toledoblade.com --

A former Toledo police officer was sentenced yesterday to 90 days in jail on four counts of unlawful restraint for inappropriately touching four women during traffic stops.

Christopher McQueen, 43, who now lives in Florida, pleaded no contest to the charges and was found guilty in May, but on July 17, the scheduled sentencing date, his lawyer, Jay Feldstein, asked that his client be allowed to withdraw the plea. Friday, however, Mr. Feldstein told Toledo Municipal Court Judge Amy Berling that his client was standing by the no-contest pleas.

The charges stem from incidents that occurred from June to August last year involving the women, who told investigators they were fondled by Mr. McQueen before they were arrested or cited. The women accused him of touching their genitals and breasts while searching them.

Police officers have the right to search suspects, but department policy requires that female officers search female suspects. If a female officer is unavailable, then female suspects must be searched when a witness is present, according to TPD policy.

In January, Mr. McQueen was charged with five counts of sexual imposition, but the charges were amended to four counts of unlawful restraint. Both charges are third-degree misdemeanors.

In a statement read to the judge before sentencing yesterday, a victim stated Mr. McQueen had abused his authority and should face repercussions. One victim told the court her life has not been the same since “he put his hands on me” and she said he did things she will never get over.

Mr. McQueen gave police a bad name, another victim said, adding that she wanted him to have to classified as a sexual predator in addition to serving jail time. He should have to document what he has done, she said.

Judge Berling sentenced the former police officer, who was a veteran of the force, to the maximum of 60 days in jail on each count, to be served consecutively, but the jail time was reduced to 90 days total on the condition he get sexual counseling. He also was placed on five years’ probation and fined $500.

Mr. Feldstein told the judge that his client would not have anything to say before the sentence was handed down because two of the women have filed a civil lawsuit.

In a suit filed in Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Sharonda Simpson of Toledo and Jamie Dusseau-Schultz of Luna Pier allege injuries and emotional distress as a result of Mr. McQueen “verbally and physically” assaulting them.

Mr. McQueen voluntarily removed himself from the department’s payroll last September when quizzed by internal affairs’ investigators about the incidents. He resigned May 20.

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