Former officer indicted; new incident revealed

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - A former Charlotte police officer was indicted Tuesday on various sexual assault charges after several women came forward recently alleging that in many cases the officer assaulted them during traffic stops.

Also, Tuesday, police revealed yet another victim in the case, which now brings the number to six in as many incidents. In the latest victim's case, the incident allegedly occurred during a domestic violence call.

Related: A special section about the case

The grand jury indictment involves Marcus Jackson, who had been a CMPD officer until late December. That is when women in what has turned out to be six different incidents began to come forward to say that -- in most cases -- Jackson stopped them with his police car and then attempted to sexually assault them.

On Tuesday, detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department presented testimony to a Mecklenburg County Grand Jury regarding the details surrounding the cases involving Jackson, police said.

Jackson was indicted on the following charges: four counts of sexual battery, four counts of felonious restraint, one count of a sexual act by a custodian, one count of extortion and one count of interfering with an emergency communication. The four counts of felonious restraint, one count of extortion and one count of sexual act by a custodian are felonies. The remaining charges are misdemeanors. All of these charges are related to cases that have previously been reported.

In addition, police said that Grand Jury presentments were made on two previously reported cases. These include the case involving two victims that occurred on December 28, 2009, during a traffic stop and the November 3, 2009 traffic stop.

An additional case was presented to the Grand Jury relating to another victim who had not been previously identified, police said. This case involves Jackson's response to a call for service, for a domestic violence complaint on November 29, 2009.

This case was reported to the police on January 8, 2010, investigated, and presented Tuesday, police said. It is alleged that, in this instance, Jackson again allegedly used his authority as a police officer to unlawfully fondle another victim, police said. The police department seeks, in these presentments, four additional indictments for sexual battery.

The Department continues to investigate all allegations related to the Jackson case. Police say they have systematically contacted persons who had contact with Jackson to determine if any misconduct occurred. No new cases have arisen from these contacts, police say. Detective Mike Melendez remains the lead detective on these cases. He can be contacted on 704-353-0560. Sgt. Darrell Price of the Sexual Assault Unit may also be contacted on 704-336-4188.

The Jackson case has now been formally presented to the District Attorney for prosecution, police said. The Department will make no further comment in reference to the status of these cases until their disposition.