Former bodyguard admits to fondling women
A veteran Camden police detective, once the trusted bodyguard for the city's former mayor, admitted in court today that he fondled women and filed false police reports.
A veteran Camden police detective, once the trusted bodyguard for the city's former mayor, admitted in court today that he fondled women and filed false police reports.
Keith Hicks, 51, who has been on the Camden force for 19 years, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment and one count of tampering with or fabricating evidence.
It is the latest case to surface out of the Camden Police Department, where four other officers have been suspended. A federal investigation is looking at those officers, as well as some commanders, accused of planting and stealing evidence in drug cases.
The Hicks investigation is unrelated.
Hicks was suspended without pay in August, when officials confirmed his dismissal. They did not disclose details of the criminal and internal investigations prompted by complaints from several women.
Hicks' attorney, William Buckman - who is well-known for bringing civil lawsuits against police - said the officer wanted to move on with his life. Prosecutors alleged the three women were among others with whom Hicks had inappropriate contact and a broader investigation could have brought more serious charges, Buckman said.
"Keith just wants to get this behind him," Buckman said. "He served the city of Camden in an otherwise stellar manner for his entire career."
As part of a plea agreement, Hicks, from Gloucester Township, will keep his pension and prosecutors will recommend he serve a year of probation rather than jail time. He is forbidden from holding a job on the public payroll in New Jersey.
Hicks, dressed in a dark suit similar to what he wore as a bodyguard for former Mayor Gwendolyn Faison, said little during his appearance before Superior Court Judge Irvin J. Snyder.
Assistant County Prosecutor Mark Chase said Hicks pleaded guilty to incidents on three different occasions.
On April 4 and July 9, while he was off-duty but in uniform, Hicks allegedly ordered two women into his personal vehicle and fondled them, authorities said. One of the women was charged with loitering.
On Aug. 3, according to officials, Hicks was on duty when he picked up a third woman who was wanted on a warrant. While in his squad car, prosecutors said Hicks demanded that she partially undress before she was brought in for processing.
In that case, Hicks allegedly faked his police log, reporting that he picked the woman up at Mount Ephraim and Sheridan Streets. Chase said the woman was picked up at 6th and Royden Streets, then driven around the city for 45 minutes.
When asked by the judge to explain, Hicks said he used obscene language with the women and had "inappropriate contact," but he did not elaborate. The judge noted that Hicks wore his uniform during the incidents that happened while he was off-duty, which made it appear he was "under cover of law."
Buckman said Hicks had tried to convince the women to get off drugs and to stop frequenting drug-infested neighborhoods.
Sentencing is set for May 7.
Contact staff writer Barbara Boyer at 856-779-3838 or bboyer@phillynews.com.
