The police officer who was found guilty of illegally discharging his service weapon in a public place, and who was sentenced to a one year in prison, is serving his sentence at the prison facility at the former US Pan Am Base at Coolidge.
37-year old Sgt. Karim Warner was sentenced on Friday when he appeared in the magistrate’s court to learn of his fate. He was found guilty just days earlier by the court.
Prison sources say Warner is being housed at the facility at the Pan Am Base ‘for his own safety and well-being’. He is one of two persons serving prison sentences at the facility. The other is a UK national who was convicted on rape charges and who is being housed at the facility under an agreement with the UK government.
The rooms at the Pan Am Base that serve as part of the prison have been converted to cells. However, they offer accommodation that is better than what is available at the main prison at 1735.
On Friday, the magistrate found that Warner has abused his authority when he discharged twelve rounds of bullet at a motor vehicle with two occupants inside. In the victim statement, one person spoke of sheer ‘terror’ caused by the discharge of bullets. The magistrate also noted the damage to property, the motor vehicle.
In terms of mitigating circumstances, the magistrate made note of the character witnesses testimonies and Warner’s past history of positive action. Additionally, he cooperated with the police on the scene and upon his arrest.
The magistrate also made note of the potential for his rehabilitation. The penalty for this crime is a maximum of two years, but given all the circumstances of the case, the magistrate sentenced the officer to one year in prison.
