Police Officer Accused of Multiple Sexual Assaults
Residents in Palm Beach Shores are concerned and frustrated about the ongoing investigation into sexual assault accusations against one of the town’s police officers, Charles Hoeffer. Officer Hoeffer has been the target of five different internal affairs investigations and is the suspect in an open criminal investigation by the Riviera Beach Police Department. Three of the five internal affairs investigations have been closed and no charges have been filed so far.
Resident Outrage
Officer Hoeffer has been on paid leave for over ten months because of the ongoing investigations and residents are fed up. “This is ridiculous,” said Palm Beach Shores resident Frank MacNeil. “This town is being dragged down. We don’t deserve it.” Another resident, Carol Hurst, wanted to know “Why is this taking so long and spending our taxpayer money?” “Are you telling me and the other women in this community that we can rest assured that when a police officer comes to our door and knocks, we’re not going to be raped?” Cindy Broydrick asked. Palm Beach Shores Mayor John Workman responded, “Yes, ma’am.”
History of Abuse
Numerous women, including Officer Hoeffer’s former spouses, have accused the man of harassment, misconduct, and even rape. He joined the force in Palm Beach Shores in 2008 and has been on administrative leave since 2014. Prior to his two divorces, his former spouses have repeatedly reported domestic violence and abuse. Once he joined the police force in Palm Beach Shores, it only took him two years before the incidents began.
In 2010, Officer Hoeffer was accused of making sexually explicit comments to one woman as he responded to her domestic dispute. She said he told her he wanted to see her in a thong. “Sitting there having him tell me that, I was like, ‘Are you kidding me?'” the woman said. In 2012, a Palm Beach Shores dispatcher accused him of sexual harassment.
In 2013, a Palm Beach Shores woman accused Officer Hoeffer of sexually assaulting her. Janice Martinetti claims that “He was just rubbing my leg and pulling my dress up and asking to look at my panties and I just kept telling him to stop it.” All three of these cases were investigated and ruled unsubstantiated by the internal affairs department.
The last accusation has resulted in a criminal investigation in Riviera Beach. A blind woman in Riviera Beach accused the officer of raping her twice in two months. According to the police report, the victim knew him and allowed him to come inside her apartment, but she tried to fight off his sexual advances. The victim stated that Officer Hoeffer stood over her and pried her legs apart with his knees. “During the incident, the victim was telling him, stop, no, no, and tried to push him away.” The victim told police Hoeffer raped her again a month later. According to the police report, the victim has since refused to speak further to investigators, saying talking about the incident was too stressful and gave her seizures. As a result, no charges have been filed.
Call a West Palm Beach Attorney
Sexual assault is one of the worst experiences that a person can go through, and having the assailant turn out to be a member of the police force can only add to the trauma. If you or someone that you know has been sexually assaulted or abused in the West Palm Beach area, let the experienced attorneys at Gary Roberts & Associates help. Call the office or contact us today for a free and confidential review of your claims.
