Crime & PoliceNews

Trial for Former Clarksville Police Officer Delayed

The trial for a former Clarksville Police officer facing almost a dozen counts of sexual exploitation of a minor has been delayed.

34-year-old Michael Tobin is accused of showing sexually explicit images and videos from a pending criminal case to a minor under the age of 18 between September of 2021 and February of 2022. The minor reported the illegal activity last March, Tobin was then fired by the City of Clarksville, and he was arrested in September by the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa DCI. 

Tobin has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and eight aggravated misdemeanor counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Last week, Tobin’s attorney, Nellie O’Mara, filed motions seeking more access to evidence gathered by the prosecution, including allowing their expert to review electronic devices including the victim’s tablet and cell phone, Tobin’s own phone, and a Clarksville Police Department computer. Monday, the defense filed for a trial continuance because they’re still trying to gather that discovery evidence and need more time to prepare for trial.

Assistant State Attorney General Monty Platz did not resist the defense’s motion for a trial continuance, which a judge approved and reset the trial date for April 4th in Butler County District Court. 

Wednesday, the judge also set a hearing for February 6th to consider the motions regarding the sharing of evidence, although he hoped the issues could be resolved informally before then.

Mark Pitz

News Director/Weekdays 10am to 2pm on 95.9 KCHA
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