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Cedar Park Faces $5 Million Lawsuit Over Officer’s Assault Allegations

Citizens discuss law enforcement accountability in Cedar Park

News Summary

Cedar Park is preparing to defend against a potential $5 million lawsuit following allegations of sexual assault by former police officer Keco Motton. The suit, filed by a woman who claims she was assaulted by Motton on duty, raises concerns about the city’s handling of previous complaints against him. Despite Motton’s suicide and admission of misconduct, the lawsuit accuses city officials of negligence and indifference. Cedar Park officials claim responsibility lies solely with Motton while facing scrutiny over their procedures regarding complaints.

Cedar Park is preparing to defend itself against a potential $5 million lawsuit stemming from allegations of sexual assault against former police officer Keco Motton. The suit has been filed by a woman who claims she was assaulted by Motton while he was on duty. The allegations come after the incident was reported in May 2023, which led to Motton’s arrest by Texas Rangers.

Following his arrest, Motton was placed on administrative leave from the Cedar Park Police Department. Tragically, he later died by suicide. In a video statement, Cedar Park’s Director of Communications, Fran Irwin, commented on the situation by stating that Motton admitted to his misconduct. He resigned from his position before any disciplinary actions could take place, a resignation that ultimately left the city unable to terminate him prior to his passing.

Cedar Park officials maintain that Motton is solely responsible for the alleged crime. In contrast, the woman’s attorney is demanding a settlement from the city, which has raised concerns about a potential shift of blame from Motton to the city and taxpayers. The attorney has not filed any claims against Motton or his estate, focusing instead on the city’s alleged role in the incident.

The lawsuit notice accuses Cedar Park Police Chief Mike Harmon of practicing a “policy of reckless and deliberate indifference.” This policy is claimed to have effectively encouraged similar incidents by not investigating previous complaints against Motton made by other women. The attorney representing the plaintiff asserts that past complaints were disregarded, which directly led to the abuse experienced by the current victim.

Cedar Park’s city officials assert their commitment to transparency, but they also indicate that forthcoming legal proceedings may limit their ability to disclose further details about the case. This development suggests that the resolution of the case could take place in the courtroom.

Officer Keco Motton had served on the Cedar Park police force for over ten years. Court documents reveal that the alleged assault unfolded after Motton approached the victim under the guise of offering assistance after she experienced a domestic issue. It is reported that he subsequently assaulted her both in a nearby park and in a restroom. During the incident, Motton allegedly followed the victim into the restroom with inappropriate intentions before she managed to escape.

Cedar Park officials noted that Motton’s resignation ahead of the city’s disciplinary proceedings had implications for their ability to manage the situation effectively. The city’s actions and procedures regarding the handling of prior complaints against Motton are now under scrutiny as the lawsuit unfolds.

As Cedar Park prepares for potential legal battles involving the claims made against them and the actions of a former officer, the community is closely watching how the situation develops and what implications it may have on the local police department’s policies and handling of serious allegations in the future.