Former police officer sentenced 2 years for soliciting sex from teen

ANDERSON – A police officer accused of soliciting sex from a teenager received a two-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a felony count of official misconduct.\nJudge Thomas Newman Jr. sentenced former Alexandria, Ind., officer Richard A. Santos on Monday in Madison County Superior Court. Prosecutors dropped two felony counts of promoting prostitution when Santos, 55, pleaded guilty to official misconduct on Feb. 8.\nA probable cause affidavit alleged that Santos tried to entice an 18-year-old girl into having sex with him in return for money while he was on duty. Santos is also accused of following the girl around the city 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis while on duty, the affidavit said.\n“I know Mr. Santos, and he was a good police officer, but this is inexcusable,” Madison County Deputy Prosecutor Steve Koester said.\nDefense attorney Jeffery Lockwood said that while police officers should be held to a higher standard, they also make mistakes.\n“The bottom line is that everybody, no matter what their profession, is human,” Lockwood said.\nIn September 2005, police Chief Jack Malston placed Santos, a 25-year veteran, on paid administrative leave, which required him to turn in his badge and weapon. In November 2005, Santos officially retired from the force, which allowed him to keep his pension and health insurance benefits.