Ex-cops allegedly bought drug

2 city officers resigned over cocaine deal, report says

1/25/2014

MacInnis

THE BLADE/ANDY MORRISON
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After a stripper reportedly offered cocaine to two then-Toledo police officers, the pair paid cash for the drug and used it in a nearby parking lot, according to an internal investigation released Friday.

Those officers, Scott MacInnis and Jada Smith, resigned in October.

A third officer was, during an administrative chief’s hearing earlier this month, found guilty of “gross neglect of duty” and given a 30-day suspension. Only 15 days of Officer Carlyle Gafeney’s suspension must be served unless he violates department policy at any time in the next three years.

Edited 911 call (Warning: Contains language some may find offensive.)

Officer Gafeney, a member of the department 2½ years, was charged because he watched the other officers buy cocaine and, although he said he did not know what was going on, he did not report it, according to the internal investigation.

Ms. Smith, who was hired in 2011 and was in the same police class as Officer Gafeney, resigned Oct. 16. Mr. MacInnis resigned Oct. 17.

In an interview with internal affairs, Mr. MacInnis said the trio of officers were off-duty drinking and socializing at the annual Halloween party of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association on Oct. 11 and then left for Polekatz Toledo Gentlemen’s Club.

The three went to the strip club, 715 Monroe St., at about 11 p.m., and stayed at least an hour.

Mr. MacInnis told investigators that he and Ms. Smith, who were dating, went into a back room for a private dance and then reportedly were offered cocaine from the stripper.

“I was drunk and it was a stupid decision. I said ‘OK,’ ” Mr. MacInnis told investigators Oct. 12. “We went to the parking lot, waited for someone to deliver it. They did. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

When reached by phone Friday, a club employee who did not give his name, said, “That never happened,” when told about the accusations involving the dancer.

The man then acknowledged he would have no way of knowing what happened in the private room.

Mr. MacInnis repeatedly told investigators Officer Gafeney did not know about the drug deal. Officer Gafeney told investigators the same thing during both of his interviews with internal affairs.

Mr. MacInnis told investigators that, after purchasing $40 worth of cocaine from “two random” guys, the couple took Officer Gafeney back to the union hall and drove to a downtown parking lot to snort the drugs.

He said he dumped the bag of powder cocaine onto a plastic CD case, rolled up a dollar bill, and each took one hit.

The rest of the drugs were brushed off the case, out the window.

“I think reality hit in and I’m like, ‘What the [expletive] are you doing? You’re a police officer, you’re in a parking lot doing cocaine with your girlfriend. What is wrong with you?’ ” Mr. MacInnis told investigators. “I think I had a thing of guilt and I just [thought,] ‘This is stupid.’ ”

The pair went back to Mr. MacInnis’ apartment at the Standart Lofts, 34 S. Erie St., where they got into an argument.

The fight escalated into a physical altercation, and Ms. Smith took her department-issued handgun off the kitchen counter and held it to her throat, threatening to kill herself, Mr. MacInnis said.

Mr. MacInnis tried to wrestle the gun away from her; he said her finger remained on the trigger and that a single shot was fired. No injuries were reported.

He called 911 at about 1:30 a.m. Oct. 12. He identified himself as an off-duty Toledo police officer and said his girlfriend, also an off-duty officer, had tried to hurt herself.

When officers made it to his apartment, he reportedly told them he and Ms. Smith had done cocaine and they were both taken to a hospital and drug-tested.

When the results came back, Mr. MacInnis tested positive for cocaine; Ms. Smith and Officer Gafeney did not.

“I made some really terrible decisions,” Mr. MacInnis told investigators.

On Friday, Mr. MacInnis declined to comment. Ms. Smith and Officer Gafeney could not be reached for comment.

Dan Wagner, president of the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association, did not return a call seeking comment. Police Chief William Moton was not available for comment.

Citing a lack of evidence, police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said criminal charges are not expected to be filed against Mr. MacInnis or Ms. Smith.

Contact Taylor Dungjen at tdungjen@theblade.com, or 419-724-6054, or on Twitter @taylordungjen.