Contributed Photo/Courtesy Maricopa Sheriff’s Office: Former DPS Trooper Tremaine Jackson was arrested on kidnapping and sex-related charges and booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail.
Allegedly offered leniency to traffic violators in exchange for sex
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper Tremaine Jackson, 43, has been arrested on 61 sex-related and kidnapping charges.
The charges stem from Jackson allegedly using his authority as a DPS trooper to extort sexual favors from women he pulled over during traffic stops. According to the DPS, Jackson would offer leniency to women in exchange for sex.
Jackson had been with the DPS for 13 years and was put on administrative leave June 11, after a second woman told investigators that he had made inappropriate comments and abused her, according to DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead.
At a news conference Tuesday, Milstead outlined the issue and said the first report of “inappropriate” comments was given on May 19. The subsequent investigation resulted in the learning of multiple victims, with the oldest allegation occurring Oct. 29, 2018.
Milstead said the department “was horrified” when they learned what Jackson had allegedly been doing.
“He was using his position of authority to extort sexual favors,” Milstead said.
“When one of our own betrays public trust or breaks the law, we respond swiftly and without regret.”
During the news conference, the press was informed that Jackson has been terminated. He was then booked into the Fourth Avenue Jail on 61 counts, including sexual abuse, attempted sexual abuse, sexual extortion, kidnapping, tampering with public records, and forgery.
The DPS has set up a hotline (602-223-2389) and website https://www.azdps.gov/jackson for victims to report their interactions with Jackson.
“I implore anyone who had contact to trooper Jackson who may have been affected by him, who may have been victimized either commentary or through physical action by trooper Jackson, to please come forward and let us know about your inappropriate experience,” Milstead said.
