Richmond police officer convicted for using police computer to track woman from dating app
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- An officer with the Richmond Police Department was convicted of computer invasion of privacy after he reportedly used a police computer to find the address of a woman he met on a dating app. On Tuesday, Oct. 1, officer Leary Wright pleaded no contest to "examine employment, credit etc. information by computer," or computer invasion of privacy, according to the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. The office told 8News that, in October 2023, Wright used a police computer to find the address of a woman, called "C.T." in court documents, who he met on Tinder. He then proceeded to contact C.T., claiming that he was a Richmond Police detective. No further details on this interaction have been shared. Earlier this year, in March, Wright was initially charged with both computer invasion of privacy and impersonating a police officer. The impersonation charge has since been dismissed. ‘It’s hard to believe’: Family remembers 90-year-old man who died in Henrico house fire Wright was sentenced to 90 days in prison. However, all 90 days were suspended under the following conditions: Wright must maintain good behavior Wright must complete 50 hours of community service Wright must continue to "seek mental health treatment" with his current provider Wright must have no contact with C.T. Wright must pay court costs and any interest The Richmond Police Department provided 8News with the following statement: "Officer Leary Wright was first placed on administrative leave with pay in December 2023. In March 2024, once the department learned that Officer Leary had been indicted by the Richmond Grand Jury on two misdemeanor charges, his status was changed to administrative leave without pay and he remains in this status. Given the recent conclusion of the criminal proceedings and consistent with department policy, RPD’s Office of Professional Responsibility has begun administratively investigating Officer Leary to determine any violation of department or city policies. This investigation continues." James Mercante with the Richmond Police Department
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- An officer with the Richmond Police Department was convicted of computer invasion of privacy after he reportedly used a police computer to find the address of a woman he met on a dating app.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, officer Leary Wright pleaded no contest to "examine employment, credit etc. information by computer," or computer invasion of privacy, according to the Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
The office told 8News that, in October 2023, Wright used a police computer to find the address of a woman, called "C.T." in court documents, who he met on Tinder. He then proceeded to contact C.T., claiming that he was a Richmond Police detective. No further details on this interaction have been shared.
Earlier this year, in March, Wright was initially charged with both computer invasion of privacy and impersonating a police officer. The impersonation charge has since been dismissed.
‘It’s hard to believe’: Family remembers 90-year-old man who died in Henrico house fire
Wright was sentenced to 90 days in prison. However, all 90 days were suspended under the following conditions:
- Wright must maintain good behavior
- Wright must complete 50 hours of community service
- Wright must continue to "seek mental health treatment" with his current provider
- Wright must have no contact with C.T.
- Wright must pay court costs and any interest
The Richmond Police Department provided 8News with the following statement:
"Officer Leary Wright was first placed on administrative leave with pay in December 2023. In March 2024, once the department learned that Officer Leary had been indicted by the Richmond Grand Jury on two misdemeanor charges, his status was changed to administrative leave without pay and he remains in this status.
Given the recent conclusion of the criminal proceedings and consistent with department policy, RPD’s Office of Professional Responsibility has begun administratively investigating Officer Leary to determine any violation of department or city policies. This investigation continues." James Mercante with the Richmond Police Department
