PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A Clackamas County’s district attorney has ruled that West Linn Police Sgt. Tony Reeves, who was the lead investigator in the wrongful arrest of a black man in Portland, will never again be called to testify in any county criminal court case and should have his police certification revoked.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the decision came after the District Attorney’s Office investigated the unfounded West Linn police arrest of Michael Fesser in 2017.

It is the first inquiry completed of multiple investigations launched after the newspaper reported in February that West Linn paid $600,000 to Fesser to settle his suit.

The DA’s investigation found that Reeves colluded with then-Chief Terry Timeus to pursue Fesser’s unsupported arrest.

West Linn Police Acting Chief Mahuna released the following statement following Friday’s ruling:

“Today I received the report from the Clackamas County District Attorney regarding the West Linn Police Department’s Investigation of Michael Fesser.  First of all, I am thankful for the work the investigators put into this extremely thorough independent investigation.   

The report found Sergeant Reeves and Retired Chief Timeus engaged in serious misconduct during the Fesser investigation.   As a result, both Sergeant Reeves and Retired Chief Timeus will not be called as witnesses to testify by the CCDA.  The results of that decision are very impactful to the community.  The CCDA is currently reviewing 40 active criminal cases where Sergeant Reeves was a witness.  Any case that cannot move forward without his testimony will be dismissed.  CCDA will also review approximately 500 adjudicated cases involving Sergeant Reeves.

At the moment, Sergeant Reeves remains on Administrative Leave.   As a public employee, Sergeant Reeves has rights to due process which The City of West Linn and the Police Department intend to strictly follow.

I firmly believe the West Linn Police Department will become a better and more professional police department as a result of this investigation and the others still underway.   We have a long way to go in earning back the confidence and public trust we’ve lost.”

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KOIN 6 News contributed to this report.