PENNSYLVANIA Beaver policeman faces charge of rape
The alleged crime took place in the accuser's home, state police say.
BEAVER, Pa. (AP) -- A police officer charged earlier with creating a phony report in exchange for drugs has been charged with raping an acquaintance, authorities said Sunday.
Jeffrey L. Murray, 39, a part-time police officer in Beaver Borough and Beaver County's Center Township, surrendered at the state police barracks in Beaver on Sunday night, police said.
Murray, of Daugherty Township, had posted bond Friday and was released after he was charged with faking a stolen vehicle report in January in exchange for cocaine and alcohol, police said.
Phony report
Police alleged that Murray created a phony stolen vehicle report for Anthony Bozza Sr., of Rochester, police said. Bozza and his son, Anthony Bozza Jr., 21, of Monaca, collected more than $5,000 from an insurance company with the help of the report, police said. Both were charged Friday with insurance fraud, criminal conspiracy and making false reports.
Murray was charged with tampering with public records, insurance fraud and other offenses in the January case.
In May, police said, Murray was off-duty when he reportedly sexually assaulted a woman in her home. The woman said she kept quiet because she was afraid, but contacted police over the weekend after hearing that Murray had been arrested on other charges, state police Cpl. Eric Hermick said
Murray was charged Saturday with rape, sexual assault and other offenses. He was in the Beaver County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail Sunday night.
Beaver officials placed Murray on administrative leave weeks ago and Center Township officials suspended Murray on Friday.
Anthony Bozza Jr. did not have a telephone number listed under his name in Monaca and Anthony Bozza Sr. did not immediately return a phone call left by The Associated Press at his home Sunday night. Murray has an unlisted number and could not be reached to comment Sunday night. It was unclear whether any of the defendants had attorneys.
43
