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Cross fired from NPD
Published 10:56pm Wednesday, April 6, 2011Ivery Cross, a Niles police officer accused of sexually assaulting an inmate at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex, has been kicked off the force.
- Ivery Cross
Niles Police Chief Ric Huff confirmed Wednesday that Cross’ employment was terminated as of March 30 for “violation of policies.” Huff declined to specify the policies Cross had violated.
Cross, who was arraigned in Berrien County Trial Court the day after his firing, is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of misconduct in office.
The alleged offense took place March 17 and involved a 19-year-old male, who Cross had arrested for possession of marijuana. According to a press release from Berrien County Prosecutor Art Cotter, the alleged assault took place in a bathroom in the LEC.
Berrien County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli confirmed Wednesday that Cross has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
But court documents reveal that Cross allegedly admitted “to touching the victim in genital areas on one occasion after asking him to masturbate in his (Cross’) presence” during an interview with Michigan State Police Detective Mike Spring.
The documents also indicate that Cross has posted a $100,000 bond, so he is allowed to be free on tether.
Efforts to reach Cross’ defense attorney, Andre Gammage, have been unsuccessful.
The investigation of Cross is being done by the Michigan State Police. Spring told the Star on Monday that he hadn’t received video surveillance footage from March 17. But Huff said the surveillance tape is property of the state police and they are in possession of it.
Huff and Spring said they don’t know what is on the tape at this point, but it’s unlikely the alleged assault was documented since the bathroom facilities are out of camera range.
Cross is scheduled to appear in Berrien County Trial Court in Niles for a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
I find it highly unlikely that anyone in their right mmind would confess to knowingly committing a crime where there are no witnesses other than the arrested criminal, and you are the arresting officer. There is no way being from a small town such as Niles, Mi. and Cross being the only African American police officer did this alledge victim/arrestee not know who this officer was. I am origanally from Niles, moved away in 1977, I’m not trying to play the race card, however this seems somewhat questionable, and suspect. What ever happened to the blue wall of brotherhood? Does it only apply when the wall is blue and white.
It is what it is. Living in Niles I thought the law was dead at least those in the prosecuters office but I see they jump on it when they can be in the news. It is good to know that they will protect 19 year olds because they do not protect those under the age of 10, I say this because for months a case of sexual abuse of two little boys has been on the prosecuters desk waiting to be important enough. But this happend on the 17th of March and its out in the open and being handled why no justice for two little boys who are asking why nothing was done to their abuser, maybe they can re file when they turn 19.
This is not a race case. This is a cop that was on a power trip. I’ve been a resident of the Niles area all of my life and had never moved away. I know some of the Niles Police Officers and they are good people. However, I believe that Cross did do this to that young man he arrested. I, also, know someone that was arrested by Cross and while he was being searched, he told me that Cross touched him inappropriately also. We don’t need people like that on our police force. We need men and women that our young people can trust. Besides, Cross already admitted to touching the young man. And I believe that the State Police wouldn’t arrest one of their own without solid evidence.
This is not a race case- what-so-ever.
This is a case where a police officer is being convicted of his crimes. As much as I would like to believe this is all a lie, considering I knew Ivery, the confessions are there. This is disgusting and embarassing for the police department for allowing his overpowering actions to continue for two years, and also for his family. Its been admitted, black and white, hes GUILTY. But they’ll continue to go against his own words and bad mouth the police?? PATHETIC.