The State Trooper Who Performed a Roadside Cavity Search on Irving Women Has Been Fired

By Eric Nicholson Wed., Jan. 30 2013 at 6:51 AM

Angel Dobbs and her niece, Ashley Dobbs, would rather forget what happened to them on July 13, 2012. That's when a state trooper pulled them over as they traveled north down George Bush Turnpike in Irving, purportedly for throwing a cigarette butt out the window.

What happened next was broadcast far and wide after the women sued the Texas Department of Public Safety last month. The trooper, David Farrell, claimed to smell marijuana and, on the grounds that the women were "acting weird," called in a second trooper, Kelly Helleson.

It didn't take long for Helleson to get down to business. She snapped on latex gloves, positioned Angel Dobbs in front of the spotlights from Farrell's cruiser and, in full view of passing motorists, performed a quick but thorough -- not to mention painful -- cavity search. Helleson did the same to the niece before determining that the women had not, in fact, concealed controlled substances within their anatomy.

After the lawsuit was filed, and after the dash-cam video went viral, DPS suspended both Farrell and Helleson pending the outcome of an investigation into their conduct.

That investigation is now apparently complete. DPS spokesman Tom Vinger sent word yesterday: "The Director of DPS has made a preliminary determination to terminate Kelly Helleson," he wrote in an email Tuesday evening. "By policy, she will be given the opportunity to meet with the Director before the decision is finalized."

No word on what will happen to Farrell, which presumably means his job is safe. No word, either, on whether Dallas County will press criminal charges, as was being considered. We've emailed DA spokeswoman Debbie Denmon to check. Updates when we hear back.

Update at 10:01 a.m.: Denmon's response: "Our office is still investigating and we have no Grand Jury date set at this time."

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Vince69

Maybe she can rap with Lucille Baller!

Nancy

2 Like

It's about time this disgusting animal be taken off the streets. She doesn't deserve a job at McDonalds scooping ice cream!

scottindallas topcommenter

@Nancy they don't "scoop" soft serve; and, evidently making a dipped cone is tougher than many McDonalds employees can master.

ThePosterFormerlyKnownasPaul topcommenter

4 Like

So, when are the assault charges going to be filed? Especially since they were done under color of authority.

scottindallas topcommenter

@ThePosterFormerlyKnownasPaul who brought the "coloreds" into this?

hilllbillle

3 Like

i thought if a sexual assault like this was right there on video for all to see, there would be immediate arrests. police are special and they get to wait to see if a grand jury gets called? even for violent crime like this? our injustice system is a bad joke and some of us are dam tired of being the butt of the joke.

oakclifftownie

1 Like

I bet that was a Shocker

FEDUP

3 Like

Again the only difference between a cop in Texas and a criminal. is the badge and uniform!!

hilllbillle

those 2 criminals are on MSN front page national news today. dallas da where are the sexual assault charges? get this garbage off our streets.

hilllbillle

2 Like

in the state of texas, it is lawful for a citizen to use deadly force to stop certain violent crimes such as armed robbery, arson, carjacking, or rape. those criminal scumbags commited armed rape under color of law. they should neever get out of prison. they best hope i ain't on their jury. they are no better than rabid dogs.

holmantx topcommenter

4 Like

She started with the anus and then went forward, and didn't change gloves. Big no-no, aside from not refusing to conduct the illegal order.

director21

1 Like

@holmantx Maybe the female trooper was just copping a feel for the fun of it.. She looks like the type who would do such a thing. I'll bet she even saved the gloves.

datsneefa

4 Like

what about the male trooper? He ordered the illegal search after all... he is also on another youtube vid that raised more 4th amendment issues , not to mention brutality issues as well (is it farrell or ferrell?)

Nancy

@datsneefa They should be cell mates!