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Aledo police officer says he was unfairly forced to resign

After he and another officer faced sexual abuse charges involving a minor, former Aledo Police Officer Steven Bonynge said his resignation was not voluntary.
Steven Bonynge and Seth Degelman photos from Mercer County Jail

After he and another officer faced sexual abuse charges involving a minor, former Aledo Police Officer Steven Bonynge said his resignation was not voluntary.

Bonynge, 32, of Aledo and Seth Degelman, 30, of Reynolds, were investigated after the Aledo Police Department received a complaint of an inappropriate relationship between an officer and a juvenile, according to Aledo Police Chief J. Michael Sponsler.

The alleged victim was “slightly under the age of 17,” according to a statement from attorney Blaise Rogers of Gullbert, Box & Worby, LLC, who said he represents Bonynge.

Read it here:  Attorney Statement on behalf of Steven Bonynge

“I am not his sole attorney. I am just the messenger,” Rogers said in a follow-up statement. “William K. Gullberg and Kyle J. Worby are the partners working on the case as well.”

Bonynge was charged with class 2 felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse/weapon.  Degelman was charged with class 3 felony indecent solicitation/aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Less than four weeks after the charges were filed, both officers resigned their positions with the police department according to Aledo Mayor Chris Hagloch.

Bonynge’s resignation was “a direct result of administrative mismanagement by the Aledo Police Department, a reckless disregard for his personal and professional integrity, as well as his rights in the criminal justice system,” Rogers’ statement said.

“The accusations do not include the use of force, threat, intimidation, or coercion,” Rogers said.

In a copy of the resignation letter provided by Rogers, Bonynge states he was “being forced out and my resignation is involuntary” and he claims his arrest and treatment by the city “has been unconscionable.”  The letter alleges his employment contract also prohibited officials from releasing the photo of Bonynge provided after he was booked into the Mercer County Jail.

“I am innocent of this criminal charge but it appears that I have already been convicted by my superiors,” the letter said.  “Resigning for these reasons is discouraging but, given the circumstances I was put in, I do not have any choice,” the letter said.  “I know I will not have the opportunity to be rehired or to continue my employment by the Aledo Police Department, but I would like to say that I have performed my duty faithfully and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the residents of Aledo and Mercer County.”

Read it here:  Steven Bonynge letter of resignation (provided by Gullbert, Box & Worby LLC)

 

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