Baltimore County Police Officer Charged With Rape

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — An officer who most recently served in the Essex precinct has been charged with rape. He has been suspended without pay, according to police.

Anthony Michael Westerman, 25, of the 600 block of North Woodward Drive in Essex, is charged in rapes from October and June, according to court records. He is charged with second-degree rape dating to Oct. 4 and June 8 as well as one count of second-degree assault Oct. 4 and two counts of second-degree assault June 8.

The Baltimore County Police Department initiated what Police Chief Melissa Hyatt described as a "thorough investigation" after it received information that ultimately led to Westerman's arrest. An arrest warrant was issued Saturday for Westerman, who was taken into custody that day, court records show.

"The allegations made in this case are reprehensible and are not representative of the values and ethics of the Baltimore County Police Department," Hyatt said in a statement.

Westerman is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections, officials said.

Court records show he is slated to appear at a bail review hearing at 1 p.m. Monday in Baltimore County District Court. A preliminary hearing in the case is set for Jan. 3, 2020.