Sexual Assault Charges Dropped Against Former Tampa Cop

TAMPA, FL -- A former Tampa Police is seeking to get his job back following Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren's decision Tuesday to drop sexual assault charges against him.

County prosecutors announced that they would not seek to prosecute Adam York, 45, on a 2016 accusation that he touched a woman inappropriately after pulling her over for a traffic stop.

York was subsequently fired from his job as a police officer, where he worked since 2003.

In a press conference, York's attorney, Richard Escobar blasted the Tampa Police for doing a poor job of investigating the accusation and called for York to be reinstated with back pay.

"They did an absolutely atrocious job," Escobar said. "It's a travesty of justice."

Escobar said the police failed to interview key witnesses and follow up on evidence that might have exonerated York.

He noted that in the recorded interview with York's accuser, she changed her story, contradicted herself, told detectives that she was "pretty good at manipulating police" and claimed she could get out of charges by "flashing" the police.

However, Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan stands by his department's investigation and said York will not get his job back..

"The decision by the State Attorney has no bearing on our decision to fire Adam York," said Dugan in a statement. "His status with our department has not changed. Tampa Police investigated the allegation thoroughly and with a sense of urgency. We consulted with the State Attorney's Office at every step in the process."

Dugan said he gave York every opportunity to explain how York's DNA was found in his accuser's underwear.

"His response was contradicted by the evidence and he was fired for not maintaining the expected standard of conduct and for untruthfulness," he said. "We stand by our decision."

He added that he hopes the decision to not prosecute York doesn't deter victims of sexual assault from reporting crimes.

"I hope that the comments made by Adam York's attorney today don't have a chilling effect on victims of sexual assault and cause them to be reluctant to come forward," he said.

York said his life has been in disarray for the past two years. He's had a difficult time finding employment and his family has been harassed .

"I'm destitute. We have nothing left. They've taken everything from me," said a visibly distraught York, accompanied by his wife, Lisa. "Every day when I wake up, it's all I think about. They tried to put me away for 35 years."

Image via Attorney Richard Escobar

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