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| Dale Larry Tompkins |
08/24/2011
By Mary Drier
CARO — After hearing testimony, Tuscola County District Judge Kim Glaspie determined there was enough evidence against former sheriff’s deputy Dale Larry Tompkins to move the case to circuit court.
The criminal charges against Tompkins, 41, of Caro, stem from July 2010 when he was transporting a 29-year-old female prisoner to jail and she escaped.
During Monday’s hearing, the victim explained when Tompkins took her into custody she offered him sexual favors “if he would let her go.”
According to her, Tompkins didn’t say much, but when he started taking “dirt roads” she was “surprised.” She said she was desperate and “would give him whatever he wanted.”
During the transport, she claims the deputy pulled into a gated field in a rural area that was “surrounded by trees.”
She said Tompkins took off her handcuffs and allowed her to smoke her cigarettes; and she performed oral sex in the front of the patrol car. After that, she said she was put in the back of the cruiser and they drove for awhile.
The victim said she was scared and told Tompkins to let her go after what happened, but he continued to drive for a while before he stopped again.
“He (Tompkins) said I had to jump out the window,” the victim said, explaining that he put the car’s back window part way down so she crawled out and ran into the woods.
The alleged incidents happened between July 5-6, 2010. Tompkins was a 13-year veteran with the sheriff’s department before he resigned Aug. 11, 2010, after the Michigan State Police started investigating the allegations.
Tompkins is charged with: three counts of criminal sexual conduct (CSC) – second degree, which carries a 15-year maximum penalty; one count escape – officer allowing, which is a 15-year felony; and one count bribery – public officer for nonperformance of duty, which is a 15-year felony.
Tompkins was sent to take the female prisoner into custody after she was arrested in Genesee County for violating her parole on a charge of home invasion – second degree. Tompkins was supposed to transport her to the Tuscola County jail.
The prisoner transfer between the two police departments was made near M-15 and Willard Road, Millington. Although the female was picked up at the county line, she escaped near Chambers Road and M-46, outside of Caro.
“Such an offer (sexual) is not unusual,” said Tuscola County Prosecutor Mark Reene. “The problem is he acted on the request.”
In addition, Tompkins is also charged with: five counts weapons – felony firearms, which carries a two-year sentence; one count escape – permit by delaying arrest, which has a maximum one-year sentence; and one count public officer willful neglect of duty, which is a one-year sentence.
Tompkins’ Attorney Greg Bringard argued the gun charges should be dismissed because he was carrying the weapon in the line of duty as a road patrol deputy.
Reene objected, saying the actions he engaged in were not that of a deputy on duty. Glaspie agreed with Reene so the weapon charges will stand.
Tompkins was bound over to Tuscola County Circuit Court on all 12 charges. That hearing will be 8:30 a.m., Monday. A $30,000 personal recognizance bond was continued.
