Former FSU Officer Resigns After Sexual Assault Charges Dropped

On September 9, 2014, sexual assault charges against former Frostburg State University (FSU) police officer Jarrett Warnick were dropped, according to online court records. Warnick resigned from the FSU police department shortly after, according to an FSU spokesperson. The former officer was set to face a jury trial on September 10, 2014.

According to The Cumberland Times-News, Prosecutor Gina Cirincion said Warnick agreed to cooperate in a state police investigation of possible misconduct by at least one other FSU officer. According to an FSU spokesperson, information about the investigation is not yet available.

Cirincion, a Washington County assistant state’s attorney, was made a “special prosecutor as part of standard procedure for cases involving charges against police,” also according to The Cumberland Times-News. Special prosecutors are often assigned to cases involving charges against police to remove potential bias from prosecutors from the same county as the officer.

FSU Police Chief Cynthia Smith said, “I am unable to confirm anything about [the investigation]. However, I would like to state that the integrity, credibility and professionalism of the officers of University Police will always be my priority, and our training, procedures and actions are designed to support those goals.”

At an earlier court hearing, the prosecutor said, “The state did not execute a search and seizure warrant but did utilize a body wire in gathering evidence in this case.” Because the state didn’t execute a search and seizure warrant, Warnick’s attorney, Michael A. Noonan, filed a motion in August to have the charges dropped.

Warnick was charged with second degree sexual assault, perverted practice, and second degree assault. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing in July.

In 2009, Warnick allegedly had sexual relations with a then 18 year old student while armed and on duty, according to a press release from the Allegany County Combined Criminal Investigation Unit (C3I). C3I stated that the student gave the information to FSU officials after graduating this spring. The press release also explained that FSU officials reported the information to C3I, who interviewed the victim for more information. Further research indicated that the allegations were accurate, according to C3I. Subsequently, C3I applied for and obtained an arrest warrant for Warnick.

Warnick was suspended without pay by FSU.