A Waukesha County Sheriff's deputy has been accused of conducting an illegal strip search in November of 2017.
After assisting in a traffic sop that lead to an arrest, Deputy Jeffrey S. Haren allegedly conducted an unauthorized strip search in Waukesha County Jail on Sunday, Nov. 19. The 19-year veteran deputy was placed on paid leave while the case was investigated.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office contacted the Walworth County District Attorney's Office to further investigate. Captain Robert Hall of the Walworth County Sheriff's Office also assisted in the criminal investigation.
At the time of the incident, Haren smelled marijuana as the men he just arrested were entering the booking room at the county jail. Haren claims that he was given permission from the man to remove marijuana from his crotch area.
Haren dropped the man's pants and underwear down to retrieve the baggy of marijuana, though he did not have permission from the Sheriff's office. Haren denies touching the man's genitals, though the man claims otherwise.
On March 23, the District Attorney's Office filed a charge against Haren. Haren was charged with one count of Illegal Strip Search, saying that he did intentionally conduct the unauthorized search.
If convicted, Haren could face a $1,000 fine or a 90-day prison sentence.
