Frederick Officer Charged With Assaulting Girlfriend

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Authorities are releasing more information about a Frederick police officer charged with second-degree assault in Garrett County.

The Frederick News-Post reported in its Thursday edition that Benjamin Whitmore, 28, is charged with assaulting his live-in girlfriend.

Frederick police Lt. Clark Pennington says the alleged victim is also a city police officer.

The Associated Press was unable to reach Whitmore on Thursday at a telephone number listed for his address in Frederick. The line was apparently malfunctioning or disconnected.

The assault allegedly occurred Sunday in McHenry.

Frederick Police Chief Thomas Ledwell says Whitmore is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and an internal investigation.

He says Whitmore is a five-year veteran assigned to the patrol division.