A Gillette Police Department officer, Christopher Goree, has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies and a misdemeanor related to his time as a law enforcement officer in Utah, Oil City News reports.
Goree is facing three counts of custodial sexual relations in the third degree, a third-degree charge of tampering with a witness, and a Class B misdemeanor for accessing and disseminating restricted records.
The Gillette Police Department (GPD) was notified of the investigation and arrest warrant by the Utah Department of Public Safety through the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation on December 2. In a statement, the GPD emphasized it had no prior knowledge of the charges until contacted by Utah authorities.
Following his arrest, Goree was placed on administrative leave pending termination. The department confirmed it is cooperating fully with the investigation.
The charges against Goree include:
- Three counts of custodial sexual relations in the third degree: These charges typically relate to inappropriate relationships between law enforcement officers and individuals under their authority.
- One count of tampering with a witness: This charge suggests efforts to interfere with testimony or evidence in the case.
- A misdemeanor for unauthorized access to records: Specifically, Goree is accused of accessing and distributing information from a criminal information tracking system (CITS) without authorization.
The GPD acknowledged the gravity of the situation in its statement, noting it was committed to maintaining transparency and accountability during the investigation. Goree’s pending termination underscores the department’s stance on the seriousness of the allegations.
The charges raise questions about interagency communication and the vetting process for officers transferring between departments. It is unclear how long Goree served with the GPD before the allegations surfaced, but the case is expected to undergo further scrutiny as more details emerge.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Utah authorities leading the legal proceedings against Goree.
