Maryland cop charged with multiple counts of rape, suspended without pay

A police officer in Maryland is being held without bail after being charged with multiple counts of rape, authorities said.

Baltimore County Police Officer Anthony Michael Westerman, 25, has been charged with two counts of second-degree rape and three counts of second-degree assault, department officials announced Sunday.

“The allegations made in this case are reprehensible and are not representative of the values and ethics of the Baltimore County Police Department,” Police Chief Melissa Hyatt said in a statement.

Details of the accusations facing Westerman – who has been suspended without pay – were not immediately clear. A message seeking comment from police was not returned early Monday.

The six-year veteran was last assigned to the department’s Essex precinct. An investigation into the allegations was launched after police received a tip, department officials said.

The alleged attacks took place in October 2017 and June 2019, WBAL reported.

Westerman is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing Monday afternoon, according to the station.

It’s unclear if Westerman, who remains in custody at the Baltimore County Detention Center, has hired an attorney. His preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 3, the Baltimore Sun reported.