LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Five officers with the La Vergne Police Department are being released and another three officers are suspended after various bouts of sexual misconduct and reportedly lying during the ensuing investigation into these claims.
The terminated officers are patrol officer Maegan Hall, patrol officer Juan Lugo-Perez, Sgt. Henry Ty McGowan, Sgt. Lewis Powell and detective Seneca Shields. The suspended officers have been identified as Patrol and K-9 Officer Larry Holladay, Patrol Officer Patrick Magliocco and Patrol Officer Gavin Schoeberl.
This information has been gathered from an internal investigationby the La Vergne Police Department, which contains explicit and graphic detail.
According to the allegations made in the internal investigation, Hall "engaged in a sexual relationship" with Magliocco, Powell, Holladay, Lugo, McGowan and Shields, which was not reported to leadership. Hall reportedly "engaged in a sexual relationship" with McGowan and Shields "while on duty and inside city owned property."
Hall also reportedly exchanged explicit photos with McGowan, Holladay, Magliocco, Shields and Shoeberl which were reciprocated, leading to charges of sexual harassment.
McGowan reportedly went into the Human Resources office and put his hands around the neck of employee Bethany Smith, which was witnessed by a coworker.
Magliocco, Powell and witness Lt. David Durham were all initially interviewed Dec. 13, 2022 and questioned about sexual relationships between Hall and the multiple officers named in the investigation. All of these subjects were aware of ongoing sexual conduct and explicit images which were sent by Hall to some of the male officers listed in the report in various capacities.
Magliocco and Powell are accused of engaging in sexual conduct with Hall on multiple occasions, including oral sex both on LPD property and private property. Powell has denied any sexual conduct with Hall during his interview but listed other officers as potentially engaging in sexual acts with Hall.
Hall, Magliocco and Powell are all stated as being married to other partners in the report and Magliocco's wife is identified in the report, claiming that she was seen kissing Hall during a party that multiple La Vergne officers had attended this past fall. According to an interview with Magliocco, Powell ended his involvement with Hall to conceal any sexual activity from his wife and concerns about his position within the La Vergne Police Department.
La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole released the following statement Monday in light of the numerous allegations within the city's police department and subsequent disciplinary actions:
"This situation is unacceptable and as soon as it was brought to our attention it was immediately investigated and action was taken upon the individuals involved. Our top priority moving forward will include rebuilding the public’s trust. I have full confidence in the police department’s leadership team and their ability to lead the department. We will be retraining all of our employees in the rules, regulations, and expectations set forth by city leadership."
La Vergne Police Department Chief Burrell "Chip" Davis also released a statement Monday that reads as follows:
"This is a difficult situation for our department and for the city, but I want to be clear that the actions of a few do not represent this department as a whole. This situation is being addressed internally with our staff, we are bringing in counselors to help our officers work through these circumstances, and we will continue to provide the most professional protection as possible for this community. We have sufficient staff to cover all of our patrol shifts and I have full confidence in our officer’s ability to protect and serve. We are working diligently to rebuild the trust of our citizens and our community. We understand this will take time and diligence from our command staff and officers to repair the honor and integrity of our department."
