Detectives from Arizona Department of Public Safety arrested one of their own troopers on Tuesday for 61 counts of sexual abuse, extortion, kidnapping, harassment and fraud, AZDPS Col. Frank Milstead said at a news conference.
Trooper Tremaine Jackson, 43, an AZDPS trooper for about 13 years, has been accused of using his position of authority to “bargain leniency for favor,” Milstead said.
“The Arizona Department of Public Safety is a proud and venerable organization with a storied past,” Milstead said. “Most of the employees serve Arizona with pride and integrity…When one of our own betrays public trust or breaks the law, we respond swiftly and without regret.”
According to CNN, Jackson most recently worked in the department’s Metro Motors District. Officers began an investigation on May 19 after a woman complained that Jackson made inappropriate comments to her. A second complaint from a different motorist came on June 11th, alleging that Jackson sexually assaulted a woman during a traffic stop. He was then placed on administrative leave that day, Milstead said.
Investigators said they have identified eight victims, so far but they believe there are more and have set up hotline and website to encourage other victims to come forward.
Authorities said on Tuesday that Jackson would be booked into the Maricopa County Fourth Avenue Jail on charges including sexual abuse, sexual extortion, unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, kidnapping, fraudulent schemes and practices that include tampering with a public record.
It has been confirmed by Sgt. Kameron Lee, public information office supervisor, that Jackson has since been terminated.
