Friday, September 17, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Ex-police officer sent to prison for probation breach

Arthur Sewall Jr. Gets prison time for possession of weapons while on probation

A former Las Vegas police officer who was caught forcing a prostitute into sex acts during an undercover sting has been sent to prison on a probation violation.

Arthur Sewall Jr. must serve 18 months to three years in prison after probation officers said he violated probation by possessing a gun and knife while in San Diego earlier this year.

In ordering Sewall to prison, District Judge Sally Loehrer told Sewall that given his former work as a police officer, he fully knew what would constitute a violation of probation.

Sewall originally was arrested in 1997 after police received a tip that he was forcing women to perform sex acts on him while he was on duty. Police set up a video surveillance sting at the Del Mar Motel, 1411 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and caught Sewall forcing a local prostitute to perform oral sex.

In 1999, then-District Judge Jeffrey Sobel sentenced Sewall to five years' probation after Sewall pleaded guilty to two counts of oppression under the color of law. It was later learned that, while he awaited sentencing, Sewall was arrested in San Diego on a charge of soliciting a prostitute. Sewall was allowed to stay on probation.

Clark County prosecutor Doug Herndon said his office did not hesitate to seek a probation revocation after Sewall was caught with the weapons in San Diego. He said Sewall also failed to complete counseling and pay fees, as was required by his sentence.

"Probation for him was a gift to begin with," Herndon said.