Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

North Las Vegas officer arrested, accused of misconduct

Updated Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 1:58 p.m.

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James Vernon Clayton

A three-year veteran of the North Las Vegas Police Department was arrested today and charged with felony misconduct after a five-month investigation.

Authorities arrested officer James Vernon Clayton, 40, at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on five counts of misconduct of a public officer, a felony; two counts of oppression under color of office, a felony; and one count of open and gross lewdness, a misdemeanor. Authorities said he allegedly sought dates and sexual favors from women he stopped for traffic violations.

Police spokeswoman Chrissie Coon said the victims were five adult females. The incidents allegedly occurred while Clayton was on duty as a patrol officer, she said.

Coon said authorities are hoping that any additional victims will come forward. None of the women reported being physically harmed or sexually assaulted, although documents show that one alleged that Clayton exposed himself and tried to touch her.

Clayton was arrested on a warrant after a five-month criminal investigation conducted by North Las Vegas Police investigators. Coon said an internal affairs investigation will begin at the conclusion of the criminal investigation.

Clayton has been on paid administrative leave since July.

Anyone with other information regarding the case is being asked to contact police at 633-1946.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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