BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Attorney General’s Office says it has issued a criminal citation against a former Burlington police officer after body camera video from the officer contradicted his written affidavit that he smelled marijuana.
The Burlington Free Press reports (https://bfpne.ws/2grbyON ) the citation was sent to 27-year-old Christopher Lopez via email Monday.
Lopez resigned in February after questions arose following an affidavit about an October 2016 traffic stop. Lopez wrote that he smelled marijuana from the car, but body camera footage appears to show him telling another officer he didn’t smell anything.
Michael Mullen was charged with felony drug possession following the traffic stop. The charges against him were eventually dismissed, and he received a settlement of $100,000 from the city.
The assistant attorney general and Lopez’s attorney have declined to comment.
___
Information from: The Burlington Free Press, https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.