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Nov. 05, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Former North Las Vegas police officer's guilty plea hits a snag

By DOUG McMURDO
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Former North Las Vegas police officer James Vernon Clayton was all set to plead guilty to five gross misdemeanor counts related to police misconduct today, but there was just one catch: He denied ever offering to dismiss traffic tickets he issued to women he pulled over in exchange for sexual favors.

Clayton’s attempt to enter guilty pleas were rejected by District Judge James Bixler. Admitting guilt and explaining the circumstances of a criminal act in open court is required when guilty pleas are entered.


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    • Bixler made it clear he could conceivably sentence Clayton to five years in the Clark County Detention Center, or one year for each count.

    Clayton, 40, had agreed to plead guilty to three counts of attempted misconduct by a police officer and two counts of oppression under color of office. Clayton, who was arrested while on duty Dec. 23, was originally charged with seven felonies and one misdemeanor following a lengthy investigation conducted by the Police Department.

    The agreement states that during March and April 2008, Clayton pulled over as many as five women and offered to dismiss their traffic tickets in exchange for sex. In one incident he is alleged to have exposed himself to a woman.

    A misdemeanor count of indecent exposure was one of the charges dismissed in the plea.

    When asked to explain the nature of the crime, Clayton told Bixler the allegations “are not totally true. I never asked for sex.”

    Bixler set a status hearing for Dec. 8. If a resolution is not reached, Clayton will be tried on the original charges, which include felony counts of misconduct of an officer and oppression under color of office, as well as misdemeanor lewdness charges.

    Prosecutor Giancarlo Pesci said he was not surprised Clayton denied the charges. “He’s been saying he’s innocent all along,” said Pesci, adding the deal prosecutors offered “won’t get any better.”

    Clayton was a North Las Vegas police officer from 2005 until his employment was terminated Jan. 28.

    Contact reporter Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.

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    king wrote on November 19, 2009 04:05 PM: Many libs would call this guys a hero because he is a cop.


    Joe the Plumber wrote on November 05, 2009 08:36 PM: What's the big deal?

    The woman was GUILTY!


    Hand job wrote on November 05, 2009 07:36 PM: This ex cop felt the deal was a "hand job" so he declined to take it without a "happy ending."


    butcher wrote on November 05, 2009 06:39 PM: We don't like the idea of letting him go ? He must be tried with no deals in the future,no deals for all Police officers.The City may be sued for big bucks,If he's guilty let him do the time he's no better than any other pervert a punk getting sex in this manner is dirty and evil,if it were your daughter you might terminate him,Good work Judge.


    Ranred wrote on November 05, 2009 06:20 PM: This guy should probably run...


    RJC Watchdog wrote on November 05, 2009 05:35 PM: The DA Giancarlo Pesci will offer to have the cop lead pursuant to Alford. Mark my words. Its the same deal, but the cop won't have to admit what he did, he will simply concede the State would prove the charges against him if the case went to trial.

    This will be David Roger and Giancarlo Pesci's way to let the cop off the hook, so he can go on saying he was really "innocent" and he only plead guilty cause his dump truck attorney "forced" him to.

    For once I hope the DA's don't go soft just cause its a cop. Make him SAY what he did in open court, or take it to trial. HE has no chance of winning, which is why I cannnot even see giving him any offer.

    There is no way 5 separate women all came up with the same allegations. Put them on the stand, and he is toast. Do not let him get away with the 'they made me plead guilty" B.S.

    MAN UP PESCI.


    Molesters In Blue wrote on November 05, 2009 04:02 PM: This only scrathes the surface of what our local cops are up to. You'd be surprised to know how many cops have been caught in sexual crimes, MANY of them with children 14 and under.

    All this from a police force of just about 2,600, or about the size of a high school enrollment.

    If a high school student body committed as many crimes as METRO does, they'd shut the school down.


    Gtg wrote on November 05, 2009 02:14 PM: Where are all the police supporters, you know, the ones who say they are the true heroes, "nobody knows what we go through". So when he was putting his life on the line, every day, just asking for those favors from all those women, (you know there was more than 5), I wonder how many agreed, let's see if they come forward.


    Just asking wrote on November 05, 2009 01:48 PM: Is he a former hero as well?


    VegasSucks wrote on November 05, 2009 12:58 PM: Doesn't it strike you as odd that five different women came forward with the same story? And there are probably more victims but they didn't report his gross behavior. He's as guilty as they come.

    And those are five very brave women.

    His wife must be so proud of her hero.


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