A Washington, D.C., police officer charged with sexually assaulting two teen girls is facing additional charges.
Federal child pornography charges will be filed against Officer Darrell Best, a U.S. prosecutor announced in court Tuesday morning. During their investigation into Best, authorities found pictures on his cell phone that constitute child pornography, News4's Mark Segraves reports.
Best, 45, is facing multiple charges in connection with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl at police headquarters and a 16-year-old girl at the church where he serves as pastor.
No charges have been filed in connection with a third alleged victim.
Best's fiancee first discovered the alleged sexual assaults, according to court documents.
The 16-year-old victim told police Best sexually abused her three times at the church beginning in December. He was off-duty during the incidents, police said. According to charging documents, Best was in uniform on one occasion when he raped the girl inside the church.
Best took at least seven pictures of the 16-year-old, according to charging documents.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
The second victim, who is now 18 but was 17 at the time of the alleged incident, says she was sexually assaulted in Best's office on the fifth floor of police headquarters after he took her out to dinner Dec. 3, according to charging documents. He was wearing his badge and gun at the time.
During a previous hearing, prosecutors also revealed that Best sexually harassed a female cadet he supervised in 2007. He was demoted from sergeant to police officer for an incident of sexual misconduct while on duty in 2008, prosecutors added.
On Tuesday, Best’s attorney said she looks forward to her client's day in court, adding that these are only allegations at this time. She also noted members of Best's church who came to the hearing to support him.
His next court date will be in June.
