Secret Service officer arrested in DC appears in court to face charges

WASHINGTON -- Arthur Baldwin, a uniformed officer in the Secret Service's Foreign Missions Branch, made his initial appearance in Washington, DC superior court. He has been charged with first-degree burglary and felony destruction of property.

Baldwin, says CBS News' Paula Reid, appeared before the court in faded jeans, a green long-sleeved shirt and surgical booties in lieu of shoes. During the hearing, his hands and feet were restrained, and he was escorted by a sole security guard.

The charges appear to stem from a domestic violence incident, and Baldwin has been released, but he was told to stay away from his alleged victim. The hearing made no reference to his employment.

Before the hearing, Baldwin was put on leave and his security clearance suspended Friday after his arrest, the Secret Service said.

Metropolitan Police arrested Arthur Baldwin early Friday in northeast Washington, and Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy ordered that Baldwin be placed on administrative leave and suspended his security clearance after his arrest.

Baldwin's arrest comes two days after a high-ranking supervisor was also put on leave after he was accused of misconduct in a case that is also being investigated by police. The Homeland Security Department's inspector general is investigating the allegations of misconduct by the supervisor.

Baldwin's arrest and the earlier allegation of misconduct are the latest black eyes for the agency responsible for protecting the president and his family.

The inspector general is already investigating a March 4 incident in which two high-ranking agency officials are accused of driving into a secure area at the White House after a night of drinking.