner, said Abbey "denies each and every allegation. She did nothing wrong."
She was released from jail on $300,000 bail Monday afternoon. She will be arraigned in a few weeks, Forkner said.
Forkner revealed that the Sheriff's Department fired Abbey on Monday, but the agency wouldn't confirm it.
Elias' family members could not be reached for comment. In March, they filed a claim against Stanislaus County seeking damages for her death.
Sheriff 'embarrassed'
Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Monday he was shocked by the allegations against one of his deputies included in the affidavit in support of the arrest warrant filed in Superior Court.
"I'm embarrassed and disappointed in the contents of the affidavit," he said. "It doesn't uphold the values and principles that we stand for, nor does it represent the vast majority of employees who work for the sheriff's office."
Although Christianson initially called the shooting justified, he said subsequent evidence and witness statements showed that wasn't the case.
Investigators said Abbey and Taylor trespassed on properties they owned and managed, harassing and intimidating tenants, assaulting at least one of them. Christianson said he was concerned about claims that the tenants of the properties Abbey managed didn't complain to his department because they felt powerless against a deputy.
"I want people to know that they should be able to call us for help without fear of retribution and without feeling like they can't trust us," he said.
One tenant called police after Taylor hit him, the affidavit said. Witnesses said the Modesto police officer who responded to the call seemed familiar with Abbey, hugging her and shaking Taylor's hand.
Police Chief Mike Harden said he looked into the matter after reading the affidavit, and pulled the officer's report of the incident. He said it appeared the call was handled properly.
"Clearly (the officer) knows her. I don't find that peculiar," Harden said. "I've looked at the criminal investigation the officer completed … at first blush, it looks like it's a pretty detailed, comprehensive investigation."
http://www.modbee.com/2011/05/02/1670629/stanislaus-county-sheriffs-detective.html
The deputy, Kari Abbey, 34, reportedly was fired by the Sheriff's Department on Monday.
In court documents, the Stanislaus County district attorney's office said Abbey abused tenants at her rental properties, used fellow deputies to serve eviction papers while they were on duty and conducted her business on county time.
Kari Abbey criminal complaint
Family of woman shot by off-duty Stanislaus County detective files claim
Stanislaus detective's home subject of DA search
Woman killed by Stanislaus County detective had BB gun
Questions arise over shootings by Modesto area law enforcement
SearchItems found in a search of the compound Stanislaus County sheriff's Detective Kari Abbey shares with her husband, Bennie Taylor, and her father:
•A loaded, unregistered illegal assault rifle under the mattress in the bedroom Abbey and Taylor shared
•106 marijuana plants, packaged marijuana and scales
•Counterfeit U.S. currency
•16 vials of liquid steroids and54 syringes
•Three bullet-proof vests
•A shotgun stolen from a home in Oakland in 1987
•A loaded handgun in a kitchen drawer
•A loaded shotgun underneath couch cushions
•A samurai sword with a 16-inch blade in a ceramic pot in the family room
— Source: Stanislaus County district attorney's office
Chronology•Sept. 24 — Off-duty Stanislaus County sheriff's detective Kari Abbey shoots and kills Rita Elias, 31, during an argument on Donald Street in west Modesto.
•Oct. 1 — Sheriff Adam Christianson announces that the preliminary investigation shows Abbey "acted in self-defense" when she shot and killed Elias, who had brandished a replica handgun during the argument with Abbey.
•March 30 — The district attorney's office searches Abbey's home. Investigators remove records related to rental property the detective owned. About 20 officers — including FBI agents — execute the search warrant.
•April 13 — The family of Elias files a claim against the county seeking damages for her death, a likely precursor to a civil lawsuit.
•May 2 – Abbey is arrested and charged with second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. Additional charges listed on the complaint by the Stanislaus County district attorney's office include conspiracy, embezzlement from a government entity, cultivation of marijuana, receiving stolen property and child endangerment.
In addition, a March 30 search of the home and outbuildings she shared with her husband and father yielded a sophisticated marijuana growing system, several weapons, counterfeit bills, steroids and items from the Hayward Police Department. Abbey's husband, Bennie Taylor, worked for the Hayward police until last year.
The search took place as part of an investigation into the September shooting of Rita Elias, 31. Abbey shot Elias, who was staying in a property owned by Abbey's father, during a dispute over rent.
Abbey faces charges of second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. In addition, conspiracy, embezzlement from a government entity, cultivation of marijuana, receiving stolen property and child endangerment are charged in the complaint.
"This is certainly a tragic situation," District Attorney Birgit Fladager said. "Charges have been filed following a thorough investigation. We will now seek to bring this matter to a fair and just conclusion."
Abbey's attorney, Robert Forkner, said Abbey "denies each and every allegation. She did nothing wrong."
She was released from jail on $300,000 bail Monday afternoon. She will be arraigned in a few weeks, Forkner said.
Forkner revealed that the Sheriff's Department fired Abbey on Monday, but the agency wouldn't confirm it.
Elias' family members could not be reached for comment. In March, they filed a claim against Stanislaus County seeking damages for her death.
Sheriff 'embarrassed'
Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson said Monday he was shocked by the allegations against one of his deputies included in the affidavit in support of the arrest warrant filed in Superior Court.
"I'm embarrassed and disappointed in the contents of the affidavit," he said. "It doesn't uphold the values and principles that we stand for, nor does it represent the vast majority of employees who work for the sheriff's office."
Although Christianson initially called the shooting justified, he said subsequent evidence and witness statements showed that wasn't the case.
Investigators said Abbey and Taylor trespassed on properties they owned and managed, harassing and intimidating tenants, assaulting at least one of them. Christianson said he was concerned about claims that the tenants of the properties Abbey managed didn't complain to his department because they felt powerless against a deputy.
"I want people to know that they should be able to call us for help without fear of retribution and without feeling like they can't trust us," he said.
One tenant called police after Taylor hit him, the affidavit said. Witnesses said the Modesto police officer who responded to the call seemed familiar with Abbey, hugging her and shaking Taylor's hand.
Police Chief Mike Harden said he looked into the matter after reading the affidavit, and pulled the officer's report of the incident. He said it appeared the call was handled properly.
"Clearly (the officer) knows her. I don't find that peculiar," Harden said. "I've looked at the criminal investigation the officer completed … at first blush, it looks like it's a pretty detailed, comprehensive investigation."
http://www.modbee.com/2011/05/02/1670629/stanislaus-county-sheriffs-detective.html
