PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — An officer with the Portsmouth Police Department is facing charges of rape and abduction after he was taken into custody overnight.
Police said in a news release the department’s Special Victims Unit on Monday was made aware of allegations that 27-year-old Cleshaun A. Cox had acted inappropriately on duty.
Cox, who has been with the department for just over one year, was taken into custody around 2 a.m. Tuesday and charged with one count each of rape and abduction. The victim in the alleged crime was a juvenile under the age of 17.
Police said Cox has been turned over to the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office.
Cox appeared in Portsmouth Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for a hearing Tuesday morning. His family members were there, and so was 10 On Your Side.
We looked at Facebook pages, and found in happier times of Officer Cleshaun Cox in a pinning ceremony with his wife.
She writes on Facebook: “I am extremely proud of my husband for achieving his childhood dream. It was such an honor as his wife to pin my husband badge on. PTown truly gains one fine officer. Love you always babe.”
On his Facebook page, Cox refers to himself as “The Phenom.”
The joyful picture of that is in sharp contrast to his mugshot — not smiling and accused of terrible felonies.
His Aunt Karen Ballance told us outside court when we asked about what happened, “Nothing.”
How devastated is she about the charges? “Not the right time.” Can she tell us anything about Mr. Cox and the relationship? “No, I can’t tell you anything right now.” Ballance refused as other family members did to say anything in support of Officer Cox.
In court he said he was married, and the father of two, and needed a court-appointed attorney.
According to court documents, the victim claims she and a friend were followed home by Cox. She went to Decatur Street and dropped off her friend. She says Officer Cox told her to follow him to Victory Boulevard, and then to leave her keys and phone in her car and get in his car. She says she was then driven to the 1300 block of Victory Boulevard, where she claims he raped her.
Then Officer Cox reportedly drove her back to her car, and she left.
“We don’t know anything. We’re just like you,” Ballance told us before she was told by another family member to be quiet.
Cox remains on administrative leave without pay. He will be back in court Wednesday morning for a status hearing, and perhaps a bond hearing.