Sean Harrington, the cop accused of stealing 6 nude pictures of a female DUI suspect might be charged with felony computer theft. The California Highway Patrol officer has been put on desk duty as authorities investigate the matter. Harrington’s crime has prompted prosecutors to drop the charges against the woman.
Sean Harrington, the cop accused of illegally accessing the very private content of a suspect’s phone, could be charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.
On August 29th, at around midnight, California Highway Patrol officer, Sean Harrington and another unnamed cop pulled over a 23-year-old woman after she was witnessed making unsafe lane change on Interstate 680 near Crow Canyon Road.
The San Ramon woman aka Jane Doe appeared to be drunk, which lead to the cops requesting that she takes sobriety tests. Her blood alcohol level was measured at .29 percent and she was arrested, charged with DUI and taken to the County Jail in Martinez.
Jane Doe was later released and given a court date. On September 3rd, while browsing her iCloud account, she discovered that 6 of her nude pictures were transferred to another phone with the 707 area code, the night she was in police custody.
Jane Doe did a little detective work and found out that the phone number belonged to Sean Harrington. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, which has been investigating the matter found a video showing officer Harrington asking Jane Doe to write down the password to her phone on a piece of paper while she was in custody.
The police officer needed to access her phone in order to get the number of someone, she wanted to call. Harrington forwarded 6 private pictures to himself, and apparently shared them with other officers.
Jane Doe’s lawyer Rick Madsen said his client never authorized her arresting officer to go through her pictures. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office have searched Harrington’s home, removed several laptops, cellphone, and an iPad.
According to investigators, Sean Harrington’s cellphone and laptop contained private photos, text messages and instant messages from the cellphone of the DUI suspect.
Prosecutors dropped the DUI case against Jane Do due to Harrington’s actions. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is recommending that the 35-year-old CHP Officer be charged with felony computer theft.
Officer Sean Harrington has been put on desk duty as the investigation continues.
