Trooper Fired Over Roadside Cavity Search
IRVING (CBSDFW.COM) - The female state trooper involved in a controversial roadside cavity search of two women has now been fired.
In addition, CBS 11 has learned new information about the trooper's job performance before the incident cost her the job.
CBS 11 made an open records request and obtained the personnel files of Troopers Kelly Helleson and David Farrell, the two state troopers involved.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says Trooper Helleson has now been terminated. But she still has the right to appeal the decision to the public safety commission.
Trooper Farrell remains suspended while under investigation.
During the controversial traffic stop last July, Helleson is seen on dashcam video conducting a body cavity search of two Irving women on an exit ramp of the President Bush Turnpike.
Trooper Farrell stopped the women first after seeing them throw a cigarette out their car window, then claimed to smell marijuana.
No drugs were found. Both Angel and Ashley Dobbs filed suit against both troopers in December.
Personnel files show back in 2004, Trooper Helleson was instructed by supervisors not to lecture alleged violators.
In 2008, records show she was involved in a collision while pursuing a violator. Supervisors told her to improve her driving skills.
Otherwise, the department praised her volume of work as being consistently high and for her professionalism.
As for Trooper Farrell, records show in 2009, supervisors told him to stop being coarse and badgering violators, and that he needed to study criminal and traffic law books after taking the wrong enforcement action at times. The department though promoted Farrell last March, and he also received praise for his professionalism.
Records show Trooper Helleson served in the United States Marine Corps for three years, and Trooper Farrell served three years in the Army and spent time in Iraq.
The Dallas County District Attorney's Office says it is still investigating this case, and will then turn it over to a grand jury to consider.
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