FSU Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty, Trial Set for September

A Frostburg State University police officer who was arrested on sexual assault charges has pleaded not guilty and is set to go to trial on September 10, 2014, according to court documents.

Court documents state that the officer, identified as Jarrett Devon Warnick, was indicted on three criminal charges. These charges include: Second degree sexual offense, a felony punishable by a 20-year sentence; second degree assault, a misdemeanor punishable by a 10-year sentence and/or a $2,500 fine; and unnatural or perverted practice,a misdemeanor punishable by a 10-year sentence and/or a $1,000 fine.

The state of Maryland describes a second degree sexual offense as “[a sexual act conducted] by force, or the threat of force, without the consent of the other.” Second degree assault is simply unwanted, offensive, or potentially harmful touching. Maryland describes an unnatural or perverted practice as “[taking] the sexual organ of another … in the person’s mouth.”

“The State did not execute a search and seizure warrant but did utilize a body wire in gathering evidence in this case,” according to the prosecutor. Because of this, Warnick’s attorney, Michael A. Noonan,  filed a motion to have the case thrown out.

The victim graduated in spring 2014.