2 veteran Baltimore police officers indicted on accusations of misconduct
A grand jury indicted two Baltimore police officers in unrelated incidents, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Two indicted men are both 19-year veteran officers with the Baltimore Police Department, and the state's attorney said the indictments are based on their alleged conduct.
"Our city has gone through a lot in terms of our relationships with the police, consent decree, and we have to rebuild trust," Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates said. "You decided to protect and serve. You have to protect and serve with integrity, and we're going to change the culture, and you will be held accountable."
Sgt. Larry Worsley, a 19-year BPD veteran, faces five counts of assault, two handgun violations, theft and disorderly intoxication charges after an investigation into a March 5 incident at Tequila Sunset, a bar on Pennsylvania Avenue.
According to the indictment, Worsley became intoxicated, refused to pay a $42 bar tab and assaulted a female companion who was with him.
He allegedly said: "You're coming with me," as he grabbed another woman and tried to drag her out of the bar, according to the indictment. The court document indicates unknown patrons intervened and Worsley allegedly reached into a hip satchel, pulled out a .40-caliber handgun, racked it and said, "I'm not paying for (expletive)."
"With the gun still in his hand, the defendant, Larry Worsley, grabbed his unknown female companion by the hair and dragged her toward a white Mercedes," the indictment states.
Once in the car, the woman locked the doors and drove away. Worsley began walking, and officers found him several blocks away with the gun and arrested him.
According to the state's attorney, Worsley remains held at Central Booking after he was denied bail.
Worsley could face a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
The other indicted officer, Walter Wilson, is charged with misconduct in office. According to the indictment, the charge involves an October 2021 incident on West Mulberry Street during which Wilson was on duty, investigating a call for a deceased person.
According to the indictment, Wilson allegedly turned a female officer around and ran his right hand down her back and over her buttocks. The incident was captured on his police body-worn camera. The female officer reported it and another later incident.
"I'm angry because you can't do that -- not just to other officers, but you're doing this to females. Come on," Bates said. "We have to hold you accountable the same way I am going after people with illegal handguns, the same way I'm going to go after anybody. Police officers, when they violate the law, we will hold them accountable, too."
Misconduct is a common law offense with no set maximum penalty so long as the sentence is not considered cruel and unusual by the court.
Baltimore police said both officers are suspended with pay.