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Published on November 07, 2024
UPDATE: Former Las Vegas Officer Pleads Not Guilty to Unlawful Arrest Charges Amid Added Child Pornography AllegationsSource: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

In a Las Vegas courtroom, former Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Kevin Menon appeared before a judge, pleading not guilty to charges of making numerous unlawful arrests. As reported by News 3 Las Vegas, Menon's arraignment in Clark County District Court ended with his bail being raised to $150,000 after additional charges emerged in a separate child pornography case. Charged with 13 counts, including 10 for oppression under color of office, Menon allegedly fabricated arrests without probable cause.

During the arraignment, presiding Judge Ronald Israel imposed stricter conditions in response to the serious nature of the charges, ordering Menon to surrender his passport, refrain from possessing any weapons, and submit to high-level electronic monitoring, should he post bond. His defense appeared successful, as court records confirmed Menon's bond was accepted the following day. FOX5, after obtaining body camera footage from Menon's service, reported that the videos played a key role in his indictment, providing evidence of his allegedly improper conduct on the Strip. The former sergeant, who began his tenure with the department in 2014, is now awaiting his trial, scheduled for March 31 next year, as noted in a segment by FOX5 Vegas.

Furthermore, there are layered complications in Menon's legal situation, including his arrest at a courthouse documented by Channel 13. Hoodline reported Menon's previous indictment, which encapsulated alleged civil rights violations primarily against Black men. Hoodline also noted that during a search of Menon’s property, about 200 images of child sexual abuse were discovered on his personal laptops, further tarnishing his already blemished legal record.

Prosecutors have painted a grim picture of Menon's online activities, alleging he owned a wide array of explicit images sourced from Russian websites, and even attempted to eliminate approximately 90 such images from his computer – an act indicative of cognizance and suppression, offering the court and community a window into the severity and premeditation of his alleged crimes. "The vast array of images on defendant Menon’s computers are as extensive as they are disturbing," prosecutors detailed in court documents, according to Hoodline. Menon's lawyer requested more time to prepare defense arguments in the wake of these allegations, signaling legal battles ahead.

Since being charged, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department removed Menon from active duty. He was initially placed on paid leave, but as the gravity of his situation became clearer, his pay was ultimately discontinued. Menon's powers as a police sergeant remain suspended as the investigation continues, a fact reinforced by the department's decision to stop his salary.