Delco Police Officer Made Women Expose Themselves: DA

A police officer in Delaware County is facing multiple charges after authorities say he used his position of authority to force woman into sexual acts, including exposing their genitals during processing.

Roosevelt Turner, a 37-year-old officer for the Chester Police Department, is charged with indecent assault and indecent exposure, authorities announced Thursday.

Turner, a seven-year veteran of the force, allegedly mistreated multiple women in a sexual manner while they were in police custody at the Chester Police Department Headquarters, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Whelan said.

Three victims have come forward so far and authorities are urging others to contact them if they've had similar experiences with Turner.

Authorities said one female victim told investigators she was arrested in August 2015. While she was in a cell block at police headquarters, Turner made sexual advances at her that escalated.

He told the woman she had “a nice butt” and that he wanted to see sexual photos and videos of her, according to the DA. He then told the woman he wanted to see her genitals and pulled down his zipper and asked her to “kiss it” — referring to his penis, investigators determined.

After the victim told him no, Turner told her he wanted to have sex with her and began putting a condom on his penis, the DA said. The situation came to a halt when Turner heard a buzzing noise, she told investigators.

“He stopped what he was doing after he heard a buzzing sound, fixed himself and regained his physical composure,” according to information from the District Attorney’s office.

Two other victims have come forward, including one who told detectives that during her detainment in April 2015, Turner repeatedly asked her to show him her underwear. She told detectives that after she complied, he asked to “see more.”

She told investigators she showed him her private area “thinking that the process would go faster and easier for her.”

Turner subsequently asked her for her phone number and sent her text messages, the DA said.

The third incident also occurred in April 2015, when Turner asked a female detainee to show him her genitals when she was in the processing room, according to the DA.

The victim told detectives that she thought he was joking. However, he “insisted” that she show him her genitals or she would not be processed, the DA said.

“She told detectives that she was scared so she showed him her genitals by pulling her pants outward to expose her genitals. At that point, Officer Turner reached over and pulled at her pants so he could see more, touching her thigh with his hand. After that, he continued to process her,” according to information from the District Attorney’s office.

Several days later, the woman told investigators she got a Facebook message from Turner saying: “Wow! Thanks for the enjoyable time.”

Turner “used his position of authority to coerce and intimidate these women into acts for his own sexual gratification,” Whelan said. “His behavior is extremely offensive. As a police officer, he took an oath to serve and protect the residents of Chester, and for that reason we hold him to a higher standard of conduct.”

Turner was arrested Thursday morning and video arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Diane Holefelder, who set bail at ten percent of $25,000. He posted bail and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 23.

Anyone with information or believes they may have been victimized by Turner is urged to contact Sgt. Kelly at 610-891-4851.