Baltimore County Police Officer Charged With Rape, Assault
BALTIMORE (WJZ) - A Baltimore County Police officer has been charged with rape and assault,
25-year-old Anthony Michael Westerman has been charged with two counts of second-degree rape and three counts of second-degree assault, according to Baltimore County Police.
Westerman has been a Baltimore County officer since 2013 and had worked in the Essex area most recently.
"For something like this to happen, I'm outraged, completely outraged." said Aaron Taylor, Baltimore County resident.
The case was initiated when Baltimore County Police received information that concerned allegations against Westerman. The Special Victims Unit began their investigation and pursued charges.
The first case of rape and assault allegedly occurred in October 2017 and the second on June 8, 2019, according to court records.
"And this is someone who is in my neighborhood, in our zones, so that could have been me, or anyone else." said Jalisa Phillips, Baltimore County resident.
According to Baltimore County Police Chief Melissa Hyatt, "The allegations made in this case are reprehensible and are not representative of the values and ethics of the Baltimore County Police Department. As a result of a thorough investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau, the officer has been arrested and has been suspended without pay."
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. also spoke out, saying "Our law enforcement officers are sworn to protect and serve and are rightly held to the highest of standards. I expect that any individual who breaks that oath be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law."
Many Baltimore County residents echoed the need for justice and accountability in this case.
Anthony Westerman is being held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections on denied bail status. His bail review is Monday at 1 p.m.