Frostburg State Officer's Sex Charges Dropped

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- Prosecutors are dropping sexual assault charges against a Frostburg State University police officer in return for his cooperation in a continuing probe of the department.

The charges against 43-year-old Jarrett Warnick were placed on the inactive docket Tuesday in Cumberland. Warnick declined to comment afterward on allegations he forced a female freshman to engage in a sex act in his police car in 2009.

Prosecutor Gina Cirincion says the charges would have been difficult to prove, partly because the incident allegedly occurred five years ago. But she says Warnick agreed to cooperate in a state police investigation of possible misconduct by at least one other Frostburg State officer.

Warnick also agreed to resign from the force and not seek another law-enforcement job.