Sentencing of former police officer is postponed

Christopher McQueen asked to withdraw his no-contest pleas to four counts of unlawful restraint.

Two of Christopher McQueen's victims appeared in Toledo Municipal Court Friday hoping to see the former Toledo police officer sent to jail for inappropriately touching them during stops.

Instead, Mr. McQueen asked to withdraw his earlier no-contest pleas to four counts of unlawful restraint.

The request postponed his sentencing and upset his victims.

"He came here and found out he was going to jail," surmised the mother of one of the victims. "It's a terrible feeling. It's a let-down feeling. [My daughter] was prepared to come here and make a statement."

Mr. McQueen, 43, was appointed to the department in December, 1993. He voluntarily took himself off the department's payroll in September, when he was questioned by internal affairs investigators about the incidents.

In January, he was criminally charged with five counts of sexual imposition. Authorities said four women told investigators that they were fondled by Mr. McQueen before being arrested or cited.

Specifically, the women accused him of touching their genitals and breasts while searching them. The allegations involved incidents in June and August of 2008.

Although police officers have the right to search suspects, department policy requires that female officers search female suspects.

In May, Mr. McQueen pleaded no contest to four counts of un-lawful restraint, a lower misdemeanor. He faced up to 60 days behind bars on each charge when arriving for his sentence yesterday.

Attorney Jay Feldstein said he would provide a written motion for the change of plea with a detailed memorandum of support. He could not be reached for comment after the hearing.

The City Prosecutor's Office plans to oppose the motion, Chief Prosecutor David Toska said. Judge Amy Berling set a Sept. 4 hearing date.

The two women who attended yesterday's hearing declined to comment. The Blade does not identify victims of sexual offenses.

"He's taken no accountability," a victim's mother said. "This is ridiculous."