A St. Clair County deputy sexually assaulted a Cahokia woman in her home on two separate occasions, according to court records.
Deputy Robert Sneed pulled a 49-year-old woman over in February and followed her to her home in Cahokia after telling the woman she needed to present her car’s title to him. He came into the home to use her restroom and then sexually assaulted her, Cahokia police detective Joe Agles wrote in a search warrant application.
During their first encounter in her home, Sneed initiated the sexual assault by suggesting she would go to jail otherwise, Agles wrote.
“… After using the restroom, the deputy then told her, ‘you know I could take you to jail and tow your car right,’” Agles said.
After forcing her to engage in a sexual act, she told police the deputy left her home.
“… She thought that was the end of it,” Agles wrote.
But, on Aug. 28 just after 2 a.m. Sneed showed back up at her door in uniform.
“(The woman) stated the deputy immediately walked into her residence when she opened the door. … the deputy told her ‘you know what time it is,’” Agles wrote.
The victim told police he once again sexually assaulted her — she said she complied because he had a gun and she just wanted him to leave. She told police she made sure there was physical evidence left on her from the assault, Agles wrote.
She then went to Touchette Regional Hospital to be examined and Cahokia police were called.
Sneed now faces two counts of official misconduct and is on paid administrative leave. He has no other criminal record in St. Clair County.
State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly said the investigation is ongoing but declined to comment further.
The accused deputy posted a $2,500 bond Sept. 1 in Monroe County.
St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson said that asking for a car title is not a regular practice during a traffic stop, but officers may need to see the title if the license plate, insurance or registration doesn’t reflect what the driver tells them.
“It’s not routine, it’s far from routine, but you do run into situations when you need a car title,” he said. Adding that a deputy may then follow a person back to where the title is. “The thing is, we are not out there to write everyone a ticket. If you are in transition, you could be virtually driving a new car home to get it all legal when we pull you over.”