Women Ready To Sue Over Policeman

There are more scandalous allegations for a small town police department.  The town of Hulbert in Cherokee County has a history of accusations, involving misconduct by its police force.  The News On 6's Ashli Sims reports the city is on notice:  it could be sued.

Two women say instead of serving and protecting a Hulbert Police officer sexually assaulted and harassed them.  And, now they want to sue the city for negligence.

Accusations against one of Hulbert's finest are giving the city a black eye and could land them in the middle of a lawsuit.

Two local women filed tort claims against the city relating to sexual misconduct by a Hulbert Police officer.  One woman claims that on New Year's Day, a police officer went to her house to investigate a disturbance.  She says he sexually assaulted her and came back the next day and assaulted her again.

A second woman claims between Christmas Day and New Year's Day that same officer stopped her for a traffic offense, falsely arrested her, and sexually assaulted her in the patrol car.  But, no criminal charges were ever filed.           

The News On 6 did learn the officer accused in the lawsuit, Jonathan Baldree, does have a record of misconduct involving a third woman.

A police affidavit says he had sex with that woman at the police department, while on duty.  The woman claimed she was drunk and she did not give consent.  But, the Cherokee County prosecutor says there was no evidence to prove rape.

Baldree pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of a public official neglecting his duty.  He was given a deferred sentence.

As far as the claims by the two Hulbert women, the prosecutor says investigators looked into them.

The two women now say the City of Hulbert was negligent for hiring this officer and not properly supervising him.  They intend to sue for more than $10,000.

The city has 90 days to respond.  Hulbert's mayor had no comment on the claims.