Baltimore City Police Detective Charged With Assault, Burglary
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—One of Baltimore City Police Department's own is facing four criminal counts in connection to an assault and burglary.
Detective Daniel T. Nicholson IV led the high-profile search for Phylicia Barnes, the North Carolina teen who disappeared in Baltimore and whose body was later found in the Susquehanna River.
Now he is being charged with two counts of second-degree assault, one count of fourth-degree burglary and one count of making a false statement to police-- in connection to a search of his own daughter.
"As these charges demonstrate yet again I am committed to investigating allegations of police misconduct and prosecuting officers who violate the laws they have sworn to enforce," State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said.
Nicholson and others allegedly went to a home in the 5500-block of Bowleys Lane in search of Nicholson's daughter.
A woman answered the door and denied that Nicholson's daughter was there. Police say Nicholson then forced his way into the home, knocking the woman to the ground in the process. Inside, he pushed a second person to the ground.
The next morning, when questioned about the incident by a detective, Nicholson allegedly stated that he went to the home in the Bowleys Lane, knocked on the door and left when there was no answer.
"Professionalism and public trust are virtues that stand above all else, and the men and women of this agency have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to policing ourselves against illegal and unethical behavior," said Police Commissioner Anthony Batts. "Detective Daniel Nicholson is accused of egregious violations of public trust that will never be tolerated. His actions undermine the very hard work our police officers do every day to make Baltimore safer."
Nicholson's daughter was found safe.
He is scheduled to be arraigned May 20 at 9:30 a.m.
