SUPPORTERS TURN OUT FOR FORMER COMMANDER KEITH WALTON

Supporters vow to attend every court date in support of Deputy Inspector Keith Walton

Supporters vow to attend every court date in support of Deputy Inspector Keith Walton. Photo credit: David Greene

by David Greene

A grim-faced Keith Walton is joined by supporters outside of the Bronx Hall of Justice. Photo by David Greene

A grim-faced Keith Walton is joined by supporters outside of the Bronx Hall of Justice. Photo by David Greene

Nearly two dozen community residents turned out to support NYPD Deputy Inspector Keith Walton, who was stripped of his gun, badge and command of the 49th Precinct, after a fellow officer claimed he sexually abused her at the Eastchester Road station-house.

Walton, who joined the NYPD in 1996, was promoted to Deputy Inspector in September, a month after making headlines for raising the funds to send a child who lost both parents in a murder / suicide case to Disneyland.

Walton pleaded not guilty at his court appearance on Wednesday, December 14  and will be back in court on February 7.

Last month, Bronx District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Keith Walton, was indicted on three counts of first-degree Sexual Abuse, Official Misconduct, two counts of Forcible Touching, three counts of third-degree Sexual Abuse, and second-degree Harassment. He was arraigned December 14 before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett and released.

Supporters hold signs in support of Deputy Inspector Keith Walton who faces sex abuse charges. Photo by David Greene.

Supporters hold signs in support of Deputy Inspector Keith Walton who faces sex abuse charges. Photo by David Greene.

Walton is due back in court on February 7, 2017. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 2 to 7 years in prison. According to the investigation, on November 6, 2016 at 1:15 p.m., Walton allegedly called the officer into his office in the 49th Precinct stationhouse at 2121 Eastchester Road and sexually abused her. Walton also allegedly threatened the officer.

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