BROOKFIELD Former officer charged with menacing

If convicted , the former police officer could receive up to seven months in jail and a $1,250 fine, a prosecutor says.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BROOKFIELD -- A former township police officer is scheduled to be in Eastern District Court Thursday to face charges of menacing by stalking and criminal trespassing.
The Trumbull County Sheriff's Department filed the charges against James Baker on Monday afternoon, court officials said. Court officials said Baker will receive a summons ordering him to appear at Thursday's hearing.
During that hearing, Baker will be asked to enter a plea. If he pleads innocent, a bond will be given and a court date will be set, court officials said.
Baker, who was a lieutenant with the department, resigned Friday.
"All the letter said was that he resigned," Faustino said. "It offered no explanation."
Atty. Chris Becker, an assistant county prosecutor, said if Baker is convicted of the charges he could face up to seven months in jail and a $1,250 fine.
If Baker is convicted of the misdemeanor charges he could still be a police officer, officials said.
Baker could not be reached to comment.
Internal investigation
Faustino said Baker, who worked for the department for 10 years, has been on administrative leave since April. Faustino said sheriff department officials were trying to determine if Baker broke into a mobile home in April.
Faustino said he was conducting an internal investigation into the matter.
"Since he resigned, the internal investigation is ended," Faustino said.
Faustino said the mobile home was the residence of one of Baker's former friends. Nothing was taken, police said.
Faustino said police taking the report of the break-in called him to the home on Windgate, off state Route 7. The chief said Baker was a suspect from the beginning of the investigation. Baker was off duty at the time of the break-in, police said.
sinkovich@vindy.com