WCSO Arrested & Charged

[Misty]

WZEP Updated their original story of this event.

RETIRED DEPUTY ARRESTED
Charged with exposure of sex organs in children’s park

A former Okaloosa County Deputy Sheriff who was a volunteer with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office as the fleet manager was arrested Thursday after exposing himself to an undercover officer in Crestview.

Franklin Whitmore Hawley, of Freeport , was arrested by an undercover officer in Dugan Park on South Ferdon Blvd. in Crestview.

The arrest report stated that deputy recognized Hawley and Hawley circled his truck several times and tried to peep in his windows, which were tinted.

The deputy moved his truck and stated in the report that “I could see the defendant looking at me and moving his hand up and down in his crotch area.”

The deputy said “It was clear the defendant was wanting to expose himself and did not have an issue with me being able to see him.”

The incident was recorded on videotape and deputies say there were small children playing in the park at the time.

Hawley retired from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year.

According to his Facebook page, Hawley was employed with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in 2009. Hawley describes himself as serving 20 years in the USAF, the last 14 in law enforcement going on 20 years in civilian law enforcement for a total of 34 years in law enforcement.

Walton County Chief Deputy A.J. Smith described Hawley’s employment as a volunteer. Chief Smith said Hawley “will not be retained in that position.”

Chief Smith said Hawley was immediately terminated as soon as they got to Okaloosa County and found out what happened. His access to all buildings, identification and computer access was promptly revoked.

“We are all shocked beyond belief,” said Chief Smith. “We took swift action and he is no longer affiliated with us.”

Hawley was arrested, booked into the Okaloosa County Jail and charged with indecent exposure of his sexual organs in a public place.

In Florida, Indecent Exposure or Exposure of Sexual Organs is classified as a first degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 1 year in jail or 12 months of probation, and a $1,000 fine.

In addition to potential jail penalties, a conviction for Indecent Exposure in Florida will subject the accused to a permanent stigma of having engaged in lewd behavior, and interfere with employment prospects, professional licensing, college applications, and other aspects of daily life.

 

[Bob Wells]

Hawley is charged with a first degree misdemeanor, not a felony so...not so sure that FS is applicable.

I agree

 

[Misty]

Chief Smith said Hawley was immediately terminated as soon as they got to Okaloosa County and found out what happened. His access to all buildings, identification and computer access was promptly revoked.

Does everyone who retires from the WCSO retain the privilege of having access to all buildings, their identification and computer access?

 

[Carl Rogers]

This horrible the idea that someone we trust is a predictor, I wonder how often this has happened and he got away with it. There is no way this was his first time.

 

[John G]

A few bits of info to add to the discussion.

WJHG has already done the WCSO spin, deflection by not even mentioning WCSO in its report...

The accused Lt was a deputy in OCSO and was part of the cushy Bluewater Bay Community Policing. Sounds like a bit of a political position.

It would appear that the accused may have ridden the coat tails of one of Adkinson biggest mistakes in his tenure as Sheriff, that of Graham Fountain, into WCSO ranks, where he "became" a Lt with no promotional testing or process. There was at least one other that road these coat tails, got a high rank and then departed BACK to OCSO in a higher position.

So, I'm only guessing, but to answer my own question, it appears the favor may have been on that end.

The accused was also apparently Not arrested on site, rather a warrant was quietly, very quietly walked through the system.

He was very quietly taken into custody the next day at his Freeport home, and transported in a very nondescript unmarked car.

Regardless of his guilt, this just goes to show how doing political favors in the world of law enforcement, can leave you with egg on your face.

My bet is charges will be dismissed or a lesser charge will be agreed to by both parties.

He will keep his pension, retirement status, etc., and no one will learn anything from this.

 

[Misty]

He will keep his pension, retirement status, etc., and no one will learn anything from this.

His pension was never an issue for anyone except you. He was charged with a first degree misdemeanor not a felony. Whether you like the law or how its written or not, in order for him to have lost retirement and pension funds he would have to have been charged and subsequently convicted of a felony.

This whole story seems sketchy to me and gets more titillating with each telling from different new sources.

First he was a WCSO and past OCSO, then he was a PAST (retired) WCSO who still had computer access to the WCSO along with access to buildings and his police identification. What's wrong with this picture? If he was retired that would make him a civilian and for the life of me I just can't grasp why a civilian would have that kind of access to the Sheriffs Dept.

It also strikes me as odd that the WCSO would send someone to Okaloosa County for a civilian arrest and admit that when they got there and found out "what happened" they promptly removed a civilians access to the WCSO computers and buildings.

P.S. WJHG's account is vastly different then the other 3 posted here.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Does everyone who retires from the WCSO retain the privilege of having access to all buildings, their identification and computer access?

Not everyone. If they have a volunteer position, they are issued a special "badge" on a lanyard that provides access.
My spouse is retired and has a cubicle in investigations. He is not on a regular schedule but is volunteer. Some others transfer to the posse so they can keep their standards up. And then others are just happy at the house or pursue other interests. Those folks have to enter the SO through the front door.