CHP Officer Suspected of Forwarding Nude Photos From DUI Suspect's Cellphone

Court documents show a California Highway Patrol officer is suspected of secretly sending nude photos of a DUI suspect from her cellphone to his own phone.

The documents reveal a Contra Costa District Attorney investigator has recommended felony computer theft charges against 35-year-old Sean Harrington.

The CHP says the five-year veteran based in Dublin has been assigned to desk duties during the probe.

Investigators say Harrington discovered and forwarded to himself six explicit photos while booking the 23-year-old San Ramon woman in August. The photos depict the woman, who is not being identified, in a bikini and in various states of undress.

Prosecutors said Wednesday they could decide any day whether or not to press charges.

Efforts to reach Harrington for comment were unsuccessful.

Attorney Rick Madsen said his client's privacy rights were violated by someone she should have been able to trust a CHP officer.

β€œI'm appalled,” Madsen said. β€œI'm a former prosecutor and practicing lawyer for 20 years. I thought I'd seen it all. I'm stunned, absolutely stunned.”

Search warrant documents detail the six explicit photos retrieved by investigators from the officers’ personal devices during a search of his Martinez home.

β€œOne would think their property, private information would remain so, particularly when they're in custody of a police officer,” Madsen said. β€œI guess nothing is sacred anymore.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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