DA Requesting Potential Victims Come Forward In Case Involving Police Chief

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ELLIS COUNTY (CBS11) - Ellis County's District Attorney is asking potential victims and anyone with information about Maypearl's embattled police chief to come forward and contact his office or the Texas Rangers.

DA Patrick Wilson says it will take weeks to investigate chief Kevin Coffey for his alleged contact with as many six underage girls.

A teenage girl told investigators the chief made sexually suggestive comments to her in text messages and in person for two years, beginning when she was 14.

She said Coffey is also speaking with five other juvenile girls.

Wilson says, "It's shocking that a person in an authority position such as that engaged in this kind of behavior, that's why we took it very seriously."

After Wilson heard of the allegations against the chief, he says he called in the Texas Rangers to investigate.

They raided Coffey's Johnson County apartment and his office at Maypearl City Hall.

Wilson says the chief was cooperative as investigators executed search warrants and collected thumb drives, computers, and cameras.

When asked if the chief was surprised, Wilson said, "I believe he was, yes."

State records show Coffey has been chief in Maypearl since September, 2013. It's his first job as chief.

Records also show Coffey has bounced around from police departments in various small Texas towns for 16 years.
But Wilson says that can be common in small towns because they don't have a lot of money to pay officers.

Residents in Maypearl remain stunned about the allegations.

For 35 years, Ken Jackson has re-built classic cars in Maypearl. He's lived here 60 years, and says he's seen a lot come and go. "I'm a little shocked. "I've had some dealings with the chief and you never know, you can live next door to someone, and you don't really know him."

Jackson hopes people will keep an open mind til all the facts emerge, but he's worried the town's reputation may need rebuilding. "I just think it's hard and bad for Maypearl to get that type of recognition."

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