Former Washington NC Cop Gets 21 Months

Steven Ray Hilsinger, 33, of Washington, North Carolina, was sentenced for four federal civil rights violations in federal court in Raleigh this week.

March 15, 2008

BEAUFORT COUNTY NC NEWS -- A former officer of the Washington, North Carolina Police Department, Steven Ray Hilsinger, 33, of Washington, North Carolina, was sentenced for four federal civil rights violations in federal court in Raleigh this week. On March 10, 2008, United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced Hilsinger to 21 months' imprisonment, 1 year supervised release and restitution of $220.00 was imposed. Judge Dever previously accepted Hilsinger's guilty pleas on December 3, 2007.

Hilsinger was sentenced for four misdemeanor violations that alleged while he was acting under color of law as a Washington Police Officer, he willfully deprived individuals of their right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures. On November 13, 2005, and December 22, 2005, Hilsinger stopped Hispanic motorists for minor traffic violations. Instead of merely asking for identification, Hilsinger took their entire wallets, returning them to the drivers after having stolen the cash contained therein. On the first occasion, Hilsinger stole $60.00 and on the second occasion he stole $40.00. On September 8 and 18, 2006, Hilsinger again targeted a Hispanic driver and stole money. On these two occasions, the victim was an undercover police officer. On September 8, 2006, Hilsinger stole $220.00 in law enforcement funds, and on September 18, 2006, Hilsinger stole another $120.00 from the undercover officer. At that time he was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States Attorney George E. B. Holding who announced the successful prosecution, conviction, and sentencing of Hilsinger said, "In a matter of minutes, one person can destroy the trust a community has in those that are there to protect and serve. It will take a long time to build that trust again. Hopefully the sentence imposed today will be some measure in working toward that goal."

The investigation of the case against Steven Ray Hilsinger was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Assistant U.S. Attorney John H. Bennett of the United States Attorney's Office branch office Greenville, North Carolina, handled the case for our Government.

The United States Attorney's Office prosecutes federal offenses and defends the U.S. Government's interest in civil cases. The Eastern District of North Carolina covers the 44 eastern most counties of North Carolina. The main office is in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a staffed branch office in Greenville and unstaffed offices in Wilmington, New Bern, Elizabeth City, and Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

# # #