Paper: Houston Chronicle

Date: Fri 04/27/2007

Section: B Page: 3 Edition: 3 STAR

CRIME & COURTS

From staff reports

Officer charged in strip-search case

A Houston police officer faces up to a year in jail if convicted on charges of official oppression in an illegal strip-search of a woman.

Thomas Gandy, 29, was charged this month after the woman told authorities he had searched her apartment and then strip-searched her with no justification, said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Joe Owmby.

"He didn't give her any reason other than his supposed authority as a police officer," Owmby said.

Police officials said Gandy has been relieved of duty with pay. In addition to a jail sentence, he could be fined up to $5,000 if convicted.

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