FOX5 Vegas - KVVUVegas officer accused of groping woman during traffic stop

FOX5 has learned a Metro officer has been arrested in connection with allegations connected to two traffic stop searches he conducted in 2011.

According to the criminal complaint, Officer John Norman is accused of oppression under color of office and open and gross lewdness.

"They're alleging in both cases Officer Norman acting as a patrol officer. In one case during a vehicle stop, directed one of the victims to expose herself, expose her breasts," said Metro Asst. Sheriff Ray Flynn. "And in another vehicle stop, not only expose her breasts, but also fondle them."

In the first alleged instance, on or about June 23, Norman allegedly subjected a female victim to a search in which he made her expose her breast under the guise of searching for drugs. 

The police report states Norman asked the woman to expose her breasts three times.

The second alleged incident took place on Dec. 11. In this similar instance, Norman is accused of stopping a woman and searching her, forcing her to remove her shirt and bra in the process. In this instance he is also accused of having placed his hand on her exposed breast.

The second victim states in the police report that "...it was like he was pretending to search (my) bare breast."

"It's a sad day when Metro has to make an announcement that we arrested one of our own," said Flynn. "Unfortunately, an incident like this has a tendency to cloud our good name."

Norman is facing two felony counts of Oppression Under the Color of Office. He's also facing gross misdemeanors of Coercion and Open or Gross Lewdness.

Two weeks ago, Norman was placed on leave with pay. When the felony charges are formally filed Thursday, he will be placed on leave without pay, per Metro policy.

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