Fayetteville Police Investigate Incidents Tied To Cop’s Firing

FAYETTEVILLE — Police released findings from an internal investigation of a patrolman arrested after two women reported they were sexually assaulted.

James Stiles, 31, of 6870 W. Goose Creek Road was arrested in connection with rape, second-degree sexual assault, burglary and unauthorized access of police records. Prosecutors have not filed formal charges. Stiles has a Feb. 12 arraignment.

The arrest stemmed from two incidents.

Internal Affairs

The internal affairs division of a law enforcement agency investigates complaints, incidents and plausible suspicions of lawbreaking and professional misconduct attributed to officers and internal disciplinary matters.

Source: Staff Report

A woman reported Nov. 10 she awoke nude and found a police officer in uniform standing in her bedroom about 4:30 a.m. Oct. 26. She said he touched her breast inappropriately before leaving, according to investigation documents.

Investigators determined Stiles was in the area of the woman’s apartment at the time she reported the assault. The woman picked out Stiles from a photo lineup, police said in a probable cause affidavit.

Stiles had been called to a bar on North Block Avenue because the woman had passed out, according to reports. Stiles took the intoxicated woman home rather than arresting her and taking her to jail. The investigation found Stiles stayed at the woman’s apartment for about half an hour and returned to the complex at least two times after taking her home. One of the later trips corresponded with the time the woman said the officer was in her bedroom.

Documents indicate Stiles lied in an interview about the woman kissing him at her apartment, and none of the trips to the apartment complex were reported on Stiles’ daily log. Stiles turned off his mobile microphone recorder at least twice during his interactions with the woman.

During the internal investigation, a former Police Department employee reported Dec. 17 Stiles sexually assaulted her in July in the driveway at her home.

According to documents, Stiles got the woman’s contact information and address using a department computer and drove by her residence at least four times before stopping in the early hours of July 7 or 8. The woman told police Stiles twice grabbed her in bear hugs in her driveway and put his hands down her pants and digitally penetrated her. The woman said Stiles was groaning and grinding himself against her and would not let her go.

Another officer was disciplined for failing to report the incident to his superiors after the woman told him about it.

Stiles was placed on paid administrative leave Dec. 4 and relieved of his badge and gun.

He was then fired for at least seven departmental policy violations after the investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division. Violations included conduct unbecoming an officer; conduct detrimental to the efficiency and morale of the department; compromising the integrity of the department; failing to treat a civilian with courtesy and dignity; lying during an interview with investigators; disobeying a direct order and refusing to take a polygraph test.

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