By Brooks Warren
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A 25-year-old Baltimore County police officer was charged with rape early Sunday.
Anthony Michael Westerman, most recently assigned to the Essex Precinct, was charged with two counts of second-degree rape and three counts of second-degree assault, Police Department officials said. Westerman was being held at the Baltimore County Department of Corrections without bail.
“ As a result of a thorough investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department Criminal Investigations Bureau, the officer has been arrested and has been suspended without pay,” said Police Chief Melissa Hyatt.
Hyatt said that County Police received information concerning the allegations, which prompted the Special Victims Unit to investigate and pursue charges. Westerman has been employed as a police officer six years.
“ The allegations made in this case are reprehensible and are not representative of the values and ethics of the Baltimore County Police Department,” Hyatt said.